Casa San Blas, Cusco

Advantages: A five-star stay…
Disadvantages: …with just three-star facilities

...what it was about the Casa San Blas at Cusco that I liked so much. The hotel is certainly not without its limitations and even its failings, but it's a nevertheless a charming and delightful place to stay. Let's try to summarise what it has to offer. * Location * The Casa San Blas is situated just a few minutes' walk from Cusco's Plaza de Armas (central square), and is therefore convenient for all the main sights of the ancient Inca capital, such ...
...and scale * The Casa San Blas is small, having been converted from a former merchant's house of no great grandeur. The 250-year-old building has been sensitively restored, retaining many of the original features. Approached down its little stone-paved cul-de-sac, it presents a welcoming aspect to the world, its entrance overhung with bougainvillea, while lanterns and potted geraniums decorate the walls, and two parasoled tables flank the separate ... Read review

Advantages: Possibly the best hotel I've ever stayed in
Disadvantages: Possibly the most expensive too

...to it as the Pueblo, by which name it is still known locally as well as in many guidebooks and hotel-booking websites. In case that's not enough confusion for you, the Urubamba River is known as the Vilcanota where it flows past Machu Picchu (and the Wilcamayu elsewhere in the sacred valley), but it's the Urubamba for most of its length and for that reason here too. A review of Machu Picchu as a tourist attraction/ancient monument may be found at: http://travel.ciao.co.uk/MachuPicchuPeruReview5734092 A review of a good place to stay in Cusco may be found at: http://travel.ciao.co.uk/CasaSanBlasCuscoReview5749890... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Majestic setting, fascinating relics and history
Disadvantages: Your fellow-visitors, risk of poor visibility, cost

...recommend it to anyone else who has the chance to visit. © torr 2008 A review of an outstanding, but admittedly expensive, place to stay locally may be found at: http://travel.ciao.co.uk/InkaterraPuebloHotelMachuPicchuReview5 731324 A review of a good place to stay in Cusco may be found at: http://travel.ciao.co.uk/CasaSanBlasCuscoReview5749890... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful