Hidden Gems 💎: HOTEL PARACAS

Peru is known for Machu Picchu, Cusco, Lima, The Sacred Valley, and The Amazon. Don't get us wrong, we are ALL about those spots. In fact, we love them. BUT... we are also keen on finding hidden gems 💎 -- the places that are a little less traveled, but still filled with experiences, beauty, wonder, and strong culture. The places where locals visit, eat and explore because they're just that good. Pitusa Mama recounts her stay at the Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort:

"When shooting our Resort 2019 Campaign in Paracas, Peru we had the pleasure of staying at the beautiful Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort - part of the Marriott group.

This hotel was 5-star treatment from the moment we arrived. We were greeted with cocktails 🍸, there was no wait for our room (despite arriving at 10 am) and when we saw the grounds of the hotel, we were all left speechless! Two huge pools: one that looked over the ocean and one that was surrounded by shaded cabanas. 🌴 A fantastic spa and gym. The rooms were individual cabanas, spacious and each with their own balcony, giving direct access to the grounds of the hotel. Thatched rooftops and bamboo railings give this hotel a bohemian beach vibe but in the utmost luxury. 🌊

The food was absolutely divine! 👀 I am always skeptical of the food in hotels, as I usually find it average even in a food culinary heaven such as Peru. I was blown away by the quality of the food at Hotel Paracas. First meal was a salmon tartar, one of the most delicious I have ever had in my life - seriously!

We had drinks and tequeños in an area that overlooked the sea with the most stunning sunset view. 🌅 This was followed by an exquisite dinner in the main hotel restaurant. The Chef was a friend of the videographer and invited us to a variety of tasty desserts. 🍭

The breakfast was more like a royal feast! 🙀 An egg station, a bread station, fresh fruits and juices, and a-la-carte options as well. I opted for the French toast, which was blissfully sinful.

On our last day - after two full days of shooting 📷 - was spent at the Paracas National Reserve, only 10 minutes from the hotel and one of the most spectacular locations I have ever seen in my life! Untouched, virgin sand dunes meet the South Pacific Ocean, and there is no sign of modernization in sight. We had lunch back at the Hotel's Ceviche Bar that is on a charming little pier connected to the hotel by a bridge.

The menu was simple: Ceviche, Causa, Pisco Sours or Cusqueñas.  It was delightful enjoying the fresh fish surrounded by a light sea breeze. This was the last raw fish meal I've had, as soon after this trip I discovered I was pregnant! I've always been so grateful that this was my last raw fish meal, *Pisco Sours included*! 🍹 "

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