Feb 9, 2020, 12:17 pm
Tambo del Inka, Urubamba, Peru [Master Thread]
Aug 12, 2019, 6:56 pm
#541
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 54
To provide a quick update on this topic. After enquiring about a potential replacement amenity for the high-speed internet included in the resort fee, I was informed that the resort fee would be optional for me on a daily basis, i.e. I could choose to pay it or not. They actually had quite good benefits listed in the resort fee, e.g. some hydro-massage treatment in the spa and andean bread baking / cocktail tasing and some more activities I am forgetting. I did not end up using any of these benefits as I was alone and mainly wanted to relax in the room, but it actually sounded like good value.
Overall the hotel displayed the best ambassador appreciation to me since the merger of SPG and Marriott. I had already used SNA to receive a confirmed upgrade to a Junior Suite (Senior Suites were not in the pool) and the hotel was quite flexibel about late check-out. The front desk agent told me that it would be difficult to grant late check-out for the Junior Suite, but if I were willing to change to a normal room on the day of check-out I could "stay as long as I want". I ended up staying until 6pm without any issues.
To me the hotel had a similar feeling as the Prince Gallery Tokyo - for only 35k points per night I think this is one of the best award redemptions out there.
Overall the hotel displayed the best ambassador appreciation to me since the merger of SPG and Marriott. I had already used SNA to receive a confirmed upgrade to a Junior Suite (Senior Suites were not in the pool) and the hotel was quite flexibel about late check-out. The front desk agent told me that it would be difficult to grant late check-out for the Junior Suite, but if I were willing to change to a normal room on the day of check-out I could "stay as long as I want". I ended up staying until 6pm without any issues.
To me the hotel had a similar feeling as the Prince Gallery Tokyo - for only 35k points per night I think this is one of the best award redemptions out there.
Oct 20, 2019, 4:45 pm
#542
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: La Jolla, CA
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Lifetime Titanium, Delta Plat, Hilton Diamond , Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,615
This has to be one of the best redemption options in the portfolio. Absolutely loving this hotel ! Will try and post a full review when we return.
Dec 16, 2019, 2:10 pm
#543
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
(And a specific question - we'd likely stay in Cusco at the JM or the PDI prior to our 4D/3N adventure, as we need to be at a trek meeting the day prior. Then I'd consider the TDI for after the adventure. Any advice on the logistics from AC to Cusco (pick up excess baggage) and then to the TDI?)
Last edited by lamphs; Dec 16, 2019 at 2:16 pm
Dec 28, 2019, 4:40 am
#546
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Bergen County NJ
Programs: AA EXP, UA1K B6 Mosaic 1, Amtrak Select, Marriott Plat , AMEX Plat (noted for club access reference)
Posts: 786
Are there any Platinum Benefits here? I.E. Breakfast or Late Checkout? Not that either one would be a make or break.
Dec 30, 2019, 7:54 pm
#547
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
I could be wrong but I don't think there is a way to get from Aguas Calientes to Urubamba by road. It's train or hiking IIRC. It is possible to get a taxi from right outside the station in Ollantaytambo. There were lots waiting or the train when it arrived. You could try taxidatum but we didn't need them for that part of our trip.
While in Peru we found the Easytaxi app to be really helpful, especially in Lima. We didn't need to use it in Cusco or Urubamba but noticed that lots of the taxis had Easytaxi stickers in them, so presumably it would have worked there too.
Edit: Google maps also suggests that there is no road connection.
While in Peru we found the Easytaxi app to be really helpful, especially in Lima. We didn't need to use it in Cusco or Urubamba but noticed that lots of the taxis had Easytaxi stickers in them, so presumably it would have worked there too.
Edit: Google maps also suggests that there is no road connection.
Maybe by packs of mules along the inca trail. It can be done but it is a long way around I suspect from the sacred valley
Dec 30, 2019, 7:59 pm
#548
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
I would take the train from the hotel. The timings are a bit flexible outbound
While they told us to be there half an hour ahead, we were delayed in breakfast and at 6.25 we were escorted to the train which left even later at around 645 after waiting for other guests from the hotel!
Dec 30, 2019, 10:50 pm
#549
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I will still try to review (because we absolutely loved TdI) but our stay at this hotel took a dramatic turn a few days into our visit when my husband developed High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and left by ambulance with ultimately 4 hospitals (clinics actually) - 2 in Urubamba, 1 in Cusco and 1 in Lima, 5 ambulance rides, and an emergency air evacuation from Cusco to Lima (where he immediately recovered) Our trip from Urubamba to Cusco was in the back of a funky ambulance in the middle of the night that traveled on a bumpy dirt road because it was quicker. Talk about adventure 
We never did get to stay at Palacio del Inka. They had actually preupgraded us to the Presidential Suite.
