Located in the heart of the Sacred Valley just outside the small village of Huayoccari, this hotel is a little piece of paradise nestled in the mountain side. Attention to detail, creativity and exquisite taste combine to create a unique, modern and elegant country-house style hotel that highlights the local Andean culture.

Owner Denise Guislain’s impeccable tastes are found throughout the hotel with comfortable lounge areas and nooks to while away a few hours. Re-purposed, centuries-old colonial door and window frames take on a new role as tables and furniture and ancient woven wall hangings from the owners’ private collection lend a historic feel to what is a new building.

There are 12 rooms in the main house set around a central patio in the traditional colonial style and 20 private ‘casitas’ or bungalows dotted around the property. Bungalows are spacious and have a rustic feel with eucalyptus furniture and wood-burning stoves as well as a sofa area where you can relax and gaze out over the surrounding mountains. Rooms are sumptuous with superb bathrooms complete with Spanish showers, an abundance of fluffy towels, heated towel racks and Inkaterra organic amenities. All have under floor heating which makes your stay nice and cozy particularly in the colder months, large comfortable beds and fantastic bed linen as well as a free mini-bar.

Inkaterra take their environmental credentials seriously and Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is no exception. Lights are dimmed at night, all waste is recycled and grey water is used to irrigate the hotels’ organic farm, so you can enjoy your luxury stay with a clean conscience!

The two things we loved most about our visit were the tranquillity and the absolutely spectacular panoramic vista of the Andean mountains wherever you look. Sip on a great pisco sour in the lounge which has floor to ceiling windows as evening falls for an unforgettable memory of your trip to Peru!

Book great rates at Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba

This is a new hotel so the garden is not fully landscaped and will take a few years to flourish and mature like the lush gardens at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo. This is however, just a matter of time as nature is already present with an abundance of birds including the giant hummingbird. Some of the additional services like the spa and a wider variety of excursions will be in place later in 2016.

Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is a majestic luxury hotel in a rustic setting and is a wonderful place for anyone looking for a country retreat where they can rest and relax in style!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Don’t miss the chance for some magical Andean star-gazing. Lounge on colourful woven blankets which are laid out on the front lawn as soon as night falls and watch the stars come out.

• We were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the restaurant. We loved the Amazonian paiche fish fillet served with a black mint sauce and the lomo saltado was also very tasty.

• Just Enjoy !

See more of our favourite places to stay in the Sacred Valley

How to get to the Sacred Valley

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French couple Petit and Franz set up the Sol y Luna Lodge as a means to generate income to fund their work with local underprivileged children through their Sol y Luna non-profit association. The feeling you get in this hotel is unique to the Valley, Petit and Franz’ personalities are felt throughout the hotel with friendly, local staff and excellent service making you feel like part of the extended family.

We recently returned to review Hotel Sol y Luna and were blown away by the level of service, attention to detail and new infrastructure that clearly positions Sol y Luna as one of the leading hotels in Peru and a firm Best of Peru Travel favourite.

The hotel boasts 43 ‘casitas’ or private villas. 28 superior casitas contain a bathroom complete with bath, sleeping area and terrace with stunning mountain views. They also have five superior family casitas which are ideal for families and have two twin beds on a mezzanine level and a king-size bed on the ground floor.

The ten deluxe casitas are a more luxurious option. They contain spacious rooms with a lounge area, desk area, private terrace and stunning marble bathrooms with double vanity and L’Occitane amenities. On this trip we stayed in one of their five premium casitas. These luxury villas come with a private terrace and outdoor Jacuzzi, lounge, bedroom, beautiful marble bathroom and fireplaces. All of the casitas are decorated with hand-painted murals and colourful Peruvian folk art giving rooms a unique, colourful feel.

The casitas are spread out over the 25 acres of the property amongst delightful, colourful gardens providing seclusion and great opportunities for spotting hummingbirds, just one of the 35 species of birds found in the gardens.

The colourful gardens are an extension of the colourful art by Lima artist Federico Bauer found throughout the hotel. His work is scattered throughout the hotel and includes the fun collection of ‘Los Gordos de Ayacucho’ or the Fat Musicians from Ayacucho, a series of larger than life-size ceramic statues painted in bright colours that are scattered throughout the property alongside his colourful murals. He takes inspiration from local Peruvian culture and art and adapts it with his own unique touch.

Click here to get the best rates for Hotel Sol y Luna

Since our last visit they have built a fabulous leisure area with a new terrace area. This is now the best spot for an outdoor breakfast with stunning views of the Andean mountains overlooking their new pool. They have also opened a sauna and a small cardio and free weights gym that are all complimentary for guests’ use. The new outdoor jacuzzi is the best spot to enjoy the sunset after a long day of sightseeing.

