Hotels + Resorts 8 Luxury Hotels in Peru, From City Escapes to Sacred Valley Retreats Indulge in Lima's thriving culinary scene or find peace in the Sacred Valley By Katherine Alex Beaven Katherine Alex Beaven Instagram Website Katherine Alex Beaven is a Los Angeles-based travel, food and drink, and culture writer. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on October 13, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Photo: Courtesy of Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort Peru is best known for the ruins of Machu Picchu, just outside of Cusco, but this South American country has much more to offer travelers. Its capital, Lima, is full of history, Spanish colonial architecture, colorful murals, and surfers riding waves off its beaches. Follow the coastline and you’ll find Paracas, a popular vacation destination where adventures await, from water sports and sunsets in Paracas Bay to wildlife viewing around the Ballestas Islands and sandboarding on the dunes of the California Desert. Moving inland and 11,152 feet up, the bustling city of Cusco is considered one of the oldest cities in all of the Americas, with a record of continuous inhabitation dating back three millennia. Looking for a quiet place to adjust to the elevation? The Sacred Valley offers a respite from city life at the foot of the Andes and is often used as a home base for folks visiting Machu Picchu. If you’re seeking to experience the best of Peru in a refined setting, check out our picks for the country’s best luxury hotels. Best Luxury Hotels in Peru of 2022 Editor’s Pick: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel La Hacienda Bahía Paracas Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond Hotel, Cusco Aloft Lima Miraflores JW Marriott El Convento Cusco Editor’s Pick: Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa Courtesy of Tambo del Inka See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It A contemporary hotel with traditional touches, this Sacred Valley retreat features stellar mountain views, modern Peruvian dishes, and full spa facilities. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: Yes, $34.90 per dayRoom rate: $$$ Notable Amenities Private train station, luxury spa with a mountain-view thermal circuit, complimentary coca tea Hotel Description Tambo del Inka is a once-in-a-lifetime luxury property serving travelers seeking respite from Cusco’s bustle in the Sacred Valley. Guests are greeted in a vaulted lobby that features a hearthless stone fireplace and modern Peruvian lodge decor. Whether you book a deluxe room or suite, you can expect robes and slippers, Byredo bath amenities, a soaking tub, river or mountain views, and a minibar. There’s also complimentary coca tea to help with altitude sickness. Tambo del Inka is kid-friendly (there’s a snazzy indoor/outdoor heated pool and a game room), but it’s best suited for adults who will appreciate the organic garden tours, upscale Peruvian fare at Hawa Restaurant, and the unique Five Fires dining experience, which features five different cooking styles. That’s to say nothing of the spa, which has a thermal circuit that looks out toward the mountains. This is also the only hotel in the Sacred Valley with its own train stop, making trips to Machu Picchu more convenient. Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, is a family-friendly waterfront hotel on Paracas Bay that provides numerous activities and adventure offerings. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$ Notable Amenities Dockside restaurant, kids’ club play space, private dock for excursions in Paracas Bay Hotel Description Hotel Paracas is a 120-room bayfront property that has been drawing loyal guests for decades with its modern beach resort look and feel. Palms, manicured grass, and two sparkling pools set the tone against the backdrop of Paracas Bay. Rooms and suites, designed as relaxing white and wood spaces, pepper the landscaped grounds, and personal terraces or balconies, soaking tubs, and thick robes all come standard. Second-floor suites have large terraces overlooking the pools and bay. This hotel stands out for its many free activities, such as non-motorized water sports, lawn games, pool games, and a kids’ club facility. Guests also have access to intimate paid excursions such as small boat trips to view wildlife on the Ballestas Islands, desert picnics under the stars, and sandboarding on desert dunes. There’s also a spa with a wide range of treatments and Chalana, a celebrated ceviche restaurant at the end of the private dock. Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness Foto Hotel Aranwa Boutique See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This massive compound feels like its own mini town, has spacious rooms and suites, and gives guests access to a variety of family-friendly outdoor experiences. