Originally Posted by bhrubin

We also want to concur with so many others that the Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu is well worth the high price. We stayed for 2 nights in the Presidential Suite in May 2013, but we would have been fine in just a regular room. The reasons:

(1) Access and privacy--as so many others have stated, being able to wander into the Machu Picchu site whenever you feel like it is worth a lot. You can enter the park at first light without many other tourists, and you can remain in the park after the Aguas Calientes buses depart--giving you tremendous privacy at a site that is usually very crowded. Also, in the heat of the day (and when it was most crowded), you could retreat back to the comfort of the hotel whenever you felt like it...unlike everyone else who stayed in Aquas Calientes.

(2) The food--meals were included in the lodging rate, helping to offset some of the high price. And the food was Michelin level quality! We were stunned. We dined REALLY well at the Sanctuary Lodge.

(3) Service--service was outstanding.

The Sanctuary Lodge doesn't LOOK that great, because it cannot refurbish due to limits placed on it by the government to protect the Machu Picchu site. But it is without question a VERY nice place to stay.

There is no air con FYI...and even I, who MUST have air con, relished the access, privacy, food, and comfort of being there despite that fact. They brought us 3 fans to use in our suite, in order to maximize the chance for me being cool. During May, it was cool enough at night that I managed OK.

I ALSO highly recommend the Hiram Bingham train, at least one way. It was a major highlight of our trip that we had not expected to be. The food and service were highlights, as was the luxurious and very comfortable nature of the trip, itself. We did it roundtrip, but most people do it only one way to save money.