Ninos Hotel Fierro

Ninos Hotel Fierro is a great little find with an interesting background. The hotel's name means "children" in English, and the owner is also the founder of a children's charity in the city that provides meals, medical care, and support. All profits go directly to the charity. Guests are encouraged to take a free tour of the charity's center, which is just a block away. Philanthropic leanings aside, there's a lot to like about the property itself. Decor is bright and rustic, and there's a lovely warmth to the place -- the restaurant has a log fire, exposed beams, and large, colorful wall paintings. The small lobby features a small shop stocked with brightly colored locally-made souvenirs, and the courtyard is a pretty spot to kick back. Guests are generally young travelers, as well as some families.

Ninos Hotel Fierro is set on a quiet street away from the busy center of Cusco. There are a few restaurants and shops in the neighborhood, and it's a 10-minute walk to Plaza de Armas. Those who enjoy exploring on foot can get to Qurikancha in 20 minutes, though it's worth noting that the journey back is uphill. It's around 10 minutes by car. It's about the same distance by car to Wanchaq Station, and to the artisan market. The trip to the airport takes around 20 minutes, depending on traffic, and Poroy Station (for Machu Picchu) is a 30-minute drive. 

As with the rest of the hotel, rooms are nicely finished and have lots of rustic charm. Each has a colored feature wall with pretty stenciling, plus exposed beams and stylish pendant lights. Configurations include four- and five-bed rooms, though there are options for solo travelers too. Guests can opt for a private or shared bathroom. All rooms have wardrobes or storage and hanging space, plus heaters -- with electric blankets available for an extra fee. It's worth noting that the rooms don't have TVs, though previous guests report that the free WI-Fi connection is good. As with many older hotels here, rooms overlook the central courtyard, and lack exterior windows -- some lack any windows beyond those found in the door. Bathrooms have a bold monochrome theme -- with checkered floors, and wrought-iron accessories. They have showers only, plus towels, though aside from soap, there are no toiletries. 

Unusually for one of Cusco's small hotels, Ninos Hotel Fierro has a restaurant. It serves an a la carte breakfast, plus a well-received menu of fresh, organic meals during the day -- with vegetarian options available. Meals can be taken in the dining room, or outside in the central courtyard. There's a small gift shop in the reception area, which has a collection of handmade products including mugs painted by the children of the foundation. Guests can also take free tours of the children's charity nearby. Other services include spa treatments and free Wi-Fi.