Hotel Retama Machupicchu

The bed made the stay somewhat bearable, and the receptionist was lovely. The building itself felt like it was falling apart, though. Doors creaked with strange haunted-house sounds, the sink was tiny, and its strong water pressure splashed water everywhere while I brushed my teeth or washed my face. The bathroom felt uncomfortable too.

The staff were amazing, especially Micaela at the front desk. She was welcoming and gave us great information. We stayed three days, and the river sounds made it easy to fall asleep. The location is convenient but away from the busy part of town. The shower had good pressure and hot water, though getting out was awkward because the toilet is almost right in front of it. A couple of days here is a good way to explore Machu Picchu.

The sound of rushing water past the avocado tree was lovely to fall asleep to, and there’s a small garden outside as well. This locally owned hotel clearly gets a lot of care: the lobby is decorated with plants, the rooms are clean, and the beds are amazingly comfortable. The water was very hot with good pressure. Breakfast was a nice surprise, with fresh, high-quality continental food, and the hosts speak English well. A gem of a local business.

The included breakfast had so much variety that we left full even though we’re vegan. It’s also ideally located for getting to the bus station. The rooms were clean, the beds comfortable, and the staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations. I’d recommend staying here before heading up to Machu Picchu.