Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the renovation of the Hotel Monasterio was the oxygen-enrichment of a number of our rooms.

As you know, Cuzco is situated at a height of 3,400 metres (11 000 ft). The problem is that guests usually fly into Cuzco from Lima (sea level). The rapid ascent from Lima to Cuzco which only takes one hour by air means that there is no time for acclimatization and consequently the guests are at risk of altitude sickness.

Medical and Physiological Aspects of High Altitude

In Cuzco, the atmospheric pressure is app 680 millibars (sea level atmospheric pressure is 1000 millibars) – this translates to a 30% fall in available oxygen. The effect of this decrease in inspired oxygen (hypoxia) leads to the symptoms of acute altitude sickness. These symptoms include headache, nausea, insomnia, loss of appetite, irritability and breathlessness. In isolated cases, these symptoms worsen and progress to the more serious complications of high altitude pulmonary oedema or to high altitude cerebral oedema.

While the 2 more serious aspects of high altitude sickness are unlikely to occur in a setting such as the Hotel Monasterio, altitude sickness itself is extremely common and at this altitude, affects at least 50% of guests. One of the most debilitating aspects of altititude  sickness is poor sleep. There is now conclusive evidence that poor sleep leads to irritability during the day. If the oxygenation can be improved at night during sleep, then oxygenation of the body during the day is also improved and hence the ability of the guests to enjoy their stay in Cuzco. In short:- Improved sleep by improved oxygenation will result in better daytime performance and health.

The Hotel Monasterio will counteract the problem of high altitude by using oxygen concentrators to enrich the atmosphere in the rooms. Oxygen will be piped into the rooms 24 hours a day, oxygenating the rooms down to an atmospheric pressure of app 2,400 metres which is low enough to prevent ill effects from altitude sickness. It has been shown that each additional 1% oxygen concentration inspired equates to a 300 metre descent. Thus by raising the inspired oxygen level from 21% to 24%, there is an effective decrease in altitude of 900 metres ie; taking the room down to 2,400 metres.

After sleeping in an oxygen-enriched room, the increased level of oxygen in the body declines gradually over a 14-15 period the following day.

Please note that there is a US$40 per night surcharge on the room rate for this amenity.

The Hotel Monasterio is currently the only hotel in the world
with oxygen-enriched rooms!