Rio Sagrado sits on the banks of the Urubamba River near the town, with gardens, adobe-style buildings and mountain views. It has terrace rooms, garden suites and large villas, a spa with sauna, steam room and an Inca shower, a solar-heated outdoor pool, two hot tubs and the Muju restaurant serving Peruvian cuisine. Its on-site station for the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu makes the journey to the citadel unusually smooth. Alpacas are fed daily, bicycles are free to borrow and activities such as garden yoga and outdoor film nights fill the slow hours. It is a calm, well-run place for a special trip or a honeymoon.
The hotel is on the Urubamba to Ollantaytambo road, about a five-minute drive from the town plaza and roughly twenty-five minutes by road from the Ollantaytambo station, so you are in the heart of the valley without being in a noisy town. Cusco airport is a drive of about an hour and three quarters. The lawns run down to the river, and the whole property is arranged so that the pool, spa and restaurant are a short stroll from your room.
Rooms are spacious, with Deluxe terrace rooms of around 450 square feet, junior suites of nearly 1,000 square feet and large villas for families or groups. Reviewers consistently praise the staff, cleanliness and food, and the hotel's own train station is a distinctive advantage if you plan to travel to Machu Picchu on the Hiram Bingham service. Free bicycles, free parking and free Wi-Fi are included.
What to know
Prices for food, drinks and activities are high, as in most luxury lodges, so check which meals are included in your rate. There is no gym, and the location is rural, so evenings are quiet and you will need a car or taxi to reach the town. From November the rainy season begins and runs to March, with afternoon showers, so pack a jacket and enjoy the green gardens. Book well ahead for the dry months from June to October.
Why stay here
- ✓On-site train station for Machu Picchu
- ✓Spa with sauna and steam room
- ✓Solar-heated outdoor pool
- ✓Two hot tubs
- ✓Muju restaurant
- ✓Free bicycle rentals
- ✓Free self-parking
- ✓Free Wi-Fi
Good questions
Does Rio Sagrado have its own train station?+
Yes, the hotel has an on-site station for the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. Other train services depart from Ollantaytambo, a drive away.
How far is Rio Sagrado from Urubamba town?+
The town plaza is about a five-minute drive away. The hotel is quiet and rural, so plan on a taxi or car for evenings in town.
Is Rio Sagrado good for families?+
Yes, the villas, gardens, pool and alpacas suit children. Check meal plans, since food and activities are priced at a premium.
