4 Best Hotels in Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail, Peru

A five-minute walk from the center of town takes you to this stunning eco-lodge, part of the Relais & Châteaux collection of hotels, made up of rustic-yet-elegant bungalows with exposed beams and cathedral ceilings, set in a minitropical cloud forest. There are 372 varieties of orchids and 18 species of hummingbirds on the grounds, and lodging prices include several excursion possibilities such as bird-watching and orchid tours. Others are available at additional cost, such as a visit to the Spectacled Bear project. It's worth upgrading to a suite to take advantage of a private terrace and Jacuzzi. There are special services available for families, including kid-friendly guides. The restaurant overlooking the surrounding hills is also first-rate.

This upscale and luxurious hotel sits at the edge of town alongside the Vilcanota River and offers all the amenities plus outstanding service with a smile. The first-class rooms are huge and sunny, all with wood-beam ceilings, TVs, and the utmost comfort in beds and bedding. Some rooms also have Jacuzzi tubs. Add to this an elegant restaurant with Peruvian fusion cuisine that easily stands up to the best Lima has to offer. Prices include a breakfast buffet and lunch or dinner. Looking for an extra special way to connect with the ancient Peruvian culture? Ask about arranging a traditional Andean wedding or offering to honor Pachamama (Mother Earth).

This upscale hotel at the entrance to Machu Picchu puts you closest to the ruins, a position for which you do pay dearly, but nowhere else can you sit in a hot tub, sip pisco sours or tea, and watch the sunset over the site after the last of the tourists depart each afternoon. The rooms come with top-of-the-line amenities, and the decor has a light and airy feel. While expensive, the all-inclusive rates include meals from the restaurant and bar, which is exclusive to hotel guests. There is an additional restaurant that has an excellent international menu and serves a popular US$40 buffet lunch, which is open to the public.

The decor and the setting by the river are what make this hotel special—wood floors, beams, and window frames give rooms an elegant yet warm atmosphere; textile art adorns the walls; and stone-and-marble bathrooms blend perfectly with the natural environment outside. As you would expect from this standard of lodging, the beds and pillows are comfortable and the linens and towels of the highest quality; alpaca throws are a nice touch. Splurge for one of the three suites, and you won't be disappointed. They face the river and have enclosed balconies with private Jacuzzis. The spa includes massage rooms, a spacious steam room, a sauna, and a Jacuzzi with a prime view of the river.