Dinogo Readers' Top 10 City Hotels in Central and South America for 2024

In the rankings of premier hotels in the urban centers of Central and South America, Cusco, the former capital of the Inca Empire, is experiencing a well-earned spotlight. Nestled in the Peruvian Andes, it serves as a gateway to the Sacred Valley — and readers have voted three hotels from this region into this year’s top 10. Bogotá closely follows with two properties among the winners. T+L readers also awarded high marks to hotels in Panama City, Santiago, São Paulo, Lima, and Cartagena.

Voting Process Explained

In our annual World's Best Awards survey, T+L invites readers to share their insights on global travel experiences, expressing their opinions on the finest hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. This year, over 186,000 T+L readers participated in the survey, casting more than 700,000 votes for over 8,700 properties (including hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were categorized as resort hotels, city hotels, inns, or safari lodges based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically evaluated on the criteria outlined below:

Rooms and Facilities
Location
Service Quality
Culinary Experience
Value for Money

Respondents rated each characteristic as excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores represent the averages of these ratings.

Highlights from Readers

Leading the pack is Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, a stunning mansion in the heart of Cusco and a first-time contender in the World’s Best Awards, achieving an impressive score of 98.18. Peru performed notably well, with Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco (No. 2) and Inkaterra La Casona (No. 6) also making the list.

This year’s rankings also showcased exceptional hotels from other nations, including the remarkable Rosewood São Paulo (No. 5), which opened in 2022 in the former Matarazzo Maternity hospital. The Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá (No. 7) and W Bogota (No. 10) highlighted the allure of Colombia’s capital, while the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo (No. 3) in Panama City, launched in 2023, captured readers' hearts. One delighted guest remarked, “It’s a fantastic hotel where historic and modern elements blend beautifully.” Another praised, “The service, location, room quality, and dining experiences are all world-class.” Additionally, voters commended The Singular Santiago (No. 4) for its prime location, elegant design, and unparalleled service.

The Champion

Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco: Cusco, Peru

Image courtesy of Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco

Housed in a 500-year-old mansion, this culturally rich hotel leaves a lasting impression with its intricate tilework, unique artwork, and well-preserved antiques. Alongside its stunning aesthetics, T+L readers valued Palacio del Inka’s deep ties to local culture. One visitor highly recommended the on-site tour for an enriching history lesson and the complimentary cocktail experience at the Rumi Bar to master the art of crafting a Pisco sour. Guests also praised the authentic Peruvian cuisine at the Inti Raymi restaurant, including a breakfast buffet enhanced by live harp music. Another standout feature? The spa, offering a hydrotherapy circuit complete with a dry sauna, Turkish bath, chromotherapy showers, and a heated whirlpool, along with various treatments like massages and facials.