Monasterio was built in the 16th century as the Seminary of San Antonio Abad, on the foundations of the Inca palace of Amaru Qhala. It was damaged in the 1650 earthquake and restored, and a small Baroque chapel from that restoration is still open to see. The hotel has 117 rooms set around stone courtyards and cloisters, and guests can ask for a room with oxygen-enriched air to help with the altitude.
The hotel is on Plazoleta Nazarenas, a quiet square a few minutes' walk uphill from the Plaza de Armas and close to San Blas. At about 3,400 meters, many travelers place it at the end of a trip, after time in the lower Sacred Valley. Belmond also runs the train to Machu Picchu and the lodge at the ruins, so it pairs easily with those. Dinner is at El Tupay, and the vaulted bar with its log fire is a good place for a pisco sour.
Monasterio is best for travelers who want a classic grand hotel with real heritage behind it. With 117 rooms it is a sizable hotel, so it feels more like a busy historic landmark than a private house. Oxygen-enriched air is on request rather than standard, so ask for it when booking. Fitness facilities are limited, and the hotel does not accept cash, which is worth knowing before arrival.
We recommend Monasterio for its former seminary cloisters, its Baroque chapel, and its location a short walk above the Plaza de Armas. It suits travelers who want Cusco's best-known classic hotel, with history in every corridor and the option of an oxygen-enriched room.
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