Belmond Hotel Monasterio - Cusco - PeruBelmond Hotel Monasterio, CuscoHistoric charm with a modern twist Uncover the secrets of Cusco with a stay in one of its most cherished landmarks Moments from Plaza de Armas is an ancient monastery that has been at the heart of the city for centuries. Dine by candlelight among the cloisters; explore interiors rich with art and antiques; uncover the secrets of Peru’s national drink with a pisco lesson. Belmond Hotel Monasterio is truly a treasure of the Sacred Valley. A Timeless Retreat in the Heart of the City Stay at Belmond Hotel Monasterio, one of the most unique hotels in Cusco, and experience the thrill of staying in a protected national monument. Discover inspired restaurants and boutique rooms and suites, all clustered around a tranquil central courtyard. The ideal hotel from which to discover the delights of the city, its doors open to a vibrant scene of old and modern architecture, markets, galleries and cafes serving exciting Andean cuisine. The Belmond Hotel Monasterio is a five-star hotel in Cusco, Peru. It is a refurbished Baroque seminary built in the 17th century on Inca foundations. The hotel is located two blocks from the Plaza de Armas. Belmond Hotel Monasterio History Belmond Hotel Monasterio as a Seminary In keeping with the decrees of the Council of Trent regarding the training of the clergy, in 1598 Antonio de Raya y Navarrete, the Bishop of Cusco, founded the Colegio Seminario de San Antonio Abad (College Seminary of St. Anthony the Abbot) and entrusted its administration to the Jesuits. Its purpose was to provide training to young men who wanted to serve the Church, especially the sons of impoverished conquistadores. It was built on the foundations of the palace of the Sapa Inca Túpac Amaru. A major earthquake struck and damaged the building in 1650. In the process of reconstruction, a Baroque-style chapel was built. In the mid-20th century, the Jesuits obtained the financial support of Cardinal Richard Cushing, the Archbishop of Boston, for the building of a new seminary. The school moved to this new facility in 1965. Belmond Hotel Monasterio as a Hotel At that point, the seminary buildings were acquired and remodeled into the hotel that it is now. The Hotel Monasterio is considered a historical landmark and is protected by Peru’s National Institute of Culture. There are stones around the entrance doors that still have the original Spanish Arms Escutcheon. It also has a portrait of the 18th-century Bishop José Manuel de Sarricolea y Olea. The former chapel contains old paintings and gold plated frames. In the center of the hotel, there is a courtyard that holds a fountain and an old cedar tree that is 300 years old. The hotel includes Peruvian-style restaurants and a bar that include the following: El Tupay Restaurant, Illariy Restaurant, Deli Monasterio, and the Lobby Bar. It was inaugurated after extensive restoration by the Chairman of Peru Hotel, Peruvian entrepreneur Lorenzo Sousa, in 1995, considered the promoter and pioneer of luxury tourism in Cuzco, the Sacred Valley and Macchu Picchu, as well as luxury train service thought southern Peru. Hotel Monasterio is currently a 50/50 joint venture denominated Peru Orient Express Hotels SA, between Lorenzo Sousa and family, and Orient Express Hotels Ltd, and has won most of the awards in the industry for Peruvian Hotels during the last 15 years. Hotel Monasterio was obtained by the Sousa group after the privatization process of Entur Peru during 1994 and it opened its doors in the CADE of 1995. Since then Hotel Monasterio has been remodeled two times to update its rooms and common areas, it was the first Hotel to include oxygen inside its rooms to decrease cases of altitude sickness. In 1999 Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. took over management of the hotel In 2014 Hotel Monasterio was renamed as Belmond Hotel Monasterio. This marked the change of the Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. name to Belmond Ltd. | |||||
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