What I love most about this work, and what I know I am best at, is crafting moments. I learned that on my two-year bicycle ride from Alaska to Argentina. Life on the road taught me how to anticipate the right moment and then create enough space for luck and serendipity to step in. That lesson has never left me.
Last week in Lima, I set out to craft moments for WhereNext DMC Peru in a different way. Meeting suppliers. Vetting hotels. Checking our operations. Spending time with our team. And, most importantly, listening to the people whose stories bring Peru to life for guests.
Jonathan at Bar Inglés
One of those people is Jonathan, the barman at Bar Inglés inside the Country Club Lima Hotel. For 15 years, Jonathan has been perfecting what many consider the best pisco sour in Peru.
He told me he first learned to make the drink as a teenager, trying to impress the woman who would become his wife. He bought the finest ingredients he could afford, shook the glass with nervous hands, and waited for her verdict. She approved, and with it, gave him the confidence that has fueled his craft ever since.
For Jonathan, the secret is simple: fresh, natural ingredients sourced that same day. A pisco sour, he says, should taste alive. Sitting across from him, sampling his work, I realized this was another kind of crafted moment. One built on decades of practice, honesty, and pride. (A tough assignment, but someone had to do it.)
For your guests, we can arrange private tastings and cocktail classes with Jonathan. You’ll sip in the same bar where Hemingway once sat, experiencing the mix of history, craft, and personality that only Jonathan can deliver.
Country Club Lima Hotel
The Country Club Lima Hotel, where Bar Inglés lives, is a landmark. Staying here feels like stepping into another era. The restaurant is a favorite among Lima’s power lunch crowd. For guests who want more than history, we can arrange golf at the neighboring Lima Golf Club or tennis by the sea. This property is a fit for those who value tradition and heritage in their stay.
Atemporal & Fausto
From historical, I shifted to boutique. Atemporal is the more refined of the two properties I visited. It’s an impeccably curated townhouse designed with the character of Sandra Masías, its head of product and experiences. It feels like staying at the stylish home of a friend, with a shared kitchen and living spaces, and it’s within walking distance of some of Lima’s most interesting neighborhoods.
Fausto offers a similar concept but with a modern, youthful edge. It has the same communal kitchen idea, an honesty bar, and a personalized approach. It’s a place that resonates with younger travelers who want intimacy without formality.
Belmond Miraflores Park
Finally, I toured the Belmond Miraflores Park on the city’s waterfront. Unlike the modern towers around it, the Belmond has character. My take is clear: it only makes sense to stay here if you book an ocean-view room. Otherwise, you miss the point of paying a premium to be on the water.
The rooftop pool is often under fog, better suited to cocktails at dusk than sunbathing. The standout is the Tragaluz restaurant, where the vibrant work of artist Mateo Liébana covers the walls. Dining there feels like stepping into an art gallery, a crafted moment of its own that lingers long after the meal.
Behind the Scenes
Scouting is not only about drinks and design. I also sat with our accounting and legal teams to confirm our operations are fully compliant. It matters. In Colombia, for example, more than 70% of rural employment is off the record, and tourism is often guilty of cutting corners. At WhereNext, we do the opposite. Every salary and supplier payment is on the books. Our clients can be confident that the people behind their experiences are treated fairly and with respect.
This trip was organized by our exceptional Country Manager, Fiorella Freyre, who curated the hotels and people she wanted me to experience firsthand. I also met with our content team, who are building a world-class photography and video library so our partners can present Peru with visuals that are fresh, unique, and true to the place.
Looking Ahead
These properties and people stood out to me on this trip. Next time, I’ll focus on Lima’s Barranco neighborhood and its fresh cultural vibe. After that, gastronomy and the rising city of Arequipa, which some argue is a challenger to Lima’s culinary crown.
Jonathan’s pisco sour reminded me of why I do this work. Crafting moments isn’t just about itineraries and logistics. It’s about creating the conditions for human-to-human experience. That’s what I set out to do in Lima, and that’s what we aim to deliver for every guest.
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