Cirqa
Spare, contemplative, historic. Modernist interiors inside ancient stone. No signage, no room numbers — deliberately private. The vibe is monastery-meets-design hotel, with real Arequipenean soul in the kitchen.
Book direct at cirqa.pe for airport pickup (subject to availability) plus upgrade and early check-in/late check-out perks
Why It Matters
Relais & Châteaux member, Michelin Guide selection, and Condé Nast Traveler Gold List 2024 honoree. One of only 11 rooms in a monastery complex that predates most of the Americas' colonial-era architecture. Travel + Leisure's It List 2020, National Geographic Big Sleep Awards 2020, Prix Versailles World's Most Beautiful Hotels. Featured in Architectural Digest, Fodor's, and Andrew Harper.
A 16th-century monastery turned 11-room luxury parador, sitting one block from Arequipa's Plaza de Armas in a UNESCO-protected historic core. The original sillar volcanic stone walls date to 1540 — the city's founding year — and they're still the main event. Contemporary furnishings and modern tech slot into carved arches and vaulted ceilings without apology. Small, quiet, and run with genuine warmth by the Andean hospitality group.
Where You'll Stay
3 room types available
Aposento
Five rooms, each with a distinct personality — no two are the same, since the architects worked within the existing monastery footprint. All are ample with high ceilings and a personal reading area. These are the mid-tier sweet spot: enough space to be genuinely comfortable, with real monastery character.
King or Twin · 33.9 sqm
Bóveda
The standout category. Four rooms with original high-vaulted ceilings — the bóveda (vault) — that make you genuinely appreciate why someone restored a 16th-century monastery. Each has a freestanding bathtub and a private sitting area. If the budget allows, don't compromise on this one.
King or Twin · 44.8 sqm
Claustro
The smallest rooms in the house, deliberately so — they replicate the actual dimensions of the original monk's chambers. Cozy and atmospheric, not cramped-feeling, but honest about what they are. Some Claustro rooms have no exterior windows, only a windowed entrance door. Two rooms in this category.
Queen · 20 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
A guided walk through the historic heart of the city: Plaza de Armas, San Camilo market, La Compañía church cloisters, Calle San Francisco, and the traditional San Lázaro neighborhood. Layers of colonial, mestizo, and religious history told through carved sillar facades and lived-in streets. Daily at 9am or 2pm. Suitable for children.
A guided walk through the 16th-century monastic citadel — effectively a walled city within Arequipa — with narrow streets, quiet courtyards, and vivid sillar architecture. Includes guide and entrances. Daily at 9am or 4pm. Suitable for children.
A long day into one of the world's deepest canyons. Cruz del Cóndor viewpoint (condor-watching if conditions allow), natural viewpoints, Andean villages of Maca and Yanque, and the Patapampa high plateau with its panoramic volcano line. Box lunch included. On request only.
Small, dark-stone heated plunge pool in the main courtyard patio. Open from sunrise to sunset for guests. A good decompression point after morning city exploring.
Among white and rose-toned volcanic cliffs, this half-day trip explores the stone that defines Arequipa's architecture. In Culebrillas, local quarrymen still practice a centuries-old craft; nearby petroglyphs add another layer of history. Wind-carved passages, snacks and drinks included. Daily at 8am or 2pm. Suitable for children.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
In-room hamper with snacks and beverages, refreshed daily. Included in all room rates.
Available on request. Children are welcome; hotel is primarily designed for adults.
Small heated pool in the main courtyard patio, open sunrise to sunset, guests only.
Dedicated spa treatment room with vaulted ceiling adjacent to the courtyard. Treatments on request.
No traditional lobby check-in — staff greet and check guests in directly at the room.
On-site concierge available around the clock.
The property does not offer parking. The historic city center location makes a car largely unnecessary.
Available as a paid service or included in Fully Inclusive Plus package. Rodríguez Ballón International Airport is 7 km / approx. 30 min away.
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Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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