Cusco Hotel: Casa Cartagena

The Casa Cartagena hotel, with its perfect blend of first-class luxury accommodation and the historical heritage of Cusco, embodies the ultimate in elegance and style. It has been home to ruling nobility throughout the ages, first to the Incas and later Spanish conquerors. It is only natural that guests of the hotel are now treated in the same fashion.

Pictures

Description

Casa Cartagena has been declared a Monument of Peruvian Cultural Heritage by the National Institute of Culture in recognition of its efforts to preserve the architecture of the colonial casona in which the hotel is located. The building was originally constructed by the Inca Empire as a part of their sacred capital city before being transformed into a mansion by Spanish conquerors. The house was named after its 17th century occupant, Don Fernando Cartagena y Santa Cruz, who was a member of the Viceroy Blasco Nuñez de Vela’s court.

The house was chosen to house important nobility for good reason: it is an exquisite example of historical architecture and the blend of Inca and Spanish styles that is present throughout Cusco. The original walls and frescoes make for an exceptional atmosphere surrounding a spacious and well-lit courtyard. All around, small wooden balconies peek out from guest rooms and suites, while arched stone staircases and passages lead to numerous different areas of this lavish hacienda-style property.

The historical attributes of the property have been superbly complemented with stylish modern designs. Contemporary artwork has been cleverly inserted in this unique historic mansion. This makes the interior design an interesting mix of old and new, combining preserved arches and brickwork with a delicate modern touch. The lounge area has a cozy brick-built fireplace and is adorned with plants, ornaments, and artwork.

A traditional picanteria once stood in place of today’s excellent La Chola restaurant at Casa Cartagena. The picanteria served as meeting point for artists, poets, writers, and intellectuals. The restaurant has kept its lively décor and the food served is a gourmet selection of both international favorites and Novoandino cuisine which incorporates modern techniques and fusions into traditional Peruvian cooking. Two hundred of the finest wines in the world are at hand, well protected in a cave built inside an Inca wall.

Room Amenities

Casa Cartagena features 16 excellent suites, 8 Luxury Property (LP) suites, 6 LP Master suites, 1 LP Presidential suite, and a spectacular LP Royal suite where guests are treated like kings. All suites are elegantly furnished with all possible amenities such as an individually controlled air conditioning and heating system, oxygen enrichment system, minibar, safe deposit box, hair dryer, LCD screen with cable TV, and high-speed wireless Internet. The spacious beds are of the utmost comfort, with soft mattresses and lush silky linens.

Hotel Services & Facilities

• Qoya Spa
• Restaurant
• Gift shop
• Notebooks & wireless Internet
• Lobby & terrace bar
• Butler service
• Business center
• In-suite dining 24 hours a day
• Laundry & shoe shine service