Along a cobblestoned street in Cusco, offset by the stone façade of a colonial-era building, there is a green door—easily missed by many, but hard to ignore for those who catch a glimpse of its intricate wood carvings and iron embellishments. This enchanting doorway is a portal to the past, and what lies beyond its threshold is an abode worthy of a grand entrance. Welcome to Inkaterra La Casona, an intimate hotel set within an exquisite 16th-century manor house, and one of Cusco’s most storied dwellings.
The arcades of Inkaterra La Casona’s timeless courtyard have seen many noble visitors, from elite Inca warriors to Simón Bolívar, South America’s celebrated liberator. You are now part of that guest list—invited to experience the splendor of centuries past in this meticulously restored home. Numerous reminders of the region’s illustrious history and vibrant present-day culture grace the hotel, from the stonework and exposed beams that frame the building to the baroque furnishings, colonial antiques, and Andean textiles that accent the rooms. And when you step back through that emerald door, Cusco’s beguiling streets await you on the other side.
The manor that houses Inkaterra La Casona is part of the fabric of Cusco, and staying here gives guests a deeper understanding of the city’s many cultural layers. The 16th-century mansion was one of the first Spanish constructions here, and like most of the city’s early colonial buildings, it was placed directly on top of an existing Inca foundation. The original structure held the Warakos Academy—the training grounds for an elite army of Incas. It was later inhabited by Diego de Almagro, a Spanish conquistador of Peru, and for a short while was even home to Simón Bolívar, a renowned liberator of South America.
As empires have fallen and powers have shifted, the manor has remained an important fixture in the city—so much so that the Peruvian government has recognized the building’s significance by deeming it a national historical monument. Not only has it won numerous awards in recent years, it is also a Top 5 winner in the Annual Travel+Leisure World’s Best Awards in 2018.
The 11 rooms of the former conquistador’s mansion have views of the plaza or open onto a charming courtyard. Crisp yet cozy, the suites nod to both Incan and colonial influences with antiques, handwoven blankets, and traditional thickly plastered beams crossing the high ceilings. Coca-leaf tea awaits guests to ward off soroche (altitude sickenss), but if it does kick in, the friendly cuzqueño staff has oxygen tanks on hand. In addition, the hotel offers trips to ruins, churches, markets, and a coca-leaf tea reading.
