One of our most pleasurable duties is reassessing longtime hotel and resort recommendations to ensure that their standards remain high. While in Peru, we took the opportunity to pay incognito visits to three previously recommended hotels that were overdue for a check-in. It was reassuring to discover that all three still merit an Andrew Harper recommendation.

In the Sacred Valley, we tested the Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, which has a contemporary décor and highly attentive service. This video illustrates how its style differs from Sol y Luna, a nearby resort with a more colorful décor. Both have their merits (to decide which one is the better choice for you, read our full review of the properties).

And in Cusco, it was a delight to return to Inkaterra La Casona, a hideaway in a former colonial mansion facing an unspoiled plaza. It too offers a commendable level of service, and as you can see here, great character and historic atmosphere.