Machu Picchu, PeruAguas Calientes
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
Cloud-forest citadel lodge
Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu, Peru
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Luxe Wellness LocalOutside the door
The house
BelmondCloud-forest citadel lodge
The lodge sits directly at the citadel gates, giving guests quiet access to the ruins after the daily crowds leave.
“You’ll never sleep anywhere closer to Machu Picchu than Belmond Sanctuary Lodge—it’s adjacent to the site entrance, and the only hotel on the mountain.”
What it’s good at
Notable
Private butlers serve breakfast on orchid-garden platforms beside plush robes for post-hike afternoons.
Notable
Alfresco massage decks in the orchid gardens host traditional Inca bodywork rituals.
Notable
Shaman-led Pachamama ceremonies and coca leaf readings on the open-air garden terrace.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
UK Readers' Choice Awards – South & Central America
Condé Nast Traveler
2025
Also in AFAR.
the rooms aren’t overly large, they are comfortable and well-appointed, and some come with patios that open up onto spectacular views.
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Directly at the Machu Picchu entrance gates, surrounded by cloud forest below Huayna Picchu.
The rooms
Bedrooms are compact with marble bathrooms, and select rooms open onto private patios overlooking the surrounding peaks.
The spa and meditation deck
Treatment tables sit outdoors among subtropical foliage, and a wooden deck looks toward Huayna Picchu for meditation.
Tampu Restaurant
Pitched glass skylights and stone pillars enclose the dining room, which serves Andean trout and regional specialties.
At the table
Outdoor tables sit among the mountain gardens, where breakfast and private dinners look out over the high peaks.
How it began
The site began as a staging camp for researchers and guardians after Hiram Bingham arrived in 1911.
Machu Picchu
More like this
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Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.