Simply put, this is one of the finest hotels we have ever stayed at, not simply for the excellent service or extremely comfortable rooms but for the overall experience. Don’t just take our word for it though, Inkaterra have won numerous accolades including most recently inclusion in Conde Nast Traveler’s ‘Top 10 Hotels in Central & South America 2014’ and Travel & leisure ‘Top Resorts in Central & South America 2014.’

Inkaterra are ecotourism pioneers having introduced the concept of sustainable tourism to Peru back in the 70’s. Their four Inkaterra properties around Peru are as sustainable as possible given their locations, but here at the foot of Machu Picchu, sustainable tourism takes on a whole new meaning.

Inkaterra have tried and succeeded in introducing their guests to the principles of sustainable tourism in a gentle way. All buildings are created to blend in with the nature that surrounds the 12 acres of gardens, guests are encouraged and educated on the different initiatives in place and all activities are designed to leave each guest with a precious memory of nature and their time here in Machu Picchu.

A dedicated sustainable tourism department on-site offers an incredibly diverse range of tours and activities that include early morning birdwatching, visits to the Inkaterra organic tea tree plantation were you pick, process and finish up by tasting a fresh cup of tea from the property and a fun twilight walk where you learn all about the culture and magic of this area. Our guide was both knowledgeable and funny regaling us with funny stories about Peruvian culture. Be warned however that a one night stay won’t allow you to fully enjoy and explore this hotel, you will wish you had more time…

The rooms, in keeping with the natural surroundings are rustic (You won’t find flat screen TV’s or iPod docks here) but very comfortable. Modern bathrooms and power showers ease aching limbs after a day of hiking around Machu Picchu. King size beds with fabulous sheets, downy pillows and the soothing sounds of the forest guarantee a great night’s sleep and with an open fire and deep armchairs it’s hard to find the energy to drag yourself away from your room. The daily tea time tradition however, might serve as an incentive for some with freshly baked goodies including tasty brownies and cookies as well as Inkaterra’s own home grown teas available to tide you over until dinner time.

Part of the charm of Inkaterra is that it feels like family.  Most of the staff lives on site and it’s clear that they love working here and are passionate about what they do. It can be difficult for an 85 room hotel to create that sense of intimacy and atmosphere but not here. Guests are genuinely welcomed and it’s hard not to be carried along by the staff’s passion and enthusiasm.

The main hacienda style house offers many nooks and lounge areas where you can relax with large roaring fires, book cases and candlelight in an intimate, restful atmosphere. A small gift shop offers high quality souvenirs and the Unu spa has a range of Andean inspired treatments including a fabulous hot stone massage, one of the best I’ve ever had.

Book Great rates at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo hotel Here!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Try and stay at least two nights here so you can really experience and soak up the atmosphere at this luxury boutique hotel.

• Book your spa treatments as soon as you arrive if not a few days before as they book up fast.

Click here to see more hotels in Machu Picchu

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Friendly staff meet you at the train station and walk the ten minutes to the hotel where you are greeted with a refreshing iced tea to quench your thirst after the surprising rise in temperature from Cusco just three hours previously. Sumaq is currently being re-modelled and we loved the modern, warm and luxurious feel of the lobby and reception area which is decorated with colourful cushions and rugs and gold masks and objects reflecting the age of the Incas.

Owned by the  Clavijo Begazo family, all the rooms in the hotel will be remodelled over the next year in a similar modern style but for now the rooms are decorated in a more traditional style using Incan motifs including the Incan sun or ‘chakana’  in rugs, cushions, bedheads and wardrobes. Rooms are also decorated with ceramic pieces symbolizing the Incan God Wiracocha or a typical Andean wedding or ‘Araq Maqsin’.

There are 60 rooms including 40 deluxe, 17 junior suites and three sumaq suites which come complete with their own Jacuzzi and fireplace. The rooms at the front of the hotel have balconies and stunning views of the surrounding mountains while the rooms at the back of the hotel tend to be quieter.  Rooms are spacious, cozy and homely and I enjoyed resting in the comfy chair while gazing out at Machu Picchu mountain after a hard day’s hike around the citadel. All bathrooms have a bath with an excellent shower.

Staff are very friendly and helpful and rates include an a-la-carte meal at the Qunuq restaurant, a complimentary pisco sour, tea-time and a 45 minute cooking class where you can learn to make a ceviche and your own pisco sour when you get back home.

Sumaq will organize tours to Machu Picchu and other local attractions and they have a great time-saving service where they organize for the bus to Machu Picchu to pick you up from the hotel so you don’t have to walk into town and queue like other mere mortals!

Sumaq overall is definitely a good choice for a luxury stay in Machu Picchu town particularly after hiking the Inca trail. Rated by the Ministry of Tourism as the only five star hotel in Machu Picchu town, this is definitely a luxury hotel but don’t expect to find all the frills of a five star in say a big city like Lima or New York. This is five star luxury in a tiny town in the Peruvian cloudforest where every single item – bedding, food and even materials used in the construction itself had to come by train from Cusco over three hours away.

