"If you prefer large, well-known hotels and reliable, if predictable, accommodations, then the affluent Miraflores (and nearby Barranco) district is your best bet for a home base in Lima. For the traveler who wants to experience Lima like a houseguest, however, there’s no hotel better than Atemporal, located just steps away from Huaca Pucllana (one of the city’s most important pre-Incan archeological sites). The 1940s-era, Tudor-style mansion was transformed into a small boutique hotel after a careful makeover in 2016, with nine individually decorated rooms done up in artsy prints and contemporary details. Along with the décor, service shines—guests can enjoy a complimentary cocktail each evening, along with other gratis amenities like à la carte and buffet breakfast, Wi-Fi, a 24-hour concierge, bicycles, and even a MINI Cooper Clubman and driver available on a first-come, first-served basis. The hotel’s small size precludes it having a gym or pool, but there are peaceful sitting spaces in the lovely garden area. And while Atemporal also lacks a restaurant, it’s within easy walking distance to some of the city’s finest eateries, including Astrid y Gastón—the restaurant that announced Lima’s arrival as a culinary destination."

"When it opened in 1996, the Belmond Miraflores Park was the first hotel in Lima to take advantage of the city’s Pacific Ocean views. Set along the Miraflores malecón, the 82-room property offers some of the most privileged panoramas in the city, particularly from the heated rooftop pool. Several levels down, the ground floor was completely redesigned in 2010 by renowned Peruvian architect Jordi Puig, who added an open-air lounge and avant-garde restaurant space that now houses international eatery Traguluz. Also on-site is The Observatory, a breakfast buffet spot on the 11th floor, and Belo Bar, a park-side lounge offering pisco cocktails infused with Amazonian fruits."

"You’ll never sleep anywhere closer to Machu Picchu than Belmond Sanctuary Lodge—it’s adjacent to the site entrance, and the only hotel on the mountain. In fact, the lodge is built on the former staging area for American explorer Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the “Lost City of the Incas” in 1911. You’ll pay a pretty penny but consider the price a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. If you arrive the day before your visit to Macchu Picchu on the bus up from Aguas Calientes, you can be at the gates right when they open at 5 a.m. and get a head start on most of the crowds—and the sunrise. And if you’re coming off a days-long hike on the Inca Trail, the spacious showers and plush robes will be the best you’ve ever experienced. There are only 31 rooms here, some with terraces and mountain views but all with exquisitely comfortable beds and marble bathrooms. The light-filled restaurant—only open to guests—serves both international and Peruvian dishes, and the bar is a great place to enjoy a pisco sour after a day of exploring the ruins. If you really want to stay in style, consider arriving by the elegantly restored Belmond Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco—the hotel offers packages."

"Inkaterra Macchu Picchu Pueblo Hotel Set on 12 lush, cloud-forested acres next to the Urumbamba River, this eco-resort (a member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World) is practically a destination in and of itself. Here, 83 rustic-but-chic, whitewashed adobe casitas are tucked among a sanctuary of terraced hills, stone paths, and waterfalls that are home to 214 bird species and, at 372 cataloged varieties, the largest collection of native orchids in the world. Guests are encouraged to hike around the grounds (the hotel can also arrange for excursions farther afield), visit the resort’s Ecocenter, or relax in a naturally heated spring-water pool while listening to birdsong. The superior casitas are the simplest accommodations, but still come with plush robes, hand-crafted Andean slippers, and a separate dining area. Superior deluxe rooms feature fireplaces, while suites offer terraces with garden views. The most lavish option, the Villa Inkaterra includes an open-air shower, plunge pool, and 24-hour butler service. When not luxuriating in your room, visit the glass-walled restaurant, which has stunning views of the river, or head into Agua Calientes, which is just a few minutes away and offers several other dining options."

"This five-star property, overlooking the Sacred Valley from its perch alongside the Urubamba River, could rest solely on its stylish-yet-authentic design. However, the Sumaq Machu Picchu also taps into the fascination with its namesake’s more intangible attraction—spiritual energy. While many hotels will help arrange a Machu Picchu guide (now a requirement to visit), Sumac offers shamans, who don’t just teach you about the history and architecture but also incorporate healing rituals and background on the Incas’ mystical connections to the site. Accommodations (59 deluxe rooms, two suites, and one imperial suite) were refreshed in 2016 to incorporate design elements that suggest the four points of the Incan cross, binding modern luxury to Peruvian heritage. Elegantly appointed in crimson, gold, and dark polished wood, they also feature generously sized bathrooms, done up in soft golden marble. Of the 62 rooms, 32 have views of the valley and river—you can request these, and you should. Also on-site is an exceptional restaurant, which highlights local ingredients in its authentic Andean cuisine. A not-to-be-missed breakfast is included in your rate, as is either lunch or dinner."

