One of our favourite and most memorable stays in Peru has to be Luchy’s Country House.
Family run and with a small number of rooms on offer (you have been warned-it sells out quickly!), Lucy’s is a traditional Peruvian ranch. It encourages visitors to embrace all the natural surroundings and just relax. At the same time being just a seven minute tuk tuk ride (or twenty minute walk) from the Huacachina lagoon, ensuring you don’t miss out on everything this famous landmark has to offer.
With delicious, traditional Peruvian meals served at its on-site restaurant, lovingly decorated indoor and outdoor spaces and a super laid-back vibe, it’s easy to forget that the rest of the world exists when staying at Luchy’s. The only noise you’re likely to encounter is from the on site horses, dogs and chickens. At night the grounds provide the perfect spot to view the incredible starlit night’s sky.
Here is why I would not hesitate to recommend Luchy’s Country House to anyone visiting the Ica/Huacachina area of Peru…
First Impressions
Huacachina is a well known stop on the tourist trail. There are a number of hotels and hostels available for travelers on site. However sometimes the best places to stay are off the beaten track. Luchy’s Country House is one such place.
Luchy’s is tucked away off the main road into Huacachina and very much out of sight. To get to the property you’ll venture down a couple of country roads, before being met by a large entrance gate surrounded by cacti and plants, and a friendly hand-painted ‘welcome’ signpost.
After hitting the buzzer on the gate we were met by one of the owners who took our bags and led us into the grounds. The style, colour and quirkiness of Luchy’s was quickly apparent. It looked straight out of a film set!
Despite being in the desert, Luchy’s is like a little oasis. There are lots of colorful plants and historical decor pieces scattered throughout the grounds. Leafy outdoor terraces merge with the living room spaces to create vibrant chill out areas. There are also cosy indoor spaces and even a guest kitchen giving it something of a hostel vibe too.
For the animal lovers there are plenty of friendly dogs on site to keep you company. Perhaps the most famous of which is Marco Aurelio who even has his own instagram page here.
The History
Our welcome to Luchy’s included a tour of the property and a chance to learn a bit more about the history of the house and a particularly interesting showcase of the numerous decorative, historical artifacts distributed throughout.
The fact that the ranch has opted to preserve the historical features of the building and incorporate them into the design of the country house is admirable and creates a unique kind of charm.
No welcome to the area would be complete without a pisco tasting either. Pisco is the national drink of Peru and production of the fiery alcoholic beverage began in the very region that Luchy’s resides in, Ica. Our welcome tour came with a taste of locally made pisco, which was delicious!
Salut!
The Stables & Activities
Equine enthusiasts will love the fact that there are a number of Peruvian Paso horses on site. While they have their own enclosed area they were often left to roam the gardens while being cleaned and prepared for day trips.
While we didn’t embark on any of these trips we saw a number of other guests do so. There were lots of experiences on offer, perfect for any type of traveller.
From horse riding into the desert to a pisco cocktail class, buggy/sandboarding tours in the desert and more, there are lots of tours and experiences on offer here.
The Food
One of the unique selling points of Luchy’s is its food. Read any of the reviews and they will rave about the array of traditional dishes served here. The kitchen is run by the owner and all dishes are prepared on site by the family.
Each dish is made to order with love and that takes time. Believe me, it is certainly worth the wait and the portions are generous, so be sure to wear something with a stretchy waistband!
We heard some horror stories about the food on offer in Huacachina, so we were glad to have an on-site restaurant to hand.
Our booking also came with free breakfast which included bread, butter, jam and tea/coffee and even a homemade cake. You can upgrade your breakfast at additional cost should you wish to, but we found the free offering to be more than filling enough!
The Room
We booked a standard room in the main building and were seriously impressed. A large double bed, plenty of storage space, an extra single bed and an en suite bathroom. Everything you could possibly need for a few nights stay.
Plenty of hot water came out of the shower and the temperature of the room was always perfect. Not too warm in the day and not too cold in the evening.
The staff were so friendly and accommodating and were always asking if we needed anything.
The Cottage
Alongside offering a selection of rooms in the main building, Luchy’s also has a wildcard stay option just across from the rest of the rooms… the cottage!
Brightly coloured, super photogenic and surrounded by a white picket-fence, the cottage is great for someone looking for a really unique experience.
With space for little more than a bed, it’s the perfect place to get cozy, bundle up with blankets and switch off from the outside world.
The Location
As mentioned Luchy’s is located about a seven minute tuk-tuk ride outside of Huacachina, which means you get to visit the desert oasis without having to stay in the center of the village. You can also walk to the lagoon which takes about 20 minutes along the main road.
We took the tuk-tuk a couple of times for around 5/6 pesos and did the walk once. We also took a stroll into Ica. There were plenty of large supermarkets to stock up on food and it only took about 15 minutes.
The family provides a driver service to and from the oasis or further afield; bus stop etc for slightly more. Perfect if you have to get an early or late coach.
The appeal of staying at Luchy’s is that you get to have the best of both worlds – a unique stay and the chance to visit the desert oasis should you wish to. We spent the majority of our time at Luchy’s, hanging out and chilling.
Tips For Staying In The Desert
Luchy’s location in the desert means that temperatures soar during the day and then plummet after the sun goes down. While the room was always at a perfect temperature, staying outside could get very hot or cold!
It goes without saying that you’ll want plenty of sunscreen and a hat during the day and a few layers during your evening meal at night.
Getting There
The easiest way of getting to Luchy’s is by arranging a pick-up with the hostel from the nearest bus stop. We were dropped off by the Peru Hop bus inside Huacachina village and arranged a pick-up from there. This service was free!
Address: Pje. Los Ramos S/N, Ica 11004, Peru
We Loved Luchy’s!
Luchy’s was the absolute highlight of our visit to Huacachina. If you are looking for a unique stay during your visit to the desert oasis that is family-owned and want to sample some proper Peruvian food, Luchy’s is the only place you should consider.
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
