Palacio Manco Capac by Ananay Hotels — Hotel in Distrito de Cusco

Reading other reviews raving about this hotel, I couldn't help but wonder how my opinion could be so different. I guess it depends what you expect in a hotel. If you are happy with a very nicely decorated ancient home, large rooms, friendly staff and a view of Cusco, which to be honest is a very ugly city, then you might be at the right place. On the other hand, if you are looking for the comfort, amenities, experience which this category of hotel commands, then pass your way.||First and foremost, the hotel has no central heating and is absolutely freezing. Heater in the room is on from 6pm to 6am and is close to useless. Dining room struggles with a portable heater to accommodate cold guests and waiters. Everybody wears a sweater AND a parka, INCLUDING THE WAITERS whether for breakfast or dinner. No matter where you got, to eat, read or rest, you will feel like you are in a mountain hot after the fire went out. Extra blankets are very nice, but this category hotel should provide adequate comfort which it does not.||If you expect the amenities of a 4-5 star hotel, then forget it. The bathroom offers 3 Q-tips and that's it. No cream, extra soap, small attention. Even the shower is void of liquid soap and you need to use the one of the sink unless you're happy to shower with shampoo. If you were hoping for the slightest piece ofcourtesy cosmetic, don't, there is none.||No kettle in the room so if you were hoping for a hot cup of tea to warm yourself up, forget it. Likewise no minibar, although in all fairness, the rooms are so cold you could chill a wine bottle by leaving it on the night table. ||No TV either, so if you were planning for some entertainment beyond gazing at a couple of alpacas in the front yard, you will need to go out and that's where I am somewhat upset with a hotel that does not forewarn you that it is off the city center with a slope so steep that going downtown requires some physical condition, but climbing back up is beyond the ability of untrained seniors. Adding to that: more than one taxi does not know where the hotel is located and you'll have to steer Ubers as well. Of course, the hotel does not offer any shuttle service either to the city center or to the airport.||And finally, the breakfast is borderline with "acceptable". If you're hoping for a variety of cold cuts, you'll have to satisfy yourself with only wafer-thin slices of ham. Hot dish? Nope except for a 2 egg omelette you can order. A minimum variety of fruits, a cucumber salad with a slice of tomato and some cereals. Honestly, this has more to do with a curb-side motel than a luxury "Palacio".||In 2 words, a freezing upscale beautifully decorated AirBnB that misses just about every other tic box of the luxury resort it pretends to be. The only truly commendable thing about it: the staff which is genuinely wonderful, helpful and sympathetic with...

This hotel left a lot to be desired. Rooms: We stayed in the junior suite, and while it was supposed to be one of the best rooms there, it didn’t feel like a 5 star experience. It started off with the small things of having to chase after cleaning staff, having to ask if not to clean the room, then at least to give clean, dry towels. For 2 people for 6 nights you get whole 2 ear Q-tips. The bedsheets (which were dry before we asked the room to be cleaned) were with wet patches, trash not taken out after the cleaning. Pillows not comfortable and mattress hard! Additional, the rooms front window which is supposed to offer you a good view is opened and closed by massive wood windows, no glass, so if you went to let some light in the room, you have to opt for a very cold room and cold coming in. Plus your view is actually on line of trees not the city. There is a side window on the left side, which faces the driveway so everyone literally looks at you sleeping on your bed. Food: The breakfast is just very far from 5 star hotel. It is very basic, 1 cold cut, 1 dairy milk cheese option, eggs, sliced avocado, and from sweets some sliced fruit, and completely random warm dish which resembles a mix of whatever was left in the fridge. Same goes for coffee. Either it’s bottom shelf beans or not well maintained coffee machine but the coffee was coming out bitter and tasting like plastic. There is a bar/ restaurant where you can have lunch and dinner. While drinks at the bar were super, the food menu was basic and eating their burger left us with food poisoning and bedridden for couple of days. Service: we had an emergency during travel and we tried to contact the hotel numerous times but were ignored. However, they did prove to be responsive when we were physically there. Also, if I remember correctly, additional to booking fee you are compulsory asked to pay 10% service fee for every night you stay there.

Good thing: restaurant has a marvelous view, the main reception building is beautiful. You can have coca tea in the lobby room. Their masseuse did a great job with my massage but be prepared to go into a cold room that is not heated for the massage. In short, you can come here for a drink at their restaurant to soak in the view but it’s not worth the money...

The hotel common areas are very well decorated and most of the staff will do everything they can to make your stay the best. However, this is not a 5 star hotel by any stretch.

The rooms are freezing cold during the day. The central heating is on from 6pm to 6am. There are heaters in the room but unless you’re pressed up against it you’re not getting much out of it.

I’ve fallen ill on my trip and I can’t just stay in and snuggle up because the room temperature is going straight to my head and my bones. After complaining a lot, I was put in an even colder room. So here I am sitting at the hotel bar to warm up by the fire instead of sleeping in my bed. Take a steaming hot shower to feel better? Nope, can’t do that either because apparently multiple people should have their hot water taps on for the water to be steaming hot.

I asked for tea to be sent to my room the first morning and they forgot. The second morning I asked for tea again and they sent someone to the room 30 minutes later (with 1 out of 2 cups I requested). Luckily on the third morning I got the cappuccino I requested in under 15 minutes, probably because it was something to pay for. Why there isn’t a kettle and a selection of teas in the room already is beyond me.

The rooms also don’t have other basic “5 star” amenities/services - dental kit, vanity kit, shower cap, body wash, body lotion, a tv, a desk, a full length mirror, the ability to phone anyone other than reception (what if there was an emergency?), laundry service menu, iron/ironing board, turndown service. The car they arranged to pick me up from airport took me to a location that was 10 minutes away from the hotel. Try explaining that to the driver who doesn’t speak the same language after a 20-hour journey without internet on your phone… Yet these are the least of my issues.

Isn’t it a basic unsaid understanding that you’re paying for a warm bed for the entirety of your stay? Not just certain hours of the night.

Come to the hotel to have a meal, take in the view and the fabulous sculptures exhibited by Carlos Olivera. I would not stay here again if I was...