"Aranwa Scared Valley Hotel & Wellness lies about 30 minutes in either direction from crowded Cuzco and bustling little Ollantaytambo (where the trains depart for Machu Picchu). Part of Peru’s Aranwa chain of luxury hotels, it’s nestled near the banks of the Vicanota River, on what was once a 17th-century hacienda. The rooms and suites are much more spacious than what you’ll typically find in the area and feature either terraces, balconies, or views of the garden, river, and inland lake. Some are housed in the old hacienda building, but most are spread out over newer, two-story buildings dotting the property. At the center of the resort is an infinity pool and whirlpool, both of which look out onto a restored chapel, roaming alpacas, and canals and ponds connected by footbridges. There are also several restaurants on-site, serving everything from gourmet Andean cuisine to sushi and wood-fired pizza. Additionally, guests can look forward to a museum, art gallery, library, movie theater, and several boutique shops as well as what the resort claims is the largest spa in Peru."

"Set amid lush, expansive grounds on the banks of the churning Urubambo River, this spa hotel is a luxurious base for exploring the Sacred Valley—or just relaxing in nature. For those heading to Machu Picchu, Tambo del Inka offers something that no other hotel can: a private train station on the Cuzco -to-Machu Picchu line. If you’re not sightseeing, there’s still plenty to do on the property, including watching hundreds of white butterflies dance against the backdrop of the Andes from the indoor-outdoor pool, or enjoying a farm-to-table meal next to the river. The highly regarded Hawa restaurant is a must for dinner and also serves a comprehensive breakfast spread with “detox” options, while the Kiri bar offers signature pisco cocktails and a full gin-and-tonic menu. The resort captures the drama of the surrounding mountains with soaring ceilings and Incan-style stonework through the public spaces. In the large, airy rooms, guests also enjoy balconies or terraces with river or mountain views, as well as elegant marble bathrooms with both tubs and standing showers. For even more space, spring for one of the suites, which include separate living rooms and butler service."

"A dedicated national monument dating back to 1592, this former monastery sits on Inca stone foundations, which were later topped by plenty of Spanish colonial flourishes. Evidence of the hotel’s history is everywhere you look, from the rich fabrics and antique furnishings to the 18th-century paintings that decorate the public spaces. The 125 rooms and suites feature original design elements, along with perks like butler service and free Wi-Fi. Many are even enriched with oxygen to help combat the effects of Cuzco ’s dizzyingly high altitude. The Illariy Restaurant, overlooking the serene courtyard, is ideal for a leisurely breakfast, while the Lobby Bar is the spot for a late-afternoon pisco and live jazz around the fireplace. Though the central Plaza de Armas buzzes just a few blocks away, once you’re through the hotel’s arched doorways, you’re in another world—and century."

"The JW Marriott is internationally known for its luxury brand, and El Convento Cusco just might be one of the most impressive properties in its portfolio. Here, you don’t even have to travel to Machu Picchu for an archeology lesson, as the learning begins almost the minute you step through the hotel’s stunning brick arches—they were painstakingly rebuilt by hand from what remained of a 16th-century Augustinian convent, which was in turn built on Ican and pre-Incan ruins. Guests can wander downstairs through two exhibition rooms of excavated artifacts, or join free guided tours each evening at 6 p.m. Rooms are individually decorated with sleek, dark-wood furnishings and Peruvian travertine tabletops. A handful have small balconies with views, while some on the lower floor look out onto one of the many remaining Incan walls that thread through the city. You can request to have oxygenated air piped into your room to help combat the discomfort many feel at 11,000-plus feet of elevation and there’s even an EMT on staff just in case. When hunger strikes, head to the on-site Qespi Restaurant, considered one of the best in the city for its exquisite interpretations of Andean cuisine."

"As you walk through the cobbled Plaza de las Nazarenas to Inkaterra La Casona, there’s almost no sign of what lies behind the hotel’s heavy wood door and stone lintel. Once inside, however, luxury abounds. Cuzco’s first boutique hotel (and the first Relais & Chateaux property in Peru), La Casona occupies a carefully restored 16th-century manor house, which sits on what was once a training area for the Incan army. Great effort was made to maintain the feeling of staying in a private home—there are only 11 suites surrounding a central courtyard, each decorated with antiques or original, centuries-old murals. While there’s no reception area, there are three types of rooms: some overlooking the plaza, some with balconies, and some with patios that open onto the courtyard. All feature stone fireplaces (don’t forget to ask for log service in the evening), heated floors, handmade toiletries, and large marble bathrooms with deep tubs and walk-in showers. Also on-site is a spa therapy room as well as a guests-only restaurant and bar, which serves a delicious breakfast spread."

