Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Cusco, Peru
At a Glance
Treat yourself and stay in one of Peru’s most famous and opulent hotels – a former 16th century monastery that has been given the full Belmond five-star makeover
Built around Inca foundations, the hotel is decorated with colonial antiques and fine works of religious art which wouldn’t be a miss in some of the world’s best galleries and museums
Enjoy fine dining, cocktails in the elegant colonial lobby bar and a beautiful central courtyard garden (which is particularly pretty when lit up at night)
Guestrooms offer luxurious comfort with modern touches and some can be enriched with oxygen to counteract altitude sickness (if need be)
After a long day exploring Inca sites and wandering cobbled streets, why not allow one of the courteous ‘bath butlers’ to draw you the perfect replenishing hot bath?
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Cuzco’s location and altitude result in only two seasons: rainy and dry. The rainy season typically lasts from November to March, with the heaviest rains arriving in January and February. The best time to visit Cuzco and the surrounding area is during April-October. Though daytime temperatures rest in the mid-to upper 60s throughout the year, the city sees fewer rain showers during its winter months. Bring warm clothing as night-time temperatures dip into the low 30s and 40s due to the altitude.
Insider's View
If you are feeling the altitude (Cuzco is more than 10,000 feet up), then ask for one of the oxygenated rooms, where they will pipe fresh oxygen into your room to give you a good night's sleep.
Be sure to catch the opera in the restaurant on Tuesdays,Thursdays and Saturdays
Take a stroll around the oldest living cedar tree in Cusco! It’s over 330 years old.
Ask for a tour of the hotel so you can understand the history and art that calls Belmond Monasterio home.
Call us on 020 3993 9308 to start planning your holiday to Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel or take a look at our itineraries to Peru
Description
Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, is a beautiful 16th century converted monastery, located in the colonial city of Cuzco. This award-winning property takes full advantage of its unique history and is one of Cuzco (and Peru’s) most luxurious hotels.
Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel combines the decor of a colonial monastery with the luxury, elegance and comfort of a modern five-star hotel. Just off Cuzco's main square, the hotel is set around a shady courtyard surrounded by graceful arches. It is steeped in history, dating back to 1592 and has been sensitively designed to reflect the building's story as well as offering beautiful modern touches.
Many of the guest rooms and suites afford fabulous views of the city and its colourful rooftops. There are also oxygen enriched rooms available, making it easier for guests to acclimatise to the high altitude. For the ultimate in luxury, there are two Royal Suites featuring an outdoor terrace, separate living room, your own private courtyard and a marble bathroom.
There are two restaurants where you can enjoy exquisite cuisine - Illariy in the cloisters, opens out over the central courtyard and is where you’ll find sumptuous breakfasts and light lunches. Whilst El Tupay restaurant, serves refined dishes with a Peruvian twist accompanied by live folkloric music or opera performers on certain evenings. There is also an on-site deli serving home-made breads, pastries, meats and cheeses as well as hot drinks and the relaxed bar in the lobby area is a fine place to kickback and savour a pisco sour after a day out.
Aside from visiting the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and other archaeological sites in the area, you can go mountain biking, white-water rafting, horse riding and fishing. The city of Cuzco itself also has plenty to offer, including fantastic shopping experiences (ask the reception staff where to buy the finest alpaca scarves and jumpers). And at the end of a day of epic exploration, you can relax with a massage or jump in a hot bath courtesy of one of the hotel's bath butlers.
Accommodation
Hotel Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel features 109 guest rooms and 18 suites, all unique in their design. Amenities include an individually controlled heating system, personal safety box, TV, telephone and complimentary WiFi Internet connection.
Childcare
Children are welcomed at Hotel Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel but there are no specific facilities. Children will love the many cultural tours offered in and around Cuzco particularly the more active activities such as mountain biking, horse riding and rafting (only suitable for older kids).
Facilities
The hotel features the Illariy and El Tupay restaurants serving distinctive Peruvian, International and Andino-Nikkei cuisines, the Lobby Bar where you can enjoy the traditional Pisco Sour and the Deli Monasterio serving coffees and snacks. There is also a stunning outdoor swimming pool and business facilities.
Services offered at the hotel include massages in the comfort of your own room and a bath butler service.
Activities
Activities at the Hotel Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel include cultural tours to the ruins of Machu Picchu and the Saced Valley, mountain biking, white-water rafting, paragliding, horse riding, fishing and birdwatching to catch a glimpse of the infamous Andean condor. Other activities include archaeology and agriculture programmes, botany and weaving all of which can be arranged by the hotel.
Reviews
Danielle Diaz-Myers (Staff)
Step inside the walls of Belmond Monasterio and be greeted by exceptional service, grand presentation and colonial architecture. Belmond Monasterio is a converted monestary that is dotted with artifacts and history. Take your time to walk around the hotel and explore each nook and cranny, housing paintings, relics and other treasures. Rooms are comfortable and offer amenities like oversized bathrooms. Enjoy room service or head down to their restaurant.
Cheska Lowe (Staff)
This hotel is a former monastery, and has been leased to the hotel group by the church. The stunning series of courtyards are colonial Spanish style and provide lots of nice outdoor areas to relax in. The live music in both the restaurant and bar area make the experience all the more special given the old-world setting, and they have coca tea on tap to help with the acclimatisation process!
Nikki Trailor (Staff)
The fact that this sixteenth-century former monastery is a national monument means that you will get atmosphere in spades. Shaded colonnades, fountain courtyards, baroque art and opulent but quirky rooms that can vary in size, are all part of the experience here, and the service is truly excellent. The location is hard to beat, and you will surely be transported back to the time of the Conquistadors. It's also a great spot for lunch after a morning's sightseeing.
