It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Vice President, Denise Guislain.

Denise was the heart and soul of Inkaterra. She always shared an unremitting passion for design, and her meticulous attention to each detail is revealed in every aspect of our hotels. Her presence and authenticity will always be found in the décor, the scents, the colors, and the gardens of each of our properties.

Thanks to Denise’s unique character, her intuition and warmth, Inkaterra has become one of the most beloved and innovative hotel brands.

May her legacy inspire us to continue with the same passion and commitment, keeping alive her spirit of excellence and dedication in every corner of Inkaterra.

Denise’s artistry was celebrated with the dedication of the beautiful Maxillaria deniseae, an orchid species native to Machu Picchu, described as new to science in 2009.

Reported by the Inkaterra Asociación research team in 2004, the Maxillaria deniseae was found at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, nestled in the Andean cloud forest. Described by Eric Christenson and Benjamín Collantes, and published in the 2009 edition of Phytotaxa scientific journal (Mexico), the Maxillaria Deniseae is distinctive for being a “Small plant, with pseudobulb, epiphytic.” Its basal inflorescence produces one small white flower, which blooms around one week during March or April.

Click the button below to learn more about the Maxillaria deniseae.

Physician and naturalist José María Fernández Díaz-Formentí produced a heartfelt tribute to Denise Guislain, with astonishing footage from the imposing backdrops where Inkaterra properties are located.

Denise envisioned each Inkaterra property with a personality of its own, with a distinctive aroma, always drawing inspiration from local cultures and native materials, and finding harmony with the natural surroundings. The traveler undertakes an enriching pilgrimage to arrive at Inkaterra, where the lodges envisioned by Denise bring a sense of clear-mindedness and relaxing solitude. Guests find themselves with a sense of being at home in the midst of some of the wildest and unreachable sceneries across Peru – from the evergreen Amazon Rainforest to the majestic heights of Machu Picchu.

Click the button below to see the video “Denise Guislain: In memoriam”

Denise’s vision was acknowledged with some of the most prestigious awards in the travel industry. In January 2011, UK magazine Condé Nast Traveller highlighted Inkaterra La Casona with a blue ‘Editor’s Pick’ seal in its influential Gold List, in the ‘Ambience and Design’ category. While Travel + Leisure’s 2018 World’s Best Awards named Inkaterra La Casona the Best City Hotel in Central and South America, and the 4th Best Hotel in the World.

The first boutique hotel in Cusco and first Relais & Châteaux property in Peru, Inkaterra La Casona had Spanish Conquistador Diego de Almagro and ‘Libertador’ Simón Bolívar among its illustrious guests. The 16th-century manor house was harmoniously restored by Denise Guislain over the course of five years, reflecting the encounter of cultures and traditions across centuries. Surrounding the main patio, its eleven suites are provided with chimneys, heated floors and extra-large bathtubs. Its halls are decorated with colonial furniture, Pre-Columbian textiles and original murals – meticulously displayed by Denise.