When planning a trip, we always make time to choose the perfect hotels before booking.
But how do you know if a hotel is good enough or not? Of course, we always browse through Tripadvisor and other hotel websites for comments and tips. But ever since we started blogging, we’ve noticed that the best advices for accommodations come from our fellow travel bloggers. Because those are the people who have been roaming the world for years. And who have traveled so often that they can actually compare the numerous hotels of a specific destination, and give truthful reviews.
For our upcoming journey through South America, we’ve decided to ask other travel bloggers to share their favourite hotel in Peru with us, and to explain their choice. And here’s the contribution of five travel bloggers.
Vicky from Spud on the Run
Mama Yacchi Hotel in Colca Canyon
Mama Yacchi is in the tiny town of Coporaque, nestled within the Colca Canyon. The hotel makes a fantastic base to explore the natural beauty of the area.
The hotel is built across one floor, and has a cosy and inviting feel which embraces Peruvian art and culture. They have a garden with hammocks, so on a sunny day you can kick back and enjoy the views of the mountains that surround you. The evenings can drop chilly, but the rustic bedrooms are equipped with big blankets and heaters to help keep you snug.
The small town doesn’t have a restaurant but the chefs at Mama Yacchi have you sorted with an array of Peruvian specialities to choose from (including vegetarian options). They have a wonderful dining room with huge windows, so you can enjoy your food and admire your location.
We really loved our one night stay at Mama Yacchi. It was a great place to get off the beaten track and relax. We went there as part of a Colca Canyon tour but it is possible to visit independently. The hotel promotes ecotourism and if you are travelling without a guide the friendly staff will be happy to help you plan your activities to make the most of your stay.
The best part of our stay? We loved the food, we loved the views, but the highlight was Inti, the hotel’s baby alpaca! He’s really friendly, and our whole tour group fell in love with him!
Norman from Années de Pèlerinage
The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu
The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu was my favorite hotel in Peru. The price tag (over 1,000 US-Dollar a night) is certainly something hard to ignore. But relaxing in a steaming hot tub while enjoying the spectacular view of the ancient Inca ruins was truly a priceless moment.
The complimentary pisco sour made me feel like in heaven. The rooms might have been small, but all other hotels are located in the small town of Aguas Calientes some 400 meters below. Guests in the Sanctuary Lodge, on the other hand, can literally drop out of their beds and be the first to see the sunrise in Machu Picchu. If that is not special, I don’t know what is!
Nicole from Travelgal Nicole
Tierra Viva San Blas in Cusco
Tierra Viva Cusco Hotel San Blas is located in the heart of San Blas, Cusco’s most artistic neighborhood, also called the “Artisan’s Neighborhood”. I think it is the best hotel in Cusco as its location is perfect for exploring Cusco, just four blocks from Plaza de Armas, and fine dining experiences just outside the door.
The hotel is an old colonial building built in the traditional adobe construction. Every attention to detail has been made with the rooms being cozy and comfortable and the best part is that it is $85/night. And that includes breakfast and free wifi. With just 24 rooms the hotel is quiet and personable.
Stefan and Sebastian from Nomadic Boys
Sol y Luna in Urubamba, Sacred Valley
Our favourite hotel in Peru is the gorgeous Sol y Luna, located in the Urubamba village in the heart of the Sacred Valley.
This is a Relais & Châteaux hotel, so you know you’re going to be spoilt rotten here. The rooms are small houses called casitas. Each casista has a private terrace, spacious living room area, cosy fireplace, large bathtub and a few with private hot tub.
The hotel grounds include a spa, outdoor pool with Jacuzzi next to it. This was the highlight of our stay – laying back relaxing in the Jacuzzi with the backdrop of the Andes mountains in front of us.
The Sol y Luna also has two restaurants, each serving up delicious gourmet food, with one of them located on a horse ranch so you can watch the shows while you eat.
Rachel from East To West
Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in the Amazon Forest
I stayed at the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in December 2017. And it was by far one of the most different, coolest places I have ever stayed at. The Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica consists of 34 bungalows and is completely within a reserve of the Amazon Rainforest. There is no wifi or internet anywhere near the hotel, you are completely secluded within the jungle.
