CUSCO, Peru – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announces the iconic Palacio del Inka in Cusco joins The Luxury Collection portfolio following an extensive $15 million renovation.
Owned by Libertador Hotels, Resorts & Spas, Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco has been redesigned for a new generation of luxury travellers, offering discreet and personalized service in the in the iconic ancient capital of Peru. With this opening, Starwood expands its footprint in Peru where it now operates six hotels and resorts, including three under The Luxury Collection brand.
“Latin America has a vast landscape with unique destinations that are ideal for global explorers seeking one-of-a-kind experiences with exceptional service and style. As a result, The Luxury Collection brand portfolio continues to grow in the region, where we now have 11 hotels, from Argentina to Mexico,” said Osvaldo Librizzi , Co-President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Americas. “We are honored to welcome Palacio del Inka, which embodies centuries of history, richness and indigenous charm into our Luxury Collection portfolio. We are certain that it will become the favorite of the new generation of luxury travelers visiting the region for years to come.”
Situated at the heart of Cusco, the historic Palacio del Inka is located directly across from the preserved ruins of the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun. With a striking Spanish Colonial façade, Palacio del Inka was originally part of the Incan civilization in the early 15th century and later designed and inhabited by Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The hotel is a true reflection of Cusco’s diverse and vibrant culture, architecture and design. The extensive two-year project was led by Latin America architectural and interior design firm Caparra Entelman & Asociados, in collaboration with local artisans, craftsmen and the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Palacio del Inka – a hotel that is at once a portal to the rich cultural heritage of Cusco and a gateway to experience the city’s diverse art, design and cuisine,” said Paul James , Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts and W Hotels Worldwide. “Once reserved for backpackers, Cusco has become a ‘must’ for a new generation of luxury travelers, and we are thrilled to unlock the destination for our global guests, as only The Luxury Collection can.”
Luxurious Accommodations
Palacio del Inka features 203 luxuriously appointed guestrooms, including 17 Casa de los Cuatro Bustos Suites. The ancient walls are still part of the structure while the interior design, paintings, and furnishings evoke Peru’s colonial past. The suites boast 13-foot ceilings and exuberantly rich textiles, and all guestrooms feature custom-designed carved wooden doors, chests and writing desks which complement vintage paintings and mirrors: both celebrating the hotel’s distinct personality while preserving its authentic elegance and rich heritage of the building.
Indigenous Treatments at The Spa at Palacio del Inka
A tucked away sanctuary, the spa at Palacio del Inka creates a residential atmosphere using grained tornillo woods, varnished in a dry dark green, for the spa’s furniture, common in traditional Cusco houses. The gold patina doors and the equally rich gilded tones of the wallpaper complement the local Travertine Angelica marble of the spa suites. Committed to creating luxurious and indigenous experiences, the spa offers a signature treatment called Qoricancha, a revitalizing body therapy that wraps your skin in 24 karat gold, the most beloved treasure of the Incas, resulting in a glamorous golden glow.
Decadent Peruvian Epicurean Experiences
Dining at Palacio del Inka offers indigenous and distinctive culinary options that indulge the senses. Inti Raymi restaurant offers innovative international cuisine, incorporating seasonal and local Peruvian ingredients. Local artisans were commissioned to restore the arches that connect the restaurant to the courtyard patio, which is at the heart of the hotel and gives it an energetic atmosphere for breakfast and lunch. For dinner, candle-filled lanterns create an especially evocative mood. Rumi Bar promises a decadent dining experience designed with an original Incan wall at the center, draped with silk and velvet curtains and accented by iron chandeliers. The bar features an extensive wine and cocktail menu, including their famous Pisco Sour.
Luxury Facilities: Meeting & Events
Palacio del Inka boasts five event spaces with seating capacity for up to 400 guests, all of which have been painstakingly restored by local artisans to recraft the original ceilings and recreate a Damascus-like design aesthetic with hues of sand and silver brought to life by the natural light, which bathes the spaces.
