Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel

It’s not the closest hotel to the ruins at Machu Picchu, but Inkaterra boasts a location that’s special in another way: this 85-room eco-lodge is surrounded by twelve acres of high-mountain forest filled with all kinds of flora and fauna, wild birds and exotic orchids. It’s at the edge of the town of Machu Picchu Pueblo, which used to be called Aguas Calientes — there are bars and restaurants here, if you’re in the mood to explore.

But there are so many reasons to stay in. 85 rooms and suites decorated in a classic Spanish Colonial style are spread about the property, all outfitted with local craftsman-made furnishings and alpaca blankets on the beds. Slippers are made from recycled material, the bath products are environmentally friendly, and despite the wood-burning fireplaces, Inkaterra as a whole is fully carbon-neutral.

A restaurant serving upscale Andean cuisine and a full-service spa drive home the point that this is a luxury hotel, however rustic and earth-friendly. Ultimately the hotel, though, is only part of the story: you’re at Machu Picchu to see the citadel, which is a half-day trip from Inkaterra, complete with an expertly guided tour.

How to get there:
Inkaterra Machu Picchu is 70 miles from Cusco.
Cusco City is 4 hours away by train. The hotel recommends traveling by car to Ollantaytambo and then continuing by train for the last one and a half hours.