Hotel El Refugio d'Elise

Hotels
8.6 (159 reviews)
Putuco s/n (Carretera rural a Cabanaconde) , Chivay , pe

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
Garden
Laundry
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Exceptional location by the river with mountain/canyon views
Multiple thermal pools and relaxing hot springs
Comfortable rooms and good bedding
Good value compared to similar lodges
Pleasant grounds and peaceful atmosphere
Nice breakfast and friendly/attentive staff (mostly)
Cons:
Inconsistent food quality; limited menu for some meals
Wi‑Fi often limited to main building
Occasional room issues: drafts, plumbing/odour, limited lighting, no TV
One report of closed thermal pool
Difficult access/steep approach and many stairs – not ideal for mobility issues
Isolated reports of unfriendly reception

Categories

Cleanliness
8.2
Generally described as clean and well-kept grounds and rooms, though several reviews mention limited room cleaning (only bathroom), occasional odors at room entrance and issues like leaks.
Service
8
Mostly praised for attentive staff and prevenance, with some guests noting friendly helpful service; isolated reports of unfriendly reception lower the score slightly.
Location
9.5
Consistently highlighted as a major strength: stunning riverside location, mountain and canyon views, very peaceful and close to the thermal pools.
Room Quality
8
Rooms often described as comfortable with good beds and heating; some negatives include drafts from gaps, limited lighting, no TV in some rooms and occasional plumbing issues.
Amenities
9
Strong amenities profile with multiple hot spring pools, games area, fireplace and on-site restaurant; some downsides like one closed pool in a report and Wi‑Fi limited to main building.
Value for Money
9
Multiple guests note very good value (cheaper than comparable lodges while offering similar facilities), making value a clear positive.
Food and Beverage
7.5
Mixed feedback: some rave about the restaurant and breakfast, others report poor meals, limited menu choices and variability in quality.
Overall Experience
9.6
Overall highly recommended by many guests for setting, hot springs and relaxing atmosphere; a few operational issues temper a perfect score but overall experience remains very positive.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-08-13 09:41

Property Description

Rustic Charm and Natural Beauty
Experience the tranquility of the Colca Valley at our rustic-style inn, boasting thermal baths with breathtaking views of the Colca river and surrounding mountains. Each room offers a serene escape with rustic walls, modern bathrooms, and a private balcony or terrace overlooking the valley.

Delicious Dining with a View
Indulge in a full American breakfast at our Restaurant, surrounded by panoramic windows showcasing the valley. Savor local specialties while enjoying the warmth of the central iron-cast fireplace, adding to the cozy ambiance.

Convenient Location
Located just 500 meters from Chivay’s bus station, El Refugio provides easy access to explore the wonders of the Colca Valley. Book your stay now and immerse yourself in nature's embrace.

Important information:

Based on local tax laws, Peruvian citizens (and foreigners staying more than 59 days in Peru) must pay an additional fee of 10%. To be exempt from this 18% additional fee (IVA), a copy of the immigration card and passport must be presented. Please note both documents are required for fee exemption

Foreign business travelers who require a printed invoice, will also be charged the additional 18% regardless of the length of their stay in Peru. This fee is not automatically calculated in the total costs for the reservation.

If foreign guests share a room with Peruvian guests, then the extra tax (IVA) must be paid.

Children up to 7 years old can stay for free with their parents as long as they use existing bedding, no extra bed or breakfast included. Children from 8 to 12 years old can stay with their parents using the existing beds and paying the child rate, which does not include an additional bed, if it includes breakfast. Children 13 years and older are considered adults.Please inform of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.
Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
Guests under the age of 18 can only check in with a parent or official guardian.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.6
Based on 159 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.2
Service: 8
Location: 9.5
Room Quality: 8
Amenities: 9
Value for Money: 9
Food and Beverage: 7.5
Overall Experience: 9.6
A
Agostina • extended_group • it
9
Pros:

La struttura immersa nell bosco la camera meravigliosa

Cons:

Le terme piccole e non tanto pulite

2026-08-29 • via Nuitee
E
Ester • solo_traveller • es
7
Pros:

L'entorn, encara que el podrien tenir més cuidat i tenir més cura amb els ocells i algun camí per poder passejar

Cons:

El llit molt dur i el WC perdia aigua i feia molt mala olor

2026-08-27 • via Nuitee
M
Marie • couple • be
8
Stunning view
Pros:

The localisation was stunning and the hot springs very relaxing.

Cons:

The soundproofing of the room was very bad, we could hear all the noises of the neighbors.
Some members of the staff were also quite rude because we were not able to understand everything they were saying in Spanish and didn’t want to make an effort to speak in English.

2026-08-26 • via Nuitee
M
Mario • family_with_children • es
4
Bien
Pros:

La ubicación y la vista estuvo muy bien. En la recepción te ofrecen mate de coca que se agradece después del viaje hacia el hospedaje.

Cons:

El check-in es a la 1pm, y a pesar de que nuestra habitación ya estaba lista, nos hicieron esperar en recepción para poder tener las llaves de la habitación.
Solicitamos cambio de Batas ya que estaban mojadas, y nos dijeron que no podían cambiarlas hasta el dia siguiente.
Las aguas termales no son calientes, es agua templada comparada con las de otros hoteles de la zona.
La presion del agua de la ducha es minima, lo cual hacia complicado ducharse.

2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
M
Mario • family_with_children • at
9
2026-08-24 • via Nuitee
L
Lukasz • family_with_children • pl
10
Pros:

Fantastyczna i przepiękna lokalizacja. Pokoje skromne, ale w zupełności wystarczające i przestronne. Miła obsługa.

