34 Best Hotels in The Southern Andes and Lake Titicaca, Peru

Although the exterior of this upscale resort and spa along the Colca River feels more condo than boutique, the rooms are modern and airy, the amenities are superb, it houses one of the better restaurants and bars in the area, offers a stunning get-away-from-it-all location, and authentic Peruvian hospitality and culture. All bathrooms are huge and have tubs; suites and chalets have Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces (it can get cold here at night). The grounds have a variety of landscaping features, from waterfalls and pools to terraced gardens and a water mill, and the setting offers plentiful flora and fauna. The lovely full-service spa includes a heated pool, sauna, steam, skilled massage therapists, and more. The restaurant and bar, which serves Novo Andino dishes and wood-fired pizzas, is superior to other dining options in the area. This hotel scored rave reviews from travelers stranded here during COVID lockdowns.

At the most luxurious property in the Colca area, with service and amenities to match, each thatched bungalow has its own outdoor terrace with a private heated pool, heated smooth-stone floors, and deep bathtubs beneath skylights for after-dark soaking and stargazing (though you can get an even better view from the outdoor showers). Rooms are bright and comfortable, with leather armchairs and wrought-iron beds piled with elegant bedding and harkening to days gone by. You can join cooking and pisco-sour-making classes, baby-alpaca feedings, and familiarization tours of the vegetable garden, and—for an additional fee—activities such as fly-fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and spa treatments can be arranged. The Quiriña restaurant serves creative Peruvian fusion dishes using vegetables from the garden.

Set in the city's former coin mint, a national historical monument, this midsize hotel features massive colonial-era common rooms with arched stone walls, oil paintings, and period furnishings. The modern section of the hotel has rooms and suites featuring Andean weavings, contemporary furniture, and plush beds and bedding. Many rooms have romantic views of the city. The best rooms in the house are colonial suites that will make you feel like royalty in your private palace. Alma, the on-site gourmet restaurant, serves creative Novo Andino cuisine in its chic yet historic dining area.

Out of the two Casa Andina properties in Puno (the other is a less expensive Casa Andina Standard property), this pricier lakeside hotel is the best, offering comfortable rooms with great natural light and all the modern amenities you need. Be sure to request one of the lake-view rooms, which are a bit more expensive but worth it. You'll be a taxi ride away from the center of town, so it's worth noting that the restaurant serves good Novo Andino food, and the bar is well-stocked.

You don't get any more central than this mid-level hotel with modern rooms, excellent service, and a superb location right on Plaza de Armas. Ask for one of the big, comfortable rooms overlooking the square to view the constant stream of activities. Enjoy a dip in the rooftop pool, followed by dinner on the long patio overlooking the plaza. You can even keep up with your exercise routine in the hotel gym.

As with Casa Andina properties elsewhere in Peru, the Arequipa branch offers comfortable but basic rooms, nicely decorated with Andean textiles. The bathrooms are modern and clean,Free breakfast is good, and the bilingual staff is very helpful. It's a good value for your money if you just want a place to lay your head at night without a lot of frills.

Part of the national Casa Andina chain, this hotel is much quainter than the company's typical urban properties, with stand-alone bungalow-style cabins built of locally quarried rock, thatched roofs, and wood flooring. The medium-size rooms with rustic furnishings have private baths with hot water. If you don't feel like walking into town, the hotel restaurant serves excellent Peruvian fare that is as good, if not better, than what you might find in Chivay.

The individually designed rooms at this neoclassical boutique hotel are all decked out in luxuriously high-quality motifs and bedding—every last detail has been considered, and it's all so personalized that a stay here is almost like a stay with your best friends. Filled with antique furnishings typical of the region, the hand-carved beds feature 400-thread-count sheets, and each room comes with heating to counter the cool Andean air. The extra charm comes from the hospitable staff, who'll retrieve your luggage from the airport if it's delayed, iron your clothes, and even throw you a birthday party. A lavish breakfast buffet includes an assortment of coffee, tea, breads, fruits, and eggs, served on a rooftop nook with views of El Misti.

One of the most complete resorts in Colca, with its own hot springs and solar heating, this hotel is at the same time relaxing and family friendly. The lodge's understated look, with adobe and clay walls and thatched roof, compliment the natural location on a bend of the river filled with quinoa fields and grassy meadows. There's plenty to do, including canyon hikes, biking, horseback riding, and visits to the property's own Rancho Alpaca. Kids will love the nonstop on-site activities. Rooms are spacious and well appointed, decorated in a minimal, country-home style with a Peruvian flair. Adobe suites come with large bathrooms, and the on-site restaurant serves flavorsome meals that rely on zesty local trout and alpaca meats. Above all, this hotel has the best hot springs around, located right next to the river. Relax in the therapeutic waters, and then indulge in one of the on-site spa's therapies, which include an aromatic steam bath and a thermal Jacuzzi set right above the crashing Colca River.

