Initially, the Plaza Mayor shows quite well. They have a nice looking lobby and the staff are friendly...as long as you don't ask for anything.

We had two nights booked, one and then a second with a couple of days in between while we went to the Islands. The first night was okay, a little dissapointing for the price. The rooms are out-dated and not very clean. They look good on the surface, but don't let that fool you. We pulled down the covers on the bed and found a deposit of about 30 hairs stuck to the quilt. We had another night booked, so we looked past those details and hoped for a cleaner room upon our return.

Shortly after checking in for the second night, I got locked in the bathroom. The door handle did not dislodge the door when it was turned. My finance went for help and someone came up and worked on the door handle for a while. When that failed they kicked the door down. Okay, our room did not have a closing bathroom door now.

Now, these things happen and I don't blame anyone for the occurance. The issue is that the staff did not appologize or find another solution for us. They would not give us another room or offer us a discount on the room with no door. Very unhappily we left the hotel in search of other accomodations. We found the Balsa Inn just accross the square and the experience was superior.

Oh, and it would be cheaper to buy all new clothes than use the laundry service at the Plaza Mayor.

This hotel is very conveniently located for Puno. The rooms are fine - there's a heater and warm blankets, and everything is clean. It's pretty standard for a three-star hotel, but they do have free internet in the lobby, which is great. And an elevator, which is helpful when you are carrying lots of luggage and not used to the altitude yet.

They must have changed the breakfast since other reviewers have visited, because we did not get eggs or any other hot food. They advertised an "American breakfast" but it was mostly cut-up fruit and toast. Nothing to write home about, that's for sure.

My main complaint, though, was that they told us they took credit cards. When we checked in, they said their credit card machine was broken. Three days later, when we checked out, it was STILL broken, and they demaded we take cash out of the (conveniently located in the lobby) ATM to settle our bill. I have no problem with cash-only hotels, I just prefer to be informed up front. As this was not the only place in Peru that told us their credit card machine was "broken," I don't buy the story.

I stayed here as part of a Tucan Tour. It was a great stop either side of our trip to Lake Titicaca. The hotel's in a great location for the centre. The rooms are very clean and the hotel has all necessary facilities including a far better than average breakfast. The staff went out of their way to be extremely helpful - after leaving some items behind they posted it on to my next hotel.

The location of this hotel was very good but after reading about it in lonely planet and the reviews, we must have got an unrenovated room as I wouldn't have rated the hotel as highly as other have done. This was the most expensive hotel at $70/night in our 9 nights in Peru, I wouldn't have paid that much but I guess you were paying for location.

Staff were very good – we were given a map and told where we could get some food, and service was delivered with a warm smile. Breakfast was advised as “american” but I wouldn't really call it that but it had freshly squeezed juices and fresh fruit which was great.

Noise insulation was poor as we could hear lots of banging of doors and other guests using the shower. But it was very cosy in that it was very warm with own heater and lots of warm bedding.

Free wireless internet was available but you had to sit in reception to get a good signal.

All in all, great location but pretty pricey.