Uncover the Secrets of La Casa de Fray Bartolome: Cusco's Hidden Gem
Uncover the Secrets of La Casa de Fray Bartolome: Cusco's Hidden Gem - A Review (and a Rant!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from La Casa de Fray Bartolome in Cusco, and HONESTLY, I need to unpack this experience. Forget the sterile, "objective" reviews. This is the real deal, the messy, emotional, "did I leave the iron on?" version. This is FOR YOU.
First Impressions (aka, The "OMG, I'm Altitude Sick" Phase):
Cusco. Already stunning, right? But the altitude HITS you. HARD. So when I staggered out of the airport, gasping like a fish, and the hotel's driver – bless his cotton socks – whisked me away to Fray Bartolome, it felt like a rescue mission. The airport transfer (a definite Plus, by the way!) was a lifesaver.
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Accessibility & Safety: A Mixed Bag, But Mostly Good (and Thank God for Air Conditioning!)
Okay, so let’s dive into the nitty-gritty. Accessibility? Their elevators are okay. Not state-of-the-art, but serviceable. I didn't need a wheelchair, but I imagine navigating the older sections of the property might have some challenges. They do have Facilities for disabled guests, but I’d recommend double-checking specifics with them if that's a crucial factor.
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And the safety stuff? HUGE. CCTV in common areas and outside, 24-hour security, and fire extinguishers everywhere made me feel…well, safe. They had hand sanitizer everywhere, and the staff, bless their hearts, were clearly trained in safety protocols. I saw them cleaning religiously – daily disinfection in common areas, and rooms sanitized between stays. It was a relief, honestly, especially with… you know… everything. A+ for Cleanliness and safety!
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The Rooms: Cozy, Classy, and That Damn Window That Wouldn't Open!
My room? Gorgeous. Seriously. Air conditioning was a godsend after the Cusco sun. (Thank you, thank you, thank you!) We're talking Air conditioning, Blackout curtains (essential for altitude-induced insomnia), and a comfy bed with extra long bed (which I desperately needed after all of the hiking). The bathrobes? So soft!
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BUT. The window. It wouldn't. Open. For a significant part of the first day I was trying to figure out how to operate the windows and eventually gave up. I wanted some fresh air, gosh darn it!! After that, I was in love with my room.
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Food, Glorious Food (and the Soup That Saved Me):
Okay, let's talk food. Their breakfast buffet was pretty standard, but good. Definitely fuel for the day. They had both Western and Asian Breakfast, but I mostly stuck to the coffee/tea in restaurant. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was well received, which I was happy about. But the real hero? The soup in restaurant. Seriously, I think it single-handedly cured my altitude sickness. It was that good.
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The Room service [24-hour] came in SUPER handy when my stomach rebelled again later that night. And let's not forget the bottle of water they left in the fridge daily. Small things, but they make a difference.
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Spa Day! (Or, How I Accidentally Became a Zen Master):
Okay, this is where things get good. The Spa/sauna was the absolute highlight! I mean, the Pool with a view was stunning. But, I decided, "I need a Body scrub." And it was life-changing. I'm talking, seriously, years of stress melting away. The whole spa experience (also with a Steamroom) transformed me from a cranky altitude-sick mess to a semi-functioning human being. Then on the way out there was even a Foot bath!
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I was THAT relaxed I didn't even try the fitness center, BUT it was there. So, you know, bonus points for options.
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Internet & Services: The Good, The Bad, and the "Just Get It Done"
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! YAY! It worked, mostly. Sometimes it was a little pokey. Internet [LAN] was an option, but I wasn't about to wrestle with cables on vacation. Wi-Fi in public areas was fine.
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They have a gift/souvenir shop, a concierge, and all the usual Services and conveniences you'd expect. The Daily housekeeping was excellent. And the Ironing service? Priceless.
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Things to Do?!?! (or, "Did I Even Leave the Hotel?"):
Okay, so I didn't exactly do a ton of exploring. Because, altitude. But they had meeting/banquet facilities, which is cool if you're on business. They had Seminars, and events, which is great if you want to get that done. I wasn't much for walking around and didn't use the Taxi service at any point.
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For the Kids (and the Inner Child in Me):
Not really applicable to me, but they had a Babysitting service and were supposedly Family/child friendly, so good for them! I was jealous!
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The Quirks, The Imperfections (Because Life Isn't Perfect):
- The Stairs: Be prepared to navigate some stairs. Not ideal with altitude sickness.
- The Website: I'd suggest checking the website for the details of your stay. Maybe the window issue I had was addressed after I checked out.
