Very Special!

I liked this hotel and felt very privileged to stay here. I read some bad reviews beforehand but was pleasantly surprised. I think many improvements were made in the years since it opened. It didn't remind me of the pre-fab shed that someone described. The restaurants were pretty, particularly the a la carte one reserved for guests only (glass sunspace, fireplace, cozy chairs in the bar), and the food was great. We had a standard room in the main building, which although small, was very attractively decorated (king bed, small table and chairs, TV, minibar, bathroom (shower only). The linens and toiletries were nice, and I loved both the afternoon snack and the burning candle that was left at the evening turndown. Perhaps the upgraded rooms in the new building at the back of property were larger, and they had direct access to the patio and garden with teak tables/chairs and 2-person cushioned loungers. I felt that it was worth every penny to be right onsite, although the hours for visiting MP (and the prices) aren't any different for hotel guests than for the general public. The room rates are expensive, but consider that it includes three meals and all taxes (in 2005 anyway). And the food was really good! They rose to the occasion and presented wonderful multi-course meals. I didn't feel isolated or "stuck" like others had mentioned, although I did only stay for one night (two would have been ideal, but only one was available). One thing I wish I knew beforehand: there are Lodge porters just after exiting the train station who transfer your luggage to the hotel. Conversely, they also deliver it back to the exact train car that you travel home on so that you can spend some unencumbered time in Aguas Calientes without dragging your bags around. If I ever return to MP, I would love to stay again.

Loved this hotel!

This hotel was well worth the money. We stayed in the standard room and felt that it was nicer than the "ruins view" rooms - which did not overlook the main ruins. Our room overlooked a fantastic tropical garden with waterfalls, butterflies, ferns and flowers - a real garden of Eden - with the misty peaks behind it. We did not feel very hungry on our first lunchtime and the hotel agreed to swap the included lunch to the following day - so we ate our massive dinner in the evening and then finished with the massive lunch before getting the afternoon train back to Cusco. I would agree with other reviews that one should avoid the "cafe" side with the buffet lunch - why have a buffet lunch with hundreds of daytrippers and backpackers when you can sit in a beautifully serene dining room, waited on, with a view of the ruins and mountains and eat a fantastic a la carte menu - for no extra charge!

We went into the ruins at night-time - the only ones that night - in fact according to the log book kept by the guards there had only been four people do this in the last three weeks! So very exclusive! The guards were a bit reluctant - but knew we were entitled to - so we stood our ground and insisted. This meant we were able to watch the sun go down and the full moon rise over the mountains, whilst sat in the ruins! Magical - although a little spooky as it gets dark very quickly! - When we decided it was time to go back to the hotel the entrance gate was all locked up - and we imagined having to spend the night - as there was a sheer drop to climb around the entry booth. We shouted and shouted and eventually attracted attention and got let out. However nothing could spoil such a magical memory.

The hotel is beyond words amazing - with a feeling of an Agatha Christie novel in the evenings - with a mixture of people dressing for dinner or wearing their hiking boots - no-one seemed to mind, it was all very relaxed. We felt it was worth the hundreds of dollars as we feel we had an amazing experience - also the faces of the handful of backpackers that had walked for days to get to Machu Pichu for dawn on seeing a bunch of well rested and freshly breakfasted hotel guests stroll in to the ruins ready for dawn also! (the buses do not run for hours) To put the cost into perspective - if we had booked the Inca trail in the UK it would have cost the same price for two people as a double room at the Sanctuary Lodge - and I know which one I prefer!

Great!!!!!

This hotel surpassed our expectations. We were upgraded to a suite and it was nicely furnished and updated with everything you need. Our terrace looked out over the groups during the day which was ok for several hours but after 3pm the place is yours. Fork out the money and enjoy!

I agree with the other glowing reviews. This place is worth it. Be sure to have lunch in the smaller restaurant as the buffet is mobbed with daytrippers from Cusco and Aguas Calientes.

