Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

Built on a vast tea plantation and surrounded by a jungle-like environment, this large eco-lodging property feels like a small town in the middle of a rain forest. From the wooden bridge leading to the hotel’s entrance, to the cobblestone stairs by the lobby and the birds chirping in the morning, there’s a storybook quality to the pueblo, and inside, the cottage-like place is packed with rustic charm. Thick rugs and microfiber couches, wooden furnishings, a bookshelf made of slim tree trunks, candles, and a fireplace make the reception exceptionally cozy. Incan wall art and artifacts add local flavor. Romantic, luxurious, and homey all at once, the hotel is a big draw for all sorts of tourists looking for a relaxation respite after hiking in nearby Machu Picchu.

Situated at the entrance of Aguas Calientes, next to the Vilcanota River more than 6,000 feet above sea level, the hotel has isolated, hilly surroundings, and the many stairs required to reach it can make for a tiring trek. However, the property is also walkable to the central part of town and, conveniently, five minutes on foot to the train and bus stations for the 30-minute rides to Machu Picchu and the Inca trail.

From Cusco’s Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport, it takes a two-hour drive, plus a 90-minute train ride to reach the hotel. The hotel does arrange luggage pickup and drop-off at the train stop -- which is especially convenient for guests with a lot of gear. 

Spread throughout the property, cabin-like casitas (little houses) with thatched roofs house the rooms, which are spacious but cozy thanks to warm colors, colonial-style closets, Andean rugs, and locally made art. Views of the river, mountainside, and greenery are excellent from the large windows. Superior Deluxe Rooms and Suites have fireplaces, while Suite-level rooms also have private terraces. Some rooms do require extra walking and stairs to get to, so guests with mobility issues may have trouble.

Superior Rooms have one king or two twin beds, plus heaters (no air-conditioning or fans), safes, hot water bottles, and mini fridges. While coffee-and-tea-making facilities aren’t provided, thoughtful extras like electric mosquito repellant and umbrellas are provided. Only Suites have plasma screen TVs, iPod speakers, and minibars, along with separate seating and dining areas and free bottles of Pisco on arrival. Wi-Fi is free, but service is usually spotty. Additional beds come with extra charges.

Large, modern bathrooms blend stone and marble, and have walk-in showers with fixed showerheads. Suites have separate tubs. Environmentally-friendly and fragrant toiletries are provided along with hairdryers. 

Café Inkaterra by the river, framed by glass windows overlooking the railroad and jungle, and furnished with wooden tables and woven straw chairs, is a beautiful space offering traditional Andean cuisine with a modern twist for lunch and dinner. The hotel’s main dining room and bar near the lobby is also spacious and features a great breakfast buffet of fresh fruits and juices, eggs, pancakes, and pastries. Breakfast and dinner are both included with room rates. Daily tea time refreshments (made with teas grown on-site), cocktail hour, welcome gifts, and free Pisco Sours on arrival are also included. 

There’s no gym or business center, but the gorgeous Unu Spa features an outdoor hot spring pool and a sauna, and uses eco-friendly local products for its many treatment options, like quinoa facials, cocoa leaf exfoliation, and Andean Hot Stone massages. 

Other features incorporate tours of the property, from the morning bird watching groups and the make-your-own-tea activities at the Tea House, to the guided ancient ceremonies and the Eco Media Center, which offers environment-focused books and magazines. The on-site gift shop sells a lovely array of authentic souvenirs. 

More fun extras include movie nights with snacks, cooking classes, and musical entertainment. Exceptional kid-friendly features include organized treasure hunts, explorer kits with magnifying glasses and flashlights, and the option to be a guide’s assistant for a day. Binoculars can be rented for extra fees. Property-wide Wi-Fi is free.