Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Machu Picchu
Peru, South America
Key Highlights
- ✓Service Inconsistencies:** Despite instances of excellent service, some guests have experienced slow room service, miscommunication, and unhelpful staff.
Expert Review: Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel: A Michelin One-Key Sanctuary in the Cloud Forest
The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel stands as a notable Michelin One-Key property, nestled amidst the lush cloud forest of Machu Picchu Pueblo (formerly Aguas Calientes). It generally evokes a sense of enchantment and immersion in nature, though guest experiences highlight both exceptional aspects and areas for improvement.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel leans towards a positive, often "excellent" or "wonderful" experience, with an average rating around 8.7 out of 10 on various platforms. Guests frequently appreciate the hotel's unique setting and its commitment to sustainability. However, there are recurring sentiments that, despite its luxury positioning, some aspects might not entirely meet the high expectations associated with its price point, leading to "significant complaints about the service, cleanliness, and value for money" from some guests.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud the hotel for several standout features:
- Immersive Natural Setting & Design: The hotel is a "dreamlike sanctuary" spread across 12 acres of mountainside property, featuring whitewashed adobe casitas, winding stone paths, and abundant jungle flora, including over 370 species of orchids and more than 200 bird species. The design harmoniously blends with the natural environment, offering a tranquil and sensory-rich world. Many rooms offer views of the surrounding mountains and vibrant flora.
- Unique Experiences & Amenities: The property offers guided nature walks, including bird viewing tours, and houses a spectacled bear conservation project. The UNU Spa, with its sauna and hot springs, is a significant draw, combining classic treatments with an Andean approach and using natural botanical extracts. Some suites boast private plunge pools.
- Exceptional Breakfast & Dining Atmosphere: Breakfast options, including a buffet and à la carte choices, are frequently praised for their quality and selection. The main restaurant, often described as having a "natural feel" with local crafts and an "earthy color scheme," offers stunning views of the Vilcanota River and serves upscale Andean cuisine with a contemporary twist.
3. Room Quality
The 85 casitas and suites are designed in a classic Spanish Colonial style, featuring local craftsman-made furnishings, alpaca blankets, and fine cotton sheets. Many rooms include wood-burning fireplaces and spacious bathrooms. Some also come with minibars, Wi-Fi, and private outdoor areas with spas. Specific room types range from Superior to expansive Villas with butler service and private plunge pools. Guests have noted thoughtful touches like natural insect repellent and heated towel racks.
However, some guests have described room interiors as "much too basic to be considered 5 stars," feeling "a bit old and unclean". Complaints about cold rooms and mosquitoes have also been raised. Shower quality has been criticized as "basic with minimal stream".
4. Dining Experience
Dining at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is generally highly regarded. Both buffet breakfast and dinner are included in the rates, with à la carte options also available. The hotel's restaurants are celebrated for their "delicious and very very fancy" food, offering a mix of Peruvian and international cuisine, often utilizing organic ingredients from the hotel's gardens. The dining room provides an exceptional view of the Vilcanota River and surrounding mountains. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available. Some guests have praised the "generous and delicious" included dinner and breakfast.
5. Service & Staff
Guest feedback on service and staff is somewhat mixed but often positive, with many describing staff as "super friendly," "helpful," and "excellent". The staff is commended for going "above and beyond," such as assisting with luggage from the train station, delivering it to the next destination, and even retrieving forgotten items. The presence of knowledgeable guides for on-site excursions is also appreciated.
Conversely, some guests have reported "significant complaints about the service". Specific criticisms include slow room service (e.g., waiting for wood for the fireplace) and instances of "miscommunication" and "catastrophic" reception staff who were unhelpful or in a bad mood.
6. Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts an "amazing" and "great location" in Machu Picchu Pueblo, just a 10-minute walk from the train station. While not the closest to the Machu Picchu ruins themselves, its placement at the edge of town offers a unique advantage: it's surrounded by a private nature reserve, providing an immediate immersion into the high-mountain cloud forest, teeming with flora and fauna. This allows for a feeling of being "far away" from the bustle of town while still being accessible. The hotel is approximately a half-day trip to the citadel, often including an expertly guided tour.
7. Value & Pricing
Pricing for Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is on the higher end, with average nightly rates ranging from approximately $374 to $528. While some guests consider it "absolutely not worth the price" given certain perceived shortcomings, others find it to be "very good value considering the meals included" and a "once in a lifetime experience" that is "worth the money". It is significantly more expensive than the average hotel room in Machu Picchu Pueblo, which stands at around $103. The cost reflects its luxury status, unique eco-lodge experience, and comprehensive inclusions like breakfast and dinner, and some on-site excursions.
8. Common Complaints
Several recurring issues appear in guest feedback:
- Service Inconsistencies: Despite instances of excellent service, some guests have experienced slow room service, miscommunication, and unhelpful staff.
- Room Comfort & Cleanliness: Criticisms include rooms being cold, the presence of mosquitoes, a perception of rooms being "old and unclean," and basic shower facilities that don't match a luxury standard.
- Value for Money: A significant complaint is that the hotel, for its high price, sometimes falls short of guests' expectations, particularly concerning room quality and overall service, leading to feelings that it does not provide adequate value.
- Non-operational Amenities: On occasion, some amenities like the sauna, main hot pool, or pool bar have been reported as closed or not fully operational, especially during holiday periods.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •Several recurring issues appear in guest feedback:
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
