World's Best The Best City Hotels in Central and South America in 2016 By Ellie Nan Storck Ellie Nan Storck Ellie Nan Storck has been a travel writer and editor at the world's leading travel publications since she cut her teeth in the industry in 2015 at Travel + Leisure. She is currently the lead travel editor for Dotdash Meredith's Performance Marketing team. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on July 6, 2016 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Courtesy of Casa Gangotena Central and South America are home to some of the world’s most lively and distinctive cities, from moody Buenos Aires to electric Rio de Janeiro. And the very best hotels in those places live up to their surroundings. The imposing 1920s Belmond Copacabana Palace over looks Rio’s iconic Copacabana beach and has hosted everyone from Fred Astaire to the Rolling Stones. Romantic Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aires has marble floors, elaborate chandeliers, and carved wood paneling befitting its name. Both are among the top hotels in the region, according to Travel + Leisure readers. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotels on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Properties were categorized as city or resort hotels based on their locations. Peru led the roster of the best city hotels in Central and South America this year, with five hotels in the top 10, four of them in the Andean capital of Cuzco. Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, fifth on the list, is a former monastery that dates back to the 16th century. Nearby Hotel Monasterio, also a Belmond property, wraps around a courtyard that is beautifully landscaped. “Very luxe, with a sense of place and history,” one T+L reader wrote, adding a tip: “Ask for the old/original section for more character.” In Buenos Aires, the Four Seasons gained top marks for its setting in a renovated Belle Époque mansion in posh Recoleta as well as its old-world ambience. First-time winner Casa Gangotena in Quito received rave reviews for its intimate feeling. The hotel has just 31 rooms in a 1926 Art Nouveau residence overlooking the 17th-century La Compania cathedral. The elegant décor is matched by attentive service, readers noted. As one put it, “It’s the only place I would ever want to stay in Quito.” 01 of 10 No. 10: Inkaterra La Casona, Cuzco, Peru Courtesy of Inkaterra Score: 90.67 02 of 10 No. 9: Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires, Argentina Courtesy of Four Seasons Score: 90.71 03 of 10 No. 8: Belmond Copacabana Palace, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Romulo Fialdini Score: 91.15 04 of 10 No. 7: Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru Courtesy of Belmond Score: 91.26 05 of 10 No. 6: JW Marriott El Convento Cuzco, Peru Courtesy of JW Marriott Score: 92.91 06 of 10 No. 5: Belmond Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco, Peru Courtesy of Belmond Score: 93.12 07 of 10 No. 4: Alvear Art Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina Courtesy of Alvear Art Hotel Score: 93.21 08 of 10 No. 3: Alvear Palace Hotel, Buenos Aires, Argentina Courtesy of Avlear Palace Hotel Score: 94.40 09 of 10 No. 2: Hotel B, Lima, Peru Courtesy of Hotel B Score: 94.46 10 of 10 No. 1: Casa Gangotena, Quito, Ecuador Courtesy of Casa Gangotena Score: 97.2 Guest rooms with high ceilings, damask wallpaper, and French doors opening onto a terrace make Casa Gangotena feel like a private home—and indeed it was. A mansion built in 1926 was turned into a luxury hotel with just 31 rooms, looking out on the Andean foothills. Plush interiors aren’t the only thing going for Casa Gangotena; the service is top-notch, and there is an excellent restaurant, Cedron, which hosts a daily afternoon high tea in its light-filled, glass-enclosed patio. Book a trip to Quito.