US$150–250

The finest of the Casa Andina Classic collection hotels is the Casa Andina San Blas (Chihuampata 278, tel. 084/26-3694, cac-sanblas [at] casa-andina [dot] com, US$156 d standard, US$192 d superior), built around a colonial stone courtyard with some of the best views of Cusco [1]’s rooftops and mountains. The cozy sitting areas with wood-burning fires, the rustic bar, and the lovely terrace make this a great place to escape and relax. It has all attributes expected from Casa Andina and more.

If you are after an even more luxurious Casa Andina experience you will find it at the Casa Andina Private Collection (Plazoleta Limacpampa Chico 473, tel. 084/23-2610, capc-cusco [at] casa-andina [dot] com US$241 d standard, US$373 suite). Located in a beautiful 18th-century manor house, the hotel centers around three majestic interior patios. The sitting room with its plush red couches is the ideal place to unwind with a pisco sour. There is a nice gourmet restaurant that spills onto the main patio, where you can dine to the pleasant gurgling of the pretty fountain. The extensive and delicious breakfast buffet includes local, hearty dishes, as well as the standard breakfast fare, which will keep you going for most of the day.

The sophisticated Novotel (San Agustín 239, tel. 084/58-1030, www.novotel.com [2], US$240 d modern room, US$320 d colonial room) is in a restored colonial manor that has a delightful patio lined with stone arches, lamps, and wicker furniture for evening drinks. Undoubtedly the best rooms are those on the second floor around the stone courtyard, with wood floors, high ceilings, king-size beds, sitting areas, and all creature comforts (security box, minibar, cable TV, heating). The other 82 rooms are comfortable but bland, small, and sterile in an unfortunate five-story modern addition.

Equal in elegance and similar in layout, but cheaper and better value is Picoaga Hotel (Santa Teresa 344, tel. 084/22-7691, www.picoagahotel.com [3], US$160 d modern room, US$180 d colonial, US$200 junior suite), which is ideally located one block from Plaza Regocijo [4] and a two-minute walk from the Plaza de Armas [5]. This 17th-century colonial mansion, once belonging to the Spanish noble Marquis de Picoaga, has been well restored with stone archways and columns wrapping around a classic colonial patio. The colonial rooms are most definitely worth the extra US$20 as they are bigger, lighter, more comfortable, and aesthetically more pleasing than the rooms in the characterless modern part.