Peru offers visitors a wealth of experiences, dining options and accommodations.
VIAKU’s Karen Listgarten recently returned from a trip to Peru visiting Lima, Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Here are a few of her hotel recommendations for discerning travelers.
Hotel B - Lima (Barracas)
A former seaside retreat located in the heart of the historic Barranco district, Hotel B was Lima’s first luxury art boutique hotel and is Lima’s only Relais & Chateaux. Romantic and exclusive, the hotel draws its inspiration from the Bohemian atmosphere of the Barranco district and exhibits over 300 original works by contemporary Latin American and Peruvian artists. The hotel offers tours with an in-house curator. The hotel’s 17 rooms are each individually designed to express their own charming idiosyncrasies. Along with hardwood floors, wooden beams, soft, plush fabrics and a glass and marble bathroom, guests can expect a comfortable bed, beautiful artwork and a welcoming glass of Champagne. The hotel’s signature restaurant features eye-catching artwork while the indoor patio is perfect for breakfast and afternoon tea is served in a charismatic library. Guests can also enjoy a rooftop bar and Peruvian tapas restaurant. The hotel offers a wide variety of experiences including a cocktail class, cooking experiences as well as various tours around Lima.
Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba
One of Inkaterra’s newest properties in Peru, the 5-star Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba hotel is located in the Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu on 100 acres of gorgeous countryside surrounded by mountains. The hotel offers 12 rooms in the Main House and 24 separate casitas that boast stunning views of the Valley, allowing guests to enjoy open space and the tranquility of the Valley. A large comfortable “living room/lobby” and bar area provides space for guests to mingle. An Earth to Table concept is operated for the gourmet restaurant. There is a small, tranquil spa area offering 4 treatment rooms and an outdoor area with a plunge pool. The hotel offers a wide variety of on and off-property experiences including hiking and bird watching experiences. The hotel is perfect for acclimatizing to the local altitude and is well located for visits to the Moray and Ollantaytambo archaeological sites, the weavers village of Chincherro as well as the Moras Salt Ponds.
Tambo del Inka Luxury Collection - Urubamba
For those wanting closer proximity to the town of Urubamba, the 128-room Tambo del Inka hotel is a 10 minute walk from the center plaza of Urubamba. Accommodations face either the Urubamba River or the cordillera and the Chicón glacier. The creative interior weaves ancient motifs into contemporary decor: towering fireplaces sculpted out of Inca-style stone walls, pre-Incan textile design reimagined as wallpaper, and oversized regional pottery. The large spa features multiple treatment rooms and therapeutic experiences. Guests can also enjoy a beautiful indoor/outdoor pool. Thirsty? Try an original pisco-based cocktail in the stunning bar, or dine on gourmet food options in the restaurant. Room service is also available along with other dining and bar options. If you’re heading to Machu Picchu, there’s a railway station right on the property. The hotel is within easy walking distance of the town which has a number of restaurants and services along with a large local open air market that features local vendors most days of the week.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo
For those headed up to Machu Picchu, the 5-star Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo offers a quiet, luxurious place to rest before or after the visit. The hotel is set up on a private five-hectare (12.3-acre) mountainside reserve, just across from the train station of Machu Picchu Pueblo. It is styled as an intimate Andean village with terraced hills, waterfalls, stone pathways and 83 whitewashed adobe casitas tucked away in the cloud forest. The property features a gourmet restaurant with views of the Vilcanota River and a small spa with a common . Suite rooms include individual heated plunge pools, great after a day of hiking. The hotel offers a number of complimentary excursions on property. The hotel is located within a 10 minute walk into town for additional restaurant options and shopping.
Antigua Casona - Cusco (San Blas)
Antigua Casona, much like the residential neighborhood of San Blas it resides in, is a quiet escape from downtown Cusco. The hotel was originally built between 1750 and 1800 and was lovingly and professionally restored in 2016. The intricate, original hand-carved wrap around balcony was replicated. Colonial adobes were used to rebuild walls. Roof tiles that could be salvaged were reused. The hotel is set amid a series of similar colonial buildings housing restaurants, shops and other guest hotels —but step through the wood door, and you’re in a new world of your own. In the courtyard—home to the cozy bar and restaurant—you’ll spot fellow guests enjoying a drink and sharing stories in front of the low-slung fire pits. Rooms align with the style of the house with natural woods, adobe walls, Cusqueno textiles and ceramic and wood flooring. The hotel features a private yoga studio (complimentary classes 3x per day), small spa, a hyperbaric treatment chamber (!) with decorative art from the local Xapiri art gallery. Food at Piedra & Sal, the hotel’s restaurant, is a highlight with made to order breakfast options and contemporary takes on Peruvian favorites. The hotel is an uphill walk from town and vehicle access is via a narrow cobblestoned street. Staff here is terrific and very helpful.
