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Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

This 16th Century Spanish-colonial mansion overlooking a plaza in arty, boho San Blas, is so steeped in history you can imagine a conquistador stepping out of the front door, sword in hand.

The house was built over the training ground for Inca officers; Diego de Almagro (the conqueror of Chile) and Simón Bolívar – liberator of Spanish South America – are previous guests.

The original colonial brick masonry has been fully restored, baroque art adorns the walls, statues of saints sit on plinths next to modern sofas-to-sink-into in the lounge. The best rooms are the upper floor balcony suites overlooking the central atrium, with faux-antique furnishings and chunky wooden beds.

The spa is modest, but offers excellent massage treatments for guests who are feeling the altitude.

Surrounding area

It’s a perfect Cusco location, on a quiet square behind the cathedral. Arty San Blas – with its restaurants, art galleries and wonderful views – is a few blocks up the adjacent Calle Pumacurco. The Plaza de Armas is a block away.

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Key facilities

Airport transfers*
Beach: None
Fitness centre
Fitness classes
Golf course
Hot tub
Kids club
Parking: Not available
Pool (adults only)
Pool (indoor)
Pool (outdoor)
Pool (kids)
Spa
Tennis courts
WiFi: Free
Yoga

Food & drink

All inclusive
Kids menu
Restaurant on-site
Self catering
*
Additional charge

Room types

Apartments
Bedrooms
Cabins
Suites
Tents
Villas
Yurts

Room facilities

Air conditioning
Flat screen TV
Jacuzzi (private)
Pool (private)
Tea & coffee making facilities
WiFi

Bedding options

2+ bedrooms
3+ beds
Connecting rooms
Rollaway/sofa bed

Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Festival of the Sun

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[0.2 miles]

Colourful parades and ancient Inca ceremonies are re-enacted at this world-famous winter solstice festival.

Best for ages: 8+ | Free | 5 hours

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Overview >

Qorikancha

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[0.5 miles]

The Inca empire’s most elaborate sun temple, covered in gold and silver, is now a colonial church housing stunning Inca stonework.

Best for ages: 18+ | £2

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Overview >

Sacsayhuaman

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[0.8 miles]

A vast, fortified Inca sun temple that perches over Cusco, housing boulders and masonry astonishingly jigsaw-pieced together, without cement or metal tools.

Best for ages: 18+ | £24

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Overview >

A day in Cusco

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[1.5 miles]

The heart of the old Inca empire has a wealth of Inca ruins, Spanish treasures and historic architecture to explore.

Best for ages: 18+ | Free | 1 day

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Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first

Cusco Cathedral

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[0.1 miles]

Located on top of an old Inca palace, this towering 16th-century baroque cathedral took a century to build and is stuffed with countless treasures, including key works from the Cuzco School of art.

Best for ages: Any | £5

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Overview >
A small village on a mountain covered in yellow grasses, with mountains in the background
Experience

Hike from Cusco to Huchuy

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[2.7 miles]

This, the shortest and easiest of alternative Inca trails, takes three days from Cusco and offers wonderful mountain views, little-visited Inca sites and a final day at Machu Picchu itself.

Best for ages: 18+ | £4 | 3 days

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Overview >
Town square and market with small church viewed from across the valley.
Experience

Chinchero village

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[15.7 miles]

This little village in the Sacred Valley near Cusco is a centre for traditional indigenous weaving in Peru. It has a lively market and ancient Inca agricultural terraces.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Overview >
Salt terraces in the Andes mountain range
Experience

Maras Salt Pans

Cusco, Cusco Region, Peru[28 miles]

Looking like bone-white Balinese rice terraces and surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, these ancient salt pans, cut in Inca times, are still in use today. Accessed from the town of Maras in the Sacred Valley, 40kms from Cusco.

Best for ages: 18+ | £1

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Overview >

Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay

Peru

Peru

A land of spectacular deserts, high mountains and rainforests that teem with wildlife, Peru is also home to an array of dramatically situated pre-Colombian ruins, including Machu Picchu.

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Overview >