Top Luxury Hotels in Central and South America
The cities of Central and South America offer endless adventures. You can explore the arts in Buenos Aires, take in the vibrant beaches of Rio de Janeiro, or discover Incan history in Cuzco, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Indeed, Cuzco is prized as much for its Spanish-colonial architecture as for its rugged, mountainous setting. This gateway city on the road to Machu Picchu proves to be a favorite with travelers — three of the top 10 hotels, including this year’s winner, are located there. Each year, our World’s Best Awards survey invites travelers to weigh in on their experiences around the globe — sharing their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels are rated on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties are classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. Another standout city is Buenos Aires, where prominent hotels such as the Alvear Palace, the Four Seasons, and the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt define the hotel scene. At the Alvear Palace, afternoon tea in the soaring lobby becomes a restorative art form, and the spacious rooms, adorned with Louis XVI-style furniture, offer a tranquil escape. One traveler gushed, “By far the best hotel in Argentina,” while another commented, “A grand hotel of the old school.” The Four Seasons, located in a former Belle Époque mansion in B.A.’s upscale Recoleta neighborhood, continues to shine, thanks in part to its light-filled guest rooms and lovely outdoor pool. The Waldorf Astoria Panama also made our list, as did Casa San Agustín, a recently renovated property nestled within the walls of Cartagena, Colombia. This boutique hotel consists of three interconnected buildings; its courtyard features a remarkable ancient aqueduct, and many of the rooms, styled in modern Colombian decor, come equipped with their own plunge pools or Jacuzzis.
10. Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro
Score: 92.45
9. Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cuzco, Peru
Score: 92.75
8. Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires
Score: 92.95
7. Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt Buenos Aires
Score: 93.00
6. Waldorf Astoria Panama, Panama City
Score: 93.08
5. Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru
Score: 93.19
4. Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador
Score: 94.00
3. Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires
Score: 94.36
2. Casa San Agustín, Cartegena, Colombia
Score: 95.09
1. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco, Peru
Score: 95.88
It’s rare to find a hotel that embraces its historic setting, yet still offers modern amenities — which is exactly why travelers fell for Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, a 55-suite hotel set in a centuries-old convent. After a day of exploring, indulge in a massage in the spa, a swim in the city’s first outdoor pool, and delicious room service ordered from your personal butler to enjoy on your balcony. One guest wrote, “Absolutely beautiful. Lovely to return to after the bustle of Cuzco.” Another summarized, “One of the most amazing and unique experiences in the world.”
