Urubamba Villas
An Andean home from home, these villas are beautifully decorated in keeping with their rural location.
These two and three bedroom villas set in landscaped gardens are in an ideal setting for exploration of the Urubamba valley and offer a more relaxed and private base than a hotel.
Each casita has its own terrace, as well as a fireplace to warm up the evenings, and comes with full housekeeping as well as cooking services for breakfast, tea and dinner and optional lunch.
Each has a distinctive character, with decorative antiques and artifacts, plus brightly colored hand-woven textiles and rugs to complement the earthy adobe walls.
Why We Love It
The villas are ideal for families and provide plenty of facilities for children, including bunk beds, children's menu, babysitting, and an explorer kit complete with compass.
Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado
The extremely comfortable Rio Sagrado hotel earned its name from its location on the banks of the Urubamba River (Rio) which flows through the Inca people's Sacred (Sagrado) Valley. You can understand the accolade, as the landscape and views are pretty breathtaking.
An hour and a half from Cusco, The Rio Sagrado is a hotel with classic contemporary style, but boasts enough local touches to remind you this is Peru, such as the brightly coloured bed throws in the rooms.
There are 21 rooms in total, with another two villas with three double/twin rooms in each that can be taken privately. All the accommodation has luxurious Peruvian cotton sheets and underfloor heating, with spectacular views of the river flowing past.
El Huerto Restaurant specialises in Peruvian cuisine using local spices and organic produce and there is also a cosy bar, again overlooking the river.
Those looking for a bit of relaxation on their trip may enjoy the Mayu Wilka Spa which offers a number of treatments, and there is also a pool, and gardens filled with eucalyptus trees. However if its something more active they are after, away from the hotel itself, guests can explore the dramatic landscapes by mountain bike or on a riding trip, and, of course, visit nearby Machu Picchu.
Why We Love It
The accent here is on going local, with the Mayu Wilka spa using indigenous herbs to create many of the lotions and potions used in their treatments, and the El Huerto restaurant cooking with the best local produce and herbs.
Explora Valle Sagrado
Tucked away in the high Andean mountains in a remote ancient corn plantation is Explora Valle Sagrado. With its immaculate gardens, minimal designs, and prestigious location in the foothills of Sacred Valley, this resort is a world away from everyday life.
The open space, both inside and out, coupled with designs in keeping with the Andean's natural surroundings is what makes this resort stand out. There are 50 spacious rooms, designed for maximum silence and privacy. Each room looks out onto the stunning mountains and valleys beyond. To ensure ultimate tranquillity the rooms are not equipped with Wi-Fi, television, or minibars.
The menu has been specially designed to keep guests feeling strong yet lightweight during intrepid trails. Using authentic flavours and top-quality ingredients, the food adds another dimension to your Andean adventure.
There is a plethora of exploration activities that can be enjoyed by foot or bike. Admire the abundance of fauna and flora in the high mountains surrounding Valle Sagrado during a trek. In between trails, relax in luxury at the spa which features a heated swimming pool and sauna.
Why We Love It
Perfection is key at Explora Valle Segrado. During the construction of the resort, design was changed several times following archaeological studies that revealed Inca remains. The result, a resort that is immaculate in design.