The hype
The staff goes above and beyond, offering sweet touches like nightly hot water bottles and packed breakfasts for early treks.
Casa San Blas Boutique Hotel
$95-150/ night
Book this if You want a charming, historic boutique experience in Cusco's most picturesque, artsy neighborhood with incredibly attentive staff.
Why People Love It
- Hot water bottles and chocolates delivered to your bed every night
- Exceptional, personalized staff service that helps with altitude sickness and early treks
- Beautiful rooftop terrace with panoramic city views
Quick Take: It's located up a steep hill which can be brutal with luggage and altitude, and the historic building means you'll hear your neighbors in the hallway.
Reviewed by @woodfordsworldwide: I found the perfect home base in Cusco! Our room had gorgeous traditional Peruvian touches, and the lobby's free oxygen and filtered water completely saved us from altitude sickness. Eating breakfast on the rooftop patio with those city views was the highlight of my mornings.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The walls are thin, meaning hallway noise travels easily into the rooms, and the steep uphill location is a serious workout.
- You appreciate historic, colonial-style charm and handmade textiles
- You want to be in the artsy, quieter San Blas neighborhood
- You value personalized service and thoughtful touches over modern luxury
Cleanliness & Maintenance
8.5
- Housekeeping: Generally excellent and thorough daily cleaning, though a few isolated reports mention missed dusty spots in common areas.
- Bathroom hygiene: Clean and well-maintained, but some guests noted occasional musty or sewer smells typical of old Cusco plumbing.
- Maintenance: Well-kept historic property, but being an old building, expect some quirks like thin walls and occasional water pressure drops.
- Linens & towels: Comfortable beds with fresh linens, plus the delightful touch of nightly hot water bottles slipped under the covers.
- Odors & scents: Rooms generally smell fresh, and the provided toiletries have a lovely lemongrass scent, though old pipes can sometimes act up.
Sleepability™
6.5MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Hallway foot traffic and conversations
- Other guests arriving late or leaving early for treks
Before you book
Good to know
- There is an 18% VAT in Peru, but foreigners are exempt if they show their passport and immigration card at check-in.
- The hotel provides free purified water in the lobby to refill your bottles.
- Coca tea is available in the lobby to help with altitude sickness, but avoid it if you have drug tests at work.
What to pack
- Earplugs or a white noise app to block out hallway noise.
- Comfortable walking shoes for the steep, cobblestone streets of San Blas.
- Layers for cold Cusco nights, though the hotel provides hot water bottles.
Room Genie
Best picks
- Suite Queen or Senior Suite for more space and spectacular panoramic views of Cusco
- Rooms facing the inner courtyard if you want to minimize street noise
Rooms to avoid
- Standard rooms on the lower floors near the lobby or hallways due to foot traffic noise
- Rooms without a view, which can feel small and dark
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“Hi team, I'm so excited for my stay! Could I please request a quiet room on an upper floor with a view of the city, away from the main hallway traffic? Thank you!”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there an elevator?
No, and the hotel is on a hill with stairs, so be prepared for a climb with your luggage.
Do they have oxygen for altitude sickness?
Yes, the staff is very helpful with altitude sickness and can provide oxygen and coca tea if needed.
Is breakfast included?
Yes, a complimentary buffet breakfast is included, and they will even pack you a box breakfast if you leave early for a trek.
Can I drink the tap water?
No, but the hotel provides complimentary bottled water in the rooms and a refill station in the lobby.
Do they have heating or AC?
Rooms don't have traditional central AC, but they provide portable heaters and hot water bottles for the cold nights.
Can they store my luggage while I hike the Inca Trail?
Yes, they securely store luggage for guests going on multi-day treks to Machu Picchu.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Ask for the complimentary hot water bottles (heating pads) and Iberica chocolates delivered to your room around 6:00 PM.
- ✨
If you have an early morning tour to Machu Picchu or Rainbow Mountain, request a 'box breakfast' at reception the day before.
- ✨
Take advantage of the free coca tea in the lobby to help acclimatize to the 11,000+ ft altitude.
5 things to know before you go
💡The bathroom amenities are lemongrass-scented and surprisingly high quality for a boutique hotel.
💡The hotel has a water purification system in the lobby, saving you from constantly buying plastic bottles.
💡Taxis can't always pull right up to the front door due to the narrow, steep streets of San Blas.
💡The staff will actually help you communicate with airlines or tour operators if your luggage gets lost.
💡There are occasional municipal water shut-offs late at night in this historic neighborhood.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Casa San Blas Boutique Hotel is located and what's nearby.