JW Marriott Opens in Peru's Historic Machu Picchu

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Visitors to historic Machu Picchu now have a JW Marriott to relax in luxury.

Marriott International's newest JW Marriott just opened at the gateway of Machu Picchu on what was the former site of a colonial monastery. Naturally, the new 153-room JW Marriott Cusco features ancient Inca artifacts that existed on the site as part of its "approachable elegance" signature design.

The much anticipated hotel stands at an altitude of 11,154 feet above sea level, the company's highest-altitude hotel, and is situated at the gateway of the highly popular Andes mountain sanctuary.

The Andes mountain property marks the 52nd JW Marriott worldwide.

"In the last few years Cusco has become known for its luxurious accommodations and spas, making it a natural decision for Marriott International to introduce the JW Marriott brand as our first property in the destination," said Rob Steigerwald, Chief Operations Officer for the Southern Americas at Marriott International. "We are thrilled to have Inversiones La Rioja as a partner on this project, and reveal our first world class JW Marriott luxury brand hotel to Cusco."

For dining and recreation, the JW Marriott Cusco will feature two restaurants:  Pirka Restaurant, which will include an original colonial wall from the convent and offer modern Peruvian cuisine; and the Qespi Bar & Ninna Sonnco Lounge.

To ensure guest relaxation and well-being, the hotel will boast a state-of-the-art fitness center and a 3,300 square foot Spa with dry saunas, steaming rooms, and a relaxation pool.

"We are confident that this unique and visually stunning hotel will become a historic landmark in Cusco attracting travelers and groups from all over the world," said Heinz Prelle, General Manager at the JW Marriott Cusco. "The hotel honors the vibrant history, culture of the Incas and the rich heritage of Peru."

At an elevation of 11,200 feet above sea level, the JW Cusco will be the first Marriott property - and possibly one of the first in the world - to have an in-room supplemental oxygen system to alleviate altitude adjustments.

"The JW Marriott Cusco Hotel is a very exciting property for the company and the most historic and unique hotel for the JW Marriott brand portfolio," said Mitzi Gaskins, VP & Global Brand Manager, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts at Marriott International.

Located in the heart of Cusco's historical district, the JW Marriott Cusco will feature archeological exhibits with the findings uncovered during excavation work dating back from Pre-Hispanic to Colonial and contemporary cultural superimposition. During the construction phases of the hotel, property owners Inversiones La Rioja, collaborated with national and international institutions that provide protection to human heritage."

Among the institutions consulted were United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the National Institute of Culture, the Municipality of Cusco and San Agustin de Cusco University.

Few leisure destinations in the world compare with Cusco, designated a World Heritage site in the 1980s. The city witnessed the rise of the Inca Empire as well as its demise after Spanish colonization of the Americas in the 16th century.

The city's colonial art school is recognized as one of the most prolific in the Americas. Above all, Cusco serves as the gateway for the world-renowned mountain sanctuary Machu Picchu - accessible only by train along the sacred Urubamba valley - as well as other landmarks, such as the fortress of Sacsayhuaman, the Inca sites of Kenko, Puca Pucara and the market towns of Pisac and Chincheros.