Nina Soncco Lounge

BEGIN YOUR EXPLORATION OF PERU IN STYLE BY STAYING AT THE JW MARRIOTT EL CONVENTO CUSCO, A LUXURY HOTEL IN CUSCO, PERU. UNESCO NAMED CUSCO A WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN 1983. IT WAS THE CAPITAL OF THE INCA EMPIRE AND IS STILL A MAJOR TOURIST DESTINATION, ATTRACTING NEARLY 2 MILLION VISITORS A YEAR.  By Dawn Wilson  Cusco is located in southeastern Peru and is considered the Historical Capital of Peru. The most commonly spoken language in Peru is Spanish. Those visiting Cusco will first fly into Jorge Chavez International Airport, which is in the capital city of Lima. Once in Lima, they will then be flown to Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. The flight from Lima to Cusco is approximately 50 minutes. Visitors to Cusco often enjoy surfing and exploring nearby Machu Picchu. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is a 5 star hotel located in the city centre, just two blocks from the city’s main square (Plaza de Armas). A lot of careful planning and consideration went into the development of the hotel because of its location and historical relevance. The site of the hotel was purchased with the intention of developing a project to preserve some of the fundamental history of Cusco, which JW Marriott was able to accomplish with this development. It is the first hotel built at an altitude of 11,154 feet above sea level and is housed in a renovated monastery. The hotel is only a three-hour train ride to the Andes Mountains sanctuary of Machu Picchu and is close to hundreds of archaeological sites. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is a smoke–free hotel, which preserves the area’s pre-Inca architecture. Guests can walk to many of the city’s attractions, restaurants and entertainment located in the city’s main square. Upon arrival to the hotel, guests are offered an herbal tea, which helps them to acclimate to the high altitude. Once checked into the hotel, guests are escorted to their room by way of lovely cobblestone walkways. The hotel also has its own restaurant and bar and a luxurious spa facility. To further aid in the preservation of the area, it also has archaeological exhibition sites inside. Tours are offered to both visitors and guests of the hotel. JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is steeped in rich Peruvian history. The hotel rooms and suites are modern with a touch of pre-Inca influence infused throughout. The décor is soothing, with earth tones and subtle pops of color. Suites have their own private balcony or terraces with views of Cusco’s cobblestone streets or the majestic hotel courtyard. The hotel rooms and suites have marble bathrooms with large tubs and separate rain showers. They also include 42” LCD TV’s, coffee makers, safes and iDocks. You will find all of the modern conveniences of any luxury hotel at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco. The hotel’s restaurant, Pirqa, serves modern Peruvian cuisine with meals influenced by the areas culture. Meals are prepared with ingredients native to the Andean region. While the Peruvian cuisine is the most widely prepared meals offered to diners, the culinary team also prepares meals that embody a blend of Amerindian and Spanish foods. Many dishes are influenced by various nationalities, to include Arab, Japanese, African and Italian. With so much to offer, guests should eat at Pirqa at least once during their stay at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco Hotel. The restaurant offers three meals everyday, there are ample chances for which to indulge your pallet. Qespi Bar and Nina Soncco Lounge is another dining option found at this hotel. Nina Soncco Lounge is where guests are treated to a breakfast of local specialties and homemade pastries. After sunset, Nina Soncco Lounge is a lively place to spend your evenings in Cusco. If you are staying at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco hotel, you will certainly want to treat yourself to a spa experience. The spa provides an array of services that help to create the perfect synergy between mind, body and spirit. The hotel spa offers a heated relaxation pool, four treatment rooms, steam room, whirlpool, massaging showers and a dry sauna. A day at the spa is the perfect way to end your stay in Cusco, Peru. Photography Courtesy of JW MARRIOTT    Click here to view post in the November/December 2014 issue.