Cirqa - 를레 & 샤토

We stayed at Cirqa for one night in September, and even though it was a very short stay, it was very memorable. The service was great from beginning to end. We were picked up from the airport and it was a short, comfortable 30 minute ride. The car was equipped with wet towels and water, which was very welcome after a long flight. Once we arrived, we were greeted like family, and that feeling didn’t end until we left. The hotel overall is very quiet and serene even though it is walking distance to so much in the historical centre. We often it felt like we were one of just a few guests there. We stayed in the Boveda room (room 11), which was very spacious and beautiful. Once we settled in, we went to lunch, and David greeted us by name before we were able to introduce ourselves. He knew that we were vegetarians and provided great suggestions for what to eat and what drinks paired well. We enjoyed all of the meals we had there, especially in the outside setting. We booked a massage and it was very nice after a day of exploring Arequipa. Communicating via whatsapp, whether it was to book the massage, grab a cup of tea, or asking for a forgotten toiletry made everything very easy. We would absolutely recommend Cirqa to anyone who wants a relaxing stay. Our only regret was that we couldn’t stay longer.

We love Cirqa!!! They truly made it feel like home and we were a big family. Cirqa is a stunning boutique hotel that felt like an oasis in the heart of busy Arequipa. FANTASTIC restaurant, outstanding service, very cool cave-like room. Big shout out to Solange, David, Patty, and the other wonderful women who I am forgetting the names of. On our first night there was even fireworks and a big parade right outside the front door which we had a perfect view of from the roof!

The staff and service were 5 star. The design and accommodations were 5 star. The food was 5 star. Checkin was rough because the hotel was not aware that we were staying more than one night. The hotel was also not aware we had bought a package online that included meals, transfers, and activities. We had to prove these items from an email confirmation. Also one of our room’s air conditioning systems malfunctioned and spilled water all over the room the first night. We received only a $10 credit for this massive inconvenience.

Positives, excellent staff, lovely veranda, good location. Negatives, tiny room more like a cave than a room, hardly any light. The restaurant is so dark you need to use your mobile phone torch to read the menu, my prawn starters were burnt to a crisp and my beef main was tough. In the morning my husband ordered a bacon and onion omlette and got a plate of bacon and onions! Very weirdly the staff are all dressed as if the place is still a convent, with religious music piped out in the reception rooms, slightly spooky to be honest.

We stayed two nights in a Bóveda Room in May 2025. The hotel is in a beautifully repurposed old monastery and is ideally located—very central, with everything within walking distance. The decor is full of character and flair, though at times it felt a bit too modern for the historic setting, in my opinion. At night, the property is stunning, with real candles and firepits adding a magical touch. As all the rooms face interior courtyards, natural light is limited, ranging from modest to minimal. The windows also look out onto shared spaces, so for privacy, you’ll likely need to keep the curtains or shades drawn. This wasn’t an issue for us, but it’s something to be aware of. Service was excellent—attentive but never intrusive. My only small suggestion would be to shift turndown service to the dinner hour rather than the 4–6 p.m. window. The on-site restaurant was fantastic—probably the best dinner we had in town. We also stayed at their sister property in the Colca Valley (Puqio), and the staff made the transfer between the two hotels seamless.

My wife and I had the pleasure to stay at Cirqa while on business in Arequipa. The location is outstanding! You are within walking distance to just about everything. The hotel itself is exceptional, and the staff were professional and incredibly friendly. We felt like all our needs were taken care of sometimes before we even asked. We loved our room and the restaurant. We could not recommend Cirqa higher if you plan to be in Arequipa. We can not wait for our next stay!