Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu on Postcard

@travelleisure

"Offers easy access to Machu Picchu but is far from the dining and shopping of Aguas Calientes." - Travel + Leisure Editors

The Ultimate Machu Picchu Travel Guide

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@afar

"You’ll never sleep anywhere closer to Machu Picchu than Belmond Sanctuary Lodge—it’s adjacent to the site entrance, and the only hotel on the mountain. In fact, the lodge is built on the former staging area for American explorer Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the “Lost City of the Incas” in 1911. You’ll pay a pretty penny but consider the price a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. If you arrive the day before your visit to Macchu Picchu on the bus up from Aguas Calientes, you can be at the gates right when they open at 5 a.m. and get a head start on most of the crowds—and the sunrise. And if you’re coming off a days-long hike on the Inca Trail, the spacious showers and plush robes will be the best you’ve ever experienced. There are only 31 rooms here, some with terraces and mountain views but all with exquisitely comfortable beds and marble bathrooms. The light-filled restaurant—only open to guests—serves both international and Peruvian dishes, and the bar is a great place to enjoy a pisco sour after a day of exploring the ruins. If you really want to stay in style, consider arriving by the elegantly restored Belmond Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco—the hotel offers packages."

The Best Hotels in Peru

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@afar

"You’ll never sleep anywhere closer to Machu Picchu than Belmond Sanctuary Lodge—it’s adjacent to the site entrance, and the only hotel on the mountain. In fact, the lodge is built on the former staging area for American explorer Hiram Bingham, who rediscovered the “Lost City of the Incas” in 1911. You’ll pay a pretty penny but consider the price a once-in-a-lifetime splurge. If you arrive the day before your visit to Macchu Picchu on the bus up from Aguas Calientes, you can be at the gates right when they open at 5 a.m. and get a head start on most of the crowds—and the sunrise. And if you’re coming off a days-long hike on the Inca Trail, the spacious showers and plush robes will be the best you’ve ever experienced. There are only 31 rooms here, some with terraces and mountain views but all with exquisitely comfortable beds and marble bathrooms. The light-filled restaurant—only open to guests—serves both international and Peruvian dishes, and the bar is a great place to enjoy a pisco sour after a day of exploring the ruins. If you really want to stay in style, consider arriving by the elegantly restored Belmond Hiram Bingham train from Cuzco—the hotel offers packages."

What You Need to Know If You Are Visiting Machu Picchu

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"At the world-famous Incan citadel the most over the top choice in hotels is Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only property situated right next to the entrance." - Travel + Leisure Editors

12 Best Luxury Honeymoons for 2022

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Thelma M

Google

This hotel is the most incredible place I have ever stayed. It's steps from Machu Picchu, and not only is its location ideal, but so is the staff. The food was delicious, and the drinks were spectacular. The bartender, Jhoel, is incredible!! He is knowledgeable about liquor in general but specializes in Peruvian spirits. He walked us through a liquor tasting that included Peruvian agave, vodka, whisky, and gin. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with him. The service in the restaurant was exceptional!! We loved Cristian, who provided 5-star service. He anticipated all our needs. The front desk, the chef, and the housekeeping staff were excellent. The small touches made our stay so memorable: welcome treats, flowers on the table on the patio, and a room refrigerator stocked with snacks and liquor (at no cost). Other amenities included insect repellent, hair gel, cocoa body scrub, body oil, wonderful beds, and pillows. I loved our stay and hope to return someday!

Sally F

Google

ANDREA and the staff at the Sanctuary Lodge do not need to make the effort. Its location at the gates of Machu Picchu makes this retreat the most highly sought room in the entire world (not exaggerating). However, as a luxury location, the staff still adds unbelievable special touches to make the high price tag even more special. Have you ever received a chocolate sculpture of the Sun Gate upon check-in? Incredible. The staff, including the chef, Gregorio, will greet you by name, and some may even remember you from your previous stay 8 years earlier. Thank you for another amazing stay. Sleep well knowing that you are at the gates of Incan legends when you stay in this oasis. Savor every moment.

