Palacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco

"Set in a 17th-century nunnery next door to Monasterio, this property offers in-suite oxygen enrichment to help guests acclimatize." - Monisha Rajesh

"Like its nearby sister, the Belmond Hotel Monasterio, the Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is a hotel with ancient roots: the onetime private residence-turned-convent—and now turned hotel—has original Inca walls and colonial-era frescoes. As a newer hotel (it opened in 2012, following years of renovation and restoration), the all-suite property also has plenty of modern touches. All rooms are enriched with oxygen, to help guests adjust to the altitude, and have iPads, WiFi, and espresso/tea bars; depending on the category, they might also have heated bathroom floors, balconies, or original Inca and colonial design features. Other perks include Cusco's first outdoor heated pool (with an adjacent pool bar), an intimate restaurant highlighting seasonal ingredients, and butler service for all—just like the Palacio's original residents would have enjoyed."

"How did it strike you on arrival? A short, cobblestoned walk up from Cusco’s central plaza sits an elegant hotel with ancient roots. The story of this Belmond all-suite property—which opened in 2012—is reflected in its décor: Original Inca stone walls from the building’s footprint give way to the colonial-era frescoes and gilded 17th-century décor of its private mansion days, while a small restored chapel and serene arcades reveals its time as a convent. Now, tucked-away terraces and gardens, bubbling fountains, and Cusco’s first heated pool encourage contemplation of another kind to guests of the 55 accommodations. Nice. What’s the crowd like? Well-heeled international travelers doing the Peru circuit (including a fair amount of families and upscale groups) swap stories over the abundant breakfast buffet or pisco sours at the bar. How was check-in? With butler service included for all rooms, checking in and getting acquainted with your suite is a breeze. Despite the historic air, all the technology is up-to-date, so enjoy the in-room iPads, espresso/tea machines, heated bathroom floors, and pumped-in oxygen to help ease any altitude issues. The good stuff: Tell us about your room. Scattered around several structures (with some in the main house, others around gardens and courtyards), the rooms range from Junior and Studio Suites to One-Bedroom and Signature models. All decorated in a classic style, with rich wooden furniture, carved headboards, silky rugs, Peruvian marble baths, and hand-embroidered linens; curated artwork and sculptures add extra warmth, as do artisan touches like delicate fresco borders around the ceilings or floors. Higher categories feature larger lounging areas and terraces or balconies. How about the little things, like mini bar, or shower goodies. Any of that find its way into your suitcase? Bathrooms are stocked with house-label bath and body products, as well as slabs of soap handmade using herbs from the hotel gardens. Local flavor can be found in the mini-bar, too: along with coffee and tea facilities, you'll find homemade snacks and a Pisco station for mixing cocktails (ask your butler for a demo.) Room service and food: Worth it? The relaxed Senzo restaurant serves fresh, seasonally-influenced fare all day, from hearty breakfasts that will prepare you for a day of climbing ruins to relaxed lunches of traditional corn soup, quinoa tabule, and burgers (try the Alpaca version), and dinners showcasing both western favorites and local specialties (like guinea pig and crackling pork.) Nearby, the chic, poolside Senzo Bar serves small plates, creative cocktails, and an extensive selection of Piscos under candlelit arches, while the “Secret Garden” sets a picturesque scene for Afternoon Tea—which pairs homemade goodies with coca tea to help with altitude sickness. Guests may also enjoy the courtyard restaurant and clubby lobby bar at nearby sister hotel, Belmond Hotel Monasterio. Anything stand out about other services and features? Whether it’s childcare, gyms, spas, even parking—whatever stuck with you. Tucked below ground—and dotted with glimpses of the Inca ruins unearthed during the restoration—the Hypnôze Spa offers a menu that’s been designed to showcase Peruvian healing ingredients and remedies, and to attend to the needs of guests who’ve been spending their days exploring ruins and hiking along trails. Popular treatments include the Freestyle body massage, which is tailored to each guest’s needs; scrubs and wraps nourish dry or sun-worn skin using things like rice grains, coffee, coca, quinoa, honey, thermal clay, and pink Andean salt. Yoga, meditation, and other classes are held on the poolside patio, while complimentary salsa classes are offered twice a week at the Senzo Bar—which also hosts complimentary pisco tastings. Book a cooking class to learn how to work with some of Peru’s signature ingredients (from tubers to alpaca), or a ceramic class to create your own glazed work of art. Bottom line: worth it, and why? Like its nearby sister, the Belmond Hotel Monasterio, this is one of the top picks in Cusco, thanks to a convenient location, refined service, and rooms (and gardens) that inspire lingering." - Sandra Ramani