Hotel Monasterio, an Orient Express hotel and a former monastery and national historical landmark, is situated in the most lovely of squares in Cuzco, the Plazoleta Nazarena. It combines centuries-old charm and ambience with luxury hotel service, inspired restaurants and boutique rooms and suites that are the perfect complement for an unforgettable vacation in the historic city of Cusco. Originally built in 1595 on the site of an Inca palace, the Monsaterio served as a seminary and a royal pontifical university before being remodelled into a hotel in 1965. During its restoration after an earthquake in 1650, a beautiful chapel was added decorated in the indigenous Baroque style with gold-plated pictures frames and truly magnificent paintings by the best artists of the Cusquenian Art School, depicting scenes from the life of San Antonio Abad. It is a splendid model of the colonial Renaissance style, consisting of three sections in different levels. The heart of the Hotel is the central courtyard with its soft fountain and 300-year old Cedar tree surrounded by gardens and the famous stone cloisters. The hotel has 126 rooms many of them with charming views of the city, the colourful rooftops of Cuzco or the beautiful inner courtyards of the hotel. The decoration and furnishings combine the best of modern and traditional Spanish colonial style. The presence of the past is ever present, even as you are pampered by every luxury and modern comfort. Consistently a gold list for being one of the world´s best places to stay and for its excellent service, this is part of the Cuzco historical and cultural that shouldn't be missed.