We were very pleased with our stay at the Novotel which is located within easy walking distance of everything you want to see in Cusco: the San Blas artist district, Plaza del Armas, bars, restaurants, etc. Reception is very civilized: when you check in, you are shown a comfortable seat in a gorgeous attrium area (see picture), served tea and the staff takes care of all the details. Be prepared to hand over your passport for copying as this seems the rule in hotels in Peru. It is also required for Machu Piccu visits. Service was smooth for us, especially from the front desk. They even made dinner reservations for us for a place we'd heard about in Lima, for the night after our departure from Cusco. We were initially given one of the second floor rooms (street level) and when we complained because of the musty smell and the heavy foot traffic outside the window, we were promptly and politely switched to a lovely room on the fifth floor, overlooking a rose garden and with a view of the hills surrounding Cusco. Our fifth floor room was in the less expensive "modern" wing and it was very comfy: about the size of a NYC or Paris room, so smallish but not cramped; clean and with a super cheap mini bar (husband was delighted to finish the day with a cold $2 beer without leaving the room). Big breakfast buffet included in room price. The buffet has pastries, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes, eggs and more.

Tips/highlights/annoyances:
-- The atmosphere here is less "Best Western" that some posts would have you believe. The lobby area is positively charming and high end, complete with tea. (See photo of lobby which is also weher breakfast buffet is served). The cheapy, poly blend sheets seem to be standard in Peru, so don't expect a Heavenly Bed but service is professional, dignified and similar to a Starwood, Hilton, Marriott in USA.
--Room service is free. In other words, food and drink via room service is the same price as going to the restaurant yourself. No service fee, no padded menu prices. Nice to know after a long day of trekking.
-- Avoid the 1st and 2nd floor rooms in the new part of the hotel. The 1st floor is more like a basement. The second is right at street level. Both floors are dark-ish and smell musty.
--Stay here for $165 or so a night and have a drink at the Hotel Monasterio which is up the street a block or two, thus enjoying the Orient Express hotel splendor but not paying the $500+ a night they charge for somewhere to sleep!
--Very quiet place, other guests seemed to be part of tour groups from UK, USA, etc. Middle aged, older and families.

We stayed in the colonial section of the hotel - it was charming and not a "chain". The room was first rate. The staff was helpful. Central location. Strongly recommend this hotel and would definitely stay there again. I also stayed at the Liborador later in the same trip and it was more expensive, the location was not as convienent and overall was not worth the higher price.

I stayed at this hotel in one of the non-colonial rooms which are cheaper. I was disappointed with the room. It was like a room in a lower end US hotel chain such as Comfort Inn or Best Western. The sink was clogged the whole time during our stay and the water drained very very slowly. The plumbing was not good and there was a sign to put the toilet paper in the waste basket instead of the toilet. I stayed at 6 different hotels during my trip to Peru and only saw this in a hostal and this hotel. The lobby of this hotel is very nice and inviting. And the free breakfast good. The internet was located in a very smokey bar and I was double charged for the usage. When I questionned the charge they said that my husband had used the internet. I was travelling alone with two kids. For security purposes I did not like the fact that we had booked a trip to Macchu Picchu through a travel agent. The hotel gave a copy of our passports to this agent without consulting me. The clientelle at this hotel was mainly large American groups of senior citizens when we were there. The hotel is located a short walk away from Plaza des Armas the main square.

I agree with all of the postings:

- oxygen readily available (this is a must!)
- amazingly polite and helpful concierges
- clean and spacious rooms

I only have two small grips:

- I made reservations over the internet with the use of my name and credit card for my six year old son and myself. The confirmation over e-mail and the name at check in time used the name of my son. This was quite surprising!! I did the research, made they payments and and was the responsible adult here. But Novotel Cusco chose to use the male name on all of the reservations and confirmations. I considered this an insult. Please do get into the 21st century.

- While there, I purchased a card to use over the Internet for $5.00. Unfortunately, their internet connection was spotty and often down! Upon asking for a refund, they refused to give me my money back. This was a waste of money - it was small, but still... if I pay for an hour of Internet time, I would like to use it. If the connections are down, it is only fair to get a refund.

Other than that, it is a great hotel. Internet users and women beware!