FROM TRAVEL AND LEISURE MAGAZINENEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE ANDES...Hotel Sumaq, Aguas CalientesLocationAcross the road from the rushing Vilcanota River and the green mountain that hides Peru’s main event, this hotel raises the bar in a frontier town that grew up serving pilgrims who flock to Machu Picchu.DetailsUrban efficiency and modern design aren’t usually associated with a unesco World Heritage site, but Sumaq (Quechua for excellent or beautiful) is pulling off both. Half of the 60 orange-and-white rooms have balconies overlooking the river; the other 30 have big windows facing the mountains. Exploring the ruins opened our eyes to the Incan references throughout the hotel. The Andean cross motif turns up in bathrooms, and on headboards and blankets; and Machu Picchu’s architecture is mirrored in the stacked-block look of the floor tiles and squared-off faucets and dinnerware. Energy conservation is a priority here: turning on lights requires an electronic keycard, and corridor lighting is motion-activated. Activities“Lost city” tours set up by the hotel on request—our excellent guide was Lisette Arag´on, daughter of hotel porter Samuel. Avda. Hermanos Ayar; 866/682-0645 or 51-84/21-1059 ; sumaqhotelperu.com; doubles from $410, including breakfast and lunch or dinner.
