this is the budget sister hotel of the 5 star el dorado hotel on the plaza, about 2 blocks away. usually i stay at backpackers hostals but i got in at 4am this was the first place we found open. $45 for a matrimonial room - nice size room, nice bed, nice bathroom, air conditining, cable tv, mini fridge (nice to have an icey drink when you step out the room), 2 computers in the lobby with internet, restaurant and bar attached with a great S/8 menu offered for lunch and free simple breakfast (bread, eggs, tea, juice) included. they also treated us to breakfast twice since we arrived so early the first day which was nice of them.

i was anxious to get a shower when i arrived but was told the hot water would take 20 min to heat up, so i went to bed, but by the time i woke up and until i left there was reliable hot water in the sink and shower.

some rooms also had small balconies overlooking the inside of the hotel/the pool but i think they cost more. the pool was small but clean and nice

i could also pay with visa

I'm the poster of some other reviews re: Iquitos, and wanted to post on the El Dorado as well. When I worked in Iquitos with a medical group, many of our volunteers stayed at the El Dorado.

The hotel is very small - I'm shocked to see that there are actually 60 rooms, as the lobby and restaurant are tiny. The prices are very reasonable, and the renovated/deluxe rooms are really quite nice (1-star on the old rooms, 3-star on the new rooms).

For clarification, this is the little sister of the big El Dorado Plaza. One of the benefits of staying here is that you can use the facilities at the big hotel (pool, etc.) - just ask nicely and tip the staff. However, best thing about this hotel - AMAZING, AMAZING service. The staff are extremely helpful, friendly, and really provide a family atmosphere. Many volunteers that stayed there remarked on how they were made to feel at home in this sense, even by staff who spoke no English.

All in all, a GREAT budget hotel.