Peru has kept us within the beauty of the Andes, and our arrival in Cusco welcomed the breathtaking Urubamba Valley – and we mean breathtaking, as the city’s elevation is 3,400m! But with places like La Paz, Uyuni and Potosi behind us, we’ve become pretty acclimatised to such heights. As the historic capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is flooded with cultural motifs.
Plaza de Armas is one of the largest squares we have ever seen, and its beautiful architecture and design highlights the history of the city leading up to the conquest of Cusco. The churches and convents are so much more than their titles suggest, and are perhaps some of the most beautiful religious institutions you will ever cast your eyes upon. The city is a nice size meaning you can walk around the centre at ease, and there are museums, markets, bars or “chichiras” and even great salsa schools at every corner!
We settled in Killa House Hotel, located in Tullumayu Avenue just a block away from the main square. The location is fantastic, and is nice and quiet despite its fantastic access to everything central.
Upon our arrival, the staff were incredibly welcoming and befriended us. They printed out a map for us and marked all the great spots of interest, saving us valuable research time. We noticed provisions of tea in the reception area, and on closer inspection we realised that it was unlimited for guests and it was coca tea – perfect!
Coca tea is a lifesaver for altitude sickness and an upset stomach and we thought this was an incredibly thoughtful addition to the place.
Our room was lovely, had beautiful decor and everything we needed, including a private bathroom, cable TV and free Wi-Fi, which worked splendidly for us. Other great facilities and services include room service, free luggage storage, laundry, oxygen to combat the altitude sickness, medical assistance, an equipped kitchen, a travel agency and private tours, and a shuttle service.
The shuttle service is a great idea to counteract the hassle of trying to haggle down taxi drivers who will try and con you for your money! As for the breakfast, we were treated to a lovely spread with eggs cooked just the way we liked them, fresh bread, tea, coffee and pineapple juice made freshly from scratch.
There are also lots of coffee houses in the surrounding area, which are gorgeous and well worth a check out.
If you want a place that will go the extra mile in care and assistance, with a great location to explore Cusco from then this is the place for you. One reviewer had a wonderful experience, whereby she was welcomed at the airport by the owner, who provided her with coca tea as soon as she got into the car.
Little things like this mean a whole lot when you are in conditions that your body is not used to. To get a greater feel for the place, check out the other reviews on Tripadvisor and the hotel’s website, where you’ll find comfort to be well highlighted.
