Located up the street from Plaza de Armas, Cusco’s main square
Original colonial architecture plus artsy indigenous and traditional details
Colorful rooms with indigenous art plus alpaca-and-silk bed throws
Flat-screen TVs with cable and free bottled water in all rooms
Free toiletries include body lotion made with quinoa seeds
Lounge with patio and views over Cusco and distant hills
Free coca tea, muna tea, and coffee in the lounge
Included breakfast buffet with a selection of hot and cold food
Wi-Fi is free throughout
Late-night noise from nearby clubs in some rooms
No on-site restaurant or bar
No elevator
Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel is a three-pearl hotel located -- as the name suggests -- just off of Cusco’s main plaza. It’s a 20-room property with colonial architecture, indigenous art, and a central colonial-style courtyard, all of which add to the traditional vibe of the hotel. Rooms are colorful and classic, with indigenous handcrafted artwork and heavy wood furniture plus flat-screen TVs and en-suite bathrooms. There's no bar or restaurant, but there's a free buffet breakfast and free teas in the lounge. Keep in mind that late-night noise from neighboring clubs can be heard in rooms due to the hotel's proximity to the square. For a quieter hotel with similar rates, try the Hotel Torre Dorada, though it's far from the town center's buzz and activities.
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Scene
Compact, traditional hotel with colonial architecture and indigenous artwork
The boutique-sized, 20-room Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel is just one of Tierra Viva’s eight mid-range hotels spread across southern Peru. Like many of the hotels in Cusco, it's housed in a historic colonial building with preserved architectural features, including stone archways, columns, and partial stone walls. There’s also a central courtyard which has a historic colonial vibe: there are wooden Spanish galleys, a stone fireplace, and a giant wrought iron chandelier. The decor is traditional, with dark wood furniture and touches of colonial and indigenous art. There’s a restored Lanzon in the front courtyard -- an ancient carved stone statue representing the central deity of the ancient, indigenous Chavin culture. Views to surrounding Cusco and distant Andean hills add to the mystique, and rooms have a similarly traditional feel. Expect to see mostly couples and groups of friends here, as family-friendly features are few.
Location
On a narrow, cobblestone alleyway just up the hill from Plaza de Armas
Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza Hotel is located on a narrow, cobblestone alleyway that’s closed to traffic most hours of the day. The hotel is situated just up the street from the vibrant Plaza de Armas, which is only a two-minute walk away. The 16th century Cusco Cathedral is just next door to the plaza, while the Inka Museum is a four-minute walk from the hotel. Qurikancha, the most important temple of the Inca Empire dedicated to the Inca Sun God, is 10 minutes away on foot. Meanwhile the UNESCO-designated Sacsahuayman, a pre-Inca citadel dating back to 1100, is a five-minute taxi ride away. Wanchaq Station is a 20-minute taxi ride and Poroy Station -- the departure point for Machu Picchu -- is about 30 minutes away by car. Expect a 25-minute cab ride to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport.
Rooms
Colorful and clean, with alpaca-and-silk bed throws plus flat-screen TVs
Rooms are styled in rich hues of red, orange, and gold, with indigenous handcrafted art and alpaca-and-silk bed throws that add a nice dash of cozy appeal. The dark wooden furniture complements the simple, yet traditional, feel and some rooms have handsome wooden floors. Bathrooms are quite handsome, with dark wood countertops and neutral stone tiling. Some have small square bath tubs, and all come with free toiletries including a body lotion that's made from quinoa seeds. All rooms have heating (usually via an electric heater), flat-screen TVs with cable channels, free bottled water, and free Wi-Fi. Some higher category rooms add a minibar, jetted baths, and balconies with panoramic views of Cusco. Due to the odd layout of the hotel, all rooms are situated on the lower floors, making it easier to transport luggage. Not all rooms have an outward-facing window -- some face the inner courtyard -- while other rooms are susceptible to late night noise coming from neighboring nightclubs off the square.
Features
A colonial-style central courtyard, terraces with Cusco views, and free breakfast buffet
The main feature of this hotel is its central courtyard, with preserved colonial architecture including wooden Spanish galleys, stone archways, and large stone columns. Other touches such as a traditional stone fireplace and a giant wrought iron chandelier add to the colonial vibe. A large paneled glass ceiling lets in plenty of natural light, while an abundance of wicker furniture makes it a good spot for relaxation. There’s no bar or restaurant in the hotel, but the hotel does serve a buffet breakfast with a selection of hot and cold food including tropical fruits, yogurt, bread, eggs, and sausage. There’s also a relaxed lounge space and connecting patio with free coca tea, muna tea, and coffee, with nice views over Cusco’s characterful terra-cotta rooftops and distant hills. A small business center includes two computers with a printer (free to use), and there's free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.