"A Starwood Luxury Collection hotel in the heart of historic Cuzco, Palacio del Inka occupies a former palace, built by the Incans as part of the Coricancha (the centerpiece of their empire). Since ancient times, it’s had many lives—it was seized by the Spaniards in the 16th century, served as a museum in the 1800s, and finally became a hotel in the 1970s. Today, the property features artwork and artifacts from both the Incan and colonial eras, which guests can tour each day at 5 p.m. Situated around a large central courtyard, the 203 rooms are decorated in a colonial motif, with carved-wood furnishings, jewel tones, and gold accents. Also on-site is a small but very nice spa with a hydrotherapy pool, dry sauna, Turkish bath, whirlpool tub, and showers with lighting effects, as well as a small gym with cardio machines and weights. While Palacio del Inka is just a few minutes to Plaza de Armas and its many eateries, guests would be remiss to not dine at least once at the hotel’s Inti Raymi Restaurant, which serves Andean and international dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. Before dinner, grab a drink at the Rumi Bar, which offers excellent cocktails and a free pisco tasting each night at 6 p.m."

"There’s plenty to do in Paracas, from sandboarding in Paracas National Reserve to boating around the Ballestas Islands to flying over the nearby Nazca Lines—that is, if you can tear yourself away from the pool at Hotel Paracas. The 120-room resort was all but leveled by the 2007 Peru earthquake, but reopened two years later with a fresh new look, including a blue-taupe-and-white color scheme to reflect the surrounding ocean, desert, and sky. A great choice for families, Hotel Paracas features a children’s club and kids’ pool as well as three restaurants, including a casual seafood spot, an Italian trattoria, and a fine-dining option. Also on-site are two bars serving drinks and light fare, plus a spa and 24-hour fitness center. Guests even have access to complimentary bikes and water-sport equipment. Spread over six levels, rooms feature either terraces or balconies with garden or ocean views as well as spacious bathrooms with separate showers and tubs. Suites also include a dining area, and some even have private plunge pools."

"While Belmond Las Casitas spares nothing in the way of comfort and luxury, it takes great care to ensure that the 20 casitas that dot the side of Colca Canyon don’t distract from the beauty of the surrounding area. Each of the 1,300-square-foot rooms features a fireplace for chilly nights (as well as a hot-water bottle tucked into your bed at turndown), a heated outdoor plunge pool on the terrace (perfect for star-gazing), and a marble bathroom with both an indoor and outdoor shower. There’s also an excellent restaurant on-site, where guests can enjoy inspired Andean cuisine made with ingredients from the resort’s own garden, as well as a bar serving salads and other light dishes. Activities include fishing for dinner in the hotel trout pond, touring the canyon on horseback, bottle-feeding the baby alpacas, walking the trails that crisscross the 59-acre property, or simply keeping an eye out for the area’s giant hummingbirds and Andean condors that float on the thermals."

"Built in 1794 from native white volcanic rock, the colonial-era building that used to house Arequipa’s mint is now a national historic monument—and one of the most notable hotels in the city. The 41-room property sits in Arequipa’s historic center, just steps from the Santa Catalina Convent and only a few short blocks from the majestic Plaza de Armas. Its fourth-floor terrace looks out to the impressive Basilica Cathedral and beyond to the El Misti volcano. Thirty “Superior” rooms and eight suites are located in the newer wing, but for more space and considerably greater character, spring for one of the two senior suites—or even the “Imperial” suite—housed in the historic part of the building, where an extensive renovation in 2008 revealed original frescos and a chapel. All rooms include a free breakfast buffet, room service, and Wi-Fi."

"Housed in a refurbished building on a four-acre private peninsula, this all-inclusive luxury resort is far more expensive than most hotels on Lake Titicaca, but it’s well worth the splurge. Not only are all of your meals, cocktails, and most excursions included, but the lodge invests deeply in the local community—it hires more than three-quarters of its staff from the surrounding area, sources as many ingredients as possible from regional farmers, and turns to nearby artisans for its textiles and other crafts. Additionally, the on-site restaurant is one of the best in the area. If you’d prefer a more private dining experience, take your meal on one of the hotel’s wraparound terraces, or order 24-hour room service. All 18 rooms face the lake and feature heated floors (it can get chilly at night at 12,500 feet of elevation), a banquette overlooking the water, a free mini-bar, and deep bathtubs. King rooms are the most economical, but the two corner rooms—with their spacious layouts and panoramic views of the lake—are the most requested. For the best sunrise or sunset vistas, choose either the “Dawn” or “Dusk” rooms."