Some of our partner hotels – or at least their buildings – have a long and rich history. Restoring an old building and turning it into a hotel causes different challenges than building a new eco-friendly construction. After all, historic preservation has to be considered as well as sustaining as much of the old building as possible. Some time ago, we have introduced you to Bio-Agrivilla i pini in Tuscany: here, according to the company’s holistic philosophy, only vegan materials have been used for the restoration of the old agriturismo. Today we take you to the former Inca capital of Cusco in Peru, where the Inkaterra La Casona welcomes you in its historic walls.

Sleeping on historic ground

Once training ground of an elite Incan army, the manor house which is home to the Inkaterra La Casona was built in the 16^thCentury in a quiet corner amid the cobblestoned streets of the lively city Cusco. The house already hosted Spanish conquistador Diego de Almagro and General Simón Bolívar among other illustrious guests.

Holistic design at Inkaterra La Casona

Thinking holistically forms the basis of her work: designer Denise Guislain Koechlin, wife of Inkaterra founder José Koechlin von Stein, is responsible for the interior design and decoration at the Inkaterra properties. She was stunned by the sight of the building which today house the Inkaterra La Casona: Denise believed that each stone at Inkaterra La Casona reveals a part of the city’s history. Everything belongs together. Thus, it was important to keep the original design like the columns and arches which surround the patio and make for quite a special atmosphere at the boutique hotel.

Restoration with love for detail

With utmost care the foundation was renovated as well as the cracked walls and gable roofs, for which vintage tiles were used. In order to preserve the beautiful original doors, windows and wooden balconies with their complex wood carvings, as well as then stucco on the suite’s ceilings they had to undergo an extremely detailed restoration process. The result is breathtaking: it is hard to believe that the carvings and parts of the furniture are over 400 years old!

Luxury meets sustainability and authenticity

Today, the Boutique Hotel Inkaterra La Casona is a popular accommodation for travelers from all over the world and with its eleven luxurious suites often fully booked. It is also the first 5* boutique hotel of Cusco and the first Relais & Chateaux hotel of Peru. Not surprising as it is a combination of luxury, authenticity and sustainability. The suites offer underfloor heating, combine authentic pre-Columbian as well as colonial furniture from the family’s own foundation, as well as cushions, textiles and tableware from different areas of Peru and each has a cozy fireplace. “Inkaterra La Casona looks back at a 400-year old history with different cultures and traditions. It is a gateway to the city’s past, a living museum with the coziness of a Peruvian noble home.”, Denise explains.

Holistic Design in harmony with nature

To date, Inkaterra La Casona is the only Inkaterra property that houses in a renovated historic building, however, the architecture and design follows the same pattern in all Inkaterra hotels: “Sustainable design is essential to conserve some of the most diverse surroundings. Our properties are designed in harmony with the landscape, built with local materials in almost a handmade way to secure the lowest impact over nature, with no heavy machinery.”, says Denise about the special design approach of Inkaterra group, and: “Traditional design not only provides our travelers with a sense of authenticity. It also champions sustainable architecture in the hospitality industry, as a means to keep cultures alive.”

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