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Hotel Balsa: Traveller Reviews

3.0 of 5
Jiron Cajamarca 555, Puno 01, Peru
Hotel amenities
Hotel Balsa
Ranked #21 of 58 hotels in Puno
4.0 of 5 stars 38 Reviews
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38 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    16
    6
    11
    2
    3
Date Rating
Brighton, United Kingdom
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
“Faultless”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 January 2012

It's situated in a slightly grubby looking side street, but it's only one block away from the main square and yet it's still nice and quiet at night.

There's plenty of choice for an evening meal just a short walk away down a pedestrian street (a welcome novelty in South America!). I really liked Puno, it has a nice atmosphere.

The room was big and the bed was enormous - easily big enough for three people (I imagine!). Bed side tables on both sides, and side lamps too. Plenty of wardrobe space, and room for luggage.

The small fridge is also handy for keeping drinks and chocolate cool on hot sunny days.

The bathroom was clean and fresh, though the shower was a little disappointing after the high standard of everything else. The shower door was taped open for some reason, and at peak times the water pressure and temperature consistency can be poor.

They have lifts! And a working WiFi, and working Internet terminals in the reception area.

  • Stayed November 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 5 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Brussels
Contributor
15 reviews 15 reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
“Moderate hotel in a moderate town”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 December 2011

This is an average hotel. If you're a budget traveler, the room is allright although the carpet was far from clean and paint blistered off the wall at certain spots. The shower, however was super and there were 2 PC's in the hallway free to use. The breakfast was extensive and there is an elevator. In short, it's a perfect hotel when you're on a passage through Colca, Cuzco or Bolivia. And moreover, it is situated in the center (?) of Puno.

  • Stayed September 2011, travelled solo
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 4 of 5 stars Location
    • 4 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 3 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Auckland, New Zealand
Senior Contributor
26 reviews 26 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
15 helpful votes 15 helpful votes
“Handy location in Puno”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 July 2011

Only a short walk to the central square & market. Breakfast menu above average for a typical Peru Hotel.

  • Stayed June 2011, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Vancouver, Canada
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
“Recommend if you are on a budget.”
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 April 2011
1
person found this review helpful

This was an average hotel as far as facilities go. The location was good - right by the cathedral. The staff was really great... very very helpful and always a smile on their faces. I stayed 2 nights, one at the beginning of my Lake Titicaca homestay journey and one at the end. The first night I got a pretty good room. It was a bit cold, but the heater provided eventually warmed it up. Bathroom was clean - not the ritz, but overall not too bad. The second night the room was clean, but again quite cold and unfortunately the heater didn't work too well. There was also a bit of an 'sewage' like smell starting at around 10PM to about 9AM - very good. I am very sure the hotel would have been more than happy to resolve my 'issues' for night 2, but I was just too tired to call down
and tell them :), so I don't hold it against them.

They are also the first hotel I have stayed in so far in Peru that had room service. It's not expensive. The chicken sandwich was quite good - chocolate cake was not so good. Oh and the coffee they serve at breakfast and via room service is quite horrible - perhaps bring some Starbucks VIA with you ;)!

I do recommend this hotel if you are on a budget (I am not sure how much it was as my stay there was included in a package I purchased throught GAP Adventures).

  • Stayed April 2011
    • 5 of 5 stars Location
    • 2 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 1 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 5 of 5 stars Service
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London, United Kingdom
Top Contributor
64 reviews 64 reviews
Reviews in 57 cities Reviews in 57 cities
34 helpful votes 34 helpful votes
“OK hotel in a forgettable city”
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 February 2011

We stayed here for a couple of nights as part of a GAP tour. The hotel is nothing special but clean. All in all ok for a three star hotel. Puno itself is not that exciting and I would recommend not to spend too much time there.

  • Stayed August 2010, travelled as a couple
    • 3 of 5 stars Value
    • 3 of 5 stars Location
    • 3 of 5 stars Sleep Quality
    • 3 of 5 stars Rooms
    • 4 of 5 stars Cleanliness
    • 3 of 5 stars Service
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Additional Information about Hotel Balsa

Jiron Cajamarca 555, Puno 01, Peru
Price range (per night):* 39 AUD - 60 AUD

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