Maison Fortaleza — Hotel in Distrito de Cusco

Maison Fortaleza was recommended to me by two Swiss travelers who I happened to overhear talking about their trip to Peru on a train between Zurich and Salzburg. I booked a stay of four nights prior to a trek to Machu Picchu and one night following the trek for my parents, husband, and I without looking at any other hotels in Cusco. Even so, I never had an occasion to doubt the recommendation. The accommodations, breakfast, and attentions of our host were outstanding. Our room was very clean and cozy: the bed and its duvet were very comfortable, the shower was hot, and the water pressure was high. Breakfast each morning was scrumptious. We were offered eggs cooked to order, cereal, yogourt, avocados, local cheese, fruit, juice, and coffee. The hotel also has a nice common sitting area with a good selection of travel books and novels in both French and English. ||||Probably the best aspect of Maison Fortaleza is its owner, Itala. She had excellent suggestions for local things to do in and around Cusco, including Sacsayhuaman, Los Toldos chicken, the spa at Casa Cartagena, Marcelo Battata, and the Saturday flea market. She also served as our guide for a day excursion in the Sacred Valley, during which we visited a textile collective in Chinchero, toured Moray, walked to the Maras salt mines, and visited the Seminario studio in Urubamba. Itala's knowledge of local culture and history is extensive. She easily answered all of our questions about present-day and past Peru as we journeyed along. It was really more like travelling with a family friend than a official tour guide.||||Returning to Maison Fortaleza after our trek felt like coming home. Itala helped us weigh our bags and organize a taxi to the airport. In sum, I highly recommend this hotel for the comfortable stay and the local...

This was a long overdue review for Maison Fortaleza! My boyfriend and I visited Cusco end of June to embark on the 5 day Salkantay trek. We stayed here for the first 3 days to acclimate. Jean-Claude and Itala prepared the room with fresh towels, a chilled bottle of Chardonnay, and a bowl of Andean popcorn for snacking. Our room had a high ceiling and wooden beams. It was quaint and cozy and very roomy. Although the temperature dropped down to 35-40F at night, we never felt cold. We also had hot showers every night. We didn’t pay for breakfast, so I can’t speak to that. But Itala was always very hospitable and made sure we knew where the kitchen was. She invited us to use their water filter to fill our 2L hydration pak and offered us coca and Muna tea. The night before we had to leave for the 5 day trek, Jean-Claude and Itala gave us so many wonderful words of encouragement. They told us their experience and calmed my nerves. When I was struggling on the first day, it was their words that helped me gain composure and reminded me to enjoy every moment of my hike. I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful place to anyone who is looking to stay a little bit further away from all the noise. It is short walk uphill from the center. Every morning, you’ll get this beautiful unobstructed view of town and the sunlight. Not to mention, you’ll get to chat with the sweetest couple every day during your stay! They make you...

My wife and I stayed at Maison Fortaleza for 4 nights (3 before and 1 after the Inca Trail). It was a wonderful experience.||||The guesthouse is conveniently located by foot to many attractions (5 minutes to Plaza de Armas,