Experiences
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Andean Textiles Tour
Peru's brightly coloured textiles are iconic and can be seen throughout the country, each region boasting its own distinctive style. Pay a visit to the Sulca family Textile Gallery and admire the skills of this generations old art form.
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Chinchero, Maras & Moray (optional hike)
Enjoy a fascinating private guided tour to the local village of Chinchero renowned for its archaeological site and colourful market (best on Sunday), the Inca terraces of Moray and the astounding salt pans of Maras.
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Cooking Lesson Palacio Nazarenas
Enjoy the best of Peruvian cuisine and learn all about delicious local ingredients by visiting a local market in Cuzco and joining a bespoke cooking class (prepare 4 delicious dishes) at the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas.
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Cuzco Off-Road Mountain Biking
Peru offers some of the best mountain biking down-hills in the world. Using a mix of rarely used dirt roads, ancient Inca Trails and smooth mule tracks enjoy an action packed off-road adventure outside of Cuzco.
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Cuzco Walking Tour - Half Day
Explore the magical city of Cuzco on foot with a local guide visiting the highlights from Qoricancha Temple, known as the heart of the Inca Empire, as well as local markets, where you can shop for fine silver, ceramics and famed alpaca crafts.
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Family Inflatable Canoeing Urubamba
White-water rafting & inflatable canoeing are fun sports, suitable for pretty much any one. No experience is needed to take part in this great day out to a beautiful section of the Urubamba River.
The Pinipampa section is class I-II outside of Cuzco.
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Full Day Highlights of the Sacred Valley with Wayra Lunch
Wonderful full day private excursion to the village of Pisac home to its colourful Indian market and Inca ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Lunch in Urubamba, followed by a visit to the impressive Inca town and fortress of Ollantaytambo.
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Horse Trek to Huchuy Qosqo
A fantastic one day horse trek climbing high into the Andes to experience huge views, local farming techniques and some rarely visited Inca ruins - a real wilderness treat for riders looking to get off the beaten track.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - 360°
Boasting expansive panoramic windows and an outdoor observation carriage, the 360° carriage on Inca Rail is all about the views, and the perfect way to enjoy the spectacular scenery as you journey by train to Machu Picchu through Peru's Urubamba Valley.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - The First Class Train
Travel to Machu Picchu in total comfort on the Inca Rail First-Class service, enjoying views from the large picture windows and outdoor balcony as you pass through stunning landscapes in the Urubamba Valley.
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Inca Rail Machu Picchu - The Private Train
The Private Inca Rail journey to Machu Picchu allows guests to travel in comfort, relaxing in the plush lounge chairs and soaking in the valley views along the way to this iconic ancient citadel. A private carriage is reserved exclusively for your party.
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Km 104 trek to Machu Picchu
Reach the iconic ancient citadel of Machu Picchu on the one-day KM104 trek, taking in the final portion of the Classic Inca Trail without the need to camp overnight. On arrival, soak in spectacular views over the Inca ruins and the dramatic valley below.
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Lares - Alternative Inca Trail
The Lares Trail to Machu Picchu is an excellent alternative to the busy Inca Trail for those who want to get off the beaten track and experience authentic Andean communities surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes. No permits required.
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Private Lima Tour
Enjoy a private guided tour of Lima to discover "The City of Kings", as it was named by its founder Francisco Pizarro is 1535 is now a bustling metropolis, with a vibrant food and art scene.
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Private Tour of Machu Picchu with lunch
On arrival at Aguas Calientes train station you will be met by your guide and assisted with boarding the 30 minute bus journey to the ruins. You will be able to take lunch before meeting your guide again to start your tour.
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Rafting the Source of The Amazon
Raft one of the world's top ten rafting rivers, the 3000 metre deep Granite Canyon of the Rio Apurimac. This 3-day mini-expedition is quite extraordinary, and an adventure lover's dream come true.
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Sacred Valley Horse Riding & Pisac
Enjoy an unforgettable horse ride in the Sacred Valley (all abilities welcome) combined with a visit to the local market, Inca Ruins of Pisac and lunch. The Sol y Luna horses are Peruvian Paso horses, which are unique to Peru and truly wonderful to ride.
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Stand-Up-Paddle & Cycling adventure
Enjoy the sport of stand-up paddle boarding on the emerald Lake Huaypo before mountain biking to the agricultural terraces of Moray and the glistening salt pans of Maras. An adrenaline fuelled day exploring some of the highlights of the Sacred Valley.
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Trek to Choquequirao
Head way-off the beaten track and be one of the few adventurers to visit the incredible site of Choquequirao, dramatically located on a promontory above the roaring Apurimac River, on a five-day challenging mule-supported hike.
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Urubamba White-Water Rafting
Anyone looking for a fun and adventurous day out from Cuzco or Sacred Valley should try this superb white-water rafting trip, which takes guests down a beautiful section of the Urubamba River - suitable for almost all ages and abilities.
Holiday Ideas
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Ultimate Peru
Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu, Cuzco, Puno, Arequipa & Colca Canyon
from £9200 pp inc flights & transfers for 14 nights
- Stay at some of Peru's finest luxury lodges and hotels
- Take in the highlights of Peru, including Machu Picchu and the colourful markets of Cuzco
- Stay on board the luxurious Belmond Andean Explorer train as you journey through spectacular scenery towards the white city of Arequipa
Location & directions
Cusco, Peru
The Belmond Hotel Monasterio is located on Calle Palacio, just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco's central square, where the cathedral and most important museums are located.
How to get there
13-hour flight from London to Lima's Jorge Chávez International Airport, followed by a 1-hour 15-minute domestic flight to Cuzco (overnight in Lima usually required). Belmond Hotel Monasterio is only a ten-minute drive from the airport, a car transfer service from the airport to the Belmond Hotel Monasterio can be arranged.
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