Machu Picchu Guide - Hotels 

There’s no getting away from the fact that Aguas Calientes isn’t exactly the prettiest place in Peru, more of a concrete blot on the landscape really. But if you want to enjoy Machu Picchu to the full, you’ll need to base yourself there for at least one night so that you can visit the ruins more than once.
The main drag is Pachacútec and many of the town’s eating places and budget hostals are to be found along this stretch. For more peaceful lodgings, try the Orquideas neighbourhood on the other side of the river.
 
The two nicest, and priciest, hotels are to be found just outside Aguas Calientes. The Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel (www.inkaterra.com) lies upstream in a tranquil patch of rainforest and is one of the region’s most elegant hotels. Doubles start from $187 per person for a night in a secluded bungalow in the forest. The Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge (www.orient-expresshotels.com)  is the closest hotel to the ruins, literally a stone’s throw away, and one of the advantages of staying here is the chance to take a night tour of the ruins with a shaman. A double room for the night will set you back $567, including meals.
 
Decent budget options include the Hospedaje Inti Wasi (under $10 per person) set in very natural surroundings in Las Orquideas, Gringo Bill’s ($40 for a double room in low season) off one corner of the main square, Hostal Wiracocha Inn (around $20 for a double room) which boasts fantastic views and very friendly owners and the Rupa Wasi hostal ($32 for a standard double room) on Calle Collasuyo with its welcoming gardens.