El Corazon Del Cusco

Cheap but nice, with lovely people. Great place.

The owners were especially helpful, even arranging an earlier breakfast when we needed one. We also spent some nights out of town on tours, and they gave us a small discount for those nights. It's simple accommodation with comfortable beds, and I never found the bathroom dirty. Hot water was always available, though the shower pressure wasn't very strong. The location is good, but it's up a fairly steep hill. If you're willing to walk, the center is about 15 minutes away. It may not be the best place to stay in Cusco, but it's very affordable. For simple, budget-friendly lodging, I'd happily recommend it.

The main problem was the bathroom situation. There was just one bathroom for the whole hostel, which wasn't enough and stressed me out. If someone was showering or using the toilet, you had to wait, and with a stomach upset you could end up in a bad spot. There was sometimes no toilet paper, and they should have kept some spare rolls. The breakfast window was short, only 07:30 to 09:00, and it wasn't ready ahead of time. They started preparing it when we arrived, so we waited around 10 to 15 minutes while they bought bread, heated coffee water and cut fruit. That didn't feel professional. There were always clothes to wash or dry by the sink near the bathroom, making the space awkward for guests, even though that sink could have been useful for brushing teeth. Sometimes the owners rented out their own rooms, so guests had to sleep in the living room and share the already scarce bathroom and kitchen, which felt uncomfortable and embarrassing. The private room was good value at a hostel price, with a comfortable bed and a cosy feel. The place is up in the higher part of town, with a nice view of the landscape and mountains, and there was a large supermarket not far below. It's not extremely far from the center, but the climb up the stairs was tiring, especially at altitude. You could take the RTU-16 bus to Plaza Santa Ana instead, though that was an extra cost.

The owners were generous, even offering to share their dinner with me. It felt a bit like staying with a Peruvian cousin, and the simple place is tastefully decorated. At 20 to 30 soles, it's three to four times cheaper than nearby guesthouses, though the standard is slightly lower. The main drawback was the shower's built-in heating element in the showerhead, which wouldn't let me get the temperature right. It's a small family-run guesthouse, a little way from the center, and getting there involves a short uphill walk.