LOKI HOSTEL
The Loki hostel in Cusco is a hostel within a huge converted monastery. The monks have gone and the old Monastery rooms now provide good quality accommodation for anyone traveling in this beautiful region of Peru.
Loki mantra is YOU WONT WANT TO LEAVE! Loki is all about creating friendships, meeting people, great accommodation, service, making travel easier – all of which in my experience, it does no matter what age you are.
LOCATION
The hostel is located very close to the centre square of Cusco up a steep hill. It’s a difficult walk with the low O2 levels but the views are worth the effort.
FUN FUN FUN NIGHTS
The Loki hostel Cusco is a great fun hostel with lots happening all the time. The bar and the games are central to the culture and appeal of this hostel. The music is loud, the bar games are fun and it’s a very inclusive hostel encouraging everyone to get involved , mingle and meet new people. If you are a solo traveller, it’s perfect. You will meet new people and make friends quickly.
The only issue really is that it is difficult to sleep here after 12 midnight as the music is loud and people enjoying themselves are noisy! But if you are happy to have less sleep for more fun go to Loki.
RELATED: EVERY MISTAKE I MADE GOING TO MACHU PICCHU AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO AVOID IT
THE ROOMS
The private rooms here are spacious and clean as are the dorm rooms. Towels are provided and the showers are warm and plentiful. The monastery is full of character with walls several feet thick.
The staff in Loki are very very helpful ask them anything and they will do their best to help. The VERY best thing for me personally and a great touch by Loki is they provided hot water bottles for your beds as the rooms get cold at night!!! It was so comfortable jumping into a clean warm bed after a long week traveling. Water bottles are a great idea and others should do it – perhaps ear plugs should also be provided.
LOKI TRAVEL
The Loki travel agent is part of the hotel and will provide advice and get you tours quickly suited to your requirements. Loki helped us sort all our ongoing trips quickly and provided all the details we needed.
FOOD AND DRINKS
Loki provides reasonable food most of the day so you can get good snacks breakfast and coffee most of the day in the bar or coffee shop.
The prices are reasonable and the drinks in the bar are strong !!!! Happy hour is every other hour and two vodka tonics are only nine solis. That’s very reasonable I had two and was feeling pretty drunk. Make sure you eat before you drink too much which you are encouraged to do!!
But there are always better food outside and I have listed all the best restaurants in Cusco.
WIFI
Wifi speed is so important when you are travelling – it’s the only time you can connect and stay in touch. The wifi is not great in the rooms but in all the communal areas was fine – I think the walls of the monastery are just too thick. But sit outside in the gardens or in the bar WIFI is fine.
VALUE
Loki hostel is good value for money everything you need is provided apart from breakfast which most hostels do provide.
Would I stay here again?
Yes I would. It’s a good hostel. It’s noisy but it’s fun. The people and service are all great everyone is inclusive and out for a good time and encouraging you to join in. Stay in Loki if you want fun, clean comfortable rooms, good location, great views, helpful staff – you won’t get much sleep do be prepared. AMAZING FUN HOSTEL
EL BALCON HOTEL
After the sleepless nights in Loki and the adventure and early morning starts in Machu Picchu we needed a quiet hostel on returning to Cusco. I chose El Balcon which is an amazing quiet beautiful Oasis very close to the centre of Cusco. El Balcon was perfect from the moment they open the large entrance gates you find yourself in beautiful quiet gardens with birds singing instead of Madonna singing or Coldplay booming.
THE ROOM
I was quickly shown to my room on the ground floor ( thank god no more steps to climb) . The room was very spacious, clean, tidy very nice bathroom. Drinking water and fruit were also provided which is always welcome. The room and gardens are very peaceful and quiet – perfect for a good long night of sleep and recuperation. i slept very well and woke to the sunshine in the gardens, running water and the birds singing. i could also smell bacon and eggs which are included in the room rate.
THE BREAKFAST
breakfast is provided in the beautiful stone and glass building in the middle of the garden. Again a beautiful setting for breakfast which is made to order. The breakfast is excellent , great eggs, ham and home made bread. I could have sat here much longer and enjoyed the day. In fact i stayed in the gardens working until 1pm before leaving for the airport – a short 20 mins away by taxi.
VALUE
El Balcon was a perfect hostel for a quiet night with a great sleep after a long few days. its totally different from Loki but both are perfect in their own way. i loved it here it was perfect for me very homely, friendly and relaxing. Try it!!!!