Family Galápagos and Machu Picchu Adventure

Overview

One of Quito’s largest hotels, the JW Marriott Quito is perfect for those who want all the extensive infrastructure, amenities and service that only a five star business class hotel can provide.

Rooms are well decorated and equipped, most with views of the city or volcano. Hotel facilities include a very large heated outdoor pool area (almost unique in Quito), four restaurants, bars, lounges and a well equipped spa.

Overview

Step back into Ecuador’s fascinating history, with a stay at this charming historical hotel in the centre of Quito, which has quite rightly been awarded UNESCO status. Situated amongst the narrow, cobbled streets and baroque architecture this hotel is located in a restored colonial mansion, with 22 beautifully decorated colourful rooms, replete with décor from the colonial era. For some peace and quiet from the bustling bohemian streets, you can sit back and relax in the hotels central patio, carefully designed to represent the importance of Quito’s historical past and the present, modern day. 

Outside of the hotel you will find some of Quito’s most beautiful historical monasteries, churches and a splendid collection of art shops, cafes and restaurants. At the weekend this area is a very lively with a fantastic atmosphere, a great place to be to be immersed into Quito’s culture. 

Overview

Removed you may think, but the hotel sits quite comfortably in this characteristically Old World part of town, and being conveniently positioned at the colonial and cultural heart of Quito its thirty-one rooms have magnificent views over the square and surrounding monuments.

Inside the décor is elegantly traditional, but is kept quite minimal for a contemporary twist. Downstairs is the lobby, complete with marble floors, velvet Chesterfields, and peppered with the odd antique, as is the dining room, bar and conservatory central patio. Then via the spiral stairs (or lift) are the rooms that feature all the contemporary amenities matched to the more modern soft furnishings, but the high ceilings, mouldings, wall murals and marbled bathrooms nod loyally to the mansion’s past and the opulence of a bygone era.

We can arrange for a number of private city tours of Quito with our expert, local guides. Please discuss this with our consultants when planning your itinerary

Overview

The Isabella II is a comfortable expedition yacht and also one of the smaller vessels of this standard in the Galápagos with capacity for just 40 passengers.

The 20 cabins are relatively spacious with double, twin and triple rooms available. Decor is modern and sophisticated. On the main deck you’ll find the dining room, library and bar while the boat deck is home to the fitness room, an al fresco bar and hot tub.

Guiding is excellent on the Isabela and there is state-of-the-art technology for multimedia presentations and natural history lectures. There are glass-bottomed boats, kayaks and pangas for exploring as well as snorkelling equipment for getting up close to the Galápagos’ incredible marine wildlife.

Overview

The vessel has capacity for just 48 guests, striking a good balance between size and facilities. All of the twenty four staterooms are located mid-ship on the upper deck and come with spacious double or twin beds. As one of the newer boats in the Galápagos, La Pinta is kitted out with the latest equipment and has an excellent restaurant and bar, jacuzzi and a gym.

All tours are conducted with small groups of just ten guests or less with expert naturalist guides. Travellers have exclusive use of snorkelling equipment, sea kayaks, wetsuits and trips in the glass bottomed boat.

Overview

Combining decades of experience with a state-of-the-art expedition vessel designed specifically for Galapagos exploration, the newly launched Santa Cruz II brings a new level of luxury and eco-credentials to the archipelago.

The new boat is just over 70m long and features 50 Swedish-designed cabins and suites, with room for up to 90 guests. All enjoy sea views out of large windows and en-suite bathrooms. 36 cabins can be interconnected, ideal for families and small groups.

Communal areas include the Sky Deck, overlooking the bow, where guests can enjoy the sunshine or exercise in the fitness room. The aptly named Panorama Deck has an elegant bar, lounge and an al fresco dining area to the stern. On the same deck, guests are also welcome to visit the bridge, featuring state-of-the-art electronic navigation equipment, to meet the crew and captain. Below this is the library, hot tubs, the Discovery Room and the Beagle Dining Room.

Much of the food served on board is locally sourced, such as fish, sea food and organically grown produce, and is a combination of Ecuadorian specialities and international cuisine. You can choose to dine al fresco which lets you enjoy the stunning scenery as you eat.

