- A.h. Arahuay LL - 1, Cusco, Perú.
- machupicchuperutravel@hotmail.com
You’ve got these gorgeous old Spanish colonial houses turned into hotels in Cusco, like the Belmond Monasterio or the JW Marriott. Think stunning stone courtyards, ancient Inca walls still standing… it’s that kind of vibe. Plus, they usually have that traditional decor and restaurants that are, well, five-star for a reason!
But all this tourist buzz isn’t just for Cusco. It’s reached Machu Picchu too! Or, more specifically, Aguas Calientes – that’s the town right before you get to the famous Inca citadel. If you’re after top-notch exclusivity and privacy, that’s where you’ll find some seriously swanky hotel chains setting up shop. It’s become quite the spot for luxury.
So, because we want you to know all the best options, the folks at Machu Travel Peru and I thought we’d chat a bit about these fancy hotels near Machu Picchu. Let’s get you clued in on the most luxurious places to stay!
When it comes to the absolute best, these names always come up:
Let’s dive into what makes them special, shall we?
Okay, so if you’re looking at luxury hotels right at Machu Picchu, the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is THE one. Seriously, its location is unbelievable – it’s the only hotel practically next door to the Inca citadel. Imagine that!
This beautiful lodge is tucked away in a gorgeous orchid garden, making it just a perfect spot to chill out. Honeymooners? You might want to check this place out for a few days. You can watch those unique sunrises with a yummy breakfast or have a super romantic night under the stars. Pure magic.
Being the only hotel actually at Machu Picchu means guests get super easy access to the ruins. You’ll be one of the first people in line to get into Machu Picchu, whether you go in the morning or afternoon. And get this – you can explore the citadel before it gets packed with crowds. How cool is that?
You can also choose to have breakfast out on the terrace or enjoy a fancy dinner in one oftheir restaurants. Or, after a long day exploring, just kick back with a traditional Pisco Sour at the bar. They serve up amazing Peruvian food, often using ingredients grown right there on the hotel grounds. It’s a perfect little hideaway to relax after all that sightseeing.
And the views! The hotel has these incredible views of Machu Picchu, and there’s even a Spa with aromatherapy treatments and massages that sound like heaven. Fancy a dip? They have a heated plunge pool with views of the citadel. Yeah, pretty amazing. The Sanctuary Lodge gives you privacy and luxury in a really traditional and exclusive setting. It’s the only true luxury hotel right at Machu Picchu; for other fancy options, you’ll need to head down to Aguas Calientes.
Oh, and location-wise: as I said, it’s right at the gates of the Inca citadel. Specifically, it’s on the Hiram Bingham road at Kilometer 7.5, Machu Picchu. Lots of tour companies can drop you right at the hotel door. Easy peasy. And if you’re coming from Cusco, The Sanctuary Lodge even helps with your luggage at the train station. Nice touch, right?
Down in the town of Aguas Calientes, you’ve got a few really nice luxury hotels near Machu Picchu to choose from. The InkaTerra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is definitely one of the best. National Geographic even listed it as one of the world’s unique lodges! That tells you something.
Hotel InkaTerra is in Aguas Calientes, just about a 4-minute walk from the Machu Picchu Pueblo train station. This place is incredible – it’s set in twelve acres of gardens, and get this, up to 214 types of birds live there! They even have one of the biggest native orchid collections in the world. You’ll also find eighty cute tree bungalows, all decorated in a lovely Peruvian style. It really feels like you’re surrounded by your own little Garden of Eden. Honestly, staying at this luxury spot is one of the best ways to experience the whole Machu Picchu area.
The hotel has some seriously luxurious things to enjoy, like their Unu Spa. It offers traditional Andean treatments – think stress-busting massages, deep tissue stuff, hot stone treatments, and other cool Andean therapies. And the food? The gastronomic experience at InkaTerra Machu Picchu Pueblo is top-notch too. They’ve got a dining room for à la carte meals and a cafeteria if you just want a quick bite.
Plus, they offer different excursions and other tours in Peru right from the hotel. You could go on a nature walk in the nearby forest, or stroll along the orchid trail and see all the different kinds of these beautiful flowers. There are also activities like bird watching, visiting tea plantations, and just checking out the local wildlife. So much to do!
The Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel is another one of the best luxury hotels you’ll find near Machu Picchu. It’s right in the middle of Machu Picchu town (Aguas Calientes). The Sumaq sits right at the base of the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, on the banks of the Urubamba River. You’ll find it on Avenida Hermanos Ayar.
It boasts sixty-two super luxurious rooms where you’ll definitely sleep like royalty. The rooms have quiet central heating (good to know!) and comfy down duvets to keep you warm. Thirty-five of those rooms have views looking out over the Vilcanota River. Nice!
But here’s something really unique: the hotel offers a mystical tour of Machu Picchu. On this special tour, an authentic Shaman guides you through the historic sanctuary, introducing you to all the mystical and cosmic bits of the citadel and the world of Andean beliefs. How amazing does that sound?
Or, hey, why not take part in an Andean marriage ceremony? This ancient, private ceremony happens outdoors, surrounded by flowers and natural beauty. The ritual calls on the Inca gods to guide your relationship. Pretty powerful stuff.
And if you’re a foodie, Sumaq has cooking demonstrations where guests can actually join in. You can learn how to make the famous Peruvian dish, Ceviche, and also get a lesson in preparing the traditional Pisco Sour. All this with incredible views in the background. Talk about an experience! Staying at this magical place is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy a luxury trip to Machu Picchu. You’ll find more than just luxury and exclusivity here.
So, Aguas Calientes is also known as Machu Picchu town. It sits at about 1,700 meters (around 5,577 feet) above sea level and it’s full of cute little restaurants. These three hotels we’ve talked about? They’re the luxury ones near Machu Picchu that you really shouldn’t miss.
But, there are also quite a few picturesque hotels that might not be as over-the-top luxurious as these five-star ones, but are still really nice. You can definitely do luxury on a bit of a budget in Peru if you look around. There are even 4-star options that offer services pretty close to the ones we’ve mentioned.
The town itself has lots of little markets where you can explore and pick up souvenirs from your Machu Picchu visit. It’s only about 2 kilometers from the actual gate of Machu Picchu, but you will need to take a 20-minute bus ride up to the entrance. Oh, and the town also has hot springs! Perfect for soothing any aches and pains after a day of trekking or climbing Huayna Picchu. The hot springs are usually open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day and it only costs about three soles to get in. That’s a bargain for such a relaxing experience. It’ll definitely be one of the great things you do in Peru.
“FRIENDSHIP IS ONE OF THE GREATEST LUXURIES OF LIFE.”
Just a little something to think about!
We really hope that, with the help of the experts from Machu Travel Peru, this has helped you in your search for luxury hotels near Machu Picchu. To be honest, when it comes to true luxury and 5-star options right there, these three wonderful hotels are your main go-tos. But if you’re looking for other exclusive places, you might want to check out the luxury hotels in Cusco and the Sacred Valley as well. It all depends on how you want your Machu Picchu adventure to begin!
If you want to know more about different tours in Peru, feel free to chat with their qualified team of advisors. They’d be thrilled to help make your dream trip happen.
Peru has so many wonders just waiting for you to discover them. Here at Cusco Peru Travel, our specialty is making your trip an outstanding experience. Just fill in our form, and let your tailor-made luxury Peru vacation begin!
