North Coast - Peru - page 738

( 25-8080; www.clarodelunamancora.com ; Antigua Panamericana Km 1216; s/d incl
breakfast S130/220; ) An English-speaking Argentine family runs this show,
which gets rave reviews from travelers for its cozy, down-home atmosphere. Of the nine
rooms, five face the sea and four face the small garden. Prices are the same and each is
tastefully decorated with subtle art, channeling a vague Santorini aesthetic. Two pools, a
movie projection room, kayaks for use and a lovely ocean-side patio/lounge ensure there's
something for everyone (we prefer a nice Argentine red on the latter).

BOUTIQUE HOTEL

DCO Suites $$$
( 25-8171; www.hoteldco.com ; ste incl breakfast from S710; ) This relative
newcomer upped the ante for trendsetters into the stratosphere and it remains the discern-
ing choice of jetsetters, rock stars, honeymooners and other deep-pocketed nomads.
Though the love-it-or-hate-it color scheme - a jarring turquoise and white - is seriously
polarizing, the spacious rooms come with his and her kimono-style robes, rain-style
showers and lovely curved sandstone walls that fit together like an architectural jigsaw
puzzle.
Service, privacy and luxury are the trump cards here, whether on the curtained beach
cabañas, at the remarkable outdoor spa or in the small infinity pool.

Del Wawa $
( 25-8427; www.delwawa.com ; 8 de Octubre s/n; s/d S50/100; ) This surfer's
mecca is set up right on the beach, and perhaps rides that wave a little too casually at
times - lots of chipped paint and dangerously rusty hot water heaters in some rooms kill
the mood and an aloof front desk doesn't reverse that trend.
But brightly colored adobe rooms facing the ocean are hard to beat for location, as are
the newer, warm-colored 2nd floor rooms in a back annex. It has the most idyllic common
area on the town beach with great views of the best breaks from a gaggle of comfy,
umbrella-shaded beach lounges and there's surfboard rental, kitesurfing instruction, and
Christa from Máncora Yoga runs classes here every morning. If you get the right room,
you win.

HOTEL

HOTEL

Hostal Las Olas $$
( 25-8099; www.lasolasmancora.com ; s/d/tr incl breakfast from S80/140/220; )
This great couples spot dons a Mediterranean-esque olive skin tone on the outside and
minimalist white rooms with wood accents on the inside. The small, cozy restaurant looks
onto the beach's best breaks and is a surf-spotter's dream.