Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

This hotel sits at the base of the mountain upon which Machu Picchu is located, offering a comfortable retreat after a day of exploring the ruins.

• The rambling gardens of the resort, including an orchid collection with more than 350 varieties
• The cozy Peruvian décor of the casitas, some of which are built into the hills
• The tucked-away feeling of seclusion at the edge of busy Aguas Calientes

On a hillside overlooking the Vilcanota River, paved paths wind among a profusion of bushes and trees to connect the hotel’s 83 casitas, which are built on multiple levels. Nothing’s higgledy-piggledy about the running of the place, though; the service is friendly and professional. With their whitewashed walls and red-tile roofs, the casitas are charming on the outside, and they’re spacious and comfortable within. A terra-cotta-tile floor, exposed eucalyptus rafters, white cotton curtains and plain wooden furniture covered with gorgeously colored local textiles make up the attractive, unpretentious décor. The open fire can be lit on request. The stone, glass and marble bathrooms have showers but not tubs.

If the hotel has a slightly restless atmosphere, it’s because its raison d’être is to serve as a base for Machu Picchu (half an hour away by coach) and few visitors stay for more than one or two nights. From the highly civilized tearoom to the outdoor bar by the central plunge pool, there are plenty of places to relax at the end of a day’s sightseeing. Both the glass-fronted double-height main dining room and the more informal Café Inkaterra, idiosyncratically sited at the bottom of the hill on a railroad platform, serve good food with an emphasis on local ingredients, such as Andean trout, quinoa risotto and spicy alpaca brochettes. Other amenities are a sauna, a spa with four treatment rooms and a tastefully stocked gift shop. Children are welcome; indeed, the hotel accommodates those under twelve for free.

In addition, Inkaterra also offers many other activities, including perusing its beautiful orchid garden (it contains 372 varieties) and visiting the on-site eco-center where you can arrange nature walks and bird-watching excursions. More energetic guests can hike up the mountains adjoining Machu Picchu. En route to the Inca city is the Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum, with a fine collection of artifacts from the site. Indagare Tip: The food at the hotel restaurant is delicious so make sure to stop by for lunch if you are not staying at the property.

Anyone who wants to visit Machu Picchu and cares more about a spacious resort than proximity. Those who want to be right at the gates of the ruins should stay at the Sanctuary Lodge.