Café Inkaterra (at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel)
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"Great Location and Room – But Missing a Basic Comfort"
We had an overall positive experience at Inkaterra Aguas Calientes. The property’s stunning location and immersive natural surroundings created a truly memorable atmosphere. Our room was spacious, well-appointed, and made for a very comfortable stay. One drawback, however, was the lack of tea and coffee-making facilities in the room. For a hotel in the five-star category, this is a basic amenity expected globally. Having to call and request it each time felt a little inconvenient—especially during early mornings or late evenings when you just want a quick cup in-room. We hope the hotel considers adding this small but important feature to further elevate the guest experience.
"Overpriced, Poor Service. Stay Away!"
Our experience at this hotel was deeply disappointing, despite its beautiful setting. Upon arrival, we were given a room that was dirty and smelled musty. When we raised the issue, we were told there were no other rooms available but that they could use a “special machine” to remove the smell—as long as we vacated the room for a few hours. No one could clearly explain what this machine did. After speaking to four different staff members, we were finally informed that a suite was available—but only if we paid an additional $500 per night. It was very difficult to explain that we should not have to pay extra since none of the staff spoke English well, and no one seemed concerned about putting us in an unpleasant room in the first place. Exhausted from a long day of travel, we reluctantly agreed to move into the suite. That night, both my son and I became sick. Whether it was from the hotel food or something else, I’m not sure. When I called the front desk at 11 pm to ask if they had any medicine, the staff member told me I could go into town to the pharmacy but wasn’t sure if it was open. When I asked if he could call the pharmacy to check, he kept repeating that I should “go to the pharmacy.” His lack of English and unwillingness to help made a stressful situation worse. While the suite itself was nice, the service throughout our stay was consistently poor. Breakfast was included in our rate, but on the first day we were only offered a cold buffet. The following day, we discovered there was also a hot menu we should have been given—no one had mentioned it or apologized for the oversight.
"Beautiful, romantic resort"
Nestled beautifully in lush greenery, the property feels like something out of a tropical fairy tale. The charm and romance of the place are undeniable, with spacious, bright rooms featuring cozy working fireplaces—perfect for the chilly nights. The staff are outstanding, going above and beyond to make every guest feel at home. The hotel offers complimentary short hikes, including orchid tours and nature watching, which add to the immersive experience. Its location is ideal—just steps from the railway station and a 5-minute walk from the bus that takes you up to Machu Picchu. Little touches like a welcome drink upon arrival and complimentary tea, sandwiches, and cake from 4 pm onwards make the stay even more special. I couldn’t imagine a better place to spend a night or two. Inkaterra Machu Picchu is exceptional in every sense.
"Good location with nice rooms"
Our suite was lovely, with comfortable beds, an outdoor sofa, a private mineral pool, and an outdoor shower. The bathroom was spacious and included a towel warmer, which came in handy for drying clothes. Pros: Housekeeping kept the room spotless throughout our stay. The nature tour was fantastic and lasted about 1.5 hours. The pool bartender was attentive, and the hotel’s location is excellent. Breakfast offered a nice variety, and lunch was delicious (though the menu was limited). The lunch restaurant staff were also wonderful. Cons: Upon arrival, we met hotel staff at the train station, but still had to carry our backpacks uphill to our room. Communication among staff was poor—our breakfast wasn’t delivered one morning, even though we had a 7-hour hike planned that day. We were told by the restaurant manager that stamps were available at the front desk, but they weren’t. Turn-down service failed to show up two out of four nights, and when they did, toilet paper wasn’t replenished and garbage wasn’t emptied. Dinner was disappointing; after the first night, we didn’t return because it felt like cafeteria food—risotto was undercooked, and the chicken breast was overcooked and dry with the skin left on. The property itself is beautiful and has great potential, but for the price, service and dining need significant improvement.
