Machu Picchu, PeruAguas Calientes
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Andean river lodge
Aguas Calientes Machu Picchu, Peru
Renovated
2016
Price
$$$$
Rated for
Local Design LuxeOutside the door
Andean river lodge
The lodge sits beside the Vilcanota River, welcoming hikers from the citadel with Quechua rituals and local artisan craft.
“Sumaq happily exceeds expectations with 62 large wood-beamed suites, sophisticated décor, service and knockout culinary, including the obligatory Pisco Sour.”
What it’s good at
Remarkable
Qunuq serves high-Andean dishes crafted with wild Sacred Valley ingredients and native herbs.
Notable
River-facing bedrooms furnished with goose-down comforters and heavy alpaca wool blankets.
What they say
Michelin Selected
Michelin
Also in Condé Nast Traveler and AFAR.
With just 60 rooms and suites, it’s in no danger of feeling out of proportion with its surroundings, and thanks to the way it’s tastefully tailored to its setting — it’s full of Inca art and objets — it never feels anything less than wholly respectful.
Somewhere quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
On the banks of the Vilcanota River, a peaceful walk from Aguas Calientes station.
1 of 4
The rooms
Bedrooms have polished wood floors and gold Chakana motifs. The three suites add private whirlpool tubs.
The spa
Four private rooms host massages using heated stones from the Vilcanota River and botanical oils infused with coca leaves.
Ancestral rituals
A shaman conducts Andean ceremonies and sound baths on floor cushions, using traditional pututo conchs and quena flutes.
Qunuq Restaurant
Second-floor tables sit beneath exposed timber beams, looking through picture windows onto the rushing river and cloud forest cliffs.
The hotel also offers a pachamanca cooking experience during which visitors learn how Quechua cooks prepare an ‘earth oven’ stew, which is sealed in plantain leaves and cooked in an underground fire pit.
At the table
Suquy Café & Bar mixes piscos infused with local muña, and the open-air river terrace looks out onto misty slopes.
How it began
Its Quechua name translates to pleasant, chosen by the Peruvian Clavijo family when they opened the lodge in 2007.
Machu Picchu
More like this
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
“Cloud forest hideaway”
Sanctuary Lodge, A Belmond Hotel, Machu Picchu
“Cloud-forest citadel lodge”
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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.