El MaPi by Inkaterra

El MaPi by Inkaterra is a modern surprise in the small town of Aguas Calientes. Upon entering, guests are met by a chic design with a heavy emphasis on nature. The lobby features a steel reception desk in front of a large photograph of trees. There’s a cozy seating area with posh couches and rustic wooden tables. The eco-theme is present throughout in such things like a chandelier made of repurposed glass bottles, floor-to-ceiling glass windows with views of the mountains, or branches and tree stumps used for decoration in the spa. Guests are made aware of hotel policies and services thanks to information painted in black on the walls in the public spaces and rooms. For instance, the room rates are found on the wall in the lobby, while happy hour reminders are placed on the walls in many of the rooms. The property draws mostly couples and friends, as well as loads of of tour groups looking for a modern stay among the often rustic budget hotels of the area. With a central location and plenty of guests, this property might be a little noisy for some. 

With a central location in Aguas Calientes, it’s no wonder that guests complain about bothersome noise. The hotel is surrounded by restaurants, bars, and shops. It’s only a seven-minute walk to the train station and three minutes to the bus stop. The hot springs that the town is named after, take 15 minutes to reach on foot. 

Rooms here are trendy and minimalist with gray tiled floors, white beds, rustic wooden headboards (some of which are painted cerulean blue), wooden furniture, and contemporary gray chairs or couches. Travel-inspired quotes on the walls add a fun element to the spaces. Features include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, bathrobes, and bottled water. Suites offer coffeemakers. Air-conditioning, like in most places in Peru, is not offered here, though they do have humidifiers in the rooms. Free Wi-Fi is hard to pick up in rooms, so it’s best to get connected in the public spaces. Bathroom designs vary -- some are open-floor plans which isn’t ideal for all. Bathrooms include showers with clear plastic curtains with quotes, toiletries, and hairdryers. Travelers complain of bothersome noise that comes from indoors and outdoors, so earplugs are advised. 

A modern design isn’t the only thing that draws travelers to El MaPi by Inkaterra. The hotel also provides a lot of free perks like a free drink in the bar on arrival, daily breakfast and dinner, and free Wi-Fi in public spaces. Breakfast has an egg and waffle station and diverse cold and hot items to choose from. Dinner is a three-course meal from a simple menu. Lunch is available, to-go or on-site, but for a fee. The bar offers happy hour, snacks, and drinks. Some complaints have been made about repetitive meals or uninspired food choices. Though there’s no gym, the hotel does have a lovely nature-inspired spa with a sauna, hot tub, showers, and massages. It costs a fee to use the facilities. Other things to note are a small boutique store that sells Peruvian-made items, a public computer, and guided excursions available to book (for a fee).