The Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay hotel is situated in the small town of Yucay just a few kilometres from the town of Urubamba in the Sacred Valley. The exterior of this hotel which used to be a monastery built in the 18th century whose inhabitants dedicated their lives to silence and prayer is plain. Don’t let this put you off though, because stepping inside, first, to the beautifully restored central patio in the monastery itself and then into the stunning gardens before reaching reception is like entering another world. Colourful gardens and traditional adobe buildings are scattered throughout the property with a breathtaking back-drop of the majestic Chi-Gong mountain.
The Posada del Inca has 87 spacious rooms which are set in four different blocks. Rooms in the old monastery section were restored to keep the original style and come complete with orginal cell doors and plaques which tell the story of the nuns that occupied each room. The rooms in the other three newer blocks are slightly bigger and more modern. The bathrooms are slightly small and sterile in feel which surprised us due to the character found throughout this hotel but the plus is they do all have a bathtub.
The reception and bar area is large and inviting, filled with comfy couches and Andean weavings for catching up on some reading or enjoying the complimentary aguaymanto sour. Staff is friendly, incredibly helpful and does everything they can to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
The on-site Inkafe restaurant serves a good buffet breakfast and lunch and an a la carte dinner and menu with spectacular views of the surrounding mountain and the monastery chapel. Local women from the community have a small market area outside the restaurant where you can buy typical Peruvian souvenirs including alpaca clothing and woven goods. There is also an Inka Treasure jewellery store and a general souvenir store on site.
The element we enjoyed most about this hotel was the peace and tranquility. During the day you have the hotel to yourself as most guests arrive late afternoon so it is the perfect place to rest and relax and surround yourself with the natural beauty of the Andes and the hotel gardens. The rooms are extremely comfortable and the price point is excellent value for a hotel of this calibre in the Sacred Valley. Definitely one of our top picks for places to stay in Urubamba.
Book the best rates at Sonesta Posadas del Inca Yucay here
Best of Peru Travel Recommends:
- Don’t make the mistake of arriving late at this hotel and leaving early the next morning. This is the kind of hotel which is best enjoyed over a minimum of two nights so you can soak up the peace and tranquility and leave refreshed and acclimatised to the altitude.