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$ Notable Amenities Private movie theater, 25,000-square-foot spa facility, orchid garden Hotel Description Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness is an oasis within a private compound that surrounds a restored 17th-century hacienda. A mix of contemporary and colonial decor welcomes travelers in their rooms and throughout the hotel. Private balconies or patios, robes and slippers, and minibars come standard in all 115 rooms, and some offer mountain or river views. A number of the suites have kitchenettes, private pools, or hot tubs. Aranwa has on-site handicraft shops, as well as a huge wellness center and spa. An upscale restaurant uses ingredients from the garden to serve modernized takes on traditional Peruvian dishes, and a lively bar celebrates Peruvian-Japanese fusion with cocktails and sushi. Families will appreciate all of the activities the hotel offers, from horseback riding to private movie screenings. Nature lovers can walk trails winding alongside rivers and explore the orchid garden. Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel Courtesy of Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Just across from the temple ruins of Qorikancha in Cusco, Palacio del Inka is a historic mansion hotel that contains over 500 years of history within its walls. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$$ Notable Amenities Breakfast buffet, artworks and artifacts on display throughout the hotel, baby alpaca Hotel Description Occupying a 500-year-old mansion, Palacio del Inka is a historic Cusco landmark. The restored building puts its storied past on display with art and artifacts throughout the hotel, making it a must-stay for art and history enthusiasts. Expect stone floors and archways, bright and bold colors, and a mix of contemporary luxury and colonial decor. The rooms have marble bathrooms and Frette linens. Tours of the hotel’s art are available on Saturdays, while pisco sour lessons and tastings of native Peruvian potatoes from a local farming community are held daily. Coca tea is available to help with altitude sickness (Cusco is more than 11,000 feet above sea level), and there’s a small spa with a hydrotherapy area for anyone with sore muscles after treks around Machu Picchu or Saqsaywaman. The hotel is within walking distance of Plaza de Armas and San Pedro Market. La Hacienda Bahía Paracas Courtesy of Caravedo Pisco See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This hotel has a choice location on Paracas Bay, a spa, and plenty of activities on both land and sea. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$ Notable Amenities Oceanfront pool, tennis courts and soccer field, beach access Hotel Description Rooms at La Hacienda Bahía Paracas have simple and contemporary classic hacienda decor featuring wood, patterned textiles, and tile floors. Many rooms and all suites have ocean views, and all rooms come standard with minibars. Guests can find their spot in the sun either on the small stretch of beach, by the 17,000-square-foot main pool, or at the smaller heated pool. Active travelers will have their pick of activities. They can partake in water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding, play tennis or soccer, borrow a bike, charter a boat, and go on an excursion to the California Desert. There’s also a small gym and the Océano Spa, which incorporates coastal products into its treatments. Guests can order 24-hour room service or grab Peruvian seafood dishes, pastries, and a dose of live music at the hotel’s handful of eateries and bars. Palacio Nazarenas, a Belmond Hotel, Cusco Photo courtesy of Orient-Express Hotels (UK) Ltd - Adrian Houston. See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Made for discerning and well-heeled travelers, this über-luxurious boutique hotel is conveniently located just a few blocks from Cusco’s Plaza de Armas. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$$$ Notable Amenities Oxygen-enriched suites, butler service, outdoor pool Hotel Description Palacio Nazarenas is a 55-suite ultra-luxury hotel in a restored 16th-century private home turned convent that was built on Incan foundations. Impeccable service and small touches make it stand out among competitors, though these come with a steep price tag. All suites are pumped with extra oxygen to help guests cope with the city’s high altitude, and they all feature a bar stocked with spirits and local ingredients so you — or your butler — can whip up a cocktail. You can also expect an outdoor swimming pool (Cusco’s first!), afternoon tea service, haute traditional cuisine, and a luxe spa with treatments inspired by traditional Incan and Andean culture. History buffs will love the original colonial frescoes, Incan stone, and cloistered courtyard with a beautiful fountain. Art tours in the property chapel and pisco sour lessons are also available. Aloft Lima Miraflores Aloft hotel in Peru's capital city. Starwood. See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Aloft Lima Miraflores is a trendy, dog-friendly boutique hotel with an excellent location and an open lounge and restaurant area that encourages socializing. