Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel: Historic 1592 Jesuit monastery palace in Cusco with Illariy, oxygen-enriched suites, and cloistered courtyard

Reigning gracefully on Plazoleta Nazarenas in the historic heart of Cusco, Peru (just two blocks from the Plaza de Armas and historic Incan sun temples, 15 minutes from Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport), Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel opened as South America’s premier historic monastery grand palace. Originally built in 1592 as a Jesuit seminary on the site of an Inca palace (Amay-Kancha), the 122-room luxury monument surrounds a tranquil central stone cloister centered around a 300-year-old cedar tree. Featuring oxygen-enriched rooms and suites to alleviate high-altitude fatigue (Cusco sits at 3,400 metres / 11,150 feet), the property houses the acclaimed Andean-international restaurant Illariy, the candlelit dining room El Tupay with live operatic performances, a museum-quality collection of 18th-century Cusqueña School religious paintings, and the serene Monasterio Spa, making this property Cusco’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Andean colonial history and sacred Incan majesty: personal hosts greet guests beneath historic stone portals on Plazoleta Nazarenas before entering the sunlit cloistered courtyard with stone fountains, Gregorian chants, and chilled muña-coca tea. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Cusco acclimatization, cultural, and gastronomic pursuits: walking through the stone arcades to admire the original gilded baroque chapel San Antonio Abad (steps away), visiting the ancient Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán (10 minutes away), exploring the artisan boutiques of San Blas (5 minutes on foot), resting in your oxygen-enriched suite to comfortably adjust to high altitude, enjoying craft pisco cocktails by the stone fireplace at Lobby Bar, and reserving dinner at Illariy or opera dinner at El Tupay.

Palace living balances active Andean archaeological discovery with serene monastery tranquility: the Monasterio Spa features private treatment suites offering traditional Andean herbal therapies utilizing organic coca leaves, mountain sage, and volcanic stones. Dining is an extraordinary Peruvian-Andean culinary summit: refined contemporary Andean gastronomy at Illariy (featuring roasted alpaca tenderloin, native potato gnocchi, and South American Grand Crus), candlelit operatic dinners at El Tupay, cocktails at the Lobby Bar, and breakfasts in the cloister courtyard.

Accommodations comprise 122 rooms and luxury executive suites styled in Spanish colonial dark cedar, rich woven tapestries, and antique gold frames with optional oxygen enrichment ranging from 30 to 120 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

History connoisseurs, opera lovers, and luxury travelers seeking 1592 Jesuit monastery heritage, oxygen-enriched comfort, and Illariy dining in Cusco should book Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 4,200 reviews and a 4.8 out of 5 on Google across 5,600 reviews.