- The Staff: The staff members are all incredibly helpful and friendly.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back? YES! (With a Better Window Strategy)
La Casa de Fray Bartolome is a gem. It’s charming, comfortable, and, most importantly, felt safe. The spa alone is worth the price of admission. Yes, there are minor imperfections, and the altitude is a monster, but overall, this is a hotel that deserves all the praise it gets.
My Honest Offer to YOU:
Stop Scrolling! Book Your Cusco Adventure at La Casa de Fray Bartolome!
Here's the deal:
- Unwind in Luxury: Experience the ultimate relaxation with their incredible spa (get that body scrub - you deserve it!).
- Breathe Easy: Enjoy top-notch safety protocols and cleaning standards.
- Fuel Your Adventures: Start your day with a delicious breakfast, and let the soup work its magic!
- Embrace Comfort: Relax in stylish rooms with all the amenities you need.
- Book Now and Get a Free Welcome Drink! (Because you'll definitely need it after arriving in Cusco!)
Don't miss out! Click here to book your unforgettable Cusco experience at La Casa de Fray Bartolome today! (SEO - Final Push: "Book Cusco Hotel," "Cusco Hotel Deals," "La Casa de Fray Bartolome Booking")
Unbelievable Luxury Awaits: Flex Hotel Canoinhas, Brazil - Your Dream Getaway!
Okay, buckle up, buttercup. We're going to Cusco. But not the perfectly-manicured, Instagrammable Cusco. We're going to real Cusco, with all its chaotic glory, from the slightly-too-strong pisco sours to the altitude sickness-induced existential dread. This is my itinerary for staying at La Casa de Fray Bartolome – a journey, not just a trip.
Cusco Chaos: A Human Itinerary (La Casa de Fray Bartolome)
Day 1: Arrival and Altitude Anxiety (and a REALLY good soup)
Morning (or what I imagined was morning, based on a vague feeling of light): Land in Cusco. Whoa. The air is… different. Thin. Like someone turned the oxygen dial to "teeny tiny." Luggage retrieval – triumph! (Mostly thanks to aggressively waving my hands at the baggage handler. Worked like a charm.) Taxi to La Casa de Fray Bartolome. The driver kept trying to sell me a "massage" – which felt less like an offer and more like a threat. I declined.
Arrival at La Casa: The pictures… well, they weren't lying, per se. It is charming. Sort of. Old. Smells faintly of…history? (And possibly last year's alpaca sweaters). Check-in was…involved. The desk clerk, bless his heart, was trying to teach me Spanish with the patience of a saint. I think I managed to say "hola" and "gracias" before my brain shut down due to the altitude. Straight to the room. The bed looked like a promised land. Dropped my bag, considered collapsing fully clothed, but then… hunger.
Lunch: Found a tiny, unassuming place around the corner from the hotel. Best decision ever. This soup… oh, the soup! Chicken broth so rich, so flavorful, so utterly perfect for my altitude-wrecked body. I swear, it revived me. Honestly, I could have stayed there all afternoon, slowly savoring each spoonful. I went back later for seconds (don't judge). The waiter smiled knowingly. We understood each other. He barely spoke English, I barely spoke Spanish, but the soup… it was a universal language.
Afternoon: Attempted a short, leisurely stroll around the Plaza de Armas. BIG MISTAKE. Every step felt like trudging through quicksand. Tourists were bouncing around like gazelles; I was wheezing like a dying walrus. Sat down on a bench, feeling thoroughly sorry for myself. Watched the pigeons. They seemed to be doing alright. Decided to call it a day. Back to the room. Took a nap. A long, glorious nap. Woke up starving again.
Evening: Dinner at a recommended restaurant near the hotel. I ordered lomo saltado (basically, steak and fries). Ate half of it. (The altitude, the exhaustion… my appetite was MIA). Stared blankly at the rest. Walked back to the hotel, contemplating the meaning of life and why I insisted on traveling in the first place. Collapsed into bed. Prayed for a good night's sleep (and for the altitude sickness to GTFO).
Day 2: Sacred Valley Dreams (and a terrifying bus ride)
Morning: The altitude… it hasn't completely abandoned me, but it's a little less of a jerk today. Showered (the hot water was a welcome relief!). Breakfast at the hotel – basic, but edible. Decided to embrace the day. Booked a tour of the Sacred Valley.
