Image: Palacio Nazarenas in Cuzco, Peru

Luxury hotel group and travel operator Orient-Express Hotels has announced the opening of Palacio Nazarenas in Cuzco, Peru - the historic capital of the ancient Inca Empire.

Four years in development, the group has invested around US$14.1m (EUR11.1m, £9.1m) in creating its new 55-suite boutique hotel within a former 16th century convent.

Original walls dating back to the Incan period have been preserved beneath the glass floors of some of treatment rooms within Palacio Nazarenas' Hypnôze Spa.

The spa has a total of five single treatment rooms and one double room with private hot tub, along with a relaxation room. Facilities also include an outdoor infinity pool.

Hypnôze Spa has created its own brand of organic products for use in its treatments, which use locally-sourced ingredients such as flowers and herbs; pink Andean salt; and avocado.

Elsewhere at Palacio Nazarenas, the library acts as a museum for Incan artefacts discovered during the four-year development and Senzo Restaurant is overseen by chef Virgilio Martinez.

Laurent Carrasset, managing director for Orient-Express Peru, said: "The rebirth of Palacio Nazarenas is a complex project, but one that is Orient-Express through and through.

"Ever since the company embarked on the revival of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train in 1978, breathing new life into historic icons has become one of its hallmarks."

Details: www.palacionazarenas.com