Although it may look a little institutional from the outside, inside this low-rise hotel, which functions more like a resort, is the most luxurious stay close to the city—just 5 km (3 miles) away on Isla Esteves, an island in Lake Titicaca that's connected to the mainland by a causeway. Rooms and bathrooms are all comfortable, large, clean, and modern, with stunning views of the lake, especially on the sunrise side. You can get a taxi into town, but the hotel also has an upscale international restaurant and a cozy bar that has beautiful night views, good pisco sours, and a fireplace.

Panoramic views of Lake Titicaca and its surroundings can be viewed from the endless windows that line the restaurant atop this Spanish-colonial hotel with an old-world feel, and some of the rooms share the view. All rooms are spacious, bright, and clean, and come with heaters. The bedding—especially the pillows—is plush, and electric blankets are provided. Most rooms have big bay windows for a view of the city or lake. A grand spiral staircase extends through all six floors.

The comfortable rooms here are modern, but the hotel is also full of local flavor, thanks to plenty of indigenous art and artifacts. Rooms have neutral color schemes, flat-screen TVs, plush bedding, and polished hardwood floors. Stained-glass windows, which permeate light from the hotel's large atrium, line the hallways. A service-oriented staff is helpful and can help plan local trips and place hot-water bottles in bed prior to arrival.

An ecological paradise for those who can afford it, this exclusive hotel is on Isla Suasi, on a remote end of Lake Titicaca (a 5½-hour boat ride from Puno, including a stop at Uruos). The remote location and absence of TVs in the rooms does not mean you will be bored: activity options include hiking among wild llamas, canoeing, studying astronomy, learning Andean spirituality, taking in flower-filled terraces, learning about ecosystems, and relaxing with a massage. Rooms are comfortable, and most have balconies. All meals are provided in the gourmet restaurant (or barbecue pit), and for an extra special treat, there's a private cottage that comes with its own butler.

If you're passing through and want to save on your lodging budget, this quiet hotel in the countryside offers great value for basic rustic-chic rooms, many of which have gorgeous views. The restaurant is large but manages to be cozy at the same time, with a fireplace that is often lit in the evening. Many people stop in just for the set menus (S/35 per person), as the food is considered some of the best in the area. The staff is friendly, attentive, and interested in ensuring you enjoy your stay. Horseback riding and hikes can be arranged daily.

In a beautiful tiled courtyard surrounded by fragrant blossoms and dotted with trees, this 18th-century home is believed to have been a one-time temporary residence of Mariano Melgar, Peru's most romantic 19th-century poet. Each room in this Spanish colonial has its own historic charm, such as towering, vaulted brick ceilings, and original walls, doors, windows, and some furnishings dating from colonial times. An Italian-style trattoria just off the lobby offers homemade pastas and pizzas.

For a quiet hotel with old Spanish-colonial charm and modern amenities, opt for a superior room with a view at this traditional hacienda. The white sillar walls and wraparound terrace surround a central courtyard where glorious bougainvillea blossoms; it's a delightful spot to have breakfast or update your travel journal. Rooms have a mix of antique furnishings and contemporary touches like bathroom skylights and flat-screen TVs; some have stone fireplaces. There's also a Roman bath on site.

On a quiet street about a five-minute walk from Jirón Lima, this is an affordable, cozy place to lay your head after a day on the lake, with basic but clean and comfortable rooms. Private baths are large, beds are comfy, and all rooms have individual space heaters. In the morning, a large breakfast spread is served, and, at night, the hotel restaurant provides tasty dinner options so you don't have to head out to eat if you're tired.

In the up-and-coming Vallecito neighborhood, a short walk from the center (and removed from its noise), this boutique hotel has a resort-like pool area, leafy gardens, and a terrace with views over the city to the mountains. The straightforward rooms, all with balconies, are equipped with modern perks like LCD TVs and mini-refrigerators, and there's a full-service restaurant and bar and a cozy sitting room with library and fireplace.

Weavings, polished wood, and indigenous art lend character to this thoroughly modern hotel, one of Puno's original upscale options, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. It's 4 km (2½ miles) from the center of town and has a lovely outside seating where you can really enjoy the grounds, rather than just look out at them. Rooms are decorated with Pucará bulls and Andean textiles and feature top-notch electronics. The hotel's restaurant, Inkafé, serves international and Peruvian cuisines and has large picture windows offering a panoramic view of the lake. It's one of few hotels in town that has accessible rooms for people with disabilities.

For the best views, ask for a second-floor room.

This hotel, which is surprisingly modern given the remote location, has rooms that are as comfortable and up-to-date as you can find in the city. Suites include a fireplace and whirlpool bath. Amenities include an indoor pool, sauna, and Jacuzzi. This location is especially useful if you want to prolong the journey along the lake before heading into Bolivia.