Jerusalén accommodation from NZ$100

The free lesson from Kiki’s mom. I had an unexpectedly wonderful and educational experience at the Union Hotel in Cusco, where I met Veronica—who affectionately calls herself “Kiki’s mom.” Kiki is a smart 10-month-old Huacaya alpaca (one of the two alpaca types) living in the hotel courtyard. Veronica comes every day to care for her, and what began as a casual encounter turned into an incredibly informative, hands-on cultural lesson. Veronica is from Quiquijana, in the province of Quispicanchi. She brought with her a rich collection of materials, including all four types of highland fibers from the Cusco and Machu Picchu regions. Her explanations were immediately practical—especially for travelers hoping to buy authentic souvenirs. She taught us how to distinguish real fibers from fake ones simply by touching and smelling them, which is invaluable in local markets. She also demonstrated the use of a traditional tool called the pushka, used since pre-Inca times to spin animal fibers into yarn, and explained how these threads are then turned into blankets, clothing, hats, and more. One particularly moving moment was when she proudly showed a textile made by her grandmother—an “alive” piece of heritage filled with symbols, each carrying its own meaning. What impressed me most was her demonstration of natural dyeing. Using only water, a white translucent alum stone, and cochineal, she showed how dozens of vibrant colors can be created.

An incredible hotel Wonderful rooms, a beautiful spa, delicious breakfast and great colleagues We loved the additional activities- such as the history tour and meeting Panchita We wish that we could have stayed for longer!

This hotel was perfect for our stay in Cusco! It is around a 10-15 minute walk to the main square and also close to the Bus station. Our room was very comfortable and clean. The included breakfast was delicious and so convenient every morning. The front desk definitely stood out to us. The staff helped us with all of our needs from scheduling airport taxis to helping us learn what sights we should see. I would like to especially thank Carlos for his guidance! He even drew us a map of places to go to fill our entire free day. Not to mention they let us check in early due to our flight landing super early in the morning, and gave us late checkout. Great staff and a great place!