Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Your first port of call is the beautiful reception with stone floors and arches, a domed ceiling and gold-leaf furnishings that pop against the sky-blue colour of the walls. Museum-worthy Cusqueño art school paintings are all around, including the dining room of the exquisite Inti Raymi restaurant. Al fresco dining is available in the romantic open-air patio overlooking the courtyard, and the breakfast buffet comes with a side of live harp music. And, if you like to stay active, they even have a fitness centre.

The hotel is big (it’s not called a palacio for nothing!) and there’s plenty of rooms and suites to choose from. All feature colonial decor, hardwood furnishings and a lively colour palette of red, terracotta and sandy hues with touches of gold. The Signature Luxury Collection double and king beds are designed for a perfect night’s sleep, while bathrooms are dressed in travertine marble and include plenty of custom made luxury amenities. Some suites have a private balcony to enjoy the views of the Andes in the background.

The convenient location (two blocks away from the main square) means there’s several iconic landmarks to explore without having to walk far, and the hotel’s concierge is always happy to help out with excursions or tips for going out and exploring. If staying in, hotel guests can enjoy the Andes Spirit Spa with its ahhh-mazing hydrotherapy pool or sign up for one of the epicurean experiences, including cooking and mixology classes. For wine lovers, spend an afternoon with the in-house Master sommelier who offers cheese and wine pairing experiences.