Casa Andina Premium Cusco

The Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco is housed in a 16th-century mansion and has plenty of Spanish colonial appeal. Guests enter an elegant lobby parlor with chandeliers, a fireplace, and sofas, creating a subtle mountain-chalet vibe right off the bat. The richly decorated public spaces feature carved wooden details, exposed stone, gilt-framed mirrors, and paintings with biblical themes. Many paintings depict archangels, a particularly Peruvian motif. Unfortunately, the Peruvian atmosphere isn't as evident in the rooms, which have a more spartan and bland look. Guests gather in the lobby parlor as well as the courtyard with fountains, potted shrubs and flowers, and tables and chairs covered with umbrellas. A Quechua woman often sits outside the courtyard knitting colorful Alpaca pieces. The hotel draws tourists, mostly couples, to its Peruvian charm, spacious rooms, free breakfast, and location near the Qurikancha temple. 

Casa Andina Private Collection Cusco is in a good location in central Cusco. The hotel is a two-minute walk from The Qurikancha (Temple of the Sun), which was considered the most important temple of the Inca Empire. A few restaurants and shops are within a five-minute walk, though the bulk of the town's action is under a 10-minute walk away, around the Plaza de Armas. The Museum of Popular Art is a five-minute drive or an eight-minute walk from the hotel, while the area with the Inca Museum and Museum of Pre-Colombian Art, is a little under five minutes by car or 10 minutes on foot. Wanchaq train station is a little over a five-minute drive, while Poroy Station (the departure point for Machu Picchu) is a little under 30 minutes by car. Expect a 15-minute drive to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport. 

Rooms at the Casa Andina have a simple and spare aesthetic, with largely bare white walls, brown furniture, dark gray carpet, and wood headboards, trim, and furnishings. There are a few pieces of art on the walls, and colorful tartan-print decorative throws on the beds, but in general the look is a little bland. Most rooms are spacious, and the Suite Imperial has a far more characterful look, with classic plush furniture and more pops of color. Rooms are generally in good condition, but some could use renovation to address issues like worn furnishings and carpets and electrical sockets hanging off the wall or not working properly. Unfortunately, rooms do not have air-conditioning, and some units have only one window, so they can get stuffy. Additionally, many rooms just look out on the corridor, so they don't have a view or much natural light. All 93 rooms come with safes, electric kettles for instant coffee and tea, and flat-screen TVs with a few English channels. Wi-Fi is available for a fee in rooms, and free of charge in public spaces. Bottled water is expensive in rooms, so many guests buy their water outside the hotel. Suites add mini-fridges and sitting areas. Bathrooms are spacious and come with rainfall showers, bathtubs, bathrobes and slippers, and hairdryers. Check-out is quite early, so be sure to check ahead with the hotel.

There aren't too many features here, but what's on offer generally keeps everyone happy, and most guests use this as a base for exploring the town rather than hanging out indoors all day. Casa Andina offers a decent free breakfast buffet featuring a solid selection of hot and cold items that scores solid marks from previous guests. The restaurant also serves Peruvian and international cuisine for lunch and dinner, with Alpaca burgers, tapas, ceviches, and seafood. When the weather is warm, guests can eat outdoors. Room service is available. The hotel also has a cocktail bar, business center, shelf of books, concierge desk, lobby snack center, and airport transfer (for a fee). Wi-fi is free of charge in public spaces, for up to four hours a day. The hotel has no on-site parking, but nearby public parking is available for a fee.