Belmond introduces new experiences for children at its Peruvian Hotels
Discovery and adventure should have no age boundaries and with this in mind Belmond has launched a series of activities for its younger guests at the Company’s collection of five hotels in Peru.
Belmond introduces new experiences for children at its Peruvian Hotels
Discovery and adventure should have no age boundaries and with this in mind Belmond has launched a series of activities for its younger guests at the Company’s collection of five hotels in Peru.
A magical introduction into a beguiling county of towering mountains, ancient civilisations and rich wildlife, activities are designed for children aged between five and 12 years, and are available at each of Belmond’s hotels in Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and at Machu Picchu. From picnics of traditional Peruvian treats and cookery classes to art lessons, special afternoon tea and treasure hunts, each experience draws on Peruvian culture for inspiration. As the first luxury travel company to enter Peru over 15 years ago, Belmond can offer families travelling with little ones a seamless journey.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado, Sacred Valley
Set on the banks of the rushing Urubamba River, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado is built in natural materials to resemble an authentic Andean village. Ideal for families with a sense of adventure the hotel can arrange a whole host of activities from horse riding, rafting and biking to cookery lessons, and market tours. The hotel’s solar heated swimming pool is ideal for a refreshing dip after a day of activity and children will delight in helping to give Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado’s baby alpacas their morning and afternoon feeds.
During their stay mini artists can showcase their creative flair in a painting lesson in the hotels grounds using the nearby Urubamba River and surrounding mountains for inspiration. Their work of art will be created using natural paints made in the nearby town of Ollantayambo and the hotels family mascot, a lamb named Sonqo Q'oñi (meaning warm in Quechua), may even pose for a portrait too!
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cusco
Set in a tranquil plaza behind Cusco's main square, Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is a former palace and convent offering just 55 suites each with its own personal butler. Original Inca stones and traditional elements, such as the ancient fountain at the heart of the hotel, combine with modern comforts including Cusco’s first outdoor heated swimming pool and oxygenated rooms to create one of the city’s most sought after hotels.
The hotel’s family mascot is ‘Miski’, a friendly serpent whose name means ‘sweet’ in the local Quechua language. Serpents had great significance to the Incas as they represented infinity and their symbols can still be seen in the hotel walls today. Children can relax in special mini bathrobes and slippers and on their first turndown they will receive a Miski toy with details of his history and significance to the hotel.
Belmond Palacio Nazarenas is offering children the chance to indulge in their own special afternoon tea. Children will be picked up from their suite by their personal butler and taken to the hotel’s secret herb garden where they will choose from a wide selection of plants including ‘muña’ mint and lemon balm to create their own herb infused tea. A table will be laid out especially and to accompany their tailored tea they will dine on favourites such as honey and marmalade sandwiches (in a nod to Peru's most famous wellington boot clad bear) and cupcakes, combined with homemade breads and jams created using locally source golden berries and elderberries.
Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cusco
Situated close to Cusco’s lively central square Belmond Hotel Monasterio combines centuries-old charm with luxury hotel service. A former monastery and national monument dating from 1592, young imaginations can run wild in the hotel’s cloistered courtyard. For larger families the hotel features interconnecting deluxe rooms and many are oxygenated to combat the signs of altitude.
Children can join a cooking class with one of the hotels chefs. Lasting for one hour and taking place in the hotel’s Tupay restaurant, children will be taught how to make Peruvian sweets such as cookies made with quinoa flour, one of the main ingredients used by the Incas.
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Machu Picchu
Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the only hotel located adjacent to the awe-inspiring Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. It offers its guests exceptionally easy access from early morning to late afternoon, when the citadel is at its quietest.
The hotel’s beautiful gardens, overlooking the Andes are the ideal location for a treasure hunt. Young explorers will be set the challenge to find Tito, the hotel’s family mascot which is an ‘Andean cock-of-the-rock’, the national bird of Peru and a bird Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is dedicated to protecting. The treasure hunt is in the form of the puzzle with children given the challenge to collect all six pieces. Each piece found will give the clue to finding the next. The final puzzle picture is a completed treasure map leading to Tito.
Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel, Lima
Renowned for its beautiful location beside the Pacific Ocean, the newly refurbished Belmond Miraflores Park takes guests straight to the heart of all that's best about capital city Lima. Glamorous children can relax with a dip in the rooftop swimming pool with mum and dad or visit the city’s two excellent zoos to meet Peru’s spectacled bear, inspiration for the lovable Paddington Bear, before stopping for alfajor cookies in one of the cafés scattered throughout the Miraflores district.
Children are invited on a special picnic set in the verdant Domodosola Park in front of Belmond Miraflores Park. After dining on delicious Peruvian treats such as alfajores cookies and purple corn pudding, children can enjoy activities including Frisbee and kite flying.
The family experiences are available for children aged five to 12 years of age and need to be booked prior to departure by contacting perures.fits@belmond.com. Prices for the experiences range between $18 - $50 USD (approx. £11 - £30) per child. ‘Family Getaway’ packages are available at Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado and Belmond Miraflores Park which include a 50% discount on food and beverages for children under 12 and a special activity, including cooking classes or bike rides or present for children. Prices start from £659, excluding taxes, for a family of three based on three nights at Belmond Miraflores Park when sharing one room.
About Belmond Ltd.
Belmond Ltd. is a global collection of exceptional hotel and luxury travel adventures in some of the world’s most inspiring and enriching destinations. Established almost 40 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, the Company owns and operates 45 unique and distinctive hotel, rail and river cruise experiences in many of the world’s most celebrated destinations. From city landmarks to intimate resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, St. Petersburg; Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro; Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa, Riviera Maya; and Belmond El Encanto, Santa Barbara. Belmond also encompasses safaris, six luxury tourist trains including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, three river cruises and ‘21’, one of New York’s most storied restaurants. Orient-Express is a trademark of SNCF. belmond.com
