My familiarity with the Belmond brand (formerly known as Orient Express) was short-lived as the research started for our first ever South American adventures.
With hundreds of stunning hotels in South America, why Belmond? Well, you’ve probably read on my blog before that a prime location is everything to me and well let me say the positioning of Belmond Hotels in Peru and Brazil are second to none. They not just boast but deliver access to some of the world’s wonders right on their doorstep! Yes quite literally, this was our journey in South America where we discovered Belmond and now we’re loyal followers. It’s therefore only fair that I dedicate a post or maybe even two, on the Belmond experience!
If you’ve read my other South America posts, yo will already know that we visited a number of city’s and the majority of our stays were at Belmond, but namely, Belmond Miraflores Park (Lima), Belmond Hotel Monasterio (Cusco), Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (Machu Picchu), Belmond das Cataratas (Iguassu Falls), Belmond Copacabana Palace (Rio de Janeiro).
We also travelled in style to Machu Picchu aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham train but I have covered this, the Belmond Sanctuary lodge and Machu Picchu in Visiting the great Incan citadel, Machu Picchu in Belmond style.
BELMOND MIRAFLORES PARK, LIMA
You could be mistaken that you’re in a trendy suburb in Europe, but the long flight from the UK will definitely remind you you’re in Peru! Miraflores is a very trendy fashionable area of Lima and the Belmond Miraflores Park has a prime location beside the clifftop parks, towering over the Pacific Ocean. The hotel is a contemporary, modern glass building with impeccable service, plenty of dining options (Peruvian and Japanese recommended) and the ideal base to explore the colonial architecture and museums Lima has to offer. Additionally it is well placed to experience the outstanding high-end foodie scene Lima has become well known for on the continent.
It was my birthday on the day we got to Lima so we were upgraded to a Junior Suite room which gave us exclusive access to Executive lounge from 06:00-22:30 and all the benefits of private drinks and breakfast we could ever need! I also cannot rave enough about the views from our suite and those you get from the rooftop pool as well as an alfresco breakfast overlooking the Pacific!
Belmond Miraflores Park
 Av. Malecón de la Reserva
1035 Miraflores
Lima 18, Perú
 Tel:+51 1 610 4000
Bookings can be made via the Belmond Miraflores Park Hotel website
BELMOND HOTEL MONASTERIO, CUSCO
By far my most favourite Belmond hotel, I can only use the work exquisite to describe this almost hidden gem in the centre of the most enchanting city I have ever visited to date, Cusco! Together these two make a relationship like no other!
This is one of the most unique hotels in Cusco, dating back to 1592, formerly a monastery and has a private baroque style-chapel beside it for exclusive use of the hotel. Be sure to learn of it’s rich historical past.
Due to its monastery architecture, it’s well hidden behind a grand Spanish designed entrance which opens up into a cloistered courtyard with beautifully manicured gardens and the most decadently decorated rooms, a restaurant and lounges leading off it.
Photo Courtesy: www.belmond.com/hotel-monasterio-cusco
The hotel is situated moments from the main square but also provides that peaceful haven from the crowded city and can provide you with all the amenities of a modern luxury retreat including a spa known as a therapy suite, a Bath Butler service to round off an adventurous day with some relaxing bubbles, an exceptional fine dining restaurant with live background music overlooking the courtyard and many rooms like our own, had the facility of oxygen being pumped into it sporadically to help with the altitude. Â Oxygen canisters can also be provided for severe cases of altitude sickness, which I unfortunately suffered from for a few days!
The hotel also houses its own art collection for art lovers to scope out and also hosts operas, and all important cookery classes to learn the Peruvian cooking techniques.
Our stay at the hotel was split between a deluxe room option and the presidential suite, which was absolutely out of this world!
Belmond Hotel Monasterio
 Calle Plazoleta Nazarenas 337
Cusco, Perú
Tel:+51 84 60 4000
Bookings can be made directly via the Belmond Hotel Monasterio website
BELMOND DAS CATARATAS , IGUAZU FALLS
When I was talking about location, this is one of those hotels that has an unrivalled location within the grounds of Iguassu National Park and directly opposite the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls. When the park is closed to the public, guests of the Belmond das Cataratas are free to explore the falls at their leisure in the evenings and at dawn. This truly is one of the most spectacular settings in Brazil and maybe even the world. The front facing guest rooms have a fantastic view of the falls and are decorate din that colonial style with the theme running through the entire hotel
The Portuguese pink colonial styled building, built over 50 years ago, sits amongst stunning lawned gardens with a family size pool around the back. You can climb the clock tower to get unobstructed views of the falls should you wish.
Photo Courtesy: Belmond Hotels
The impeccable Belmond hospitality and service are paramount throughout this hotel. There are family friendly dining options from fine dining, to a grill to buffets. My personal favourite was to sit on the veranda in the evenings beside the piano bar and sip on caipirinhas or dine out on one of the many award winning dishes form the restaurant al fresco, whilst listening to the gushing of 275 separate falls in the background.
Upon check-in a tropical fruit bowl awaits you in your room and my personal faves, everyone is gifted a pair of Havaianas. Just as well really as you’ll need then if you’re planning any Falls related activities!
Belmond das Cataratas
Rodovia Br 469, Km 32Â
 Iguassu National Park
Foz do Iguassu 85855-750Â
  Brazil
Tel:Â +55 45 2102-7000
Bookings can be made directly via the Belmond das Cataratas website
THE BELMOND COPACABANA PALACE, RIO DE JANEIRO
This place is quite literally where everyone who’s someone hangs out! Oh yes, this is the hotel of the rich and famous and when you see it, and experience it, you will soon see why!
 
The Belmond Copacabana Palace is one of the oldest buildings on Copacabana beach strip and is Rio’s most iconic hotel, exuding luxe and refinery through it’s white neo-classical façade. The hotel opened in 1923, and has seen guests such as Marilyn Monroe, Prince Charles, Penelope Cruz, presidents and prime ministers. Infact, you can see who’s stayed here by checking out the gallery on the Mezzanine floor of the hotel.
Breakfast is served in an orangerie styled white setting beside a terrace with a fine view of the hotels iconic pool. There are a number of dining options from in-room dining, Pan-Asian cuisine and not forgetting the Cipriani Restaurant, serving Italian fine dining fare. Trendsetters should make their way to the piano bar to watch how the Brazilian other half actually live! Excellent for people watching.
Great tip: when booking a stay of 3 nights or more, do as we did and suggest an upgrade. We were offered a room with an excellent view of Copacabana beach. Remember to pack your bright white Havaianas when you leave as they’re complimentary!
Belmond Copacabana Palace
Avenida Atlântica 1702Â
 Rio de JaneiroÂ
 CEP 22021 001 Â
BrazilÂ
 Tel: +55 21 2548 7070
Bookings can be made directly via the Belmond Copacabana Palace’s website
Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post but we were upgraded to a Junior Suite at The Belmond Miraflores and a Presidential Suite at The Belmond Monasterio Hotel.
Do let me know if you’ve stayed at one of the Belmond Hotels in South America or anywhere else in the world. what did you think of the locations and amenities?
À Bientôt…
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