Where you sleep near Machu Picchu matters more than people expect. The town of Aguas Calientes directly below the ruins is compact and functional but has a wide range of hotels; the Sacred Valley an hour away has the serious luxury properties.
Peruways books across both tiers. At the top end: Belmond Sanctuary Lodge (the only hotel right at the ruins’ entrance), Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo (cloud-forest grounds with their own orchid trail), and Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel in Aguas Calientes itself.
In the Sacred Valley, the Belmond Río Sagrado and the Explora Valle Sagrado run on the all-inclusive model with guided day trips, and are better for travellers using the valley as a base for more than one site.
Mid-range and boutique options exist at both locations. Peruways matches rooms to budget and trip length.
Full listings at Peruways.
