I have one or two nights in Lima in late February and am choosing between the Maria Luisa and Hotel Las Palmas. Both of these places are in Miraflores and both are in my price range. If it matters I don't speak Spanish. Now a few questions, please.
Is either of these places better located for sightseeing and mongering (Tequila Rocks, Relax y Vida)? Also is Las Palmas a nicer hotel than Maria Luisa? Las Palmas costs a little more so I'm guessing it is nicer. I really want an in-room safe and I am unable to determine if Las Palmas has one. That could be a deciding factor.
My last question is about safety. Is it safe to walk alone at night in the areas near these hotels. I enjoy walking and I read Miraflores is safe but to be careful elsewhere. Would it be safe to walk to Pizza Alley (I'm not sure what that is-sounds like streetwalkers) and Tequila Rocks?
Thanks for any answers and thanks to those who have posted here. This is a great forum.

I cannot comment on the individual hotels that you mention, except that they are in a good location to everything. I have lived in Miraflores for a couple of years, and have walked around everywhere at just about all times of the day and night, and on many occassions I have had one to many and in a good state to be attacked, but so far, touch wood, nothing has ever happened. However, like any city, just be aware of what is happening around you. I have lost a couple of blackberrys in some of the clubs.

I can't speak for either hotel, but would suggest taking more time and reading through this forum for a flavor of what to expect in Lima in general and Miraflores in particular. I think there are posts re both hotels in the English forum somewhere.

What I can say is this: Relax Y Vida has multiple locations, none walking distance from the epicenter of Miraflores - Parque Kennedy Tequila Rocks and Pizza Alley on the other hand are mere steps away from the park. Again, read elsewhere on this forum about Pizza alley. It is exactly what the name states, a little nook filled with Italian/Pizza joints. It used to be a decent pick up spot, but most of what I have read here lately indicates that besides the occasional well-worn street ho, there won't be much action to be had there. Still worth a wander through.

Miraflores is, in general, a great neighborhood to walk in. I will say that once you are off the main drags later in the evening the streets get quiet quickly. Since street lighting isn't as good as it would be in a North American or European city, it can be disconcerting to be the only person walking down a not-so-well-lit street.

In most cases you will need to take taxis to the places you are looking to visit both for mongering and non-mongering activity. Lima is not a place where English is much spoken, so speaking no Spanish at all will be a handicap, especially if you aim to hook up at Tequila Rock. I would suggest getting some very basic words and phrases learned, a little can go a long way.

I have indeed read a lot of threads in the English forum. This is no doubt the premier adult Peru site on the net.
I'll only be in Lima for one or two nights but I can stretch that a bit if I really like it there. I'm going on to Rio for the first time as well. I only know a few words (no sentences) in Spanish but I have traveled the world and consider myself a very experienced player in this game.
Thanks again for the responses and the great info posted at this forum.

I have stayed at both locations, and neither offers a safe in the room. This can be a deal breaker for some. I know Maria Luisa has safety deposit boxes at the desk and they are very reliable. I always tape closed an envelope before putting in the box and the seal has never been broken by anyone but me.

At Las Palmas, I did not inquire as my stay was only a short term stay. But nothing in my room ever disappeared and I was literally spitting distance from Pizza Alley.

However, between the two I prefer Maria Luisa only because of less noise. Both are considered budget friendly locations. Actually, my favorite, and only a few dollars more, is Don Carlos Carmel Hotel. It is a few dollars extra and a girl is about $10 extra per night, but for the price was the nicest and most comfortable Miraflores hotel for the money (also a short walk to Pizza Alley). By the way, there are safes in the room at Carmel.

Thanks for the short recap. We are staying at the Maria Luisa for a few days to start our trip.