Casa Republica boutique hotel, Lima: Chimu transforms Peruvian mansion into a boutique hotel

In April, Casa Republica, a new boutique hotel in Peru's capital, Lima, was named one of the Continental Winners of Prix Versailles, a UNESCO award for commercial architecture – stores, hotels and restaurants. Only in its third year, names such as Chanel, Philippe Starck, Dior and a bevy of upmarket hotel brands have featured in the winners' list.

In that company, this 22-room hotel in the Barranco district of Lima is the little engine that could. The charming, historic property is in large part the work of Australians Chad Carey and Greg Carter through their travel company Chimu Adventures, a leading South American and Antarctica specialist.

Peru's tourist numbers have been on the rise; visitors to the country have doubled in the past 10 years and its economy has grown steadily for the past 15. It's now regarded as one of the best food cities in the world. In the face of that Carey, Carter and their local Peruvian business partners recognised a lack of good quality, non-chain accommodation in Lima. They set their sights on a majestic 1916 mansion, the former beach retreat of a wealthy family, and set about restoring it to become a stylish, luxury hotel, reminiscent of the glory days of Peru's Republican era.

Appointing Peruvian interior designer Gianfranco Loli, Carter says, "We were looking for a fresh Peruvian designer to give this opportunity to. We wanted someone with good knowledge of the Barranco vibe – its current art scene as well as its traditions. This was key to capturing the character of the hotel."

The property has a restaurant featuring Peruvian cuisine where breakfast is served. A rooftop bar offers glimpses of the South Pacific Ocean, with Saenz Pena beach just 200 metres from the hotel. There is high-speed free wireless internet throughout the property as well as laundry facilities, a 24-hour reception, and airport transfer/tour arrangements.

Bohemian Barranco has plenty of bars, boutiques and galleries such as MATE (photographer Mario Testino's gallery), and The Pedro de Osma Museum and Galleria Lucia de la Puente.

This is Chimu's second hotel; the first was Wakapunku Hotel in Cusco.

From $299 a double a night, with breakfast included. See casarepublica.com