Hotel Sol y Luna is designed to offer all the services you might possibly need without having to leave the property. We were particularly impressed with the Kunata Wasi Art Boutique where you can buy a wide range of unusual decorative objects and souvenirs from all over Peru and the Chicha Wasi Bar, a cozy place to unwind at the end of the day before a gourmet dinner in the Killa Wasi restaurant.

If you are looking for a more casual dining option head to the Wayra Restaurant where you can indulge in the ‘Sacred Valley Lunch’, a meat and potato feast cooked in clay ovens and served on the terrace where you will be entertained by their daily Peruvian Paso horse show.

Hotel Sol y Luna is one of our favourite places to spend a few days relaxing in the Sacred Valley. Choose to take a few days to rest, enjoy the gardens, lounge by the pool and take in the stunning scenery in complete seclusion and privacy. You won’t leave disappointed…!

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• • Wayra is also open to Sol y Luna guests and offers a whole range of tours including horseback riding, quad biking, kayaking, paragliding, community visits and weaving courses as well as cooking classes and demonstrations in Wayra restaurant and five, seven  and ten course degustation menus in the private wine cellar. Click here  for more information on all the different activities offered by Wayra.

• • The small but complete Yacu Wasi spa offers a wide range of treatments for guests. Ask for the delightful stained-glass treatment room where the sun streaming through the window warms your skin. Rates also include private use of the sauna and steam room.

• Stay at least two nights and if you fancy a splurge, book a deluxe casita to really allow yourself to relax and enjoy the experience! It’s the perfect destination for couples or honeymooners looking for a few nights of luxurious romance and seclusion. It’s also an ideal choice for small groups or families with children and access between casitas can be joined providing a larger, more comfortable space.

Click here for more hotels in Urubamba

Heading to Machu Picchu? Download a free copy of our Machu Picchu Travel Guide here.

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Colourful gardens filled with hummingbirds and vivid flowers surround you everywhere you look, as does the feeling of space. Rooms are spread out over the 2.5 acres of garden and each room has its own private terrace with great views of the Vilcanota River.

Rooms come in Junior Suite or Deluxe categories and are spacious and minimalist with all the emphasis on the surrounding landscape with full length glass windows overlooking the gardens and mountains. Fabulous marble bathrooms with under-floor heating and spectacular showers with glass walls give you an incredible view of the surrounding countryside. They also have two luxury villas available complete with kitchen, which each sleep 6 people and are ideal for families or groups of friends.

Hotel Rio Sagrado is eco-conscious and is one of the only hotels in the Sacred Valley that recycles its waste and has its own on-site vegetable garden to supply the hotel restaurant.

Everything about Rio Sagrado aims to ensure you have a peaceful and relaxing stay but if you do want a more action packed visit they can also organise horseback riding tours of the nearby Maras Salt mines and cooking classes where you will learn to make some traditional Peruvian dishes like Ceviche and Lomo Saltado with their Chef. Wednesday is Pisco tasting night (the typical Peruvian grape liqueur) where the barman takes you on an introductory tour of Pisco and its origins finishing off with a tasting session of Pisco Sour and Fridays are BBQ night with a selection of grilled meats on the menu.

Lounge with a good book in one of the riverside hammocks, take a siesta on your private terrace or wander down to feed the baby alpaca at 8am or 4pm. Rio Sagrado is all about relaxation so sit back, breathe the fresh air of the Sacred Valley and experience a luxury vacation in nature that you will never forget…

Click here to book great rates at Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado has a fabulous outdoor heated pool and lounging area complete with pool bar. This is one of the only outdoor pools in the Sacred Valley. It is heated to a comfortable 85ºF (29ºC) and it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon lounging pool-side with the stunning view of the mountains.

• Don’t miss their outdoor cinema where they show blockbusters on the big screen in an open marquee next to the Vilcanota River. Popcorn and hot chocolate are included as well as loungers, blankets and rugs for a movie night with a difference!

For more places to stay in Urubamba click here

Planning to visit Machu Picchu? Check out our favourite hotels here

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It has recently been ranked by Travel and Leisure as the 35th best hotel in the world and the 4th best resort in South America and it’s easy to see why.

Water is a calming feature throughout this hotel from the pools by the hotel entrance, to the outdoor swimming pool and hydro-therapy circuit in the excellent Spa at Valle Sagrado that overlooks the river below. The architecture of this hotel feels almost Swiss-chalet like and invites complete relaxation. Wide open spaces communicate with the surrounding countryside, gardens and terraces through large windows bringing a sense of light and tranquility.

The clean lines of Tambo Del Inka’s contemporary design bring you on a journey through the Sacred Valley with local stones and eucalyptus wood used in the construction and numerous colourful symbols of local culture such as “Taita Inti” the incan symbol for father sun and large multicolored braids recalling the “quipu” or Incan system of communication decorating the high hotel walls.

