This is truly one of the world’s most beautiful hotels
The hotel
JW Marriott El Convento, Cusco, Peru
Check-in
The spectacular courtyard of the Marriott El Convento Cusco Peru.
Simply step into the lobby of the JW Marriott El Convento and you already know everything you need to about this property. Guests enter via a classic stone archway, an edifice that has been in place since the 16th century. Immediately through that arch they’re greeted by a huge modern artwork, a sparkling orb of 76,500 crystals made by the Swarovski company and inspired by Inti, the Incan sun god, hanging behind the check-in desk. Old meets new. Classic meets contemporary. That’s what to expect here. The check-in procedure itself is smooth, with no wait time, and friendly, professional service.
The look
This is, truly, one of the world’s most beautiful hotels. The JW Marriott Cusco is set in a 16th-century San Agustin convent, a building that has been meticulously refurbished and preserved, and one that features archaeological ruins from pre-Incan, Incan, colonial and republican eras. You’re literally staying in a historic attraction. The convent is a two-storey, four-sided building set around an internal courtyard, a wide space available to all hotel guests, who can sit and sip coffee or coca tea and admire the numerous archways so typical of the architecture of colonial-era Peru.
Inside the hotel with its historic restoration.
The room
I’m staying in a Terrace room, which has views via a small window over that beautiful internal courtyard. The room itself is 31 square metres, and is thoroughly modern, with a king-sized bed, a small chair and table, a large cupboard and storage area for clothing, and a marble bathroom with separate bath and shower. An artwork on the bedhead is (similar to the check-in area) inspired by the Incan sun god.
A guest room with a view over Cusco.
Out + about
Almost everything you would want to see in Cusco is within walking distance of the JW Marriott (though, take things slow to begin with – the city is 3400 metres above sea level). The Plaza de Armas, Cusco cathedral, the Santo Domingo convent, the Qoricancha sun temple, the San Pedro market and many more attractions are right there on your doorstep. The city’s best restaurants and bars are also an easy stroll away. It’s about a four-hour train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes, the base for visiting Machu Picchu.
Food + drink
Set for dinner at the hotel restaurant.
Those who would like to stay in-house for their dining have a few options here. Qespi is both a bar and a restaurant; at the former, guests can dine on a casual menu of Peruvian-inspired snacks and light meals, or opt for the whopping JW Marriott beef burger, which might not be exactly Peruvian, but is seriously delicious. The restaurant, meanwhile, offers a more refined take on local dining, with a comprehensive menu of classics from around Peru. Pre-dinner, guests are invited to a masterclass in making a pisco sour, hosted at the bar.
The essentials
Rooms from $614 a night, no minimum stay. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco: Esquina de la Ruinas 432, Cusco, Peru. Phone +51 8458 2200. See marriott.com
The verdict
It’s a rare privilege to stay in such a beautiful, historic building, particularly one that has been treated with so much care in its transformation into a modern hotel. You go to Cusco hoping to immerse yourself in a UNESCO World Heritage area’s attractions – what better way to enjoy them than this? The free experiences on offer at the hotel, from pisco sour and ceviche classes to tours of the convent’s historic sites, are icing on the cake.
Our rating out of five
★★★★★
Highlight
Sitting with a cup of coca tea in the hotel’s courtyard, surrounded by Cusco’s history.
Lowlight
The altitude will take some getting used to – don’t plan any long walks in the first few days.
The writer stayed as a guest of the JW Marriott El Convento
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