Luxury Hotel · Peru
Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel
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At a glance
In the heart of Cusco, within a former monastery whose origins date to 1595, Monasterio is one of the most extraordinary places to stay in South America. A protected national monument, it clusters 117 rooms and suites around a tranquil central courtyard, where a towering 300-year-old cedar tree anchors the space and graceful illuminated arches frame the night sky above. This is where Cusco’s colonial grandeur is not merely a backdrop but the building itself.
The hotel’s doors open onto a vibrant scene of old and modern architecture, markets, galleries, and cafes serving exciting Andean cuisine, with Cusco’s Plaza de Armas just moments away. Inside, the atmosphere shifts entirely: stone cloisters, gilt-framed artwork, and centuries-old interiors create a stillness that the city beyond cannot disturb.
After a day exploring the city, guests return to curl up under hand-woven alpaca blankets, surrounded by rich wood furnishings, antique artwork, and the architectural quirks of a building with centuries of history behind it. Oxygenation is available in many rooms and suites to help guests acclimatize to Cusco’s altitude of 3,399 metres above sea level; a thoughtful detail that makes a genuine difference.
Monasterio is the natural base from which to explore the city before continuing to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu beyond. Pair a stay here with time at Belmond’s Rio Sagrado in the Sacred Valley for a Peru itinerary that earns its pace.
Highlights
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A protected national monument and former monastery in the heart of Cusco, with rooms and suites clustered around a courtyard anchored by a 300-year-old cedar tree.
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Two restaurants and a bar, including El Tupay, where live opera performances take place beneath candlelit stone arches on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.
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A rich program of cultural experiences, including a guided art tour of the hotel’s 17th-century Cusco School paintings, a cooking class at San Pedro market, and pisco lessons.
Accommodation
Rooms
King-size or twin beds | Luxurious marble bathroom
Each room at Monasterio is wonderfully unique, having once formed part of a 16th-century monastery. Rich wood furnishings, antique artwork, and historic architectural details add to the atmosphere, with views of either the main courtyard or the city beyond.
Junior Suites
King-size or twin beds | Luxurious marble bathroom | Separate living room with sofa and writing desk | Some span two levels
The Junior Suites are a home away from home, with elegant marble bathrooms, a separate living room with sofa and writing desk. Several span two levels, with an airy bedroom on the mezzanine and stairs leading down to a spacious living area, lending them a sense of architecture that the rooms below cannot match. Views look out over the city or the hotel’s charming inner courtyard.
One Bedroom Suites
King-size bed | Luxurious marble bathroom | Separate living area | Private terrace, patio, or balcony
The crowning gems of Monasterio: a bedroom, separate living area with seating and writing desk, a large marble bathroom with separate bath and shower, and a private terrace, patio, or balcony. Cusco brims with energy, yet these suites offer a tranquil hideaway that makes it very easy to stay a night longer than planned. The scale of the space makes these the natural choice for honeymoons, special occasions, or anyone who simply wants the best the building has to offer.
Further information
Dining
At Monasterio, local produce from the coast, mountains, and jungle takes center stage, served beneath candlelit arches, in shaded cloisters, and to the sound of spirited live music.
OQRE, nestled in the cloisters with views across the leafy courtyard, offers a refined culinary experience from Chef Jorge Munoz: a decentralized Peruvian menu of seasonal and sustainable ingredients from the coast, highlands, and jungle, with the option to dine beneath open skies in the courtyard.
On Sundays, OQRE hosts a special brunch with live music, a welcome cocktail, and a menu that includes fresh seafood pasta, Peruvian-style roasted pork, and desserts.
El Tupay serves exquisite international cuisine with locally sourced ingredients in an intimate setting, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings the romantic arches resonate with live opera performed by Cusco’s finest tenor and soprano.
OQRE Bar, renowned among Cusco’s bars, offers a tranquil atmosphere perfect for a traditional pisco sour and a selection of canapes.
Wellness
The hotel’s therapy suite offers special Andean techniques and relaxing music, making it the ideal place to unwind after a day of Peruvian adventure. Guests also benefit from the hotel’s Andean Bath Butler service, a distinctly personal touch that draws on the healing traditions of the region.
Experience
With Monasterio as a base, guests can dive into a vast array of cultural and outdoor pursuits and uncover the true spirit of Peru. The Monasterio Art Tour takes guests through the hotel’s extensive collection, with breathtaking examples of 17th-century Cusco School paintings, each with a unique connection to the building’s history.
The Chef for a Day experience begins with a tour of San Pedro market led by the hotel’s chef, then returns with fresh produce for a two-hour hands-on cooking class, finishing with a three-course dinner and a bespoke cocktail made with fruits picked earlier in the day.
For an evening that goes beyond dining, Dinner and Opera at El Tupay pairs a sumptuous dinner with a live performance by soprano Angela Medina, one of Peru’s finest, performing classical arias beneath the candlelit stone arches.
For those looking to mark a milestone, the San Antonio de Abad Chapel, dating from 1595, provides one of the most extraordinary wedding settings in South America: grand stone arches, lush flora, and gilt-framed artwork, within a building that has served as a place of ceremony for centuries. Few venues anywhere in the world carry quite the same weight of history.
Peru
Peru sits on the western edge of South America, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile, with a long Pacific coastline to the west. The country divides into three distinct geographical zones: the narrow coastal desert strip, the Andes mountain range running through the center, and the Amazon basin to the east. Each has its own climate, culture, and character, and a well-planned Peru itinerary can take in all three.
Our Experts
I love traveling in Peru because of the perfect balance of fascinating culture, stunning scenery and five-star luxury. It's one of my favourite destinations to plan vacations to.
Machu Picchu is somewhere that everyone should visit at some point. It's a true spectacle, and can easily be paired with fantastic luxury accommodation to create your dream Peruvian experience.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specialising in tailor-made holidays and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury holidays, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalised experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with travelling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveller, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalised service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ holidays?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalised itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travellers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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