I will say that the Peruvian people were amazing and we actually opted to stay in Lima for a week and take our regularly scheduled commercial flight home. Sadly this happened 2 days before we were scheduled for Machu Pichu.
It was only the 2nd time in half a century of travel that we purchased trip insurance. Very very lucky for that.
We never did get to stay at Palacio del Inka. They had actually preupgraded us to the Presidential Suite.
I will say that the Peruvian people were amazing and we actually opted to stay in Lima for a week and take our regularly scheduled commercial flight home. Sadly this happened 2 days before we were scheduled for Machu Pichu.
It was only the 2nd time in half a century of travel that we purchased trip insurance. Very very lucky for that.
Would you be able to post a review? This sounds like a great option for the MP area (traveling there in April). Thanks!
(And a specific question - we'd likely stay in Cusco at the JM or the PDI prior to our 4D/3N adventure, as we need to be at a trek meeting the day prior. Then I'd consider the TDI for after the adventure. Any advice on the logistics from AC to Cusco (pick up excess baggage) and then to the TDI?)
(And a specific question - we'd likely stay in Cusco at the JM or the PDI prior to our 4D/3N adventure, as we need to be at a trek meeting the day prior. Then I'd consider the TDI for after the adventure. Any advice on the logistics from AC to Cusco (pick up excess baggage) and then to the TDI?)
Jan 1, 2020, 4:57 pm
#550
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
Not sure I fully understand your post. But if you're thinking of Cusco as your first stop in that part of the country, I'd highly recommend against it. It's substantially higher (I believe 11,500 feet versus 8,500 feet) than Tambo del Inka or many other locations in the Sacred Valley (including MP) So you're chances of getting altitude sickness or at least headaches are greater if Cusco is your first stop, If you go to the Sacred Valley first, that helps your system adjust so that you're less likely to have problems in Cusco later. (We went straight from the cusco airport to TdI via a pre-arranged taxi/van.)
Jan 1, 2020, 4:59 pm
#551
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,203
I will still try to review (because we absolutely loved TdI) but our stay at this hotel took a dramatic turn a few days into our visit when my husband developed High Altitude Pulmonary Edema and left by ambulance with ultimately 4 hospitals (clinics actually) - 2 in Urubamba, 1 in Cusco and 1 in Lima, 5 ambulance rides, and an emergency air evacuation from Cusco to Lima (where he immediately recovered) Our trip from Urubamba to Cusco was in the back of a funky ambulance in the middle of the night that traveled on a bumpy dirt road because it was quicker. Talk about adventure
Jan 2, 2020, 6:41 am
#552
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Hartford, CT
Programs: Marriott LTS
Posts: 195
Breakfast is included for Platinum members and is one of the best hotel breakfasts I have ever taken - so many healthy options. My wife is a strict vegetarian and they prepared a veggie plate for her every day. We were upgraded to Senior Suite - their best room on both our stays of 2 nights with a night in AC sandwiched between them. We only got late checkout at 1 PM on both stays - they said they had already given the room to someone else. But this is a resort and being their best room I didnt fight. Hands down one of the best hotels in the marriott hotels in the world - they go out of their way to make sure you have a good stay.
Jan 5, 2020, 8:49 am
#553
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 948
Stayed here 12/29-12/31 on points and it was fantastic. We had the hotel book us a car to/from Ollantaytambo station on 12/30 for Machu Picchu train and it worked great. $20 each way charged to the room and no hassle dealing with a local taxi. They waived the extra person fee ($125/day) as we had our 17yo daughter with us plus only charged her $15/day for breakfast (wife and I were complimentary as Titanium Elite). Also waived the resort fee as we were not going to use any of the benefits. Checked out the spa and pool on our last morning and the whole complex is peaceful and well-maintained. Elevator broke last day but it's only 3 floors and they had a service elevator for luggage. Staff was great in every interaction. Didn't get upgraded to a suite (full) but got a terrace room - it was still very large and comfortable with a great bathroom. Restaurant for dinner was good on first night. Breakfasts are really great with a full buffet and menu to order from. Stay here while it's still the bargain of 35k points per night before Marriott tinkers with the category.
