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Old Convent From 1559 Becomes Luxury Hotel With 9,167 m² In Cusco Featuring 76,000 Crystals At The Entrance, Oxygenated Rooms, And Preserved Inca Walls That Take You Back In Time

Published on 08/11/2025 at 08:49
Updated on 08/11/2025 at 08:51
Hotel, Cusco, Peru, Convento
Composta por 76.500 cristais Swarovski, a instalação na entrada do hotel homenageia Inti, o deus sol dos incas — Foto: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco/Divulgação
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Housed In The Old Convent Of San Agustín, Erected In 1559, The JW Marriott El Convento Combines Contemporary Luxury, Historical Heritage, And Incan Elements, Offering Guests An Authentic Experience In The Cultural Heart Of Cusco

Close to the historic center of Cusco, the JW Marriott El Convento is a striking example of preservation and luxury. Housed in the old convent of San Agustín, built in 1559, the five-story building occupies a total area of 9,167 m² and has been declared Cultural Heritage by the Peruvian government.

Restoration United Five Historical Periods

The transformation of the convent into a hotel began in 2009 under the direction of the Chilean office Raimundo Morales & Associates (RMA).

The project respected original elements from different periods: Pre-Inca, Inca, Colonial, Republican, and Contemporary. After three years of construction, the new hotel was inaugurated in 2012.

According to RMA, the process faced several challenges because the monastery was built on pre-Inca ruins.

This considerably increased the investment needed. The design concept was inspired by the historical strength of the local culture, using noble materials and highlighting traditional Cusco art.

Hotel, Cusco, Peru, Convento
Internal Courtyard Of The JW Marriott El Convento Cusco Hotel, Whose Arches Refer To The 16th Century, When The Property Was A Convent — Photo: JW Marriott El Convento Cusco/Disclosure

Details That Celebrate The Sun God

Right at the entrance, visitors are greeted by an impressive installation with 76,500 Swarovski crystals, created in homage to Inti, the Incan sun god.

In the external courtyard, colonial charm is present in 27 brick arches supported by stone columns, creating a setting that combines grandeur and memory.

Hotel Rooms With Oxygenation And Historical View

The hotel offers 153 rooms ranging from 27 m² to 39 m². All are equipped with a complementary oxygenation system, an essential feature because Cusco is nearly 3,400 meters above sea level.

The suites’ decor follows the Inca style. The leather headboards, adorned with bronze nail heads shaped like the sun, reinforce the symbolic connection to Inti.

The units on the upper floors offer views of the courtyard, while those in the basement reveal perfectly fitted stone walls built by the ancient Incas.

Immersive Experience In Local History

In addition to accommodation, the JW Marriott El Convento features exhibition rooms that gather archaeological artifacts found during the project’s excavations.

Guests can participate in a guided tour led by a character dressed as a “monk,” who conducts the tour through the preserved stories and relics.

Hotel Gastronomy Is Inspired By The Andes

The hotel houses two restaurants: Qespi, dedicated to daily meals, and Altura, led by chef Rely Alencastre.

The Altura menu offers a sensory experience that evokes the Apus, the sacred spirits of the Andean mountains.

Among the ingredients used are lake trout, paiche, native tubers, mountain cocoa, and artisanal cheeses.

Many herbs and edible flowers come from the JW Garden, the hotel’s own garden — a symbol of the union between tradition and sophistication.

With information from Casa e Jardim.

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Romário Pereira de Carvalho

Já publiquei milhares de matérias em portais reconhecidos, sempre com foco em conteúdo informativo, direto e com valor para o leitor. Fique à vontade para enviar sugestões ou perguntas

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