Antigua Casona San Blas

This mid-range hotel offers a homey base in central Cusco. Situated in a renovated house dating back to the 19th-century, the property features colonial architecture typical of the area -- cream exterior and a terra-cotta tiled roof -- with a lovely central courtyard patio encircled by exterior hallways with intricately engraved wooden columns and railings. This outdoor area is a charming spot to relax in, adorned with lots of greenery, ivy climbing up a rustic stone wall, and colorful flowers. Comfy seating around a fire pit invites lingering. There's also a beautiful terraced garden that many of the guest rooms overlook, with fountains, plenty of colorful flowers, and green lawns bordered by stone walls. Interiors are equally pleasant, dotted with wooden antique pieces that pair well with the terra-cotta brick floors, white walls, and exposed stone elements. The bar combines gilded details with handsome tufted leather chairs. The hotel's restaurant is a cozy space with large photographs of the property's renovations adorning the walls. With only 14 guest rooms, the atmosphere is tranquil and most of the guests are leisure tourists seeking to explore the area.

The hotel occupies a central location in Cusco's San Blas district. Plaza de Armas, the city's main square, is a seven-minute walk away and offers plenty of dining options -- though there are many restaurants and bars closer to the hotel. There are a couple of museums within walking distance, including the Coca Museum (two-minute walk), the Museo Casa Concha (six-minute walk), and the Museo Inka (nine-minute walk). Other nearby attractions include Qorikancha, the ruins of an Incan temple, which is an eight-minute walk away, and San Blas Temple, which is just three minutes away. Travelers bound for Machu Picchu can take trains departing from the Poroy station, which is around a 40-minute drive from the hotel, to arrive in the village of Aguas Calientes, also known as Machupicchu Pueblo. Cusco's international airport is about a 20-minute drive from the hotel.

Guest rooms start off at 172 square feet (16 square meters), while the largest ones are 237 square feet (22 square meters). The inviting spaces pair white walls with terra-cotta brick floors and lovely handcrafted wooden furniture. Colorful local textiles like striped rugs and accent pillows add a bit of pep, while hand-carved wooden headboards are a nice touch. Many rooms open onto private balconies, some with lovely views of the hotel's garden. All rooms have desks, while suites add living areas. In-room amenities are a bit limited and include flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi -- but there are no minibars/mini-fridges or tea/coffee facilities provided. Clean, contemporary bathrooms have walk-in showers or shower/tub combos. Toiletries, hairdryers, and jugs of potable water are provided. Note that some suites are lofted and can be a problem for those with mobility issues.

The hotel has a good restaurant that serves traditional local fare from the highlands of Peru paired with South American wines. It's open for lunch and dinner, while the inviting bar, serving up tapas and drinks, is open in the afternoons and evenings. Breakfast is included in rates and features both a buffet selection and some a la carte options. Other areas to linger in here include an inviting courtyard patio, which offers comfortable seating, a heat lamp, and a fire pit in a delightful setting dotted with flowers and greenery. Wi-Fi is throughout, but there's not much else here in terms of features -- though the hotel does have plans for a spa, set to open in 2018.