Aboard the Santa Cruz II, explore the Galapagos Islands in a range of ways, from snorkelling in its waters with reef sharks and frolicking sea lions, to glass-bottomed boat tours, kayak expeditions and expertly guided hikes on land that focus on birdlife, wildlife and geology. Cruise itineraries vary in length from four to ten nights, and encompass the entire archipelago.

Overview

Located close to the airport, the Hilton Colon is an excellent option for Guayaquil. It’s the best hotel in the city with the level of service and finish that one comes to expect from this brand.

Recent refurbishment means that the interiors are elegant and contemporary. Features include a large outdoor pool area, an excellent spa and a choice of different restaurants. There is also an adjoining complex with shops and banks.

Overview

Originally built as a grand charity centre in the heart of Guayaquil in 1891, it avoided demolition after being bought and reconstructed, piece by piece, in its current location within Parque Historico on the banks of the Daule River, and restored into an elegant boutique hotel.

There are 44 guest rooms classically furnished with period local pieces, in subdued hues to contrast with the tropical park outside.

Overlooking the waterfront, the Hotel del Parque’s restaurant serves sophisticated modern takes on Ecuadorian cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood and local ingredients.

Overview

A brand new hotel and spa resort, the Aranwa Aqua is amongst the most luxurious and well equipped accommodations in the Sacred Valley. Set in the impressive grounds of an 18th century colonial hacienda the hotel boast full spa facilities to provide an extra level of relaxation after a day of exploring including many of the latest treatments and facilities. There are one hundred rooms and fifteen large suites (with jacuzzis and floor-to-ceiling windows) and guests can also enjoy three restaurants, a small on site museum and an art gallery.

Overview

This is without doubt one of the most comfortable and luxurious places to stay in the Sacred Valley. Set in a beautiful spot by the Urubamba river the hotel is close to the Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo. The construction and design of the 22 rooms is in keeping with the rustic surrounds of this historic location with extensive use of natural materials, yet never compromising on luxury.

The hotel has a good restaurant and a high quality 230 square metre spa in which to relax after a day exploring the area. There are also two very spacious and well-appointed villas suitable for families or groups of friends travelling together.

Overview

Set among beautiful gardens in the magnificent location of the Sacred Valley, Sol y Luna is a charming and comfortable hotel with wonderfully relaxing amenities. Your bungalow, or ‘casita’, is designed with Andean touches and stylish interiors and boasts gorgeous views of the surrounding landscape. Spend your days exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas where you can partake in exciting activities such as horse riding, bird watching and para-gliding.

Back at Sol y Luna the indulgent spa, sauna and pool is a peaceful place for you to unwind, while the dining consists of a number of Relais & Chateaux member restaurants: Killa Wasi, where Peruvian and European cuisine is served and Wayra, a separate restaurant set in the hotel’s Wayra ranch where Andean cuisine pays homage to the wealth of natural ingredients cultivated in the Sacred Valley since the time of the Incas. There is also a bar, Chicha Wasi, where you can enjoy authentic pisco sours.

The hotel is also recognised for its community initiatives, particularly in education. After 10 years of working with different schools and programs, Sol y Luna opened the Sol y Luna Intercultural School, providing educational services to a number of local students. The hotel recently started another initiative, Sol y Luna Home, which provides a safe home for children without a family or who are victims of violence.

Overview

The Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba is a modern take on a traditional hacienda, wonderfully located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas between Cusco and Machu Picchu, its sizable estate backed by green mountains and overlooking terraced fields below.

The view is shared by all 12 rooms in the Casa Hacienda and 24 standalone casitas. Architecture and interiors are inspired on the area’s cultural history, with colonial furniture, authentic Inca masks and handcrafted woodwork giving a genuine sense of place.

Food is centred around an ‘earth to table’ concept, with produce from the hacienda’s organic plantation. Quinoa, Urubamba giant corn, medicinal herbs and a variety of potatoes are farmed with traditional hand tools and oxen, as done centuries ago, and guests are welcome to join in picking their own crops.

The most recent addition to the hacienda is the Mayu Spa, which means river in Quechua. It is nestled between the organic orchard and an peppertree forest and offers treatments using natural products derived from native medicinal herbs.

Overview

Tucked away in one of the Sacred Valley’s most secluded haciendas, next to the tiny village of Urquillos and close to many of the area’s most important Inca settlements, explora Valle Sagrado is the wonderful hub from which to explore this incredible region of Peru.