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $ Notable Amenities Heated indoor pool; pet program with free bowls, beds, treats, and toys; live acoustic shows and DJs Hotel Description Traveling to Peru alone? The 164-room Aloft Lima Miraflores is one of the best hotels in Lima for travelers who want to get social. It also takes the standard Aloft concept and elevates it with fresh, contemporary room design and open-air public spaces where you’ll find a lively bar serving cocktails and food. There’s also event programming such as live music and DJs. The hotel has a small gym and a heated indoor pool (rare for Lima), as well as perks for kids and pets, a self-serve snack and drink area, and a buffet breakfast overlooking the city. We also love that rooms are soundproofed, which prevents the hustle and bustle of Miraflores from following you home. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco Courtesy of JW Marriott See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This luxury hotel has a superb historic center location two blocks from Plaza de Armas, and puts both pre-Incan and Incan artifacts on display. Key Specs Free Wi-Fi: YesResort fee: NoRoom rate: $$ Notable Amenities Inca and Killke artifacts on display, upscale Peruvian restaurant, craft cocktail bar Hotel Description The JW Marriott El Convento Cusco occupies a restored 16th-century convent and offers guests a peaceful atmosphere despite its prime location in the city’s historic center. The gorgeous vaulted ceilings, stone archways, arcades, and massive courtyard are visual stunners, and the exhibition spaces displaying pre-Incan and Incan foundations help put the building into a historical context. Rooms mostly have contemporary decor, while suites feature beds with elaborately carved wooden headboards and traditional textiles. Marble bathrooms have comfy robes and slippers, luxury toiletries, and soaking tubs. Room views vary from the original Incan walls to the vast courtyard and terracotta tiles on the roofs. There’s an indoor pool and a spa serving up Andean-inspired treatments. Final Verdict If you’re looking for the perfect luxury hotel for your stay in Peru, there’s no shortage of worthy options. For anyone who wants to unwind and reconnect with nature, our top pick, Tambo del Inka, offers serene grounds in the Sacred Valley and humbling views of the Andes (and its own train station, to boot). Palacio del Inka allows guests to step inside Peruvian history and displays an exquisite collection of artwork and artifacts throughout the hotel. Families looking for true escapism should consider Hotel Paracas for its variety of free activities, kids’ club playroom, and large suites. Know Before You Go Packing for Peru can be a challenge, especially if you’re planning to visit different regions and elevations. Winter in Lima is often gray and slightly chilly — though it almost never rains — while summer sees more sun. Paracas is generally sunny and warm with clear skies. Moving higher in elevation, Cusco and the Sacred Valley can be hot and humid with showers in summer. Pack layers, good walking shoes, a rain poncho, and, if needed, a mobility device to help with steep inclines in Cusco and Machu Picchu. Peru is full of history that runs from pre-Incan civilizations through Spanish colonization and up to the country’s vibrant present. Book a walking or bus tour of cities like Lima and Cusco to learn about Peru’s fascinating stories. If you plan to spend most of your time in the capital, check out our travel guide for more ideas on hotels in Lima, Peru, plus suggestions on what to do and where to eat. How We Chose These Hotels We evaluated over two dozen of the best Peru hotels before selecting the options on this list. We considered various elements like the property’s reputation and quality of service, its design and architecture, location and history, and notable amenities (such as heated pools, pet-friendly perks, butler services, etc.). We also considered each hotel’s food and drink options, spa facilities, and what experiences are available to guests. We evaluated numerous customer reviews, visited properties, and considered whether the property has collected any accolades in recent years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit