What People are saying
Location Location Location!
Chicagogirl2000on 28/08/2017 20:33A friend and I got to stop by at the Sanctuary Lodge during our visit to Machu Picchu. The afternoon tea was wonderful after a long and tiring day of hiking. Even though the tea was a buffet, there was a variety of items to choose from - savory & sweet. We enjoyed our tea so much that we decided to come back again the following day for lunch after another morning hike. You must try their homemade ice-cream. My favorite was the eucalyptus flavor. I could have just eaten a bowl of that for lunch!! The staff overall was great and professional. We also had the pleasure of meeting the food and beverage director M. Leitao during our visit. He was extremely courteous and welcoming to us. You definitely can see his passion for his job in how he treats his guests and even his staff.
Highly recommend including the Sanctuary Lodge during your visit for the convenience, luxury and a memorable experience. I recommend getting reservations in advance as it does get booked fast. You will not be disappointed!
$$$ but worth it
sofiaraldirison 28/08/2017 16:44If you go to Machu Picchu this is the place to be. Its expensive but it is right at the gate of the park. They have a pisco sour drink demonstraton and the service is wonderful. If u plan on going to machu picchu plan to go two days in a row to try and go during good weather. When I arrived I went and it was beautiful but the next day it was raning and fogy bearly visible. Also pack layers, very cold in the mornings and night.
So Glad I Stayed Here
MyrtleWiltshireon 24/08/2017 17:06It's not just about location, location, location though that of course is the main thing, but we loved the hotel. Yes, the rooms are small and bland for the price, but the mini bar was included, a smart shower room, comfy bed, beautiful gardens worth making time to explore, the staff were charming and helpful though they have a huge turnover of guests. The food was really excellent, from the lunch buffet in the "public" restaurant which was very classy, to a superb dinner with all drinks included and very extensive breakfast buffet with cooked food to order. When you arrive off the train they will take your overnight bags up for you (and bring them down when you leave) rather than trying to take them on the bus where there is no room at all and there is a waiting room by the platform which is welcome as it is hard to judge when to come down again for the train back as it depends how long the queue for the bus down is. It was such a treat to be right by the gate to the site with minimal queuing for buses. Our train arrived at 11 and we had to queue 50 mins for a bus, we had a guide to take us round the ruins after lunch and plenty of time afterwards to explore on our own (the so called new rules are not being enforced yet apart from buying a morning or afternoon ticket, people are free to wander round on their own). As the afternoon drew to a close it became much quieter and when we were ready to leave we could ignore the queue for buses and go into our lovely hotel! The following morning my nieces climbed Huayna Picchu and my husband and I walked to the Sun Gate (we entered at 6 when it opened, the buses had already started arriving and there was a big queue to enter but it moved quickly once the gates were open, it is not as slow as queuing for a bus). We came back at 9 and could enjoy a relaxed breakfast before checking out at 11 and joining the bus queue to go back down for our train.
Worth It!
JKim27on 22/08/2017 01:29Yes, it is very expensive but we got up the next morning and were among the first in Machu Picchu during high season. Another couple we met on this trip stayed in Aguas Calientes and waited two hours for a bus early in the morning just to get them to the Citadel. That would have taken some of the fun out of the trip for me so I was so happy we stayed on site. Plus the hotel treats you really well. They arranged the bus back down for us and made sure our suitcase was taken care of on both sides of the trip. It's a once in a lifetime experience so why not splurge if you can. Also, the meals and grounds (gardens) were wonderful and the pisco lesson was an excellent time. One other bonus -- we were able to hike Huayana Picchu (the 7am entrance) come back, shower and breakfast before catching the 11 am train. It was so nice to freshen up after that hike!
THE Place to Stay Belmont Santuary Lodge
travelinggirl009on 21/08/2017 15:05Went to Machu Picchu at the height of the high season and booked a few nights at the Belmont Sanctuary Lodge which is a few steps away from the entrance of the ruins.
Staff members worked effortlessly and with ease to make my experience one to remember. Danny Rios one of the waiters gave excellent service and takes much pride in his work. Victor the bartender gives a demo on making a Pisco Sour.I booked my return trip to Cusco on the Hiram Bingham. Sanctuary Lodge provides tea at 4 while you wait for the private bus to drive you to a VIP session of the station to wait for boarding your train back to Cusco. There were very long lines to wait for the buses to take you back to the train station and you need to time your departure since the trip takes about half an hour to travel if not taking the Hiram Bingham train. The Lodge offers a shower and change room for hotel guests to use before leaving along with a garden area to rest. The food was great and the location can not be beat.