Belmond Hotel Monasterio

It’s a very nice looking hotel but the service is so much better at Belmond Nazarenes - their sister property next door. The deli in the hotel, however, is excellent and service is excellent. I’d choose Belmond nazarenas or Palacio del Inka for rooms and service.

We stayed in this hotel which is converted from a monastery for two nights before proceeding to our Andean Explorer train tour. The building is definitely awesome. Located very conveniently in the vivid part of the old town, it is truly imposing. A large courtyard where breakfast is served, with a background hymn music, it is almost magical. The rooms, despite converted from monastery cells, are spacious and nicely decorated. At least our room was so, we stayed in room no 427. Yet, the service level was not up to our expectations. Room service and breakfast staff were all very customer oriented and we really felt very happy with them. But I can not say the same thing for the reception and front desk staff. We arrived to the hotel late in the afternoon after two domestic flights from the Peruvian Amazons and we were pretty tired. When we arrived to the hotel, instead of being directly escorted to our room, we have been asked to fill in forms in the lobby and the information we have been asked were already the information we have given to our Belmond agents. We stayed in other Belmond hotels during our Peru trip and we have not been asked to fill in any forms of the sort. So the start was not a positive one. I have been hit by the altitude sickness despite staying in a room with extra oxygen. But as we have not been told at the check-in that there was an additional oxygen option, my first night was nightmarish. I learnt about it only the following morning when our guide arrived. My altitude sickness continued the second night too and when I have asked for a paramedic, the reception told me that there is no paramedic at the hotel (hard to understand in a luxurious hotel at a high altitude) and that if I want they could call a doctor from a clinic for extra cost and didn't even bother to offer any other support. I found the whole attitude truly unacceptable for an establishment which pretends to be top notch. Yes, the ambiance is very very impressive in this hotel but as long as there is no consistency in service level, the whole experience is ruined.

We had the pleasure of enjoying the Monasterio Hotel while in Cusco. This beautiful hotel and attentive staff made our time in Peru most memorable.

First of all, I would like to commend Belmond for restoring, maintaining and turning a sixteenth century monastery into a resting place for travelers, much the same way probably the monks also did four hundred years ago. Loved wandering the hallways or the courtyards or the chapel, getting lost in history while at the same time have every modern conveniences and an incredible staff surrounding me. The location is also incredible and you can step out of the monastery into the bustling streets of central Cuzco with incredible restaurants, bars and night life in your fingertips. Just a very special place, and cannot wait to come back.

We had a great two night stay at the Monasterio. Amazing property with incredible service. Would definitely return.