Marriott International opened the JW Marriott Cusco in Peru at the gateway of the Machu Picchu. Built on the grounds of a colonial monastery, at an altitude of 11,154 ft (3,399 m) above sea level, this Marriott’s highest-altitude hotel features ancient Inca artifacts. This newly opened luxury hotel, representative of the approachable elegance that distinguishes the JW Marriott brand, a global portfolio of 52 luxury hotels and resorts, is actually JW Marriott’s second hotel in Peru, joining the JW in Lima.
“In the last few years Cusco has become known for its luxurious accommodations and spas, making it a natural decision for Marriott International to introduce the JW Marriott brand as our first property in the destination,” said Rob Steigerwald, Chief Operations Officer for the Southern Americas at Marriott International. “We are thrilled to have Inversiones La Rioja as a partner on this project, and reveal our first world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel to Cusco.”
The 153-guestroom hotel features two restaurants – Pirka Restaurant, which will include an original colonial wall from the convent and offer modern Peruvian cuisine; and the Qespi Bar & Ninna Sonnco Lounge. Earlier this month, Peru was recognized as South America’s best culinary destination at the World Travel Awards.
Other hotel’s amenities include 24-hour room service, a foreign currency exchange office and retail stores such as HStern, Ilaria and Kuna, a fitness center and a 3,300 square footspa with dry saunas, steam rooms and a relaxation pool. The hotel will include an in-room supplementary oxygen system to adjust to the 11,200-foot elevation. All rooms and suits include luxury bedding, high speed internet, 42’’ plasma TV, alarm clock with iPod/iPad docking station, high-end coffee machine and the brand’s signature Aromatherapy Associates bathroom amenities.
Cusco is Peru’s most popular tourist destination given its proximity to Machu Picchu, a world-renowned archaeological Inca site, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in the 1980s. Other nearby landmarks include the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the market towns of Pisac and Chincheros.
For easier arrival, Cusco’s new Chinchero international airport is expected to be ready by 2017, as announced by the government in July.
