El Retablo

This family-run small hotel set in a historic townhouse on a steep cobbled street in hilly San Blas is a great spot for a quiet, cozy stay in one of Cusco’s up-and-coming arty neighbourhoods, with superb views.  

San Blas is village-pretty: whitewashed buildings coloured with brightly-painted eaves, window-box flowers and old Spanish balconies look out over tiles and bell towers to central Cusco.

The hotel has genuine local character. Rooms and public spaces are painted in the Spanish-indigenous floral and organic rococo patterns of traditional Peruvian altarpieces, by San Blas artisans. Walls and beds are adorned with indigenous art.

There are bars and restaurants on the doorstep and the welcoming staff are genuinely helpful.