My husband and I chose to stay at Tierra Viva Cusco Plaza based on the great reviews we'd read on TripAdvisor, and the reviews were spot on. When we arrived at Cusco airport, a friendly gentleman was waiting for us with our name on a sign, and promptly put us in a taxi to the hotel (free transfer courtesy of Tierra Viva). The location can't be beat - less than a block off the Plaza de Armas, close to restaurants, shopping, etc. We arrived before check-in, but they had a room ready for us in less than an hour. We waited in the comfortable lobby area, where there was free wi-fi and hot coca tea to help us adjust to the altitude.

We stayed four nights, two on either side of a Machu Picchu trek (we highly recommend Alpaca Expeditions - awesome MP and Sacred Valley tours!!). Our first room was clean, quiet, and nicely decorated with wi-fi, flatscreen TV, plug-in heater, giant whirlpool tub, and "fancy" soap and lotion provided. Since the room was in the basement, there was no daylight, but it did have a one-way window into the interior courtyard. The room was a little small, but there was a closet and safe to store your bags. Plugs fit US and Euro plugs, so we didn't even need our adapter.

We were able to leave our bags at the hotel while we went to Machu Picchu, and they were waiting in our new room when we returned. We liked our second room better, on the second floor. The Peruvian decorations were beautiful and we had a small balcony above some shops on the back side of the hotel (potentially could be noisy but we were not bothered). There were two chairs and a small table... probably not big enough for two people to sit comfortably but really cute and nice to get some fresh air and sip coffee/tea in the morning. TV, wi-fi, desk, heater, and glass shower (no tub) in this room.

Overall, the service was excellent at Tierra Viva. Everyone was friendly, from the front desk to the kitchen and housekeeping staff. The free buffet breakfast was a nice perk... cereals, fruit, brewed coffee, tea, meat, eggs, etc. There were two computers available for guests to use, and we were also able to print boarding passes. Check-in and check-out were a breeze, and reception arranged a taxi to take us back to the airport (~ S/.10). We felt the hotel was a good value for the price we paid... much better than any place you'd find in a big US city.

Thank you Tierra Viva for an excellent stay! What a wonderful welcome to Peru... we hope to return the beautiful city of Cusco someday.

Our room on the third floor was small but well appointed with modern decor, very comfortable bed and big bathroom. Loved the whirlpool tub and free wifi. Outstanding breakfast buffet. Staff was very helpful and offered free taxi transfer to the airport.

This place is beautiful, its staff is helpful and friendly, the location is great. The room we had was spacious and beautifully designed. Great bathroom, too. Wireless internet and a good breakfast buffet. The front desk staff helped us organise transport to/from train stations and the airport and were very efficient upon check-out.

Nothing else to ask for.

I enjoyed the efficient layout of this hotel. It is one of the few hotels in Cusco that defeats the deafening sound of horn-beeping taxis by having most of its rooms underground and yet still allows in natural sunlight through an interior courtyard design. The only downside to the courtyard design is that you do hear other guests. I did best on the very bottom floor as far away from noise as possible but if you are light sleeper and need to sleep in don't stay in the rear courtyard as you'll hear morning breakfast preparations starting at 4:30 a.m. with blenders making juice. The staff accommodated me nicely with room changes to find the one that would best suit me. The location cannot be beat, being just off the plaza de armas, and the staff are helpful with directions although not knowledgeable about where to get a good massage. Booking through Expedia got me the best rate, $70/night vs. the hotel web site of $110. Rooms are small at the lower end but for $70 and the other stuff that comes with it, it is a good value. No organic eggs will be found in Cusco hotels or restaurants but the cook was kind enough to provide me a nice helping of avocado in the morning.