No matter how many photos you’ve seen, nothing prepares you for the wonderment of Machu Picchu. Abandoned a century after completion and forgotten for over three, the Lost City is now Peru’s crowning relic of the Inca Empire. Any Machu Picchu vacation starts with a good night’s sleep. Named for its thermal springs, Aguas Calientes (also known as Machu Picchu Pueblo) is the location for the majority of hotels near Machu Picchu. Otherwise, it’s possible to take a day trip from the Sacred Valley either by hopping on the train at Ollantaytambo or booking a tour. Across both areas, these are the best Machu Picchu hotels for exploring the sacred city of the Incas and connecting with Peruvian culture.
Trekking the Inca Trail? Check out Matador’s guides to everything you need to thrive on the trail:
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- What to pack for an epic trekking adventure in Latin America
- All the fall camping gear you need to have an epic trip
- All the outdoor gear you need to keep moving on the trail this spring
- These Airbnbs near Machu Picchu provide a historical experience in the Andes
We hope you love these hotels near Machu Picchu! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Address: Aguas Calientes 08681, Peru
Rates from: $493/night
Minutes from the Aguas Calientes train station, you can’t find a more convenient base than the 5-star Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. All rooms come with slippers crafted from recycled materials and eco-friendly bathing products. If you’re hankering for something extra, superior rooms feature open fireplaces or a complimentary bottle of pisco. Top-tier suites have a private garden or plunge pool.
Breakfast is available from the crack of dawn in the riverside restaurant while scores of eateries are within walking distance of the hotel. Soothe aching muscles with a hot stone massage at the onsite Unu Spa in one of the most popular luxury hotels near Machu Picchu.
Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Rates from: $390/night
Skirting the edge of town, warm-hued rooms at the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel are personalized with Andean motifs and pre-Colombian art. Garden view units enhance the sense of calmness at this low-key luxe hotel but a Vilcanota River view is a justifiable upgrade. All rooms have a tub for that much-needed post-hike soak although only the suites feature a Jacuzzi.
One of the best Machu Picchu hotels for families, kids can try their hand at baking Andean cookies or wind down with a tee-shirt painting kit. On the other hand, adults may participate in their own Andean wedding ceremony or explore the citadel with a shaman.
Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu, Belmond Hotel
Rates from: $1,375/night
As the only hotel in Machu Picchu, Sanctuary Lodge gets top marks for views. Sitting 7,700 feet above sea level, the Belmond property is steps from the entrance. Comprising 31 rooms and suites, the lodge retains an intimate vibe with the majority of units coming with private patios.
Given the remote setting of Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu, reservations are full board. Ingredients are plucked from the hotel’s plot on the slopes of the Lost City. Put your name down for the exclusive First Light tour or surprise your spouse with a Sunrise Breakfast overlooking Huayna Picchu. Spiritual experiences include cocoa leaf readings and offerings guided by an Andean shaman.
Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel, Sacred Valley
Rates from: $605/night
The second of two Belmond hotels near Machu Picchu, the Rio Sagrado, Sacred Valley recreates a rural Peruvian village complete with free-roaming alpacas. As with its sister up the mountain, the restaurant serves seasonal cuisine sourced from its own ecological garden. Al fresco dining experiences are held periodically on the grounds while bespoke picnics are available for couples and small groups.
Constructed from natural stones and wood, terrace rooms, suites, and villas are sanctuaries of calm. All come with a patch of private garden and Wi-Fi but television is strictly off-limits at this luxury Machu Picchu hotel near Ollantaytambo train station.
El MaPi Hotel by Inkaterra
Rates from: $200/night
The El MaPi Hotel by Inkaterra is a larger and more modern alternative to the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel. Situated on the northern side of the Río Agua Caliente, the El MaPi Hotel is a tad closer to the hot springs. Rooms are minimalist in style with travel quotes emblazoned on walls and panoramic windows overlooking the bustling town center.
A wellness spa roosts on the top floor with views over the cloud forest. Amenities extend to a pine sauna, a heated plunge pool, and a full-service treatment menu. Start your day with a nutritious breakfast in La Cafeteria and wind down with a buffet dinner in the evening at this half-board Machu Picchu hotel.
Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel
Rates from: $224/night
Close to the train station, riverside, and restaurants, the Casa del Sol Machu Picchu Boutique Hotel is a stellar launchpad for hiking and thermal dipping. Rooms fuse traditional Andean décor with contemporary comforts with the best units coming with a river view. Perfect for a couple, the suite features a covered balcony with a hot tub and breakfast nook.
One of the best Machu Picchu hotels for cultural experiences, the lodge organizes guided trips to the site while cooking classes and Pisco Sour workshops are available closer to home. And of course, the spa beckons after a grueling couple of days of trekking.
Tierra Viva Cusco Machu Picchu
Rates from: $130/night
Of all the Machu Picchu hotels in Aguas Calientes, Tierra Viva is closest to the Camino Peatonal trailhead and the Butterfly Farm. Included in the rate, the buffet breakfast opens at 5 a.m. sharp. Private dining, pachamanca experiences, and cooking classes are all available to supplement your stay in Peru.
Attractive to all budgets, bright and spacious rooms are more spartan in style. Expansive windows allow the light to circulate and simple textile wall hangings add depth. Suites have the added perk of a mountain-view terrace while the signature suite has a Jacuzzi corner tub.
Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo
Rates from: $214/night
The most adventurous hotel at Machu Picchu, Las Qolqas EcoResort Ollantaytambo is made up of individual eco-luxe bungalows. These tented cabins accommodate two, four, or eight guests and open out onto a private patio facing the mountains. Each unit contains a hotel-standard bathroom and wood stove for cozy evenings.
Onsite dining changes as per the season with options for vegans and vegetarians and potato-based local wine. Picnics are available and yoga, meditation, and dance classes are hosted in the geodesic dome. A short drive from Ollantaytambo train station, the upscale glamping resort is convenient for a day trip to Machu Picchu and Sacred Valley.
Del Pilar Ollantaytambo
Rates from: $70/night
Close to KM82, Del Pilar Ollantaytambo is one of the best hotels in Machu Picchu near the Inca Trail. Guide services are available to the Lost City as well as other sights in the Sacred Valley. The property offers free parking and bicycle rentals, both of which are handy in this off-the-grid setting.
The lodge comprises unfussy rooms with a high level of comfort and cleanliness. All grant valley and mountain views while the bungalow accommodates a family or small group. Ideal for a decent night’s kip before starting the multi-day trek, rates at Del Pilar include breakfast and you can look forward to a massage upon return from the sanctuary.
Rupa Rupa High Jungle Eco B&B
Rates from: $92/night
In terms of budget-friendly hotels near Machu Picchu, you’re onto a winner with the Rupa Rupa High Jungle Eco B&B. Halfway up a rainforest-clad mountain, this boutique property consists of fresh rooms accented with rustic headboards, monstera wall art, and wall-to-wall windows.
Rolled into the rate, the nutrient-packed breakfast will fire you up for a day roaming the site. The location is convenient for the cafes, grocery stores, and thermal baths. Word of warning – you’ve got 100 steps to contend with to reach reception. On the plus side, it’s all good practice for a couple of days of hiking.
Palacio del Inka, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Cusco
Rates from: $325/night
Seeing as you’ll start your Machu Picchu vacation in Cusco, you may need accommodation in the city for a night or two. Centrally located, the Palacio del Inka, A Luxury Collection Hotel by Marriott is a 15-minute walk from San Pedro train station.
Classic rooms are accented in scarlet and gold tones with Frette linens on the bed. Suites in the mansion follow suit but are embellished with lavish wallpapering and decorative furniture. The spa welcomes hotel residents and guests staying elsewhere. There’s no shortage of where to eat nearby although the property bar isn’t a bad place to sip your first – or final – Pisco Sour.
What is Machu Picchu?
Machu Picchu is an Incan citadel in the Peruvian Andes. Watched over by Huayna Picchu, La Ciudadela comprises close to 200 residences, temples, tombs, and bathhouses. Landmarks include the Temple of the Sun, the House of the High Priest, and the Royal Tomb. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
When was Machu Picchu built?
Thought to have been created as an estate for the emperor Pachacuti, Machu Picchu was constructed in the mid-15th century. Abandoned only a century after completion due to fears of a potential invasion, the archaeologist Hiram Bingham happened upon the citadel in 1911.
What does Machu Picchu mean?
Also spelled Machupijchu, Machu Picchu means “Old Mountain” in the Quechua language. Huayna Picchu means “Young Mountain”.
Why is Machu Picchu important?
UNESCO recognizes Machu Picchu as one of the most outstanding artistic, architectural, and land-use achievements. Although archaeologists believe Machu Picchu was first and foremost a royal estate, most concur the site held wider religious and spiritual importance to the Inca Empire. The construction methods were ingenuous – even with the absence of mortar, the buildings could withstand earthquakes. Today, Machu Picchu remains a beacon of cultural significance for the indigenous people of the region.
Where is Machu Picchu located?
The Lost City of the Incas is located in the Machupicchu District of southern Peru’s Urubamba Province. It’s ensconced within the Andes Mountains of Peru on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera de Vilcabamba – a range that meets the Amazon basin.
Where is Machu Picchu on a map?
On a map of Machu Picchu, you’ll see that the ancient citadel is extremely isolated and surrounded by a cloud forest. While it looks nearby, Agua Calientes – the location of the closest hotels and Airbnbs near Machu Picchu – is a two-hour hike via Camino Peatonal. There is only one hotel in Machu Picchu: the Sanctuary Lodge Machu Picchu. The Sacred Valley lies to the east and Cusco to the southeast.
What is the elevation of Machu Picchu?
The saddle of the mountain where Machu Picchu is located sits at 7,972 feet above sea level. Huayna Picchu, the iconic peak, summits at 8,835 feet. Terraced layers provided a solution to the mountainous terrain.
What city is Machu Picchu in?
Cusco is the closest city to Machu Picchu. Far closer and purpose-built for tourism, the town of Aguas Calientes is where you’ll find the closest hotels near Machu Picchu.
How to get to Machu Picchu
All Machu Picchu vacations start in Cusco. From there, you can take a train to Aguas Calientes (or Machu Picchu Pueblo) where most of the hotels in Machu Picchu are located. Most travelers hike to the citadel from town but buses are available for those who need them. Otherwise, you can get to Machu Picchu by trekking the 26-mile Inca Trail.
How to get to Machu Picchu from Lima
Jumping on a plane is the fastest way of getting from Lima to Cusco. Flight time is one and a half hours whereas by bus you’re looking at 22 hours. Once in Cusco, you’ll catch a train operated by PeruRail or IncaRail.
What airport is near Machu Picchu?
Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) in Cusco is the closest airport to Machu Picchu. Cusco Airport is just a short flight from Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima. 