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HOTEL MONASTERIO
LOCATION
Hotel Monasterio is only a ten-minute drive from the airport and just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas, Cuzco's central square, where the cathedral and most important museums are located.
This unique hotel museum is an architectural treasure built on Inca foundations with a beautiful chapel adorned with extraordinary gold ornaments. It combines the solemnity of a colonial monastery with the luxury, elegance, comfort and excellent quality of a modern five-star hotel.
High in the Andes, more than 3000 metres above sea level, lies Hotel Monasterio in the heart of the historic city of Cusco, famous for its unique blend of Spanish and Inca cultures.
Built as a monastery in 1592, Hotel Monasterio retains the charm and ambience that has existed for centuries whilst boasting a reputation as one of the world's finest hotels.
The ideal base from which to discover the delights Cusco and the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, Hotel Monasterio offers fine service in beautifully impeccable surroundings.
HISTORY OF HOTEL MONASTERIO
The Monastery was originally built in 1595 on the site of the palace of Inca Amaru Qhala. In 1598, it was founded as the Seminary of San Antonio Abad by the sixth Bishop of Cuzco, Monsignor Antonio de la Raya, to train Catholic priests.
The building was seriously damaged by the earthquake in 1650, and upon restoration the beautiful Chapel was added. It is decorated in the indigenous Baroque style with gold-plated pictures frames and truly magnificent paintings by the best artists of the Cusquenian Art School, depicting scenes from the life of San Antonio Abad.
In 1692, by papal edict from Pope Innocent II and the Royal letters Patent issued by King Charles II, the seminary became a Royal Pontifical University. However in 1816, a royal decree from the King of Spain rescinded this authority and the institute reverted back to being a seminary until, May 30, 1965 when the building was remodelled into a hotel.
The Hotel remains a national historical landmark, protected by the INC (National Institute of Culture) and has retained its characteristics and charm. It is a splendid model of the colonial Renaissance style, consisting of three sections in different levels. The heart of the Hotel is the central courtyard with its soft fountain and 300-year old Cedar tree surrounded by gardens and the famous stone cloisters.
The stones around the huge wooden entrance doors looking on to the Plazoleta Nazarenas still bear the Spanish Arms Escutcheon and the image of Bishop Monsignor Juan Serricolea y Olea.
ROOMS
Deluxe rooms
Each of our deluxe rooms is unique, as benefits a converted monastery, each of the rooms have there own little architectural quirks. Many of the rooms offer a wonderful view out into the main courtyard.
The rooms also offer:
Around sixty-five guest rooms are enriched with oxygen to help combat any problems with altitude sickness.
Junior Suite
There are twelve Junior Suites in the hotel, all designed with two levels. Each suite has a lovely bedroom on the mezzanine level and a living room on the lower level. These Junior Suites offer remote controlled television, writing desk, individually controlled heating system, personal safety box and two telephones.
Our Junior Suites are enriched with oxygen to make your stay more pleasant.
Presidential Suites
The hotel has three spacious and elegant Presidential Suites, all featuring a king-size bed, separate living room and a marble bathroom. Additional facilities include remote controlled VCR/TV, writing desk, individually controlled heating system, safety box, 2 telephones and a fax machine.
Should guests wish our Presidential Suites may be enriched with more oxygen to combat alititude sickness.
Royal Suites
The two Royal Suites at Hotel Monasterio offer the best in luxurious accommodation, with a wide range of facilities including an outdoor terrace, separate living room, marble bathroom, remote controlled VCR/TV, writing desk, individually controlled heating system, safety box, 4 telephones and a fax machine.
The suites are also equipped with a bath and separate shower and a private court yard.
Our Suites are enriched with oxygen to make your stay more pleasant.
Oxygen enriched rooms
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the renovation of the Hotel Monasterio was the oxygen-enrichment of a number of our rooms.