"Luxury retreat in an exquisite setting for"
Situated around the midpoint of the Sacred Valley, this luxury boutique hotel offers a peaceful and serene atmosphere with only 33 casita-style rooms nestled on a green hillside above a charming hacienda-style main building. We stayed in Room #17 and loved its large wood-beamed ceiling and an impressively spacious bathroom—bigger than many budget hotel rooms. It featured a massive shower (5x10), a separate toilet room, and a long dressing area. At this elevation (9,500 feet), air conditioning wasn’t necessary, and the electric heaters kept the room cozy. Firewood was provided for the small wood stove, though we didn’t use it. The bed and pillows were very comfortable, and since each casita is in a separate building, the surroundings were wonderfully quiet. The only letdown was breakfast. The buffet was small and underwhelming in quality. While hot items like French toast could be ordered, they were just average, and service was surprisingly slow despite only a few guests dining at the time.
"The perfect place to stay whilst visiting Machu Picchu"
This is the ideal place to stay while exploring Machu Picchu. The grounds are absolutely delightful, and our room was spacious and comfortable. One evening, the staff even lit a cozy log fire in our room, creating the perfect atmosphere to unwind after an exciting day at the ruins. The location is excellent—just a short and easy walk to the railway station. We were especially grateful for the staff’s kind assistance with our luggage on departure, arranging for it to be taken directly to the station. They even thoughtfully suggested having a staff member accompany us to the bus line for Machu Picchu. We highly recommend staying at least two nights here and wish we had more time to enjoy the wonderful excursions the hotel offers.
"Very Disappointing"
Our travel agent recommended Inkaterra, describing it as the only “five-star” hotel in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). Unfortunately, it fell far short of expectations and felt more like a three-star property in need of serious renovation. Our room, likely untouched for over 20 years, had two small twin beds on a tiled floor and single-pane windows that did little to keep out the humidity. There was no air conditioning despite the damp environment, and the poorly lit property made navigating back to our room in the early morning or evening quite difficult. The staff felt indifferent—not unfriendly but lacking the warmth we experienced everywhere else in Peru. Dining was particularly disappointing. Dinner was terrible; I had to send my lomo saltado back twice—first because it was served completely raw, and then again because it came barely cooked despite asking for medium. Both tables near us also sent back their food, suggesting this wasn’t an isolated issue. The bread was stale, service was nearly non-existent, and prices were double what you’d pay elsewhere in Peru. Breakfast was equally underwhelming with a sparse buffet that felt decades out of date. Thankfully, you could order a few à la carte items that were just passable. At first glance, the villas nestled in the cloud forest seem impressive, but it’s mostly superficial charm. Beneath the surface, the property feels tired and in desperate need of updates. For the premium price they charge, this was an extremely disappointing experience. Once was more than enough—never again.
"Lugar ruim"
I didn’t stay at the hotel but dined at the restaurant, and it was a very disappointing experience. The food arrived lukewarm just minutes after ordering, and the drinks only came when we were nearly finished with our meal—completely the opposite of what you’d expect. To make matters worse, the bill was brought without us even asking, making the whole experience feel rushed and unwelcoming. If you don’t have a reservation, they suggest waiting despite having around 40 empty tables, or offer seating on the terrace—which, to be fair, is lovely. Still, the service and overall attitude left a lot to be desired.
"Overnight stay in the jungle"
Nestled in the jungle, this hotel offers a peaceful escape from the crowds of Machu Picchu while still being easily accessible. Booking a room with outdoor seating is highly recommended—it’s lovely to relax and listen to the birds. Breakfast and dinner are included in the price, which is a nice touch. Our only suggestion: hot breakfast orders shouldn’t take over 20 minutes to arrive.
"Avoid Joaquin"
While the property itself is beautiful, with lovely rooms, stunning grounds, and wonderful service from most of the staff, our experience was marred by the poor service at the front desk—particularly from Joaquin. When I requested a late checkout, I was told to return in the evening to check again. I did as advised, but Joaquin, who had been unfriendly at check-in, again asked me to “check later” and promised to call with an update. Unfortunately, no call ever came. I also asked him for change for a 100 peso note so I could leave a gratuity for housekeeping, but he claimed he didn’t have enough change. Aside from this disappointing interaction, the rest of our stay at Machu Picchu Pueblo was excellent thanks to the efforts of the other staff members.
Café Inkaterra (at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel)
Upscale restaurant in a beautiful natural setting. Serves high-end Peruvian and Andean dishes using local ingredients.
Address
Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
Email
[email protected]
Telephone
+5184211122