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

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.

A boutique lodge with rustic-chic decor, Killawasi—which is in the countryside but close to the small town of Yanque—provides the perfect balance of escape to nature and access to local culture. With a swimming pool and a newer wing that also includes two large deluxe family rooms with large mountain-facing terraces, the lodge also has wooden floors, beams, and minimalist blond-wood furnishings. Rooms are accented with local weavings and mural art that blends well with their warm, pastel-colored hues, creating a light and unfussy feel that's appropriate to the setting. An afternoon hike to nearby ruins and hot springs is included in the price of your room if you arrive before 3 pm, and the on-site restaurant Quinua has plenty of Peruvian and international dishes on offer.

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.

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 onetime 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.

The best guesthouse in Cabanaconde has a homey and warm feel—probably thanks to its wood-fire oven, which constantly churns out the finest pizzas in the region. The private en suite rooms are simple and yet well decorated and comfortable; there are also well-kept dorms for the budget minded. But the real reason to stay here, beyond the fusion food, is the young and friendly atmosphere and the excellent trekking information that Ludwig, the owner and an experienced trekking guide and travel photographer, has distilled into the best free Colca Canyon trekking map available. Drop by for a pizza, a cocktail, or a friendly chat.

Part of a trendy hosteling and coworking-space franchise, Arequipa's branch of Selina earns points for its stunning location set around a well-manicured garden filled with birds and artsy installations. Definitely aimed at the younger traveler, Selina has a very cool, creative, relaxing vibe that is best appreciated while chilling in the charming tree house or sipping a cocktail at the side of the swimming-pool bar. Beyond dormitory accommodations, the best choices here are the private doubles set in a separate compound at the back of the garden. Additional amenities include daily yoga classes and air-conditioned common rooms for coworking.