The Inkaterra is also special because it prides itself on being an eco-friendly hotel… So much so that they turn off their electricity from 2-5AM and as well in the afternoon too. The bungalows don’t have real walls and are closed off by screens only. The beds are surrounded with mosquito nets as well. You fall asleep listening to the night animals and wake up to the birds chirping.
Everything is very natural. They have an abundance of excursions, offered all catering, to the least adventurous people to the most. Lastly, their food was fantastic. Of course you eat in the same restaurant on the hotel premises the entire time. But they did an amazing job of having vegetarian options and changing up the menus daily. I would highly recommend staying here if you are looking for an eco-friendly nature secluded getaway deep in the Amazon Rainforest.
What do you think of these hotels?
Would you consider staying in one of these when you travel to Peru?
Or if you’ve already been to Peru, which are your favorite hotels and would you suggest them?
Disclosure: if you click on the hotel links in this post, we may receive a small compensation at NO extra cost to you.
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37 Responses
Kavita Favelle
A post after my own heart. I take a lot of care in selecting my hotel, with a huge list of criteria I factor in and weight to my preferences, and a lot of checking of reviews and recommendations (from bloggers rather than tripadvisor!) I love all of the hotels suggested by your collaborators here, but the ones that call to me most strongly are The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, Sol y Luna and Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica (I’ve stayed at a different Inkaterra place and loved it).
Mel Butler
I would love to go to Peru it is a big bucketlist item and I hope to get there in the next couple of years. What a great selection of places to see when there, I think my favourite though is The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu just so pretty, I could easily lay in that pool all day with a glass of wine in my hand.
Martina Hzb
This place looks really interesting and I really enjoyed reading your article– hopefully I can visit this place one day. I definately will put it on my bucket list, thats for sure 🙂
Renada
So many choices! I think I would like to stay in a hotel that has llamas roaming around the grounds. However, a swimming pool with a view of Machu Pichu looks divine also. Great variety of hotels that you have shared!
Sumit Surai
Yes! We too search blog posts before visiting a place. Nice thought to compile them in a single post!
Erica
My god, I never knew that hot tubbing with views of ancient Incan ruins was on my bucket list but now I can’t think of anything else! Gorgeous choices here, I’m definitely bookmarking this for my upcoming trip to Peru! Though sadly I doubt The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge will be in my future!
travelisedme
Peru is definitely on our bucketlist! For me personally Mama Yacchi seems to be the best choice as I really need some getaway from all the bustle. 🙂
Dylan Myers
Look like some great hotels! Peru would be awesome to visit. I have a friend who recently went and between her and you all your making me itch to go there! Especially since I know which hotels to stay at now!
bye:myself
Yes, ladies, you should definitely stay at the Belmont Lodge – ok, thousand bucks is certainly not a bargain, but then again the pisco sour is complimentary, so you’ll be fine 😀
Well for me – I pay about a thousand bucks for half of my entire trip, so….different league; definitely different league. Muy feliz viaje!
Suruchi Mittal
Earlier even we used to check the hotels on tripadvisor. But after we started blogging, we too started following fellow bloggers recommendations and they are so correct. The Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica in the Amazon Forest and Mama Yacchi Hotel in Colca Canyon looks like our type of places. Thanks for sharing this.
Mei and Kerstin
You’re welcome Suruchi! And we’ll tell you about the hotels we’ll be staying at after our trip. 😉
lucywilliamsglobal
All of these hotels look amazing! I can see why they made the favourite list. The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge in Machu Picchu looks like a dream and seeing the sunset over Machu Picchu must of been a beautiful sight.
Mei and Kerstin
Yes! And we’re already dreaming about seeing the sunset rising over Machu Picchu! 🙂
chocoralie
The Belmond Sanctuary looks out of this world… And the idea of seeing the sun rise at Machu Picchu… I will be in Peru in May so these recommendations are coming in handy!