Sacred Valley Tour: This is where things got…interesting. The bus was packed. The guide, a charming, enthusiastic man named Luis, was a rapid-fire speaker with an unrelenting supply of historical facts. (Bless his heart.) We visited Pisac (the market was a sensory overload of colors, smells, and aggressive souvenir vendors. I bought a llama-shaped keychain. Regrets? Maybe. Probably not).
The Terrifying Bus Ride: The roads… weren't as smooth as they looked in the travel brochures. There were steep drop-offs. And the driver… well, let’s say he had a slightly different approach to driving than I'm used to. Brakes? Optional. Curves? Just a suggestion. At one point, I swear the bus was practically vertical. Squealed, grabbed the armrest, offered a silent prayer to any deity that might be listening. Somehow, we survived. My knuckles are still white.
Lunch in the Sacred Valley: Found a lovely restaurant. The views were spectacular. The food… okay. After the bus ride, I was just relieved to be alive.
Afternoon: Explored Ollantaytambo. The ruins were impressive, but I was already feeling the exhaustion again. I spent most of the time sitting on a rock, watching the clouds drift by and feeling a profound sense of peace. It was moments like this that justified the trip. (Even the bus ride). The beauty…the serenity… it just kind of smacks you in the face.
Evening: Came back to the Casa. Exhausted, but in a good way. The hot shower felt like a rebirth. Had a glass of wine. Ate the rest of the lomo saltado (it tasted better this go-round, maybe it was the altitude). Crashed.
Day 3: Machu Picchu (… maybe? Or at least, attempting Machu Picchu)
Morning (early, like, dark early): The alarm blared. The soul screamed. Coffee. Lots of coffee. (Maybe too much). The hotel arranged a taxi to the train station.
The Train: The train to Aguas Calientes (the gateway to Machu Picchu) was… luxurious. Plush seats. Complimentary snacks. Breathtaking views. Felt like I was on a James Bond film.
Aguas Calientes: Stepping off the train was like entering a different world. A bustling, chaotic, overwhelmingly touristy world. The energy was palpable. It was electric.
The Bus to Machu Picchu: More of the bus on the edge-of-a-cliff thing. But this time it was different. This time you were looking at a mountain that, based on the movies, held the secrets to the universe.
MACHU PICCHU!! The air shifted. The mountains rose. The fog lifted. And there it was. Machu Picchu. Wow. It was genuinely breathtaking. (And I say that without a hint of hyperbole). Spent hours wandering around, feeling completely transported. The history. The architecture. The sheer audacity of it all. Magical. Awe-inspiring. Speechless. (Which is saying a lot).
The Climb: I paid extra for the ascent up Huayna Picchu. It was… challenging. (Like, someone-should-probably-have-done-some-research-and-training challenging). But. The view from the top… WOW. I might have cried. Probably.
Returning from Machu Picchu The energy was gone. The altitude tried to bite again. The climb zapped all my energy.
Evening: Back in the Casa. Back in Cusco. Back resting from the adventure.
Day 4: Cusco City Exploration and the "Real" Cusco
Morning: Slowly wandered the streets of Cusco: The Plaza de Armas, the cobblestone streets, the Inca architecture. Tried to focus on the beauty. Felt my pockets start to lighten.
Afternoon: Found a local market. No tourists. Just locals. Saw sights, heard sounds, smelled scents that are not in tour books.
Evening: Pisco sours… again. (They're addictive, okay?). This time, made friends with some locals. Learned some Spanish. Told some stories. Laughed until it hurt. Real connections. Real experiences. This is what traveling is about.
Day 5: Departure - Or, "Until Next Time, Cusco"
Morning: Said goodbye to La Casa de Fray Bartolome. Walked around Cusco and took a final look. Got emotional. Hugged the hotel staff. (They were family by now).
Departure: The flight. The memories. The altitude-related headaches… all fading. I realized that what I would remember, more than the sights, were the smells, the feeling of connection, and the people. Cusco, you were a whirlwind. Thank you for the journey.
(And seriously, someone get me that soup recipe.)
Escape to Paradise: Koh Phangan's Luxury Pavilions Await
Okay, So What *Exactly* IS La Casa de Fray Bartolome? (And Is It Worth the Hype?)
Alright, buckle up, because describing La Casa de Fray Bartolome is like trying to catch smoke. It’s… a hotel. Technically. But calling it *just* a hotel is a cardinal sin, punishable by… well, probably having to stay in a soulless chain hotel. Anyway, it's kind of a sanctuary hidden away in Cusco. Picture this: cobblestone streets, ancient walls practically whispering secrets, and a courtyard that's less "hotel lobby" and more "portal to another dimension (a really comfortable one with excellent coffee, that is)."
