Cusco, the city that once served as the center of the Incan empire, is stopping ground for travelers seeking to visit Machu Picchu, the ancient citadel and one of the seventh wonders of the world.  Luxury travelers who may have postponed this bucket list destination, thinking it is for rugged backpackers only, will be pleased to learn this experience can be enjoyed while pampered in luxury, from hotel accommodations to an unforgettable first-class train ride which takes travelers to the UNESCO Heritage site.
Plaza De Armas, Cusco, Peru. Photo courtesy of Luisana Suegart
The JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, located just steps from the center of town?s Plaza del Armas, embraces guests with luxe accommodations and experiences pivotal to a visit to this culturally rich part of Peru.  The origins of the hotel are impressive: built on the grounds of the 16th century San Augustin Convent, construction was a time-consuming and meticulous endeavor which resulted in the preservation, and in some cases, in-room inclusion, of authentic pre-Incan walls.  Like the city of Cusco, the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco is a tribute to the blending of Incan and Spanish cultures and architecture: in the center is a colonial Spanish courtyard with traditional arches while some of the hotel?s 153 rooms offer views of original Incan walls.  One coveted suite integrates an Incan wall into the room.
Guests are greeted in the lobby with muña tea, an Andean mint used to battle altitu...