I recently traveled to Peru on an energetic itinerary of hotel site inspections that included all Belmond properties in this ancient coastal country. Belmond is a collection of iconic hotels, trains and river cruises worldwide. From the Latin words for “beautiful” and “world” Belmond reflects this in each of the five properties in Peru: Belmond Miraflores in Lima, Belmond Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley, Belmond Sanctuary Lodge of Machu Picchu, and Belmond Monasterio and Belmond Palacio Nazarenas in Cusco. I had the privilege of spending the night at a handful of the properties, while receiving a detailed site inspection and time-appropriate meal (OH, the ceviche!) at the others.
Let’s begin the tour with Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel!
Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is located in the upscale Miraflores District in Lima. We recommend this property to clients who arrive late in the evening or are interested in spending a day in the city before heading to Cusco. The boardwalk along the cliffs is worth the walk any time of the day. There are plenty of restaurants, shops, and a perfect opportunity to savor your surroundings. Paragliders and surfers frequent the beach below the boardwalk all year long.
I arrived in the wee morning hours to a friendly, attentive and meticulous staff. Consequently, check-in was a breeze. My end room (#712) was located on the seventh floor and offered views of both the ocean and the city of Lima, which were quite breathtaking at night. I had enough time to take a hot bath in the Jacuzzi tub and catch a few hours of sleep in the plush king size bed before heading to the next stop on my itinerary. Morning arrived all too quickly and I savored every last moment. The complimentary coffee and tea station in the lobby was a life-saver as I rushed out the door to catch my flight to Cusco!
Drive time to and from the airport is approximately 30-45 minutes (traffic dependent as with all cities) and an ideal choice for those wanting a centrally located spot for spending one or two nights in Lima prior to or after other travels within Peru, whether that be an Amazon cruise or an Andean train journey to Puno.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado
Located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado resembles a tiny Andean Village. Multiple levels of the property are comprised of suites and villas (each room accessed from the outside) overlooking the Urubamba River, the stunning gardens and the roaming alpacas. The Garden Junior Suite #7 with a private terrace and view of the gardens was spacious and modern, and was adorned with vases of fresh cut flowers around the room.
Multiple stepped pathways lead you to the spa, indoor pool and restaurant. Golf carts are available for traversing the manicured grounds and close-up photo shots of the herd of alpacas. The hotel’s restaurant, El Huerto, where I enjoyed dinner with views of the river, consisted of organic ingredients unique in both presentation and flavor.
We recommend a two or three night stay to give your body time to acclimate to the gradual increase in altitude as you make your way to Machu Picchu and Cusco. There are numerous archeological sites within the surrounding area that give you a different perspective of what daily life was for the Incas. Additionally, the Ollantaytambo rail station for train service to Machu Picchu is a drive of approximately twenty minutes.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu
Location, location, location! You cannot get any closer to Machu Picchu than you can with a stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu. Located at the entrance to the ruins, the location affords you the opportunity to not only stay until the park closes with minimal tourists (the last bus departs at 4:30 pm), but rise early in the morning to be in the park first before the buses filled with tourists arrive.
Rooms at this property range from Superior Suites with garden views to the breathtaking Mountain View terrace rooms which feature breathtaking views of the ruins. We recommend a one night stay when arriving by early train (only way to get to Machu Picchu) and departing the following day via a late afternoon train.
Full board included in the room rate offers you multiple breakfast, lunch and dinner options inspired by traditional Peruvian culture. Although the view during the day overlooks buses loading and unloading travelers to Machu Picchu, the fire in the fireplace during dinner makes for a much cozier atmosphere.
Belmond Hotel Monasterio
A few blocks from the main square in Cusco and once a monastery is Belmond Hotel Monasterio. The hotel offers a sense of serenity including many elements of the original religious paintings, statues and artifacts still displayed in the hotel. The old chapel on-site is still used for religious celebrations and weddings. Oxygenated rooms (helpful if experiencing difficulty breathing due to the altitude) surround a courtyard and garden that contains one standing tree in the center. The patio serves as a quiet retreat for an early morning breakfast. Enjoy dinner and the performing opera singers in El Tupay restaurant.
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas
Situated in the “old town” and next to Belmond Hotel Monasterio is Belmond Palacio Nazarenas. Steps away from the Plaza De Armas, museums and dining options, this hotel surpassed all expectations. No two suites are alike. Room #225 was a suite with an outside terrace overlooking the gardens. Junior Suite #208 was located near the pool. Eighty suites are oxygenated and most bathrooms include a separate tub and rain shower. This hotel is luxury at its finest.
Both Cusco Belmond options have their fair share of luxury and although they are side-by-side, each hotel is very different. Palacio only has 55 rooms (compared to 125 at the Monasterio) and gives a more exclusive feeling. Monasterio’s charm is keeping with the history of the old monastery with the courtyard fountain and a 300 year old cedar tree. Also worth a mention, is the heated outdoor pool at Palacio Nazarenas.
When arriving into Cusco from Machu Picchu, we recommend a one or two night stay to make the most out of this “Archaeological Capital of the Americas.” From colonial buildings to Incan Temples and churches, that blends both the Spanish and Inca cultures.
Additionally, Frontiers is a member of Virtuoso and the Belmond Bellini Club. For clients interested in booking any of these hotels, the Virtuoso and Bellini Club affiliations provide added value and extra amenities to hotel room rates such as receiving daily breakfast at no additional charge, plus food and beverage and spa credits as well as upgrades and early check-ins / late check-outs.
Conclusion:
My energetic tour of the Belmond properties in Peru was seamless and truly extraordinary. Each hotel was an experience onto itself. The meals were uniquely crafted to represent the hotel’s location, and how could anyone not enjoy the welcome Pisco Sours at each stop? If Peru and Machu Picchu are on your bucket list, I highly recommend moving it to the top.