Is it worth the hype? Dude. YES. Seriously. I went in with expectations maybe a millimeter off the ground, and it *floored* me. I'll tell you, the first time I walked into that courtyard, I actually gasped. Like, out loud. I’m not even kidding. That's when I knew something special was going on. It’s a total vibe. Like, a really, really good vibe.
Is It Actually Secret? Because I Saw a Zillion Instagram Posts.
Okay, fair point. Secret? Maybe not *totally* anymore. But I gotta say, the fact that it’s not plastered all over every travel blog and influencer feed makes it FEEL a little secret. It's not the kind of place you stumble upon, you know? You *seek* it out. And that, in itself, is part of the magic. It's like, you're in on a cool little club that's known by a select few.
Yes, there are pictures. Probably *lots.* But they don't do it justice. The feeling of *being there* is what matters, the way the sun hits the courtyard, the smell of cinnamon from the kitchen, the quiet… it's all about being *there*. And, even if it’s gotten a bit more popular lately, trust me, the experience retains that intimate, magical feel. I mean, I don't personally *know* any TikTok stars who’ve stayed, so that's a win in my book.
What Are the Rooms Like? Are They Tiny, Like, "Cusco Old Town Tiny?"
Alright, the rooms... they’re not gigantic, let's be honest. This *is* a historical building, and sacrifices have been made. But trust me, they're cozy, comfortable, and beautifully decorated. Think exposed beams, antique furniture, and *very* comfy beds. I, a self-proclaimed princess (or maybe just a princess of comfort), found the bed to be unbelievably amazing.
Now, the bathroom… Okay, *my* bathroom was a bit on the petite side. But everything worked perfectly. And the hot water? Glorious. After trekking around in the mountains all day in the cold, it's just a treat. And the view from my window! Forget it! It was this inner courtyard with these lush plants. It was like waking up in a fairy tale. Plus, I always felt safe and secluded within its walls.
Food, Glorious Food! What's the Grub Situation? And Are They Able To Handle My Dietary Restrictions?
Okay, the food. This is where I get *really* enthusiastic. The breakfast is included, and it's a spread that’ll make you want to lick the plate. I'm talking fresh fruit, delicious bread, eggs cooked to your liking, and amazing coffee. The coffee, seriously, keep the coffee coming! I probably drank a gallon of the stuff every morning. And if I could manage to sneak in a second breakfast, I would have.
They have a small restaurant that has good food too. Not Michelin-star fancy, but genuinely delicious, home-cooked kind of food. You know, the food that makes you feel happy and warm inside. (And seriously, I’m pretty sure their chef is secretly a magician.)
And yes, they are accommodating. I'm not vegetarian, but I saw plenty of options. Just let them know your needs in advance. They truly want you to enjoy your stay.
Is It Noissy at Night? I'm a Light Sleeper (And Hate Jet Lag).
This is a HUGE win. The courtyard does a great job absorbing extraneous noise. I'm a light sleeper. *Seriously.* Like, a leaf falling outside my window wakes me up. But I slept like a log at La Casa de Fray Bartolome. The thick walls of the building and the quiet atmosphere provided the perfect environment for a good night's sleep.
I was there for three nights. The only sound was when I woke up the first morning and the birds were singing. It was pretty magical.
Location, Location, Location! How Close is It to the Main Square?
The location is *perfect.* Seriously. You're right in the heart of things. Short walk to the Plaza de Armas (the main square). Close to restaurants, shops, and all the historical sites. But, and this is the important bit, it’s tucked away enough that you feel like you’ve escaped the hustle and bustle. The best of both worlds, basically. I walked everywhere. And always felt safe.
Okay, Fine, You've Convinced Me. Any Downsides? Because Nothing's *Perfect*.
Alright, alright, there’s *one* thing. The stairs. There are a *lot* of stairs. This is an old building, and it's built on a hill. If you have mobility issues, this might not be the place for you. I got my workout in. My calves were *killing* me by the end of each day. But I'm so glad I did it.
Also, the Wi-Fi wasn’t always the fastest. But hey, you're in Cusco! Get off your phone and soak it all in. And the one thing is, you'll probably never want to leave.
Let's Talk Money. Is it a Budget Buster? How Much Should I Budget?
Look, it’s not *cheap*, but it's not a complete budget buster either. Compared to some of the luxury hotels in Cusco, it's a steal. For the experience, the location, the service, and the sheer magic of the place, it’s worth every penny. I think I paid around $200 a night. Prices fluctuate, of course, depending on the season. Honestly, I would have paid more.
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