Introduction
We stayed at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas (formally named Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond Hotel) in Cusco during a three-week South America itinerary. Ten days of our trip was spent exploring Peru. During this trip, we also experienced other Belmond properties and as well as their luxury train journeys, so our expectations were naturally high. Palacio Nazarenas turned out to be one of the standout stays of the entire trip! It is also known to be one of the best luxury hotels in Cusco (alongside Monasterio of course!).
The hotel itself has a lot of history. Originally a palace and later a convent, the hotel now operates as a luxury hotel with just 55 suites. Its rich history is evident throughout the hotel. There are multiple courtyards, preserved stonework, and even original Inca pathways integrated into the hotel. Throughout the stay, there was a perfect balance between preserving the history and delivering a luxurious hotel experience, something that may sound simple but often times hotels can struggle to strike the perfect balance.
Belmond Bellini Club Benefits
Before we review the property, a quick note that the hotel can be booked under the Belmond Bellini Club programme. Booking through us, you will receive the following benefits:
- Daily complimentary breakfast for two
- $100 hotel credit for food & beverage and spa service
- Room upgrade upon arrival, subject to availability
- Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability
- Personalised welcome amenity
- $500 gift voucher for stays exceeding $10,000 (excl. tax) (Terms and conditions apply)
Location
The hotel is located in the heart of Cusco, within walking distance of the main square and key attractions. It is approximately a 20 minute drive from Cusco Airport and approximately 10 minute drive from Wanchaq train station.
Palacio Nazarenas sits in a small square right next to its sister property, Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel. Across the square you will also find boutique hotels and several alpaca wool stores, which makes it a convenient base for exploring.
The hotel is centred around two courtyards. One is more traditional and architectural, while the other has a softer garden feel. The entire property feels like a historic retreat, with hidden pathways and preserved Inca stonework throughout.
Hotel Entrance & Check-In
We arrived from Wanchaq station after our trip to Machu Picchu, and despite the traffic the drive was only about ten minutes.
The entrance by a city square is quite understated and typically busy with people milling about the area and parked cars. We were greeted by the staff as soon as we arrived and walked over to the lobby, which felt more like a cosy living room. The staff took care of our luggage and welcomed us with cold towels and coca tea. The refreshment was especially appreciated in Cusco’s high altitude. Check-in was smooth and personal, and we were introduced to our butler who would be looking after us during the stay.
Right next to the lobby was a concierge room with a small sofa and a concierge desk. This looked like an extension of the cosy living room “lobby”. Whilst it was decked with beautiful artwork and colourful table books, we made good use of the cosy room to take a 5am Zoom call. This was the only communal spot in the hotel that we could make use of in the early hours of the morning without disturbing the Other Half’s sleep!
One of the most memorable moments came when we received our room keys. As the building was once a convent, we were asked to open a small wooden window that was historically used by nuns to communicate with the outside world. Inside, the turnkey table revealed our keys along with a bouquet of fresh flowers. It was a very thoughtful and unique touch.
Room – Studio Suite
The Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is an all-suite property, with only 55 suites. The entry-level accommodation starts with the Junior Suites. Next are the Studio Suites, which offer a spacious 60 square metres. The largest are the Signature Suites which include a range of additional benefits.
We had originally booked a Junior Suite; however as a benefit of booking through our Belmond Bellini Club partnership, we received a one category upgrade to a Studio Suite upon check-in. We were delighted with the upgrade given that the Studio Suite is significantly more spacious than the Junior Suite. All rooms come with complimentary in-room oxygen, piped through the AC which is a genuinely useful feature at Cusco’s 3,400m altitude.
Bedroom
The suite was extremely spacious and so beautifully decorated. As we entered, there was a comfortable seating area along with a table and a welcome amenity of fresh local fruits. Adjacent to the room entrance was a beautiful wooden writing desk with a number of magazine and writing material such as notepads and pens provided.
Turning right from the main doorway was a beautifully designed four poster bed with plush bedding that made it very easy to unwind after long days exploring Cusco. At the foot of the bed was a large ottoman, which was practical given we had multiple bags which all could not fit easily in the wardrobes.
The decor felt classic but well maintained, with a blend of traditional design and modern touches. One of my favourite features was the minibar setup, which was fully complimentary and included a wide selection of local snacks and drinks. It even included piscos and spirits so you could make your own cocktails in the room, which was a fun touch.
There were also plenty of thoughtful details throughout the room. The side-tables included keepsakes like postcards and luggage tags. Even the do not disturb signs were replaced with handmade dolls created by local artists. The coffee table also had an empty vase specifically for the flowers we received along with our room keys during check-in.
The staff had already completed turndown service before our arrival. Hot water bottles placed in stuffed animals / teddy bears and herbal tea helped keep us warm and adjust to the altitude.
Bathroom
The bathroom continued the same classic and modern theme, finished in marble with a very spacious layout.
There was a large bathtub right across a double vanity unit. The space felt generous and comparable to many luxury hotels in Europe. It was also bright, which is not always the case in historic properties, and the underfloor heating made a noticeable difference.
The wardrobe was extremely spacious and could easily fit clothes for a couple and one large and medium sized suitcase.
Breakfast at Mauka
Breakfast was served at Mauka Restaurant and was easily one of the highlights of our stay.
