Machu Picchu bound? For a slice of luxury, include a night stopover at La Casona De Yucay Hotel. It is the best way to pamper yourself and acclimate to the high altitude before your monumental visit to Machu Picchu the following day. Premium bedding ensures a restful night.
The quaint village of Yucay is only a three-minute drive from the larger town of Urubamba, the largest town in the Sacred Valley and is near Machu Picchu. It’s a magical place with less altitude than Cusco (9,373 feet above sea level) and better weather. As it is also home to several luxurious hotels and resorts, including La Casona De Yucay Hotel, where you can pamper yourself before your next day’s travel journey.
The complimentary breakfast is ample to get your day started and includes fresh fruit.
La Casona De Yucay Hotel – Luxury with Magnificent Views
Yucay is about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Cusco, and approximately 3 hours total to Machu Picchu. The route to Machu Pichu consists of three parts: from Yucay to Ollanta Station (in Ollantaytambo) – 35 minutes. From Ollanta Station to Aguas Calientes Station (train ride) it is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Aguas Calientes station to the entrance of the citadel, it is 30 minutes.
We spent two magical nights at this enchanting hotel framed by the surrounding Andes Mountains. La Casona De Yucay Hotel is a colonial home built in 1810 with spectacular views and beautifully manicured gardens. Simon Bolivar, known as the South American liberator, also stayed here in 1825 when he traveled the Peruvian Andes looking for support to overthrow the Spanish rule.
The Sacred Valley Rooms
Today, it offers 56 well-appointed remodeled rooms for those that want to be surrounded by majestic mountains and natural beauty. Non-smoking rooms are available. Of these rooms, 42 are Premium Double rooms, 10 are Double rooms with a King bed, and 4 are Family rooms. If your children are under 8 years old, they can stay in the parents’ room at no additional cost.
The modern bathroom offers convenient facilities including a tiled shower with marble floor. A hairdryer is also available.
Peruvian Food in Yucay
Food is outstanding at this hotel. The Tika Restaurant translates as “flower” in the Quechua language and is known for serving up the tantalizing aromas and flavors of exquisite Peruvian food such as grilled octopus. The chef honors tradition while incorporating the latest in culinary trends.
Many of the ingredients used in the restaurant dishes originate in the Andean region or are freshly picked from the organic garden and include potato, kiwicha, quinoa, huacatay, and fruits such as tumbo, lucuma, aguaymanto, sauco, and mango among others.
In the afternoon, enjoy a traditional Pisco Sour from the Apus Bar before or after you stroll the spacious gardens. And be sure to try some of the local appetizers. On our second day while we were walking the grounds, my fiancé and I had a ghost sighting—a gardener working the flower bed was there one moment and then vanished just as quickly. I found out later that the property has many ghost-related stories.
Exemplary Services
Services and facilities at the Yucay hotel include a dining area, a bar, room service, a conference room, and a business center. Free high-speed internet (WiFi) is available to all guests. A balcony is standard in most rooms, and is a wonderful place to sip some coca tea while admiring the magnificent mountain views surrounding the estate.
All rooms also have garden views, hardwood floors, black-out curtains, 32″ flat-screen TVs with 85 cable channels, complimentary water the first night, universal power outlets, safes, and bathroom amenities. Other services include:
- 24 hour front desk
- Wheelchair Access
- Security Guard
- Currency Exchange
- Airport Transportation
- Dry cleaning service & laundry
- Pet Friendly
Wander into Urubamba
If you have some extra time, do visit the local market in nearby Urubamba where you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables and an assortment of kitchen items. Some stalls have alpaca garments and others have bags of coca leaves for the asking. Brewed as a tea, these leaves are very helpful in combating altitude sickness.
Reservations are a Must
For booking, you can reserve a room through Expedia, Hotels.com or any other internet site. Or you can book directly through the hotel website. Rates are approximately $105 to $125 per night, depending on room selection and season.
The author and her fiance were paying guests for 2 nights at La Casona De Yucay Hotel. As always, all opinions are those of the author. All photos are by writer/photographer Karin Pezo.