Cynthia L

Google

This hotel is a fantastic option for those wanting a luxury place to stay the night after visiting Machu Picchu. We climbed Machu Picchu in the afternoon and it was so nice to retreat to this lovely hotel afterward instead of jockeying to get places in long lines for the last crowded busses to head back down the mountain. Being right there in that location allowed our group to get up for another 6AM visit to Machu Picchu at sunrise time (sadly, it was cloudy) and a leisurely, short wait for the bus. The staff was very nice. The rooms and private porch area were a little small, but that's not a big drawback considering how convenient this place was. The pisco sours at the bar were great!

Catherine W

Google

Wonderful place to stay if you can afford it. ||Located across from the gate meant that we were able to take advantage of an early admission to the Citadel at 7 am after breakfast.||Kind of a once in a lifetime thing. We were there to celebrate a friend's retirement.

Flyer533879

Google

Simply AMAZING!!!! ||You will be a Belmond hotel convert after this. No adverbs or adjectives can describe the impeccable service received from the hotel staff from start to the end of the stay. I would recommend booking tours of Machu PIcchu through the hotel. Our tour guide Fatima made all the difference to our Machu Picchu experience.

Hiroko S

Google

I know Belmond offers luxurious accommodation, but I still hesitated to reserve a high dollar room for a rather smaller room when I was shopping around a room in Machu Picchu. But I am so glad that I did. Location, service, amenities, food... everything was just perfect and we are definitely going back!

Jon Connell

Google

Our Sanctuary Lodge stay was inspired by a blog and we pretty much did the same except my wife’s knees were being pushed getting to we the top of the city so we skipped the mountains. We decided to upgrade to a terrace and full board which was a good move. We went guide-free in MP in the afternoon we arrived and paid the hotel $138 for a guide for the following morning so that we would not be rushed risking my wife’s knees by a guide looking to recycle punters. The hotel’s last minute finding of a guide for a 6am start was superb service. Fatima, our guide, was outstanding and patient and we were back for breakfast after 3 hours. The full board is actually all inclusive and the room is stashed with booze and trail nibbles. But it came in at an eye-watering £1200 which is well over our usual pain threshold even for one of those once-only trips. Allow 2-3 hours from train arrival to entry into MP to get the bus, check-in, and have lunch. Despite the hefty rate, I’d be tempted to spend 2 nights here if I did this again, hike one of the mountains solo then relax back at the hotel.

Akriti G

Google

Wow! What an experience at this hotel! Yes, pricey but worth every penny. There are abundant amenities provided, and full board option is filled with delicious and thoughtfully curated meals. And the location can't be beat! We were able to visit Machu Picchu 3 times within just our short 24 hour stay. Though the property is small, the food, location, and ambiance (there is a private orchid garden on site!) make it worth the splurge. Huge shoutout to Karen (helped us check in and answer any questions), Orlando (helped us on multiple occasions, especially when I had hurt my ankle- brought ice to our room himself), and Christian (the best waiter ever, educated us about Peruvian cuisine, and kept us entertained the entire dinner.) Wish we had more time there!

Thelma M

Google

This hotel is the most incredible place I have ever stayed. It's steps from Machu Picchu, and not only is its location ideal, but so is the staff. The food was delicious, and the drinks were spectacular. The bartender, Jhoel, is incredible!! He is knowledgeable about liquor in general but specializes in Peruvian spirits. He walked us through a liquor tasting that included Peruvian agave, vodka, whisky, and gin. We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon with him. The service in the restaurant was exceptional!! We loved Cristian, who provided 5-star service. He anticipated all our needs. The front desk, the chef, and the housekeeping staff were excellent. The small touches made our stay so memorable: welcome treats, flowers on the table on the patio, and a room refrigerator stocked with snacks and liquor (at no cost). Other amenities included insect repellent, hair gel, cocoa body scrub, body oil, wonderful beds, and pillows. I loved our stay and hope to return someday!

