An outdoor lounge area with modern seating, potted plants, and shaded canopy in a spacious courtyard.

CIRQA - Relais & Châteaux

In the heart of Arequipa, the 'White City' of Peru, lies the CIRQA - Relais & Châteaux in a carefully restored monastery from 1540, the same year Arequipa was founded. The property once belonged to the scribe Alonso de Luque, who later bequeathed it to the Augustinian monks for the construction of a church, cloisters, and gardens. Its name CIRQA, derived from the Latin 'circa', symbolizes a time without exact boundaries - a place that lives on through the centuries instead of being tied to a single date. The architecture of volcanic Sillar stone and the colonial elegance harmoniously blend with modern comfort in the only 11 luxurious rooms and suites. Thanks to the castle-like style, medieval feelings arise here that transport you into another world in combination with Latin American flair.

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Details

  • Country

    Peru

  • City

    Arequipa

  • Price

    from 195 € per night/person

  • Best travel time

    May - October

Rooms

The rooms at CIRQA - Relais & Châteaux are divided into three categories, each with a king-size or two single bed, and exude a cozy charm despite their minimalist design. The elegant and stylish interior is done in light tones such as cream, white, and gray, complemented by discreetly applied black and brown details. Characteristic of the rooms are their natural Sillar stone walls, which bring a certain rusticity. The sleeping and living areas flow seamlessly into each other, creating a more spacious feel and bringing a touch of modernity to the room characterized by vintage design. Floor-to-ceiling windows - set into a column facade - provide a special eye-catcher, while a freestanding bathtub bordered by the living area promises sensual moments in a fairy-tale setting.

Cozy bedroom with stone walls, a vintage metal bed with beige bedding, bedside lamps, a wooden bench at the foot of the bed, and a small round table with a lamp and book.
View through an open door into a bedroom with a large bed adorned with white pillows, a black side table with flowers, and a chandelier hanging from a brick-arched ceiling in a rustic, stone-walled room.
A modern bathroom and sitting area with a white freestanding bathtub, white cushioned chairs, a small round wooden table, and a floor lamp against a textured wall.
Rustic bedroom with a double bed, decorative pillows, wooden bench at the foot of the bed, and a painted ceiling in warm tones. The room features textured walls, a window with curtains, and dark wooden flooring.

Culinary

Culinarily, you embark on a journey into the traditions of the region around Arequipa. Responsible for the contemporary interpretation of traditional Picantería cuisine is head chef María Fe García Uranga, trained at Cordon Bleu and also working for the sister hotel Titilaka. Let yourself be seduced by local ingredients such as the Rocoto chili, whose characteristic veins are called 'sirca' in Andean Spanish - a play on words that resonates phonetically in the name CIRQA. The salon and terrace invite you afterward for a dessert or drink. The jewel of the hotel is the rooftop bar El Techo de CIRQA, where a 360-degree view provides breathtaking sights of the city, the volcanoes, and the mountains of southern Peru.

A person arranging table settings in an outdoor courtyard with stone arches and shaded fabric overhead during daytime.
A dining table set with a dish topped with melted cheese, a bowl of creamy soup, and several small bowls of grated cheese, with a hand reaching for one of the bowls.
Elegant dining room with dim lighting, featuring chandeliers, sofas, and a fireplace.
A warmly lit outdoor dining area with a wooden table and chairs under a tent canopy, featuring two woven pendant lamps hanging above a bar-height table with stools and various drinkware and cake on it.

Activities

A spa therapy room and a terrace with a heated plunge pool allow you a refreshing and pampering break at CIRQA - Relais & Châteaux. Those who want to explore the surroundings comfortably can be taken by the hotel's private transfers to places like Colca Canyon or Lake Titicaca. Insights into the culture and real Peruvian life are provided by a personal guide. The hotel also offers various options for activities - interesting impressions of the 'richest country in the world' are guaranteed. For: 'It is not the one who possesses the most who is richest, but the one who has the most unforgettable experiences.'

A serene courtyard with a round pool basin, stone walls, and a black wooden door, featuring a potted tall plant and sunlight casting shadows.
A panoramic aerial view of a city with a prominent cathedral in the center, surrounded by buildings and trees, with a large mountain in the background under a clear blue sky.
Historic cathedral with a tall spire next to palm trees, situated in front of a snow-capped mountain under a clear blue sky.
Narrow stone-paved street lined with light-colored stone buildings adorned with small flower pots on the walls and antique-style street lamps, under a clear sky.

Location

The city of Arequipa, located in southern Peru - also known as 'Ciudad Blanca' ('White City') - is famous for its mountainous landscape and the nearby volcano 'El Misti'. This represents the city's landmark with its conical appearance. In the area, you encounter both nature and urban happenings. The Chilina Valley is just one of the many impressive natural areas to explore. Arequipa has a lot to offer in terms of art, history, and culture. Numerous colonial buildings, monasteries, and historical museums are available for visiting. The Yanahuara district attracts with beautiful squares and churches that should be included in any sightseeing program.

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Contact person

A man standing on a forest path surrounded by dense green foliage wearing outdoor clothing and binoculars around his neck.
Nils Lindhorst

Senior Travel Designer

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