Rooms are elegant and spacious and decorated with warm beige and cream colours in a contemporary style with a pop of orange or pink to reflect the colours of the Andes. Walls are hung with photos of colourful locals and the general vibe is one of relaxation and tranquility.

A big plus to this hotel is the view that some of the rooms have of the ancient Incan Qoricancha Temple which forms the base of the church and convent of Santo Domingo and is one of Cusco’s most significant historic and cultural remains.

Beds are excellent with great mattresses and bed linen and we loved that all rooms have central heating which is a nice bonus as Cusco can get cold in the evenings. Bathrooms feature Zen Garden amenities and are spacious and well-finished. We were a bit concerned that the hotel might be noisy as it is located right in the middle of the busy Avenida del Sol but our fears were unfounded as the double glazing and design of the rooms makes sure you get a great nights’ sleep.

The overall added benefit of a stay at the Atiq hotel is the personalized service. It has always been owner Marcel’s dream to have a hotel. He moved back to Peru from France to build Atiq where he wanted to offer a tailor-made service to each guest. As this is a small hotel with just 9 rooms, whether you need help organizing a driver to the Sacred Valley, want to order take-out or just want to know the best places to visit in Cusco no request is too big for him and his team.

This is a small hotel so doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a large chain hotel but there aren’t many hotels of this quality in this mid-range price bracket in Cusco offering a great mix of personalized service and luxury during your stay. Atiq is perfect for independent travellers looking for something a bit different.

Click here to book the best rates at Atiq Hotel.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you want a room with a view of the Qoricancha Temple ask for this when you book.

• Honeymooners or those looking for a romantic Cusco escape book the junior suite with private jacuzzi (room 301).

• Our favourite rooms were the superior room 302 and the suite in 303 which comes complete with a private terrace for breakfast in the mornings and your own jacuzzi! Room 394 and 204 look onto the reception area so are slightly darker and don’t have a view of the Qoricancha temple.

Click here to see more of our favourite mid-range places to stay in Cusco.

Great things to see and do in Cusco

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The 18 room hotel which opened in 2010 has been lovingly restored in exquisite detail by the delightful owners Jorge and Olivia. This is one of the few hotels in Cusco actually owned and operated by a ‘Cusqueña’ or Cusco family and their love of their culture and history is apparent in every corner. During the two year restoration of the building local Cusco artisans were hired to re-create every element of the hotel in-line with the typical Cusco colonial style from the furniture and patio design to the murals and the room layout.

Rooms are positioned around 2 beautiful courtyards where you can admire alcoves made of stone and red brick, an inheritance from Spanish classical architecture. The rooms themselves are surprisingly spacious and very cozy with queen size beds, excellent linen and modern bathrooms with excellent showers and baths. What we really enjoyed about this hotel were the little extras that you don’t expect at this price such as heated towel rails in the bathrooms, bathrobes, coca tea available in your room, central heating and flat screen cable tvs.

Find the best rates for Tambo del Arriero here!

The staff is friendly and can help you organize tours and visits around the city and the subtle lights at night bring a stunning quiet and welcome atmosphere to this little gem in the heart of Cusco. Tambo del Arriero is a peaceful haven filled with history and is definitely one of our top picks for mid-range places to stay in Cusco.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you want something a little more luxurious opt for one of their spacious deluxe suites which have their own private garden, lounge area and jacuzzi. With rates starting from US$142, these are some of the best value quality suites in Cusco.

• Tambo del Arriero have just opened their new restaurant ‘Cocavi’ and serve traditional Peruvian cuisine including dishes like lomo saltado and quinoa pesque. The restaurant is beautifully decorated in the tradional colonial style and is a great spot for an intimate evening meal.

Click here to see other mid-range hotels in Cusco

Our favourite things to see and do in Cusco

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Newly renovated in 2012 this modern, minimalist 28 room hotel is an oasis of cool within walking distance of all of Cusco’s main attractions. Owned by a local Cusco family, this is a great accommodation option if you are looking for a modern hotel in the mid-range price bracket.

Rooms are light and airy with crisp white linen, excellent showers, desks, electric heaters for those cold Cusco evenings and complimentary coca tea, bottled water and wifi. The main suite comes complete with Jacuzzi, king size bed and sitting area which is definitely worth the splurge after hiking around Machu Picchu. Staff is friendly and extremely helpful and can help you organize transfers to and from the airport, tours and other excursions.

Plaza de Armas has a lovely roof top terrace with one of the best views of the Main Square and is the perfect spot to take a few photos and enjoy a sunset drink. The hotel also offers a café that serves light snacks and drinks and you are also within a few minutes’ walk of some of Cusco’s best restaurants.

This is one of our top picks for those looking for a mid-range hotel in the heart of colonial Cusco.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you are in Cusco for Inti Raymi or the Corpus Christi celebrations, book a street-facing room for one of the best views of the celebrations from the comfort of your bedroom!

• This hotel is located right on the main square so if you are a light sleeper ask for a room on the 4^th floor or in one of their interior rooms for a quieter stay.

• Look out for promotions online for deals at this hotel.

Book the best rates at Hotel Plaza de Armas Cusco here

See more mid-range accommodation options in Cusco here

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If you are looking for some TLC and want to feel right at home, then this small four-suite bed & breakfast is the place to stay. Rooms are extremely comfortable with heaters, excellent bedding, safes, tea-making facilities and little extras including Garden House slippers.

A real home away from, the sisters flood you with love, treat you like a good friend and share their entire home including the two comfy lounge areas, kitchen, library with DVD collection, patio and the exquisite garden lovingly tended by Doris herself. The house is situated on one of the largest remaining gardens in Cusco and boasts over 1,500 rose bushes and other trees native to the region providing a welcoming, calm outdoor ambiance for relaxation.

A favourite with families and couples, don’t be surprised if you wake up to find your kids in the kitchen playing rummy with Doris and Cecilia in the morning before breakfast! No request is too difficult for these sisters, they recently started giving guests mobile phones during their stay so that if you are out and about and need a taxi, directions or just want to know where to have lunch you can just give the sisters a call and they are delighted to help! You can order in food from some of Cusco’s finest restaurants, they will help organize tours to Machu Picchu and as proud Cusco natives they also offer a range of off the beaten track experiences according to guests’ tastes. Another big plus of staying here…

The Garden House is located outside of Cusco’s city centre between the San Sebastian and San Jeronimo districts, so if you want to walk everywhere while in Cusco then this is probably not the best option. However, don’t be put off by the distance as a 15 minute taxi ride takes you right into the centre and in the meantime you get to enjoy the beautiful garden – one of the last of its size in Cusco and a ‘real’ experience with two beautiful, generous Cusco locals.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you’re celebrating a birthday let them know – they love to sing happy birthday and share a cake with guests!

• The sisters have two dogs Pimienta and Pancho who are very friendly and well-trained and won’t bother you if you are not a dog lover.

• Room rates include airport pick-up.

To see more mid-range accommodation options in Cusco click here

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