I'll be in Cusco later this month, and I guess I need to figure out where I'm staying. Does anyone have any suggestions for a decent, non-international luxury brand hotel located within reasonable walking distance from the center? (The JW Marriott seems excessive to me - I'd rather find something in the $100-ish range.)

I was looking through a guidebook, and it recommended Tocuyeros Boutique Hotel and another place called Ni�os Hotel within that price range. The latter seems particularly interesting, as it supports education for at-risk children in Cusco. Both get good reviews online. Does anyone have any experience with either, or alternative suggestions?

Also, if anyone has thoughts about places to stay in Ollantaytambo and Aguas Calientes, please do share! I have friends that are huge fans of El Albergue in Ollantaytambo, so I'm thinking of spending a couple of nights there before heading to Machu Picchu. And while most people seem to be telling me that Aguas Calientes is pretty skippable, I'm thinking it might make sense to spend a couple of nights there so I don't have to deal with crazy early wakeups to get to my morning MP tour. So any thoughts as to a nice place to stay there would also be most appreciated!

I went to Peru in 2016. Arrived in Lima, stayed 1 night in Miraflores. Travelled to Cusco but stayed 2 nights Urubamba, can't recall the hotel. Train to Ollaytantambo and then on to AC where we stayed at the El MaPi hotel by InkaTerra in Aquas Caliente. I remember us being very pleasantly surprised at how nice it was. AC itself is a very small place and skippable, except that your idea of using it for a base for MP is excellent.

I spent a month in Peru in 2013 and havn’t been back to Cusco since, so I’m not sure as to how things are now. For the 100-ish range in Cusco, have you looked at Hotel Rumi Punku? It’s a charming little place with great service — they let me early check in right after coming off a night bus from Puerto Maldonado in the morning. I stayed there as well as at the Inkaterra la Casona nearby and from what I remember both were walkable.
Aguas Calientes is small and not really attractive in itself as a base for Machu Picchu. If you want to catch the sunrise, unless you decided to splurge and stay up at the Lodge, you kind of have to stay in Aguas Caliente. I remember Tierra Viva by the river being a decent option. For a nicer place, there’s the Inkaterra Pueblo Inn or the Sumaq.

Funny you should mention it, my family stayed at Rumi Punku (pre-covid) and had a good stay.

I stayed one night at Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo (Aguas Calientes) and it was great (activities, dinner included), but it's expensive. A friend stayed a few months ago at Jaya Machu Picchu (Aguas Calientes) and it also went well. I think it can be a good idea to stay at Aguas Calientes to go to MP early in the morning.

I loved Ollantaytambo. Would have loved to spend more time there. Very historic and charming, and not overrun (at least in May). Stay near the town square. We stayed in Kamma Guesthouse and loved the panoramic rooftop.

We're the rare people who enjoyed Aguas Calientes, perhaps due to where we stayed - sandwiched between the river and train track, the views were gorgeous. Several hotels there. We did walk thru a hilly part of town which seems to be the tourist center with lots of touts; I would have hated staying there. Great views from many parts of town (doesn't rival MP itself). I would 100% spend a night or 2 in AC. I would also spend more than 1 day in MP.

Some pics from AC:

I stayed a couple of nights in Aguas Calientes and enjoyed the time. Arrived around 4pm and had a nice dinner. Machu Picchu next afternoon so had a lesiurely morning. then relaxed after MP and left the next morning. Did a hike to the museum. Walked around town and saw the statues. Dropped in the church. Found the library. Sat by the river for a while. Browsed in a few shops but didn't buy anything. Had several amazingly good meals in town. I was surprised at the quality of restaurants that were there. Of course, there are plenty of cheap or fast places, but I had a couple of really good meals.

In Cusco, you can find very good boutique options around 90 to 130 USD if you stay a 5 to 10 minute walk from Plaza de Armas. Tocuyeros Boutique is well located and people like it for the quiet rooms and solid breakfast. Ni�os Hotel is simpler but very charming, and the social mission is real. Rooms are basic but clean, and the courtyards are peaceful. If you want something a bit more polished in that range, look at Antigua Casona San Blas or Casa Andina Premium in San Blas. You get comfort, good heating, and easy walking access without paying Marriott prices.

For Ollantaytambo, staying right in town makes a big difference because everything is walkable and you avoid transport stress. El Albergue is very convenient since it sits by the train station, and the garden setting is lovely. It saves time if you take an early train to Machu Picchu. In Aguas Calientes, I agree one night can feel rushed. Staying two nights lets you visit Machu Picchu early without a 4 am scramble from Cusco. Look at Tierra Viva or Inkaterra’s lower tier properties if you want comfort without going ultra luxury. The town itself is not beautiful, but being there the night before your entry time reduces stress and makes the whole experience smoother.