The same colourful warmth is found in the hotel’s 128 rooms which include two senior and ten junior suites which come complete with butler service and the deluxe rooms all have a terrace overlooking the gardens. The quality of furniture and use of colour and lighting in all bedrooms ensures a soothing, peaceful stay. Exquisite bed linen and firm yet soft mattresses guarantee an excellent night’s rest while bathrooms made of wood and marble with ample daylight and luxury Gilchrist & Soames amenities turn bathing into a pleasure.

Majestic fireplaces warm the main lobby and the Hawa Restaurant which serves an exquisite buffet breakfast (complete with bagel bar and a gluten-free counter) every morning. The cheerful Kiri Bar is a good place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail (they do a great pisco sour and club sandwich!) while lounging on the outdoor terrace watching the day end. They have fabulous gardens to wander around and a large organic farm where they produce vegetables and flowers for the restaurant. Attention to detail is second to none in this Luxury Collection Resort part of Marriott International and the courtesy and friendliness of staff just makes the Tambo del Inka experience even more special.

Book the best rates at Tambo del Inka here

Without a doubt, this is one of the best hotels we have visited in Cusco and the Sacred Valley. A hotel where it actually feels like you are spending a night in your own private luxury villa where all the staff is on hand to meet your every need… Definitely one of our top picks for places to stay in Urubamba.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• For added guest comfort, Tambo Del Inka has an on-site railway station with daily trains to take guests directly to Machu Picchu. Ask at their Venturia travel agency for more details and for help with organizing tours to Machu Picchu or any of the other local attractions.

• This is a great choice for honeymooners! Tell them when you book that you are on honeymoon and they can organise some great romantic extras…

• Tambo del Inka also takes the environment seriously and is one of the first hotels in Peru to have attained the prestigious LEED certification. We loved that all the waste water from the showers, toilets etc. is treated on-site and then re-used to water their gardens which are full of native Andean plants!

• We always recommend visitors to the Cusco region head first to the Sacred Valley for a few days. Its a great base from which to explore Machu Picchu and you can then head back to Cusco once you have got used to the high altitude and will have a much more enjoyable visit.

Click here to see other great nearby hotels options in Urubamba

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You reach the accommodation cubes via a series of metal steps (Via Ferrata) that run up the cliff face. We had tried the Via Ferrata a while back so knew to expect stunning views as we climbed, as well as heart stopping moments like the hanging bridge, where you inch your way across the abyss on a single cable. This is the extreme adrenaline rush route up to the Skylodge but you can also hike up if you prefer a less palpitation-inducing ascent!

Skylodge is a true feat of architecture designed by husband and wife team Natalia and Ario, both climbing aficionados. Each cube was hand-made out of aerospace aluminum and polycarbonate by Ario and his team, is 24 ft. long, 8 ft. wide and is a one of a kind that doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.

Once you arrive after a two to three hour climb, you descend into your cube through a porthole where your guide serves you tea. Once inside the cube, amazingly, it doesn’t actually feel like you are hanging off the side of a cliff. The structure is so comfortable and stable that you hardly feel the strong wind blowing outside.

Each cube sleeps up to four people with stunning 300° degree views of the Sacred Valley. The beds are fabulous with great mattresses and soft linen and are ideal for star gazing through the transparent roof once night falls. A three-course dinner with wine is served by your guide in-cube and breakfast the next morning is enjoyed with fellow guests on the roof-top terrace with possibly the best breakfast view in the world!

This is a fabulous one-of-a-kind adventure that mixes the physical adrenaline rush of the Via Ferrata and zipline with a unique night staying in a transparent cube hanging off a cliff – not something you can boast to friends about everyday! We slept like babies after star gazing for hours and woke refreshed and ready for the zipline back to earth.

Best of Peru Travel Recommends:

• Lots of people have asked us “How do you go the bathroom in the cube?” Fear not, Ario and Natalia have thought of everything! One end of the cube is known as the ‘dome’ and contains a dry toilet and hand-basin with one of the best bathroom views in Peru. It even has curtains for privacy!
• We gave Skylodge a 4.5 star rating because we a) loved our stay and b) it’s a unique, adventure experience but just to be clear, despite the price tag and our rating, this is not a luxury hotel experience. There are no showers and for safety reasons you can’t leave the cube once you arrive. However, given the logistical difficulties of building something like Skylodge, it is surprisingly comfortable given that you are essentially suspended off the side of a mountain!
• Kids are welcome from six years upwards making this a great family adventure.

Book the best rate at Skylodge Adventure Suites here

See more great Urubamba accommodation options

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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.

Click here to see other accommodation and hotel options in Urubamba

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