Belmond Hotel Monasterio
peru, peru · ★★★★★
The Verdict
Worth it for your honeymoon?
Belmond Hotel Monasterio is the most atmospheric address in Cusco — a 16th-century former seminary built directly atop Inca foundations, opening onto the cobbled Plazoleta de las Nazarenas a block from the UNESCO Plaza de Armas. For honeymooners arriving in the thin Andean air, the genius detail is invisible: oxygen is piped into the rooms on request, taking the edge off altitude sickness so you can sleep deeply on your first night at 3400m. The 122 rooms wrap a colonnaded courtyard where a 300-year-old cedar shades stone fountains, and the gilded baroque chapel — still consecrated — hosts candlelit Andean concerts that make for a singular pre-dinner ritual. The hotel's permanent collection of 18th-century Cusqueña-school religious paintings turns the corridors into a private museum, and the cocktail bar in the cloister pours pisco sours under arched stone porticoes. This is where you stay when you want Cusco's history pressed against your bedroom wall, with a Belmond concierge orchestrating the rest.
- ✓Trust couples-verified reviews
- ✓Prioritise spa & wellness
- ✓Are willing to invest in once-in-a-lifetime
- →Need a strictly adults-only resort
- →Want a direct beachfront
- →Prefer boutique & intimate properties
Score Breakdown
92/100
Book Your Stay
Check availability
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At a Glance
Room Recommendation
Which room to book
Book a Junior Suite Plaza facing the inner cloister courtyard — these rooms have heavy wooden colonial doors, beamed ceilings, and oxygen-enriched air dialed to a comfortable 21 percent. The cathedral-side rooms are dramatic but pick up bell chimes at dawn; the cloister-facing junior suites are the quietest in the building. Splurge on a Deluxe Suite if you want a separate sitting area for in-room breakfast.
No Surprises
True cost breakdown — 7 nights for two
Based on mid-range rooms, premium-economy flights from Europe, full dining and signature experiences. Adjust for your actual travel profile.
| Item | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Room (7 nights avg $1,350/nt) | $9,450 |
| Flights (2 pax, economy/premium) | $1,800 |
| Airport transfers / seaplane | $200 |
| Dining & drinks (beyond room) | $14,175 |
| Excursions & experiences | $700 |
| Spa / signature treatments | $600 |
| Tips & service (8%) | $1,890 |
| Total estimated | $28,815 |
Day by Day
Your 7-night honeymoon itinerary
Lima arrival
Land in Lima, overnight at a Miraflores or Barranco boutique hotel. Walk the Malecón at sunset, dinner of ceviche and pisco sours. Early night before the Cusco flight.
Fly to Cusco, slow afternoon
Morning flight to Cusco. Check in to Monasterio, sip coca tea in the courtyard, request oxygen for the room. Light lunch, gentle stroll around the Plaza de Armas — no climbing, no rushing.
Cusco walking tour
Private walking tour of Qoricancha (the Sun Temple), the Cathedral, and San Blas artisan quarter. Lunch at Cicciolina or MAP Café. Afternoon Andean concert in the hotel chapel, dinner at the hotel's Illariy restaurant.
Sacred Valley day trip
Drive down to Pisac for the market and the cliffside ruins, then Ollantaytambo's living Inca town. Lunch at a hacienda, return to Cusco for the night — or overnight in the valley if descending feels right.
Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes
Train down through the Urubamba gorge to Aguas Calientes. Bus up the switchbacks to Machu Picchu, full afternoon at the citadel with a private guide. Overnight at Sanctuary Lodge or Inkaterra.
Machu Picchu sunrise then return to Cusco
Pre-dawn return to the ruins for sunrise light. Late-morning train back to Ollantaytambo, transfer to Cusco. Couples massage at Monasterio's spa, candlelit dinner in the cloister.
San Pedro market and depart
Slow morning at the San Pedro market for chocolate and textiles. Long lunch, transfer to Cusco airport, evening Lima connection for international departure.
Honest Assessment
What to know before you book
Cusco's 3400m elevation is the single biggest factor — request oxygen on arrival, hydrate, drink coca tea, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals on day one.
The hotel is on a cobbled street in a pedestrianized quarter — taxis drop you a short walk from the entrance and porters meet you with luggage.
Avoid February and March — heavy rains, low visibility at the ruins, and the Inca Trail closes in February.
Machu Picchu entry permits and the Hiram Bingham/Vistadome trains book up months ahead in May-September; reserve the moment dates are confirmed.
Pre-Arrival
Email to send the hotel
Subject: Honeymoon booking inquiry — Belmond Hotel Monasterio Dear Belmond team, We are planning our honeymoon for [DATES] and would like to stay at Hotel Monasterio for [X] nights as our Cusco base. Could you share availability for a quiet courtyard-facing Junior Suite, with oxygen-enriched air, plus pricing for a private city tour and Sacred Valley day trip? We are also considering pairing with Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu — any combined-stay package would be appreciated. Thank you, [Names]
Send 2 weeks before arrival. Fill in names, dates, and preferences. Hotels respond to personalised requests.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Hotel Monasterio good for honeymooners?
Yes — the colonial atmosphere, the gilded chapel concerts, the oxygen-piped rooms, and the central location make it the most romantic Cusco stay. It pairs beautifully with Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu.
Will we get altitude sickness?
Possibly. Cusco's 3400m altitude affects most lowland travelers in the first 24 hours. The hotel's oxygen-enriched rooms genuinely help with sleep, and the in-house doctor is on call. Acclimatize slowly and consider descending to the Sacred Valley after a night or two.
Train or fly to Machu Picchu?
Fly to Cusco, then take the train (Vistadome, Expedition, or Hiram Bingham) from Poroy or Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes — there is no airport at Machu Picchu.
When is the best time to visit?
May to September is the dry season — clear skies, the best photography, but also the busiest. April and October are quieter shoulder months. Avoid February.
What's the difference between Monasterio and Palacio Nazarenas?
Monasterio is the classic — 122 rooms, baroque chapel, more formal. Palacio Nazarenas is the all-suite, contemporary-luxe sibling next door, with private plunge pools and butler service. Both share the same Belmond concierge.
How do we get there from Cusco airport?
The hotel is a 25-minute taxi ride from Alejandro Velasco Astete airport. Belmond arranges private transfers — it's worth booking, as drivers manage luggage and the cobbled approach.
Same Vibe, Different Destination
