Cusco's 5-star hotels are housed in restored colonial mansions and former monasteries near Plaza de Armas. Properties like Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco (dating from 1592) and Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel offer oxygen-enriched rooms, cable TV, and free WiFi. Expect buffet breakfasts, on-site restaurants serving Andean cuisine, and spa services. Rates start around $150-$300 per night, depending on season.
For first-time visitors, staying in the historic center (San Blas or near Koricancha) is ideal for walking to major sites. Hotels like JW Marriott El Convento Cusco and Casa Cartagena Boutique Hotel & Spa provide indoor pools, fitness centers, and altitude acclimatization aids like coca tea. Book directly or via trusted travel sites for the best deals; airport shuttles and 24-hour front desks are standard at these properties.