Sally F

Google

ANDREA and the staff at the Sanctuary Lodge do not need to make the effort. Its location at the gates of Machu Picchu makes this retreat the most highly sought room in the entire world (not exaggerating). However, as a luxury location, the staff still adds unbelievable special touches to make the high price tag even more special. Have you ever received a chocolate sculpture of the Sun Gate upon check-in? Incredible. The staff, including the chef, Gregorio, will greet you by name, and some may even remember you from your previous stay 8 years earlier. Thank you for another amazing stay. Sleep well knowing that you are at the gates of Incan legends when you stay in this oasis. Savor every moment.

Cynthia L

Google

This hotel is a fantastic option for those wanting a luxury place to stay the night after visiting Machu Picchu. We climbed Machu Picchu in the afternoon and it was so nice to retreat to this lovely hotel afterward instead of jockeying to get places in long lines for the last crowded busses to head back down the mountain. Being right there in that location allowed our group to get up for another 6AM visit to Machu Picchu at sunrise time (sadly, it was cloudy) and a leisurely, short wait for the bus. The staff was very nice. The rooms and private porch area were a little small, but that's not a big drawback considering how convenient this place was. The pisco sours at the bar were great!

Catherine W

Google

Wonderful place to stay if you can afford it. ||Located across from the gate meant that we were able to take advantage of an early admission to the Citadel at 7 am after breakfast.||Kind of a once in a lifetime thing. We were there to celebrate a friend's retirement.

Flyer533879

Google

Simply AMAZING!!!! ||You will be a Belmond hotel convert after this. No adverbs or adjectives can describe the impeccable service received from the hotel staff from start to the end of the stay. I would recommend booking tours of Machu PIcchu through the hotel. Our tour guide Fatima made all the difference to our Machu Picchu experience.

Hiroko S

Google

I know Belmond offers luxurious accommodation, but I still hesitated to reserve a high dollar room for a rather smaller room when I was shopping around a room in Machu Picchu. But I am so glad that I did. Location, service, amenities, food... everything was just perfect and we are definitely going back!

Jon Connell

Google

Our Sanctuary Lodge stay was inspired by a blog and we pretty much did the same except my wife’s knees were being pushed getting to we the top of the city so we skipped the mountains. We decided to upgrade to a terrace and full board which was a good move. We went guide-free in MP in the afternoon we arrived and paid the hotel $138 for a guide for the following morning so that we would not be rushed risking my wife’s knees by a guide looking to recycle punters. The hotel’s last minute finding of a guide for a 6am start was superb service. Fatima, our guide, was outstanding and patient and we were back for breakfast after 3 hours. The full board is actually all inclusive and the room is stashed with booze and trail nibbles. But it came in at an eye-watering £1200 which is well over our usual pain threshold even for one of those once-only trips. Allow 2-3 hours from train arrival to entry into MP to get the bus, check-in, and have lunch. Despite the hefty rate, I’d be tempted to spend 2 nights here if I did this again, hike one of the mountains solo then relax back at the hotel.

Akriti G

Google

Wow! What an experience at this hotel! Yes, pricey but worth every penny. There are abundant amenities provided, and full board option is filled with delicious and thoughtfully curated meals. And the location can't be beat! We were able to visit Machu Picchu 3 times within just our short 24 hour stay. Though the property is small, the food, location, and ambiance (there is a private orchid garden on site!) make it worth the splurge. Huge shoutout to Karen (helped us check in and answer any questions), Orlando (helped us on multiple occasions, especially when I had hurt my ankle- brought ice to our room himself), and Christian (the best waiter ever, educated us about Peruvian cuisine, and kept us entertained the entire dinner.) Wish we had more time there!

Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu

Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu

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