Mei and Kerstin
Wouaahh, May is soon!! Enjoy your trip and let us know where you’ll stay and how you like it there!
Emma | The Gap Life Diaries
Totally agree – I always choose my hotels based on other travel bloggers’ recommendations rather than Tripadvisor too. These will be super useful when I finally make it to South America (hopefully sooner rather than later!)
Mei and Kerstin
Tripadvisor can be helpful to find the best price/offer, but regarding reviews we now prefer to connect with travel bloggers. 🙂
The Boutique Adventurer
These all sounds like great places to go! I have heard fantastic things about Sol Y Luna in particularly. And I love that little alpaca guy!!!
Ryan Biddulph
Love those Nomadic Boys Mei and Kerstin. Awesome dudes. As for Colca Canyon, my wife visited solo when we first met. I had no globe trotting blood in me. Back then 😉 Eye-popping images she snapped. Loving the alpaca too. He mugs for the camera. Which beats spitting for the camera.
Ryan
Mei and Kerstin
Knowing how much you travel right now, it’s hard to imagine that you were not a globetrotter back then, Ryan! haha
Elaine Masters
What fun seeing where bloggers stay and recommend. I too check out their recommendations when setting up my travels. It takes some doing but helps much more than the hasty reflections on the most popular travel sites. I also book only part of my stay in a location to get different perspectives and find a place after I arrive. That is unless I’m there in the height of the season or during festivals.
Mei and Kerstin
Yes, we also prefer to book some accomodations once onsite, especially when doing a road trip. But since we’ll be traveling to Peru during the high season this summer, we’re trying to choose the right hotels in advance.
oneearthtooless
Wow! That’s some collection! I am bookmarking this for the day I visit Peru 🙁
Ferny
I think the Belmont Sanctuary is lovely! Peru is on my bucket list and I love to read about the places that I like to visit someday.
Mei and Kerstin
Don’t worry Ferny, this summer we’ll spam you with lots and lots of pictures and stories about Peru, to make you go there too someday! 😀
Jenn and Ed Coleman
I have a couple of friends going to Peru soon and I sent this article on to them. Belmond seems like a unique way to get to the first rays of sun and an open frame. I really want to explore the Amazon basin in Peru too. I think the universe is conspiring to get us to Peru soon.
Mei and Kerstin
Hehe… let’s meet in Peru this summer! 🙂
Simon
Definitely a great way to help you choose a good hotel. I like the Mama Yacchi Hotel because of the authentic Pervian cuisine, the views and even the decor, but the real draw for me would be getting to see and play with Inti. Alpacas are so adorable.
Mei and Kerstin
Haha! We can’t wait to see the adorable alpacas! And yes, authentic food is also an important criteria for us when choosing a hotel.
emfletche
This is such a great idea – I always think that if I connect with a travel blogger’s style I would trust their recommendations a lot more than a review website! And you had me with that baby alpaca picture 🙂
Mei and Kerstin
We keep checking out hotel reviews on Tripadvisor, but some sound so fake. We must admit that we definitely trust other travel bloggers’ tips and recommendations much more. 🙂
DebbZie Leksono
Inti, the baby alpaca stole my heart right away! Peru is definitely my dream destination. Hopefully I will be able to tick it off next year. I’m particularly on love with the Belmont Sanctuary Lodge. Waking up to the stunning view of Machu Picchu is definitely worth the splurge 😍
Mei and Kerstin
Inti is definitely a star alpaca that everyone loves. We would consider staying at this hotel just to able to hug him! hehe.. We’ll let you know more about Peru, which we hope will make you visit it too next year! 🙂
Danik
Lots of good choices here for Peru and would love to stay in all of these. But most of all, I love to hug that alpaca! 🙂
Mei and Kerstin
Haha! We would love to hug that alpaca too! 🙂
Kate Hopper
That alpaca is so cute! I think I would choose the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge as I’d love to wake up to sunrise over Machu Picchu!
Mei and Kerstin
The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is also one of our favorites! We’ll definitely try to stay there too this summer. 🙂