Belmond Hotel Monasterio

A boutique hotel in Cusco, Hotel Monasterio is a beautifully restored monastery in the heart of town just steps away from the Plaza de Armas, finest restaurants, best museums and Incan ruins. Cusco’s most famous and prestigious hotel, it’s built around Incan foundations and adorned with antique Spanish design. It’s an important historical landmark and is protected by the National Institute of Culture.

It embodies the signature opulence you’d expect from Belmond, while still retaining the spiritual energy and sense of peace that would have characterised its monastic past. The haunting sounds of woodwind instruments echo down the gilded corridors as skilled weavers coax colourful threads into traditional cloth in the courtyard. The 126 unique rooms offer a blend of elegance and comfort, ranging from cosy quarters to expansive suites. The hotel also goes the extra mile in terms of guests’ comfort with the provision of some oxygen enriched bedrooms to help acclimatise to the high altitude.

There are two restaurants – OQRE in the cloisters, which opens out over the leafy courtyard, where you’ll find delicious breakfasts and light lunches and brunches, and El Tupay which serves fine international cuisine created from local ingredients, often accompanied by opera. The relaxed lobby bar is the place to sip pisco sours after a day exploring.