Review of Belmond Sanctuary Lodge Hotel in Machu Picchu

If you're on the fence about staying at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge or at a hotel down in the main town of Aguas Calientes, I'd encourage you to book the Belmond! The hotel is a 15-second walk from the entrance to Machu Picchu, and everything is arranged for the convenience of the guest. For example, the first timed tickets to Machu Picchu open at 6 am, so the Belmond's (incredible) breakfast spread begins at 5:30am to give explorers enough time to fortify before starting their day. Machu Picchu closes at 5pm, and at 5:30pm the Belmond offers a free guided walk to see a sunset view of the ruins, followed by a complimentary cocktail crafting session at 6pm. This enables guests to take advantage of all the activities without having to compromise any time exploring Machu Picchu.

The rooms are thoughtfully appointed with a very comfortable bed, which is so important after a long day of hiking! The amenity kits offer many delightful touches as well, such as a special cream for tired feet, a cacao-coffee body scrub, bath products made of local herbs and warming body oil; you have everything you need to pamper yourself before and after you explore. The room's mini-bar also contains a plethora of snacks and local beverages, along with a Nespresso machine in case you want to kick-start your day with an espresso before heading to breakfast. The hotel generously upgraded me to the one-bedroom suite, which was incredible. Each room's terrace leads out to a lush, verdant common area, with several outdoor sofas set below a waterfall where guests can relax, have a drink or maybe even a cheeky nap after a long day of hiking.

The food at the Belmond is some of the best we had in all of Peru— local ingredients are creatively combined and you can taste the freshness in each bite. The menu changes between lunch and dinner, so you won't feel bored between meals. The restaurant offers nightly musical entertainment, or if you'd rather relax in your room, a substantial menu is available via room service.

I didn't try any spa services but the hotel did offer massages. Small touches here and there continued to make the stay feel extra special, such as the mini polaroid photos taken during dinner and the option to do a small sacred water ritual during the sunset walk. I was genuinely sad to leave after only two nights, but the Belmond made our parting as lovely as possible, offering a locally crafted keychain souvenir, a chocolate bar that looked like an art piece thanks to its colorful swirly design and lastly, a hotel representative who rode the bus with me and carried my suitcase all the way to the train station. Five-star service at its best!

The Belmond Sanctuary Lodge is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a more luxurious experience of Machu Picchu. It literally doesn't get any more deluxe than this! Reach out and let me plan your perfect adventure in Peru!

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