Hotel Monasterio

, Cusco, Peru
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Hotel Monasterio

, Cusco
5 star
Palacio Plazuela Las Nazarenas 136 - Cusco - Peru Hotel Website | | (084) 604003
480 Traveller

Reviews - Hotel Monasterio

9/10
Great Hotel - not so good rooms
Submitted by: Jackie in 12/03/06
  • Age Group: 41 - 50
  • From: United Kingdom
  • Traveller type: Family Traveller
This hotel is superb, steeped in history with great food and excellent service. The one down side is the rooms. They seem to be either small and dark or hot and noisy - we experienced both on our trip. Would highly recommend this hotel but would suggest upgrading so that you avoid disappointment with the rooms. Everything else was great.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Hotel Monasterio

a unique hotel

from AZVoyager
The Monasterio Hotel is the best place to stay if you're visiting Machu Picchu, because the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu itself is extremely expensive and overrated. The Monasterio is actually an old monastery in Cuzco and each room is unique. The rooms do vary in size and oxygen enriched rooms are available with prior arrangement. Cuzco is actually higher(11,000 ft.) than Machu Picchu(@9,000 ft.). Take the Orient Express Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco to Machu Picchu(@ 3 hours). Lunch and dinner are served going and returning respectively. Excellent food! You fly into Cuzco from Lima. The food at the Monasterio is very good. Beware that most people have to adjust to the altitude and I would not recommend going if you have any heart or respiratory problems. There are a lot of interesting things to see around Cuzco.

Spectacular Hotel

from Jose_Cuzco
My first time at the Hotel Monasterio was lovely I felt as a King , many people around traying to satisfy us.

The rooms are beautifull and the people the best.

No more words for an excellent service.

s best hotels ~ superlative service and sublime ambiance

from talkingbean
The Monasterio is without question one of the world's greatest hotels - from my experience, better than Four Seasons' standards across the board - not only in terms of service and location, but its unique design and underlying serenity make it the ideal launching point for exploring the region. The staff's anticipation of guests' needs and whims is unmatched in Peru, and a few unexpected and rather unusual requests were catered to seamlessly and without hesitation. I didn't have the opportunity to experience room service, but all other dining was superb: breakfast at Tupay (outstanding variety and one of the best baguettes outside of Paris, an amazing feat considering Cusco's humidity!); lunch and dinner at The Illary; and especially interesting snacks and cocktails, such as the Coca Sour (a unique twist on the traditional Pisco Sour to help combat the high altitude), in the Lobby Bar. I hope to have the opportunity to return soon, as I've rarely felt this level of care and genuine concern when traveling ~ certainly something to be cherished and applauded. Cheers and sincerest thanks to Philippe Spagnol and his phenomenal team!

Disappointing Rooms

from jackiemUK
The hotel is billed at the finest in Peru and therefore we felt that it would be unnecesary to upgrade rooms here - how wrong we were.

The first room we were allocated (Room 408) was tiny. The picture I have included is taken from outside the door to try and fit it all in. I did fill in the questionnaire and have suggested that because of the size of the room this is used only as a single.

We complained and we moved to Room 122 which intially looked a far better option. However we were soon to discover that one of the hotels main air ducts runs underneath the floor and the room was a constant 28 centigrade even with the airconditioning on. In addition this was very noisy.

When we returned from Machu Picchu we were allocated Room 309 which, like Room 122, is in the newer wing. The heat was not quite so bad here - just 26 degress which was lucky as there was no airconditioning.

Whilst we appreciate that this is built in an historical landmark I think that for the price the rooms were very disappointing and would highly recommend upgrading if you plan to stay here.

Everything else about the hotel is exceptional - the food (whilst limited choice for dinner) is of good qaulity and the service is exceptional in both the restaurant and the bar.

Watch out for the fish

from odysseytaker
We spent a total of 4 nights in this hotel. When we checked in (we were part of an high-end tour company's group) we were given an extremely small room. We asked to change and were given a much more reasonably sized room. When returning to the hotel after visiting Machu Picchu, we were assigned the same small room we had changed from during our first stay. We insisted on a different room and were given a suite. A friend of mine who stayed a couple of weeks before us had a similar experience. I know the room rate is quite high for Peru and I felt we shouldn't have had to ask for a change once, let alone twice.

Half of our tour group suffered from food poisining (myself and husband included)the night of and day after we checked in. We are quite certain it was from lunch served to us in the hotel restaurant on the first day. I believe that hotel management was aware of this situation, but did nothing to assist us as we recovered. Two members of our tour sought medical assistance from the hotel doctor.

My stay was largely colored by my illness and my tour company's and hotel's lack of response. Although the suite was the nicest of our rooms, the overall feel of the hotel was old and worn. My contact with hotel staff was minimal. House keeping staff seemed very pleasant. Given the destination, I'm not sure you'll find much better in Cusco.
Management Response from philippePeru
The hotel Monasterio still retains the original character and style of a monastery built in 1592. That makes very difficult to find two rooms alike in size and shape in the hotel

My opinion differs with you regarding the food poisoning. We have a contract with a laboratory, and food samples are taken 3 times a week at random for analyses and report. All our staff is very hygiene orientated, and part of our Human Resources budget is dedicated to training programs of this kind.

