We booked two nights at Amaru based on a friend's recommendation and ended up spending a total of four nights during the course of our trip.

The hotel arranged for a taxi to transfer us from the airport upon arrival in Cusco. Exhausted from traveling and the altitude, we were thrilled to arrive at Amaru and take a nap in our clean, comfortable room.

We enjoyed relaxing in both courtyards, which are filled with flowers and very peaceful. We were grateful for the never-ending supply of coca tea.

Our third night (which we added when we arrived) we had to move rooms to a smaller room with a shared bathroom. This was not a problem for us and the rate for that room was much cheaper.

The staff was very helpful in arranging taxis, a city tour of Cusco and directing us to different locations in the city.

Breakfast is included in the price and was always great. There are dozens of restaurants within a short walking distance.

We are very happy that we stayed at Hostal Amaru!

I cannot imagine a better place for this money.
The room was simple, no luxery but very nice and for backpacking standard it was a luxery ;-) Beautiful patio, you feel like in a garden. Charming & romantic place, quiet, great atmosphere, no stupid loud tourists, absolutely central.

Breakfasts were simple but tasty.

Service very nice.

Coca tee was always there.

A bit cold in the night.

I feared that the Amaru Hostel could not live up to it's online photos, but I was wrong.
It was great, beautiful and in a wonderful location. We didn't talk to the other guests, but there was a great mix of young and old and the hotel was very welcoming. Central location was wonderful and it was very easy to get everywhere we wanted to go including the major sites and the best restaurants. I would stay again for sure.
The breakfast (included) was also solid.

Hi,

I have stayed both in Amaru 1 and Amaru 2. This review concerns Amaru 1 (the better of the two?) where a group of 8 of us stayed in July 2011.

Positives:

o Three of the 4 rooms were great with lovely views and hot water.The fourth was quite small and dingy and one of the 4 good ones was full of beds.
o The whole hotel is filled with wood and we really liked the style.
o The staff are continually cleaning, day and night. Really impressive.
o There is a lovely small garden with hummingbirds and a view over Cuzco.
o Breakfast is very good and plentiful.
o There is free coca tea 24 hours a day.
o The WiFi generally worked fine and there was TV in the rooms.
o From what I remember the showers always had hot water.
o We paid about 45 dollars for a double per night that is OK to good value.
o Transfer from the hotel worked fine.

Negatives:
o It is a bit of an uphill walk to the main Plaza in Cuzco - to be honest fine for most people.
o My sister was asked to pay twice due to a confusion between Amaru 1 and Amaru 2. It added unnecessary stress to her visit as she does not speak Spanish.
o I got a few mosquito (?) bites whilst staying here although how that is possible I don't know as they really clean all day long.

Overall we would definitely stay in this hotel again.

Peace,

Jonathan