As a tourist destination, Peru is a country that can offer visitors a wide variety of different attractions, ranging from its amazing cultural and historic heritage through to the natural wonders of the Amazon and its stunning beaches. It truly is a destination that has about anything you'd like to do and in my opinion, for something like a 7-day or 10-day itinerary, it is the best country to hit in South America.
After long days exploring and walking, there is nothing better than a great hotel to rest and recharge in. Fortunately, Peru enjoys some superb luxury hotels, and here is a selection of some of the very best hotels on offer in the country:
The Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Just half an hour away from the spectacular hilltop site of Machu Picchu, this beautiful hotel is made up of a selection of welcoming and luxurious cottages that are set in twelve acres of picturesque Andean hillside. The rustic Peruvian style of the surroundings doesn't disappoint, with comfortable spacious rooms that can be heated by a cozy fire when the temperature starts to drop. The spa here offers a wide variety of relaxing treatments, including the wonderful Andean Hot Stones, while the restaurant offers excellent food in a dining area with glass walls giving stunning views over the surrounding mountains, a highlight of your holiday in Peru.
Hotel Rio Sagrado, Urubamba
Just outside the town of Urubamba lies this charming hotel which is set in some of the most attractive surroundings on offer in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. It was the first time I had been to the Sacred Valley and I only had essentially half a day there, but I will be back. Beautiful.
The rooms offer superb spacious accommodation with excellent views of the valley and access to the stunning gardens of the hotel, on the banks of the Urubamba River. The hotel is a superb base for those who want to enjoy the many activities in the area which includes white water rafting, horseback riding and mountain biking, and after an exhilarating day it is great to be able to relax with a cocktail or a stunning meal in the hotel restaurant. I certainly took advantage of those opportunities myself.
Hotel B, Lima
Located in an exquisite colonial property within the Barranco district of the city, Hotel B offers stunning accommodation in stylish surroundings with an excellent collection of Peruvian art decorating its walls. The attractive rooms have been tastefully furnished with luxurious beds and chairs, and they are a great retreat from the bustle of Lima itself, despite being close to the city center. The lovely dining area offers some of the best seafood and Peruvian dishes in the city, while art lovers will be delighted to take advantage of the direct link to the Lucia de la Puente Gallery, which offers exclusive private viewings to the guests in the hotel.
Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco
Situated in a stunning historic building at the heart of Cuzco, this hotel is both very close to the city center and offers a tranquil escape from the busy and noisy streets of the charming city. The hotel itself is a beautifully decorated and tasteful luxury hotel, where the rooms not only enjoy the best Peruvian furnishings, but also make the most of the historic features of the building itself. The highlight of the hotel is the amazing outdoor heated swimming pool located in the courtyard, which is completely hidden from the outside world, and is a great location to relax and sample some of the stunning cocktails and food from the nearby hotel restaurant.
This might have been my single favorite hotel during my entire two-week trip. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take advantage of the morning yoga they offered, but I did love this photo of the instructor doing poses over the stream rising from the heated pool so much, I had to post it.
Reserva Amazonica, Tambopata
Right within the Amazon basin itself, this remarkable hotel is located within the Tambopata Nature Reserve which is an amazing place to explore and to enjoy the natural beauty of this remote part of Peru. The rooms in the hotel are all located in their own private cabin area, which gives visitors, airy and spacious places to sleep, while the main building has a beautiful social area with an excellent restaurant and bar. Many visitors coming to the hotel will do so to take advantage of the superb natural excursions on offer, either into the jungle of the Amazon itself, or over the jungle on the Inkaterra Canopy walkway which gives people a view of the natural world that resides at the top of the trees in the forest.
And this sundown.