The experience is fully a la carte rather than buffet, which allows for a much stronger focus on quality. While the menu is not extensive, there was enough variety to cater to different palettes and allow guests to try different options over a 3-4 night stay without it getting boring or repetitive.
We started with a bread basket and pastries which were genuinely exceptional. I have been trying to cut down on sugar, but these were simply impossible to resist. They were easily some of the best pastries I have had outside Europe. The homemade jams were equally impressive.
For mains, we tried dishes like mushroom on toast and French toast with custard apple, both of which were excellent. The kitchen presented a simple yoghurt with pineapple beautifully.
The flat white was also made perfectly, comparable to a speciality coffee shop. I usually do not like ordering coffees at hotel breakfast but this one was good enough for me to skip my usual morning visits to a speciality cafe.
Overall the breakfast experience was nothing short of spectacular and would go on to be one of the main highlights of my stay here at Palacio Nazarenas.
Dinner at Mauka
After enjoying breakfast so much, we decided to try Mauka for dinner as well, even though we usually prefer dining outside the hotel when on holiday. The restaurant offers refined Peruvian cuisine with a focus on presentation and technique. The bread was a standout, soft inside with a great crust.
The kitchen delivered well-executed dishes with balanced flavours. While nothing stood out as memorable, the experience was enjoyable and the service polished. I would rate it around 7.5 out of 10.
Outdoor Pool
The outdoor heated pool is one of the most unique features of the hotel and is the only one of its kind in Cusco. It is an ideal place to relax after a day of exploring. During our stay, it was fairly quiet due to the cooler weather, which made it even more enjoyable.
There is a thoughtful setup by the pool, including a wooden cart with infused water, sunscreen, and even sunglasses cleaning. Service was attentive, and there is a pool menu available.
Spa Facilities
A peaceful courtyard forms the heart of the spa and creates a relaxing atmosphere.
We had a complimentary couples treatment as part of our Bellini Club benefits. I opted for an altitude acclimatising massage, which was exactly what I needed after the Machu Picchu trip. One of the most unique features was a glass panel in the treatment room floor, allowing you to see an Inca water channel beneath you.
After the treatment, we relaxed in the courtyard with coca tea, and the team surprised us with a candle for our anniversary, which was a lovely touch.
Other Activities
The hotel also offers a range of complimentary activities. However, we discovered them only through the in-room brochure rather than at check-in. We joined a yoga session in the spa courtyard, which ended up being a private session as no other guests joined us. It was a great way to stretch and acclimatise, and the instructor even gave us fresh herbs from the garden at the end.
Service
Service at Palacio Nazarenas was exceptional and one of the main highlights of our stay.
A dedicated butler added significant value to the experience. What impressed us most was his proactive and attentive approach throughout our stay. On the day of arrival, we mentioned that we wanted to buy an alpaca wool sweater. Instead of simply pointing us in the right direction, he walked with us into town, took us to several boutiques, and patiently waited while we made our choices.
Because he was with us, the shops recognised that we were staying at Belmond and offered us additional discounts. Once we were done, he arranged for everything to be delivered back to our room while we went out for dinner. This is what true butler service looks like!
The following evening, he offered to prepare cocktails for us in the room before dinner. I mentioned that I prefer an espresso martini rather than a pisco sour. Despite it not being a standard option, he took the initiative to learn and made one for me. He served the drinks with snacks in our room, which made for a very enjoyable start to the evening, ahead of our dinner reservation at Mauka.
Our butler also left us lovely strawberries dipped in chocolate to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
Service at breakfast was warm and engaging, with staff taking the time to chat and offer recommendations. The staff delivered polished dinner service, although it felt less personal by comparison.
On our final day, our butler walked us over to Monasterio and handled the transfer of our luggage to the Andean Explorer train. The staff handled every detail seamlessly, leaving us free to enjoy the experience.
In my opinion, the personalised level of service is reason enough to return at Palacio Nazarenas.
Comparison: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas vs Belmond Hotel Monasterio
Given that Belmond Hotel Monasterio is located right next door, it is a common comparison.
Palacio Nazarenas has a spa and an outdoor heated pool, while Monasterio does not. Although you can access these facilities from Monasterio, it is not quite the same as having them within your own hotel.
Breakfast at Nazarenas is a la carte and of a very high standard, while Monasterio offers a buffet. Personally, I preferred the a la carte experience.
All rooms at Nazarenas are suites, whereas Monasterio has smaller entry level rooms.
Nazarenas also provides oxygen in every room, while Monasterio only offers it in selected rooms and sometimes at an additional cost.
That said, Monasterio has a more traditional and grand feel, with significant artwork throughout, and may appeal more to families or those who prioritise art and history.
For us, Palacio Nazarenas was the better choice due to the space, facilities, and overall comfort.
Conclusion
Palacio Nazarenas was one of the highlights of our entire trip.
The combination of history, intimate scale, and exceptional service makes it stand out in Cusco. The hotel pairs elegant interiors with a calm atmosphere and delivers a thoughtfully designed guest experience.
Service was consistently excellent, especially from our butler, and that made a big difference to the stay.
If you are looking for a luxury hotel in Cusco and value personalised service, this would be my top recommendation.
Looking to book Belmond Palacio Nazarenas?
For the best experience, I recommend booking Belmond Palacio Nazarenas through a Belmond Bellini Club advisor to unlock additional benefits and a more personalised stay.