Cusco is situated at a height of 3,400 meters (11 000ft). With the rapid ascent by plane form Lima to Cuzco there is no time for acclimatization and consequently guests are at risk of altitude sickness.
Medical and Physiological Aspects of High Altitude
Altitude sickness itself is extremely common and at this altitude, and affects at least 50% of guests. One of the most debilitating aspects of altititude sickness is poor sleep. If the oxygenation can be improved at night during sleep, then oxygenation of the body during the day is also improved.
We use oxygen concentrators to enrich the atmosphere in the rooms. Oxygen is piped into the rooms 24 hours a day, oxygenating the rooms down to an atmospheric pressure of app 2,400 metres which is low enough to prevent ill effects from altitude sickness. It has been shown that each additional 1% oxygen concentration inspired equates to a 300 metre descent. Thus by raising the inspired oxygen level from 21% to 24%, there is an effective decrease in altitude of 900 metres ie; taking the room down to 2,400 metres.
After sleeping in an oxygen-enriched room, the increased level of oxygen in the body declines gradually over a 14-15 hour period the following day.
Please note that there is a US$48 per night surcharge on the room rate for this amenity.
The Hotel Monasterio is currently the only hotel in the Cusco with oxygen-enriched rooms.
RESTAURANTS
Illariy Restaurant
With its view onto the Main Patio and intimate ambiance, Restaurant Illariy will charm you with its unique atmosphere and distinctive Peruvian and International cuisine, created by our chef Marco Albán.
Enjoy delicious snacks, sumptuous meals and a lovely view of the hotel's largest courtyard and gardens.
Reservations are recommended.
Lunch in the Main Patio is available depending on the weather.
The Gastronomic Menu is also available from 19.00 pm to 23.00 pm from Room Service.
El tupay Restaurant
El Tupay serves a delicious Buffet Breakfast from 5.00am to 10.00am in this antique Refectory.
Our menu includes assorted homemade breads, an array of Danish and French breakfast pastries, cereals, freshly baked pancakes, eggs cooked to order, a Delicatessen selection, local and international dishes, freshly squeezed seasonal juices and a range of hot beverages.
We also offer the unique Japanese Breakfast, with grilled salmon trout, condiments, rice, miso soup and green tea.
Lobby Bar
Sample a traditional Coca Sour or Pisco Sour in the elegant and colonial Lobby Bar which has been decorated with style and tranquility in mind.
During the day the Lobby Bar is a restful space, where you can drink coca tea and relax as you acclimatise to the high altitude. There is also wireless internet in the Lobby Bar (wireless access in public areas is available for US$10 a day).
In the evening, the Lobby Bar is an ideal place for a pre-dinner drink and a soft Andean harpist dressed in local costume plays three times a week. Sink in front of the roaring log fire as you reflect on another memorable day in Cusco.
Delicious canapés prepared by our Executive Chef are served in the evenings
The Lobby Bar opens from 10:30 a.m. to 23:00 p.m.
Rooms Service
Room Service offers you the privacy of dining in the comfort of your own room. At the Hotel Monasterio, we offer two different kinds of room service.
During the Illariy Restaurant dining hours, we can serve our Gastronomic menu from the Illariy Restaurant in your room.
At times outside the Illariy Restaurant dining hours we offer a delicious In-Room Dining Menu.
For more details, our Room Service staff will be pleased to assist you anytime.
LEISURES AND ACTIVITIES
Cuzco is an amazing and magical city where you can enjoy the charming mixture of old Inca, Spanish and Colonial culture. Come and join us in for a City Tour, a tour of the Sacred Valley or a journey to Machu Picchu.
You can also indulge in a wide range of activities in the area, including mountain biking, white-water rafting and, for those who prefer a little less physical exertion, fishing and horse riding.
After you have finished discovering the ancient Inca ruins or horse trekking in the archaeological park we will welcome you back to the hotel with a warm hand drawn bath courtesy of our on bath butler or a relaxing massage from out trained experts.
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