Belmond Monasterio Hotel Review: Cusco, Peru

We stayed at the Belmond Monasterio in Cusco, Peru, on the final night of our trip to hike Machu Picchu. It’s one of the most iconic and storied luxury hotels in Peru, blending preserved heritage, colonial elegance, fine cuisine, and modern comfort. The property feels like stepping into a living museum, where centuries-old architecture, curated artwork, and tranquil courtyards meet refined hospitality.

Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco

Nazarenas 337, Cusco 08002, Peru
Tel. +51 84 604000

Booking Options:

• Book Online with a Virtuoso Rate via Classic Travel: Includes complimentary room upgrade, free daily breakfast, early check-in, late check-out & a resort credit. (Learn about Virtuoso online rates, and specifically Belmond Bellini Club, which is the best way to get added perks at no additional charge)
• Book Direct with Belmond

A highlight of this part of the trip was the journey. We took the Hiram Bingham Train from Machu Picchu to Cusco. It was about a 3.5-hour train ride, with dinner and a bar car with live music. I had actually been looking forward to this train ride more than getting to the top of Machu Picchu.

Location

The hotel is very centrally located in Cusco, just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas (the city’s main square), with easy access to major landmarks such as the Cusco Cathedral, Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun), and the San Blas neighborhood.

Rooms

The hotel has approximately 120 rooms and suites, many of which are enriched with oxygen to help guests acclimatize to Cusco’s high altitude.

The rooms are decorated in colonial style, with antique furnishings, carved wooden headboards, stone or marble bathrooms, and handcrafted textiles. Accommodation ranges from Superior and Deluxe Rooms to Junior and One-Bedroom Suites featuring spacious layouts, separate living areas, and courtyard views.

While I thought the hotel was stunning, I did not care for the rooms. They felt very dark, with little to no windows, and a bit dated. Although, some might say that is part of the charm of a converted monastery.

Restaurants and Bars

The Lobby Bar is a former refectory, with vaulted ceilings and stone walls, and is a great place to have a drink after a long day, including Peru’s famous pisco sour.

Oqre, is the main restaurant overlooking the central courtyard. We had breakfast here each day, with a great morning buffet.

El Tupay Restaurant offers refined Peruvian cuisine with European influences, often accompanied by live opera or classical music, creating an elegant and theatrical dining experience. We were feeling a little under the weather the first night so we did not get a chance to try El Tupay.

Building and Architecture

Monasterio combines Andean Baroque and Spanish colonial architecture, with cloistered walkways, vaulted ceilings, stone archways, interior courtyards, and a 300-year-old cedar tree.

One of its most extraordinary spaces is the San Antonio De Abad Chapel, an ornate Baroque-style chapel with gilded altars, carved woodwork, and religious iconography.

Pros and Cons

Overall, I enjoyed my 2-night stay at the Belmond Monasterio. The hotel was beautiful and I loved everything except the rooms.

Pros

• Great location in Cusco – just a short walk from the Plaza de Armas
• The hotel architecture and history
• The food was great

Cons

• The rooms felt dark and dated
• There is no gym or pool with an overall lack of modern amenities