The manor that houses Inkaterra La Casona is part of the fabric of Cusco, and staying here gives guests a deeper understanding of the city’s many cultural layers. The 16^th-century mansion was one of the first Spanish constructions here, and like most of the city’s early colonial buildings, it was placed directly on top of an existing Inca foundation. The original structure held the Warakos Academy—the training grounds for an elite army of Incas. It was later inhabited by Diego de Almagro, a Spanish conquistador of Peru, and for a short while was even home to Simón Bolívar, a renowned liberator of South America.

As empires have fallen and powers have shifted, the manor has remained an important fixture in the city—so much so that the Peruvian government has recognized the building's significance by deeming it a national historical monument.

• Relax in front of a roaring fire lit in the lodge's lounge or the privacy of your suite, and soak up the Spanish-colonial ambiance on a stroll beneath centuries-old stone arches.
• Savor traditional Peruvian dishes infused with international flavors and prepared using gourmet techniques by the hotel chefs.
• Sip on Peru’s national drink, a pisco sour, while stargazing from the lodge's arcaded courtyard.
• Indulge in revitalizing spa treatments that use natural products infused with local botanicals.
• Step just outside the lodge to explore the heart of Cusco’s historical district, then venture into the nearby Sacred Valley to discover intriguing Inca ruins and traditional Andean culture.

Each of our lodges has created a special complimentary experience offered exclusively to guests who visit through a National Geographic Expedition. At Inkaterra La Casona, National Geographic guests are invited on an exclusive architectural tour of this historic manor with the lodge manager. Hear tales from the manor's long and intriguing past, and learn about the restoration process that brought this colonial gem back to its original glory.

• Eleven hacienda-style suites in a restored 16^th-century colonial manor
• Traditional arcaded courtyard, equipped with benches and blankets for stargazing
• Spa Therapy room offering treatments that incorporate local botanicals
• Dining room and courtyard dining terrace
• Lounge area surrounding a large stone fireplace
• Boutique featuring local handicrafts, including Andean textiles, silver jewelry, and alpaca clothing
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the lodge

Inkaterra La Casona has strong ties to the local communities in and around Cusco and hires all of its staff from the immediate area, bringing a range of professional opportunities to local job seekers. The lodge works with nearby schools, hosting environmental conservation workshops for students and connecting them to relevant activities. Inkaterra La Casona also organizes donation campaigns for surrounding rural villages, providing them with clothes, school supplies, and other needed commodities.

• PURE Life Experiences Awards: Contribution to Experiential Travel - José Koechlin, 2015
• World Travel & Tourism Council, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, Conservation Category, 2012
• Travel + Leisure, Global Vision Award for Environmental Stewardship, 2011
• Condé Nast Traveller, Gold List – Best Hotels in the World, Ambiance and Design, 2011