The only hotel near the ruins

The Sanctuary Lodge really is the perfect way to see Machu Picchu. We were able to go over to the ruins for both sunset and sunrise. Amazing. Here's my thought about whether to have a view of the ruins or not. It's about a hundred dollars extra for the ruins' view room. But here's the news. You can't see the ruins from the hotel. There are a couple of Inca terraces behind the hotel. Maybe that's what they were calling ruins. We had requested a ruins' view and didn't get it. What we got was an amazing view of the mountains. So pick the less expensive room. It will be wonderful.

Absolutely Fantastic Hotel

At first I was thinking a lot if my decesion to folk out US$475 per night for this hotel. Now on returning from the trip I say - Absolutely worth it a wonderful hotel with Fantastic staff. Here is my experience.

1. The check in was very quick, I got to my room as everything was as expected 5 star quality.

2. The staff were more than polite, anyone saw you anywhere in the hotel they always stopped and wished you "Buenos Dias" can we help you.

3. The front desk was very knowledgable on Machu Picchu on anyhting that I wanted.

4. The maid who stopped and asked if I wanted extra towels. She lit a candel in the room, provided extra drinking water & also extra stationary & a book mark to use when I left.... absolutely very courteous.

5. The restaurant staff were so very nice explaining each dish and ensured that you were stuffed and filled and well fed (as the hotel is full board)

6. The day I left it was raining so I was sitting in the other restaurant just watching it rain. More than once, everytime a restaurant staff would pass they would stop by and ask if I wanted Coffee... or anything.

7. Within half a day the day the people at the reception knew me by name and addressed me by last name.... very personal touch.

This is true royal treatment. I have even stayed at the Peninsular Bangkok which is the Travel and Leisure #1 rated hotel in the world for service.

I would say the Santuary lodge is on par with that hotel. I will recomend anyone to stay here just to experience the luxuary and also the wonderful view and proxmity.

Great location

I agree that the hotel is nothing special, but the location cannot be beat. I had a simialr experience as the poster below- After park closing we watched the sunset over the mountains form the patio- then went back into the park at night (with guards permission) = this was fantastic and somethign which can only be done from this location.

As for the spoiling of the ruins- that is not appropriate- you cannot see the hotel from the ruins, and I am assuming the same person does not complain about the busses lined up bringing tourists in- or the facilities such as toilets and resturants provided for tourist. The biggest shame about the hotel is that the ownership is non-peruvian and the money spent here does not go bak into benefiting the country.

Highlight

I arrived by bus at lunchtime to see the ruins and the site was so crowded it was like Disney World. It was hot and uncomfortable and it meant that I was jostling for space on the paths with huge tour groups - a big disappoinment. The next day, after staying at the hotel, I entered the ruins at 5.30am and watching the sun rise over the Andes and hit the valley - quite fantastic. Apart from a few backpackers and a dog, I was alone and this was what I imagined Machu Picchu to be like.

So really it is your choice; stay in the ugly town and get the bus up or stay in the Sanctuary Lodge and miss the crowds.

The food was wonderful except for the "buffet lunch" which was in a separate part of the hotel opened to all and made lunchtime completely chaotic.

I was expecting this hotel to be a corrugated shed (from previous reviews) but in fact it's a bungalow style building away from the ruins. We had rooms that opened onto a terrace with a patio, table and chairs etc, so the room never felt small. The terraced garden was really pretty with a lovely waterfall and orchids.

Tranquil Lodge

Sanctuary lodge is an eco friendly hotel.

From the walkway inside the Citadel, just after entering Machu Picchu, the hotel can't be seen.

Its in keeping, as much as is possible, with the surrounding area.

Great hotel, service, food and breathtaking location.

Only those who've never stayed here can criticise.

A Disgrace

How this orange roofed monstrosity was allowed to be built near the ruins, spoiling everyones view is beyond me. Avoid at all costs. If you're not trekking, stay in Aguas Caliente and get the bus up to the ruins, it's no problem, and hopefully this hotel will close down (and be torn down).

Isolated Prefab Shack

The only this hotel has going for it is its location. It is located immediately outside of the Machu Picchu ruins. The hotel's architecture, however, is prefab army shed design. If you wish to explore Aguas Caliente it is a half hour bus ride each way. Thus you are stuck here and have to eat at the hotel. The food is okay but not worth the price, neither are the rooms which are small rabbit dens.