Our five day stay at the luxurious Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel
Machu Picchu
Peru
Perched on the banks of the Vilcanota River and surrounded by towering, green mountains, the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel is a luxury boutique retreat just beyond the hustle and bustle of Aguas Calientes.
Aguas Calientes (aka: Machu Picchu Pueblo) offers a diverse range of accommodations to suit various tastes and budgets, ranging from charming B&Bs and budget-friendly hostels to upscale and luxury hotels. Given the compact size of the Pueblo, most accommodations are within walking distance of the town’s attractions, including restaurants and shops as well as the bus and train stations.
During our pre-trip search for accommodations in Aguas Calientes, we came across the Sumaq Machu Picchu Hotel and decided to book a room, which turned out to be an excellent choice. This family-owned luxury boutique hotel seamlessly blends modern elegance with authentic Peruvian and Andean cultural influences, making our five-day stay one of the most enjoyable of our entire trip.
Development of the 62 room hotel began in 2007 with the goal of capturing the essence of Inca culture. This was achieved through meticulous attention to detail, incorporating indigenous themes, colors, patterns, art and artifacts. The overall design comes across as very authentic to the historical and cultural roots of the Inca.
One of the more stunning pieces of art in the hotel is a large, gold-plated “Chakana”, which is revered as a key cultural element throughout the Andean region of South America. While a traditional Chakana is typically depicted as a square or cross, the version hanging prominently behind the front desk offers a modern interpretation. It symbolizes unity and wholeness, embodying the interconnectedness of the realms and life’s continuous cycles.
It would not be a stretch to draw a throughline from the Inca to another indigenous culture—the Zia Pueblo people, a Native American tribe from New Mexico. The Zia symbol is a sacred emblem consisting of a circle with four groups of rays radiating from it, with each group having four lines. The symbol embodies their connection to the natural world and their belief in harmony between human life and the universe.
Distant lands, distant peoples, united by a shared cosmology.
Returning to the relaxing atmosphere of Sumaq after an active day was the perfect way to unwind with a pre-dinner cocktail and some friendly conversation with fellow guests. Each evening, the staff would light the fireplace, adding warmth and ambiance to the cozy lounge.
Although the Pueblo has many restaurant options, we chose to dine at Sumaq’s river view restaurant, Qunuq (Quechua for warm). Each meal became a highlight of our stay, as the chefs masterfully blended traditional Peruvian flavors with contemporary techniques while gladly accommodating any off-menu requests. Our dinners featured river trout, salmon, alpaca, and chicken soup, along with various potato-based dishes, including ravioli stuffed with purple potatoes, as well as quinoa. Each dish was artfully presented using the freshest ingredients
Well-fed and exhausted from our daylong adventure up the mountain, we were elated to retire to our spacious room overlooking the river. As darkness fell, our room remained remarkably quiet, despite the pulsating energy of the Pueblo just a few blocks away. It wasn’t long before we drifted off to the soothing rush of the river below, which made for a well-earned night’s sleep.
Stepping out onto the balcony in the early morning, we were treated to the fresh scent of the river and panoramic views of towering, verdant mountains. Squinting through a thin veil of mist, we spotted what looked like tiny toy vehicles zigzagging their way up the distant mountain. Peering through binoculars, we realized they were actually the first buses of the day, shuttling eager passengers to the Citadel.
Our days began with a generous breakfast at Qunuq, where we indulged in a spread of cheeses, meats, cereals, and fruits complemented by an assortment of juices, coffee and tea. Lingering in the sunlit dining room provided the perfect opportunity to plan another day of exploring the Lost City of the Incas.
Every hotel of this caliber offers an impressive array of amenities and services, and the team at Sumaq goes above and beyond, providing guests with diverse options, from Andean rituals and spa treatments to cultural experiences and private Machu Picchu tours. On the culinary front, both guests and non-guests can immerse themselves in various cooking classes as well as pisco sour and wine tastings.
As warm as the lounge was each evening, it was no match for the heartfelt warmth and hospitality of the entire Sumaq staff. The collective kindness we experienced from the moment we checked in until the day we departed was more than enough reason to return someday. It was truly a memorable experience.