On a final note, we also liked that they are environmentally conscious. Sumaq is certified by both Rainforest Alliance and Eco-Luxury and have a range of environmental policies in place like sensor driven lights throughout the building and controlled water use. Definitely important in a World Heritage site like Machu Picchu.

Book Great Rates at Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel Here!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you are celebrating an anniversary or honeymoon Sumaq offers a great, free service where they will prepare your room with candles and rose petals for a romantic evening. Request this service when you book. 

• All the buses to Machu Picchu pass just outside the hotel so if you want a lie-in ask for a room at the back of the hotel or on the second or ideally third floors where the noise from passing buses tends to be less. The view isn’t as good but it’s definitely quieter.

• Keep an eye on their website as they regularly have special offers and promotions on room rates.

Click here to see more things to do in Machu Picchu

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Without a doubt, the main plus to a stay at this Belmond property is the fabulous location. Just walk out the front door and you are within 100 metres of Machu Picchu itself. This is a definite bonus if you want to be first into the site when it opens at 6am and last out when it closes at 6pm. It also means you can head into Machu Picchu for sunrise then stroll back to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast or lunch and then return to the citadel when it gets less busy in the late afternoon.

The hotel itself has just 31 rooms which definitely lends a certain intimacy to a stay here. One of the outstanding features of this hotel is the Belmond guest service with no request too big or too small for the team of friendly staff.

Unlike what you may have assumed, none of the rooms have a view of Machu Picchu itself but they do look out over the stunning mountains or the tropical hotel gardens. The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge does however have a lovely hot pool where you can have a relaxing soak with one of the most famous views in the world (you can see Machu Picchu from here) surrounded by hummingbirds and orchids. Call down to reception for a glass of bubbly while you soak…

Rooms are comfortable and have recently been remodelled giving a more modern feel to the décor and comfort level. Rooms have all the amenities you would expect from the Belmond chain but are quite small and for us they lacked somewhat in personality. Rooms with full-board at the Sanctuary Lodge start from a steep US$850 so you are definitely paying a high premium for being at the entrance to Machu Picchu.

As you would expect from Belmond, the service here is second to none. They have a day room where you can wait for your train before you leave, a meditation temple and some nice extra services like marriage vow renewal ceremonies with a local shaman at a stunning mountain location or the one-of-a-kind romantic sunrise breakfast with the incredible view of Machu Picchu in the background (great for proposals, honeymooners and those looking for romance..!).

For us, the price didn’t quite reflect the quality in what is a decent hotel with great service but average rooms for the price charged. At the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge you are ultimately paying for the location which is second to none, so it’s a great option if you want to maximize your time at Machu Picchu in comfortable surroundings where money is no object.

Book The Best Rates At Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Here!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• We loved the free service of an early morning wake-up call on clear days so that you can see the sunrise over Machu Picchu, otherwise you can stay tucked up in bed until the breakfast buffet tempts you from your slumber…

• Don’t miss the  experience of an outdoor massage in their temple with the soothing sound of running water, bird song and without a doubt what is possibly the best view in the world from your massage table of the stunning Andes mountains!

• If you are arriving independently, make sure your train arrives in Aguas Calientes by 3pm as the last bus up to the Sanctuary Lodge leaves at 3pm. If you arrive after this time you will have to hire a private bus for a hefty fee of over $400!

For more great places to stay in Machu Picchu click here

Download our free ‘Ultimate Travel Guide to Machu Picchu’ to plan your dream adventure…

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El MaPi is part of the more affordable arm of the Inkaterra hotel group ‘ByInkaterra’ that also owns the fabulous Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel on the edge of town. Located slap bang on the middle of the main street in Aguas Calientes, this über modern hotel boasts one of the best bars in town as well as a good restaurant (also open to the public) that serves breakfast from 4am, a decent buffet lunch, an a la carte dinner menu as well as a very filling box lunch for those who want to picnic up at Machu Picchu itself.

Recent re-furbishment means that all rooms are now superior deluxe rooms with a modern, minimalist feel and soothing white, beige and turquoise colours and distressed wood furniture. They also have seven junior suites if you’re looking for a little more space with a seating area and coffee machines.  All rooms have excellent bed linen and high quality mattresses and come complete with inspirational quotes stuck on the wall and all the services you would expect in this price range such as free wi-fi, hair-dryers and in-room phones.

The same Inkaterra sustainability ethos is found throughout this hotel with ecological messages such as ‘reduce your carbon footprint’  strewn around the hotel to educate guests on how to contribute to making the hotel as ‘green’ as possible. Be warned, El MaPi is one of the most popular hotels in Machu Picchu favouring a lively, hip crowd so do make sure you book well in advance.

Book Great rates at El Mapi By Inkaterra Here!

