Tambo del Inka stands on the banks of the Vilcanota River on the edge of Urubamba, five minutes' walk from the town's Plaza de Armas. Built in 2010, it has 128 rooms in two buildings, and the hotel lists a 5-star luxury class, a guest rating of 9.8 out of 10 from over five hundred reviews, and Biosphere sustainability certification. Rooms range from river-view deluxe rooms of about 441 square feet and mountain-view terrace rooms to one-bedroom suites of about 753 square feet and a senior suite of about 883, all with air conditioning, a minibar, pillowtop beds and down comforters. The resort has indoor and outdoor pools, the Kallpa Spa with a thermal circuit of steam, sauna, jets and plunge pools, a gym, a game room, riverside gardens and a vegetable garden. Dining includes the Hawa restaurant with Novo-Andean food made with produce from the organic garden, the Kiri Bar and a beer garden pouring local craft beer. There is a private railway link with 1920s-style carriages for trips to Machu Picchu.
The appeal is comfort after a day of sightseeing. Reviewers praise the staff, the food, the spacious clean rooms, the spa and the gardens, and the baby alpacas that appear in the lobby in the evening add a touch of whimsy. It suits families, because up to two children under eleven can stay free in existing beds, and cribs are free on request. The hotel is accessible, with step-free access to the entrance, the pool, the spa and the restaurant, an elevator and roll-in showers.
Know the fees and the setting. The booking page shows a destination fee, a daily service fee and a resort fee that covers internet, hot tub access and sports facilities, plus Peruvian VAT that tourists with a passport and tourist visa may be exempt from, so compare the total price, not only the nightly rate.
Breakfast is a paid buffet. Distances: the Urubamba plaza is a five-minute walk, the Ollantaytambo station is about 28 minutes by road, the Ollantaytambo archaeological site is within about 20 kilometers and Cusco airport is about 92 minutes away, so factor in the drive. Airport and station transfers cost extra and need to be arranged with the hotel.
Who it suits
Couples, families and groups who want a full-service resort in the valley, travelers combining the train to Machu Picchu with spa time, and anyone who wants a gentler altitude than Cusco, since Urubamba sits at roughly 2,900 meters. If you prefer a smaller, quieter property, the lodges and inns elsewhere in this guide offer more intimacy. One reviewer found the concierge's recommendations thin, so plan excursions in advance.
Why stay here
- ✓Indoor and outdoor pools
- ✓Kallpa Spa thermal circuit
- ✓Hawa Novo-Andean restaurant
- ✓Beer garden and Kiri Bar
- ✓Private train carriages to Machu Picchu
- ✓Riverside gardens and walking trail
- ✓Free parking
- ✓Step-free access and elevator
Good questions
How far is Tambo del Inka from Ollantaytambo station?+
About a 28-minute drive, according to the booking page. The Urubamba plaza is a five-minute walk.
Is breakfast included?+
The booking page shows a paid buffet breakfast, so check your rate. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Does the resort charge extra fees?+
The booking page shows destination, service and resort fees payable at the property in addition to the room rate, so compare the total.