The Doctor, who visited you on January 5th, if our traces are correct, was not the Hotel Doctor, but the one recommended and called directly by your Tour Company. This Doctor is not obliged to give us a report on his guest’s visits, at the opposite of the Hotel Doctor, so we can do a direct follow up with our guests.

I would like to remind this Trip Advisor Member that acute mountain sickness symptoms, can begin anytime between 4 to 96 hours after the ascent and arrival on the site, and include headache, desydratation, vomiting and nausea,sleep disturbances.

Beautiful hotel but terrible conditions

from ko1050
One of the most beautiful hotels in the world. However, our rooms (both top suites) were unbearably hot and had no air conditioning. In addition, we had no hot water! They turned off the hot water for repairs and didn't tell anybody.

This place could be 5 star but they need new management.
Management Response from philippePeru
The Monasterio is a 500 years old building and sometimes needs a change in water pipings. For that purpose we had to close the water that day, from 2pm to 6pm, time when our guests come back from their tours. All our guests received in their rooms a note apologizing to the inconvenience. I am sorry and would like to apologize again if this trip advisor member did not found or did not pay attention to that note left on his desk.
Air conditioning cannot be installed in these rooms because of National Institute protection. nevertheless, we obtain authorization to install automatic sunroof windows, and so improving the air flow.

World Class Hotel

from jhmvis
Outstanding hotel in a beautiful city...perfectly located just off the main square. Elegant setting in a 500 year old monastery. Great rooms...fantastic/helpful staff. In addition to the history, it is a veritable art gallery with many historically significant paintings and art pieces. Stayed one night before going on the Hiram Bingham train...nice coordination with that service. A bit expensive, sure, but it is one of the finest hotels we've experienced. Highest recommendation.

Wonderful

from maxford
My 1st choise for a hotel in Cusco - beautiful. Two types of rooms - old section & new section - can't go wrong w/either. If you can afford this hotel-stay-it's will be a wonderful experience.

Close to Plaza De Armas-great shopping. Take USD and lots of it. Silver, Gold, Handicraft, Alpaca Fashions. Restaurants everywhere.

Be prepared for two things: Altitude sickness and street kids.

Altitude Sickness: Coca tea and Coca candy will help. Advise getting altitude pills from the local pharmacy. Go slow...your heart will pound and you may feel lightheaded - if you need oxygen take it-you will feel better.

Street Kids: "God love them" They will try to sell you whatever they are carring. They don't take "NO" for an answer and they never go away.

The place to stay in Cusco.

from hhl
We stayed here for 4 nights, split between two visits, in September 2005.

The hotel is located in a quiet square, just behind the main square of Cusco. The Monestario is extremely majestic and very peaceful. The 16th C. two-story stone cloistered monestary surrounds a beautiful garden. The dramatic lighting, elegantly appointed rooms, stone floors, crisp linen service, stand to attention servers, period paintings and furnishings, make this a special place. There aren’t great views from the rooms. Naturally having been a cloistered monastery the views are to the inside and back is to the world.

The service is formal but very good, personal and efficient. Great bed linens and room amenities, including fresh flowers and fruit or chocolates with a note from the manager. The fresh baked morning breads were excellent and all the food very good - how do they do this at 11,000'? Both dining rooms were beautiful.

The business center is small but has fast Internet service. Going up the stairs at 11,000’ is your work out facility. The tour desk will take care of any difficulties or needs. This is not a tour group hotel.

We did check out the Liberator and I did not care for the busy street location. We’d always return to the Monestario.

First class in every way

from JRLP
We have been fortunate enough to stay in many great hotels all over the world and the Monasterio rates among the best. Fundamentally, it is a beautiful site: a converted monastery of great charm and elegance. This alone makes it a pleasure to stay there. But it is also very well run and has a first class staff. The location is very good: near enough to the main square to be convenient, but also far enough away to be quite quiet. The breakfast buffet is very good, as is the main resturant overlooking the coourtyard. We stayed there three times over the course of a 3 week visit to Peru, and had three different rooms. The first (122) was a very good sized room, but not with a very attractive view. The second (418) was rather small. The third (a no cost upgrade to a Junior Suite, 433) was very nice, even if the living area was a little small and it was a duplex on two levels. I cannot think that there is a better hotel in Cusco.

Top Local Tips for Cusco

How to cope with the altitude Take it easy on your 1st day & don't drink too much alcohol. We felt great following this advice

Macchu Picchu We were told at the hotel that you could pay the entrance fee into Macchu Picchu in either US dollars or Peruvian Soles. However, when we got there they wouldn't accept US dollars--only Peruvian Soles. We managed to exchange our US dollars into Soles, but paid an expensive price to do so.

Street Vendors There are lots of women and children wating outside the Hotel wanting to sell you anything...they are very persistent and pushy. Got to be annoying, however I woudn't let this deter you from staying at The Monasterio. SImply say no and move on...

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Other names for Hotel Monasterio

  • monasterio hotel cusco
  • hotel monasterio
  • Address: Palacio Plazuela Las Nazarenas 136 - Cusco - Peru
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