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Casa del Sol doesn’t feel like a large, impersonal hotel. Friendly staff and just 28 large, spacious bedrooms decorated in natural materials like wood and stone with colourful local motifs lend a feeling of calm and relaxation to your stay. Rooms have flat screen tv’s, fabulous beds and bedding, excellent bathrooms with fabulous power showers and all the extras you would expect from a hotel of this standing.

Rates include a good buffet breakfast and a very satisfactory three course dinner in their Manka restaurant next to reception where you can try dishes made from traditional local recipes and ingredients.  The Kintu spa down in the basement does excellent massages and also has a steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi available for guests.

Honeymooners and romance seekers take note, there is nothing quite as romantic as having a candle-lit jacuzzi in one of their glass-paned suites. Ask reception to fill the Jacuzzi for you and then sit back and star gaze while you listen to the Urubamba River rushing below you.

Definitely a good choice if you are looking for a more personalized, boutique style stay in Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes).

Click here to book the best rates at Casa Del Sol!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Ask for a room facing the river not the street for a view of the Urubamba river.
• Casa Del Sol can also help organize tours to Machu Picchu and other attractions in the area.

Click here to see more hotels in Machu Picchu

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Worry not however, as your faith can be quickly restored by a stay at the Rupa Wasi eco-lodge, a small guest house with just six rooms, tucked away in a plant-filled oasis up one of the back streets in Machu Picchu town. Set up by eco-tourism advocates Francisco and Oscar, this little gem is in our opinion one of the best examples of sustainable tourism in the Sacred Valley and one of the best places to stay on a mid-range budget in Aguas Calientes.

The buildings are all made out of reclaimed wood and any plastics that guests leave behind are collected and made into bricks for the next building project. Cleaning products are all natural. Bathrooms and bedrooms are cleaned with a vinegar and lemon mix and filtered water is available to guests in reception to reduce the amount of plastic used. The owners vision is to create a place of peace and tranquillity. Don’t expect any tv’s here although they do have a fairly good wifi connection.

Book great rates at Rupa Wasi here

Rooms are stunningly simple and minimalist.  All wooden floors and walls with crisp white linen provide a restful night’s sleep while balconies in some of the rooms provide incredible views of the surrounding mountains and a great space to sit and relax. This is not a luxurious hotel so don’t expect fancy amenities or five star service but if you are looking for a more than decent place to stay (which trust us, is not always easy to find in Aguas Calientes) Rupa Wasi’s comfortable simplicity and friendly, helpful staff is definitely a good place to start.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• They have recently added the ‘honeymoon suite’ a beautiful minimalist, all-wood structure with stunning views of Machu Picchu Mountain and a great bath! Ask for this room if you want privacy, romance and  something a bit different!

• Room 5 is another of our favourite rooms and has along with the honeymoon suite the best view of the surrounding mountains but it doesn’t have a balcony. If you want a cheaper option the standard rooms are great but are a bit dark and don’t have a view. Rooms 3 and 4 both have a balcony and a view are slightly cheaper.

• Do book well in advance as these rooms fill up fast.

• Book a table at the adjacent Treehouse restaurant for a culinary treat. See our Treehouse restaurant review here.

Click here to see more hotels in Machu Picchu

Information on how to get to Machu Picchu

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Located just off the main square, the hotel is within a five minute walk of the train station, the bus stop to Machu Picchu and all the best restaurants in town. The hotel itself is a warren of thirty rooms spread out over various levels and floors. Rooms are spacious with the newer, brighter, more modern rooms located on the upper floors (you will need to climb several stairs to get to them but the view and quiet is well worth it!).

The hotel is now run by Margarita and her son Lawrence who are usually on hand to help make your stay as pleasant as possible. This is a small, family run business and is less formal than some of the bigger hotels in town, so it has the benefit of offering a very personalized service. Whatever you need they will try and organize for you. It’s also a great choice for families with inter-connected family rooms available, a comfy lounge area with games and cable TV and a small pool  on offer.

Some of the older rooms are quite dated in terms of decor so do ask for one of the newer rooms on the upper floors (rooms 40, 44, 46 48 and 50 were our favourites with a bright, modern feel and great views of Machu Picchu mountain). Bathrooms are also slightly dated and showers a little temperamental, but they do have a plan to remodel all the bathrooms in 2016 and this will be a big bonus to the hotel.

Book the best rates at Gringo Bill’s here!

Overall a great location and hotel option in the $100 price range if you’re looking for a comfortable, laid-back personalised Machu Picchu experience. Gringo Bill’s is also very family-friendly and one of our top accommodation choices for families travelling to Machu Picchu.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• If you are on honeymoon, let them know and they can set up wine and flowers in your room.

• If it’s a nice day ask to have breakfast on the roof top terrace for stunning views of Machu Picchu and Putucusi mountains.

See more Machu Picchu hotels here

Information on how to get to Machu Picchu

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