Cons:

Od parkingu do recepcji hotelu trzeba pokonać kawałek drogi w dół - niestety hotel nie oferuje pomocy w zniesieniu bagaży.

2026-08-17 • via Nuitee
L
Libertad • family_with_children • pe
6
Bonito, pero no amigable para personas con restricciones de mobilidad
Pros:

El lugar es pintoresco, muy bonito y no muy frio como en otro hotel de la zona en la que me quede en la misma epoca del año. Hay actividades interesantes como por ejemplo pescar, las piscinas termales, futbolito y la mesa de billar. La atención por parte del personal del hotel es excelente, son muy amables y atentos. El personal de la cocina es a todo dar y muy atenciosos.

Cons:

El acceso al hotel desde la zona de estacionamiento no es muy amigable para personas con problemas de mobilidad, la bajada hacia el Lobby es de terror para una persona mayor de 80 años y la subida de regreso es algo empinada. Dentro del hotel, es un poco complicado moverse de un lugar a otro, debido al exeso de gradas.
No me gustó que el uso de la piscina termal de agua caliente techada se tenga que reservar y solo se pueda usar por una hora al dia.

2026-08-16 • via Nuitee
V
vincent • family_with_children • fr
8
Très bel hotel, très bien situé.
Pros:

Très bel endroit, bel hôtel, personnel sympathique.

2026-08-14 • via Nuitee
S
sanchez • family_with_children • pe
10
Calidez y calidad.
Pros:

La calidez del hotel y la calidad de sus alimentos. Espectacular !
También me gusto sus jabones de ducha. Lo cerca de la piscina termal y el paisaje !!
Las estrellas se ven nítidas !! Hermoso cielo !!

Cons:

Su piscina termal cerrada !!
Su shampoo !!
Su comida !!

2026-08-07 • via Nuitee
M
Milady • solo_traveller • pe
10
Muy cómodas las habitaciones súper recomendado
Pros:

La vista excelente desayuno buena comida

Cons:

Me gustó todo

2026-07-25 • via Nuitee
G
Gustavo • family_with_children • pe
9
Muy agradable.
Pros:

Bastante acogedor. Sin lujos pero bastante cómodo y limpio. Buena relación calidad precio.

Cons:

Todo bien

2026-07-24 • via Nuitee
C
Claudia • solo_traveller • de
10
Pros:

Traumhafte Lage inmitten der Natur. Unbedingt zu empfehlen.

2026-07-21 • via Nuitee
N
Nicolas • family_with_children • ch
9
Super cadre et piscine thermales
Pros:

Très joli hôtel en bordure du fleuve. La localisation est son point fort, au calme et il dispose de 3 bassins d’eau thermale chaude extérieurs et 1 un peu plus grand en semi intérieur.
Jolies chambres spacieuses, confortables, bonne literie (2 lits doubles). Chauffage d’appoint disponible en chambre (nous n’avons pas du tout eu froid)
Véhicule nécessaire
Restaurant sur place correct (prix raisonnables). ambiance le soir sympa avec une zone jeux de sociétés, billard et cheminée. Quelques canapés pour se reposer.
Bon petit dejeuner

Cons:

Bon Wifi mais par contre uniquement dans le bâtiment principal

2026-07-15 • via Nuitee
A
anka05 • solo_traveller • de
8
Pros:

Thermalbecken
Aussicht von den oberen Zimmern
Bequeme Betten mit dicken Decken
Heizkörper beweglich
Essen im Restaurant

Cons:

Kein TV;
Internet nur in der Lobby;
Zimmerreinigung beschränkt auf Bad (Betten etc. nicht gemacht);
Toilette undicht, Zimmerwechsel angeboten;
Überall Schlitze (Fenster, Türen) lassen Kälte in die Zimmer;
Im Restaurant hätte man ruhig öfter nachfragen können, ob noch Wünsche offen sind bzw. noch etwas bestellt werden möchte;
Kicker und Billard im Restaurant stört die Ruhe beim Essen;
Kamin im Restaurant - Rauch zieht in alle Zimmer;
Zufahrt schwer zugänglich (zum Glück war es nicht glatt), Schotterparkplatz (Anfahrschwierigkeiten);

2026-07-15 • via Nuitee
R
Rupert • solo_traveller • nl
9
Pros:

This place gives you a very local feeling, which is great, it's under marketed. Prices are cheaper (by 50%) to Colca lodge even though facilities are comparable to quite an extent.

Cons:

The menu can be expanded, had lunch and dinner and had to choose from the same list of 4 or 5 items. The hot spring enclosures are great but the water temperature were far below the states 35 degrees.

2026-07-13 • via Nuitee
C
Carlos • solo_traveller • pe
9
Pros:

Beautiful

2026-07-12 • via Nuitee
H
Herbinet • solo_traveller • fr
10
Pros:

La prévenance des membres de l'équipe, le lieu magnifique, l'apaisement des bains

Cons:

Idée d'amélioration des garçons : Une télé pour suivre les matchs pendant la coupe du monde ⚽

2026-07-11 • via Nuitee
D
Delgado • solo_traveller • pe
9
2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
P
Paula • couple • br
9
Localização incrível!
Pros:

Local é incrível! Quarto muito confortável.

Cons:

Café da manhã poderia ser melhor.

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
J
Jorge • couple • es
10
2026-07-05 • via Nuitee