Cusco, the previous capital of Peru during the Inca Empire, is a unique and attractive city. Today its main attractions, include Machu Picchu, The Sacred Valley, and of course, Cusco itself.
Any holiday in Peru is sure to include a visit to Machu Picchu, as well as Lake Titicaca and Lima which all lie with in easy reach from Cuzco. A great way to capitalise on experiencing the city of Cuzco and to limit the constant move of travelling and endless tour buses, is to use Cuzco as a home base.
Take advantage of beautiful Cuzco and book a room or suite at one of its three best luxury hotels for the week. Cusco itself is a fascinating city and by using it as your base you are able to actually experience the city itself, its people and its culture whilst staying in comfort but still seeing the sites of the rest of Peru. Take time to explore Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, with the assurance of having a luxury bed at the end of the day. The three top luxury hotels in Cuzco, Peru:
- Hotel Monasterio Cuzco - Conde Nast Traveler awarded the Hotel Monasterio “Best Hotel in South America” in 2006 and it’s easy to see why! Built within a monastery circa 1592, the hotel is beautiful, with luxury amenities that are both modern, and true to the Inca and Spanish cultures that influence much of Peru’s history. It’s located by Main Square, in downtown Cuzco. Machu Picchu lies with in an easy 3 hour train ride which is both safe and a beautiful scenic trip. Back at the Hotel Monasterio, the Bath Butler Service helps tired travelers relax in the luxury of a long soak. The 126 rooms include 20 suites. The hotel goes to every length to accommodate their guests; they even pump extra oxygen into most of the rooms to help acclimate guests to the high altitude of this part of Peru.
- Libertador Palacio del Inka Cusco Hotel – Like the Hotel Monasterio, the Libertador Palacio del Inka is right in the centre of Cusco. Also like the Hotel Monasterio, the Libertador Palacio del Inka Cusco Hotel possesses an interesting history; the manor house was once a meeting room for important dignitaries of the Inca Empire, renovated first for the arriving Spaniards, and only much later (1976) was it converted into a hotel. The Peruvian Ministry of Industry and Tourism has named it “Best Luxury Hotel in Cusco“. The 240 rooms and 14 additional suites also make the Libertador Palacio del Inka Cusco Hotel, the largest luxury hotel in the city. There are a couple of interesting hotel activities here: One, the Market Dinner, which is a staged activity that simulates an Inca market like those a tourist would see in the Sacred Valley. The other, the Inti Napaykuy Dinner, also a staged reproduction, this one of a sun ceremony of the ancient Incas. Both activities come with a buffet dinner.
- The Garden House, Cusco - The Garden House, although a luxury hotel, offers something different in the form of a small, boutique hotel. It is located just 10 minutes from downtown Cusco away from the noise and congestion that surround the city centre. With all the high-end amenities that travel buffs expect in a hotel, The Garden House is the most affordable of the hotels in its class. The management here goes above and beyond expectations in terms of friendliness and availability. They help guests arrange sightseeing and bike tours, as well as trips to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. There are only 7 rooms in this luxury boutique hotel which makes for a relaxing and peaceful stay.
