Casa Cartagena
Remarkable design-led boutique hotel offering first class comforts and bold, strikingly contemporary décor within a classic colonial building.
The remarkable Casa Cartagena hotel in central Cusco, just a couple of blocks from the Plaza de Armas, is packed with surprises. Behind the heavy wooden doors and the gabled façade of a colonial mansion, supported by Inca walls, you might expect to find a style inspired by the Spanish imperial age. But no – this is a boutique hotel where contemporary designers have been allowed to let their imagination loose, and they have come up with something really special.
A first class establishment, it offers the high level of comfort, service and facilities you'd expect, but in its striking décor, defined by geometric designs and modern, boxy furniture, it is unique in Cusco. Colours are bold – reds, golds, rich browns and salt-bright white, with large checks and patterns. There's nothing remotely Peruvian about the style, but if you like the design hotel concept you won't be disappointed.
The 16 luxury suites are huge, with a balcony or terrace and the option of an oxygen-enrichment system to combat altitude sickness. There's also a comprehensive spa complete with Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna rooms.
The well-established restaurant has a good reputation and Chilean poet Pablo Neruda apparently used to eat here long before the building became a hotel. It serves a sophisticated menu making imaginative use of local produce.
What our clients say
97% of our clients rated their experience with us as Excellent or Good.
Tailor made holiday
Our specialists have been expertly crafting award-winning tailor-made holidays to Latin America for 40 years. We would be delighted to create a truly personalised trip which perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert
Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.
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Ben Line - Travel Expert
Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.
Mary Anne Nelson - Travel Expert
Born in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, Mary’s insider knowledge and dry sense of humour make her a highly valued member of the Tailor-made Holidays and Group Tour sales team.
Lina Fuller - Travel Expert
Lina's passion for the continent where she was born really took off when she moved to Córdoba (Argentina) to study, spending the holidays travelling between Argentina and her native Colombia.
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert
After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.
Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert
Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.
