SUMAQ Machu Picchu Hotel

Set amid a scenic backdrop of lush greenery and mountains, this upscale hotel is popular with travelers bound for Machu Picchu. Stylish, tastefully appointed interiors mix contemporary furniture and warm woods with vivid colors and a bit of Incan flair. The lobby is awash in fiery red and tangerine hues: a bold graphic area rug echoes playful pom-pom fringes on pillows, while glowing lamps and gold artifacts lining shelves add even more warmth to the space. The hotel's restaurant continues with the maroon and gold color scheme, adding rustic touches like wood ceiling beams and stone columns to the elegantly set tables and leather chairs. Walls of windows overlook a lush mountain-scape. Overall, this is the top choice in the area for impeccable service with style and sublime scenery. Most of the guests are well-heeled international couples and families on a hiking vacation. 

The hotel occupies a prime location along the Urubamba River in Aguas Calientes, also known as the Machupicchu Pueblo. It's one of the last buildings on the way to the Machu Picchu site, and though the small town is busy with tourists, the hotel offers a peaceful atmosphere -- though some guests have complained of noise from the rushing river. There are lots of other hotels and guesthouses in the area, as well as several dining options and small shops in town. To reach Machu Picchu, travelers can take a 30-minute bus or hike for about an hour-and-a-half. There's a craft market in the center of town right next to the bus station, about an eight-minute walk away. Other attractions include the eponymous hot springs (about a 20-minute walk), a butterfly house (22-minute walk), and the Machu Picchu Museum & Botanical Garden (45-minute hike). The train station is a nine-minute walk away, and the hotel offers free luggage assistance to and from the station. Cuzco and its international airport are over three hours away by train.

Like the hotel's common spaces, guest rooms feature chic decor doused in warm wood tones paired with maroon and gold accents. Large padded headboards frame beds, which are topped with plush white linens and maroon or ochre runners that match the patterned area rugs. Some rooms feature handsome wooden wall panelling and decorative details like vases or hanging woven tapestries in jewel hues. All rooms offer seating and small round tables in addition to desks. Glass doors slide open onto private balconies offering exquisite views.

Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, minibars, electronic safes, and free Wi-Fi -- but some guests complain that it's slow. Junior Suites have capsule coffee machines and electric kettles. The Imperial Suite adds even more perks, such as bartender services, electric wine cellars, and an iPad Air. Sleek marble bathrooms feature shower/tub combos with rainfall showerheads, as well as magnifying mirrors and a selection of Clarins toiletries. Junior Suites have whirlpool tubs and separate walk-in rainfall showers, while the Imperial Suite has a whirlpool with hydrotherapy and chromotherapy that's placed in front of large windows overlooking mountain views.

Features at this boutique hotel are thorough and luxurious. The restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Peruvian cuisine in a stylish dining space overlooking the lush scenery outside. Buffet breakfasts are included in rates, as are a la carte lunches or dinners and afternoon tea, plus guests receive a welcome drink and snacks upon arrival. There's also a lobby bar for Pisco Sours. Other features include a spa that offers various massages and hydrotherapy treatments, as well as a sauna. The eco-chic space includes plant walls. The hotel offers various activities and excursions (for a fee), including Machu Picchu tours, Andean marriage ceremonies, and cooking classes. There are activities for kids as well, including cooking classes and Andean storytelling, which are included in rates. Free luggage assistance to and from the train station is a nice perk. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though it can be spotty. There's a business center on-site.