Casa de Orellana Boutique Hotel

Casa de Orellana is the house where Francisco de Orellana was born, the native of Trujillo who in 1541 first sailed down the Amazon. It is a 15th-century building inside the walled enclosure, in the medieval town district and next to the church of Santa María la Mayor, with a crenellated tower and the coat of arms of the ten roundels. It was decorated by the interior designer Duarte Pinto Coelho and is now a hotel of only five rooms.

Calle Paloma, at the top of the town

The address is Calle Paloma, 5-7, in the upper part of Trujillo, between the Plaza Mayor and the castle. From the door you have the Pizarro House-Museum, in Plaza de Santa María, a few steps away, and the castle is uphill. You walk down to the Plaza Mayor through cobbled streets.

Arriving has its own procedure. The hotel asks that, when you reach Trujillo, you call them with the details in your booking confirmation: someone from the staff comes out to meet you and takes you to the house. Ask in that same call where to leave the car, because the website does not mention parking.

Five rooms named for an expedition

Each room is named after someone from the history of Orellana and his voyage:

• Francisco de Orellana, the discoverer, with two beds.
• La Torre de Don Gonzalo, dedicated to Gonzalo Pizarro, with two beds.
• Fray Gaspar de Carvajal, the Dominican friar who was the chronicler of the voyage, with a double bed.
• Ana de Ayala, Orellana's companion, with two beds.
• Cosme de Chaves, his stepfather, who financed the venture, with a double bed.

All are for two adults and non-smoking, with garden views, television, minibar, heating and air conditioning. They are cleaned daily and there is a laundry and ironing service. The wifi is in the common areas. A family of four needs two rooms; the website says nothing about extra beds or children, so ask.

Breakfast included and a pool for guests only

Breakfast is included in the price of all the rooms, and can be taken in the room. The house has a reception hall, a dining lounge, a patio and a garden with an outdoor pool, for guests only; the website does not say which months it opens. They also organise catering and cultural events.

Check-in is from 12:00 to 21:00 and check-out until 12:00. Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before arrival; after that one night is charged. They accept Visa, American Express and MasterCard. The website does not publish whether dogs are admitted.