Our destinations are the scene of unforgettable moments. In November, two special occasions invite us to celebrate together, the anniversary of the Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, and the launch of El Salar’s new cocktail proposal at The Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center.

Hotel Paracas is a destination with a history

The Hotel Paracas,  a Luxury Collection Resort, started operating 15 years ago. However, this anniversary is linked to a longer history: that of an iconic hotel in a bay full of tradition.

A resort full of history

Since the mid-nineteenth century, the guano industrial boom drew attention to the bay and the islands of Pisco, in the always-sunny department of Ica. But it was not until several decades later, around 1930, that José Álvarez Calderón, one of the most important modern architects in Peru and a sailing enthusiast, realized that, a little further south, a piece of land nestled between the desert and the sea had great potential as a coastal destination.

It was Paracas and the beginning of the creation of one of the most iconic beach resorts in the country. It was Álvarez Calderón who designed the first and most beautiful houses in the bay, as well as the  Hotel Paracas, which opened in 1944 to become the center of social and tourist life in the area. In the years that followed, families and visitors made Paracas one of the most vibrant beach resorts, where you could enjoy a walk along the boardwalk, a boat tour along the coast, or a Sunday lunch at the old Paracas Hotel, which has even been the setting for cinematic and literary fictions.

The hotel has welcomed generations of families who continue to create memorable moments at the foot of this coastal desert. It has witnessed endearing private events, such as weddings, anniversaries, and big parties; in recent years, it has hosted important appointments, such as CADE (Annual Executive Conference) and APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum). Throughout its history, the hotel has also welcomed travelers and adventurers who have arrived attracted by the Paracas National Reserve’s natural treasure, its wonderful marine fauna, and the pre-Hispanic culinary and cultural richness of the beach resort.

A renovation with a soul

The essence of that iconic mid-twentieth century hotel, the first in the bay, was maintained in the renovation of 2009 when it was reopened as part of The Luxury Collection. Many significant details maintain its ethos. The cabins, the reception, the main restaurant, the bar, and the swimming pool are mainly intervened with bamboo, which not only gives them warmth and makes them cozier, but is a reference to the ancient architecture and the tradition of the beach resort.

Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort also decided to maintain the spaciousness of the gardens, even enhancing it: currently, 60% of the property consists of its green spaces, whose landscaping is inspired by a Paracas mantle in its strokes and colors, replicated thanks to the vegetation. The design is a contemporary tribute to a destination of centuries-old history and culture.

For 15 years, the hotel has been based on the pillars of The Luxury Collection, which offers the most demanding and knowledgeable traveler a world of experiences in destinations with native charm, unique environments, and culinary pleasures rooted in the local culture.

The hotel promotes a full immersion in the nature of Paracas with activities such as the morning departure in kayak, which allows you to enter areas that cannot be reached by any motorized boat, there, the bird watching and marine fauna are impressive. On the other hand, the launch of the Travesía Marina tasting menu in 2024 is a tribute to the artisanal and sustainable fishing tradition and, above all, to its protagonists, the artisanal fishermen who have lived in harmony with nature for centuries. The five-step menu has been available for a few months at Ballestas, the hotel’s main restaurant. Each dish is designed based on fresh and high-quality products, which come from artisanal fishing settlements in the bay and represent a sensory journey through the sea of Paracas.

Another novelty is the launch of Koni Camp, a full-entertainment program that proposes a set of experiences for children and teenagers. The character, Koni, is based on the pre-Columbian god Kon, considered the creator of the world by cultures of the Peruvian coast such as Paracas and Nasca. The proposal is for fun and education and includes ecological aspects, such as knowing more about the endangered animals the reserve seeks to protect.

These are just some recent examples of how, in these 15 years, the Paracas Hotel has wanted to design a luxury experience for the whole family and all types of travelers.