Away from the central bustle, but only a 10-minute walk to Plaza de Armas
Colorful, homey rooms feature flat-screen TVs and heaters
Triple and Quad Rooms available for larger groups
Simple breakfast of eggs and toast included in rates
Storage for luggage while trekking
Internet station in lobby
Lobby and first floor lounges
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Location a bit hard to find
The walk back from town is steep
Decor is shabby in places
Can be noisy in the early mornings
Some shared bathrooms
Quaint and cozy Casa La Samblena is an old-fashioned little place, tucked away in a residential part of Cusco (though only a 10-minute walk to the main town square). It's a solid no-frills option, as this family-run hotel takes care of its guests with useful touches like luggage storage while trekking, and free transfers from the airport. A simple daily breakfast is included, and Wi-Fi is also free. The eight traditional rooms blend bright local details with sometimes worn furnishings, but they include heaters and flat-screen TVs, and come in a variety of configurations that can work well for groups. It's a good base for budget-conscious guests, but for a slightly more polished finish, consider Hotel Torre Dorada instead. Just note that it's farther from the town center.
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Scene
Old-fashioned budget guesthouse hidden down a narrow driveway, popular with backpackers
Casa La Samblena is a quaint little family-run guesthouse whose entrance can be hard to spot, and is wedged between two larger buildings. It's a pretty setting, on a leafy avenue away from the busy central streets of Cusco. Once you find the entrance, the lobby is at the end of an ivy-clad lane, scattered with a few tables and chairs. It's a cozy place, though very old fashioned, with religious gilt-framed oil paintings on the orange walls. The long, narrow dining room leads to the stairs and on the first floor, there's another small sitting room, with an antique radio and a few armchairs. Guests are not here for the decor though, but for the price and central location. The majority of those passing through are backpackers.
Location
Just outside Cusco's town center, a 10-minute walk from Plaza de Armas
Casa La Samblena sits on a residential street on the outskirts of Cusco's town center. It's a minute on foot to the main road, Calle Tandapata, where there are several restaurants and shops. It's a good spot for those who don't want to be right in the bustling center, but still within easy reach of Cusco's attractions. Plaza de Armas and Cusco Cathedral are a 10-minute walk away, and it's about the same distance to Qurikancha. The hotel is on a hill. though, so it's worth noting the walk home can be challenging for some travelers. It's five minutes in a cab to the main Wanchaq train stations and the Centro Artesanal for crafts. The city's airport is a 15-minute drive away, and Poroy Station -- for Machu Picchu -- is around 30 minutes by car.
Rooms
Variety of configurations that include flat-screen TVs and heaters, but decor can be worn
Rooms here aren't the chicest in town, though despite being a bit worn, they are bright and mostly cheerful. Some of the wear includes peeling paint in places. Thankfully, bright green walls and locally made throws help perk things up a bit. Configurations include Doubles, Triples, and Quads, making the property an excellent value for groups. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, heaters, and down comforters. Some have just hanging hooks, while others feature a little storage space. Certain previous guests have found the location to be noisy in the early mornings. The functional bathrooms have shower cubicles, towels, and soap. Keep in mind that some bathrooms are shared.
Features
Simple daily breakfast included, plus free Wi-Fi and luggage storage
There are limited features at this budget guesthouse, but it does offer a simple daily breakfast that includes American-style dishes with toast and eggs made to order. The meal is included in room rates. There are a small selection of toiletries for sale at the front desk, and an internet station The hotel offers a luggage storage service that many guests use while trekking. It also provides free transfers to and from the airport. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