Carefully built within an ancient corn plantation set on Inca terraces, 50 rooms – six of which are suites – drink in views of the surrounding fields and mountains. Each is modern in its simplicity and thoroughly comfortable.

There is an outdoor swimming pool, with hot tubs, massage room, steam rooms and saunas all set within a carefully preserved colonial building, Pumacahua House. A communal dining room, bar, library and living area sit at the heart of the property.

Guests stay here on a three night all inclusive basis, discovering the area with a selection of over 20 exploration activities. These include a range of hikes to colonial towns, snowcapped mountains, high altitude lagoons and Inca archaeological sites, half and full day mountain bike rides and tours to Cusco, Machu Picchu, or more off-the-beaten track locations.

Overview

The hotel consists of several whitewashed cottages in an Andean village located in the heart of Aguas Calientes, part of the historical Machu Picchu attraction.

Tea time and evening nature shows are offered each day, and the hotel has a spa and yoga facility. The spacious rooms all have a fireplace and thick, handmade alpaca wool blankets cover each bed making it a perfect place for simple relaxing before and after your Machu Picchu excursion.

Inkaterra is a leader in ecotourism and sustainable development in Peru. They have a commitment to research, and sharing knowledge about biodiversity and culture with the world through authentic travel experiences. Because of this, they have been granted the First International Certificate in Sustainable Tourism given by Control Union Green Choice and the Sustainable Tourism Standard Conservation Award. They are also Rainforest Alliance verified and there is no single-use plastic at the property. It does not stop there, as of 2021 Inkaterra has been acknowledged by the United Nations as the World’s First Climate-Positive Hotel Brand

Overview

The only accommodation located inside of Machu Picchu, The Sanctuary Lodge offers stunning views from many of the rooms and the hotel is within walking distance of the Incan ruins. The gorgeous garden is a wonderful place to have breakfast or a cocktail in the evening while relishing in the peace of the surroundings. Given the location, space is at an economy so the standard rooms are not overly spacious. However, this is a small price to pay for such a stunning location. All meals are included in the cost.

Overview

An excellent option in the Machu Picchu area, the Sumaq is located outside of the town of Aguas Calientes on a stretch of the Urubamba river.

60 rooms and suites are decorated to a clean modern finish with flourishes and details inspired by the Inca citadel, with views of the river and mountains.

One of the real highlights here is the restaurant, by our reckoning one of the best in the Machu Picchu area.

Aside from visiting the famous citadel above, you can partake in Peruvian cooking classes, witness traditional ceremonies and shamanic rituals, and head out on hikes through the lush valley in search of unique species of flora and fauna.

Overview

Palacio Nazarenas, a meticulously restored palace and convent, offers a harmonious blend of modern luxury and Cusco’s rich history. This exclusive boutique in Cusco is an urban sanctuary which features just 55 suites, each enriched with oxygen and equipped with a private bar stocked with fresh, locally sourced ingredients for crafting personalised drinks.

The charm of Palacio Nazarenas is revealed in its exquisite details. Once a nunnery, the property showcases floral accents and Cusquenian hand-crafted artistry throughout. The hotel also boasts an outdoor heated pool, nestled amidst cloistered gardens, Incan stone walls, tranquil fountains, and picturesque patios.

Experience the flavors of the Andes at Mauka, the vibrant restaurant led by renowned chef Pía León, celebrated as one of Peru’s brightest culinary talents. Her innovative approach highlights the local biodiversity of Cusco while honoring the cultural heritage of the Peruvian Andes. Mauka’s menu reintegrates ancestral crops, seeds and traditions into gourmet dining, offering a captivating journey through Peru’s historic ecosystems. In a relaxed yet refined setting, savor signature dishes crafted with care, creativity, and irresistible flavours.

The hotel is located within easy distance of city highlights like Plaza de Armas and Sacsayhuamán, and is ideally situated for exploring Cusco. 

Overview

Cusco’s most famous and prestigious hotel, Monasterio is a beautifully restored monastery in the heart of town just steps away from the main plaza, finest restaurants and best museums. Built around Incan foundations, adorned with antique Spanish design, the hotel is an important historical landmark and is protected by the National Institute of Culture.

The 126 unique rooms offer a great mix of elegance and comfort, ranging from cozy quarters to expansive suite. The hotel also goes the extra mile in terms of guests’ comfort with the provision of some oxygen enriched bedrooms to help acclimatize to the high altitude.

There are two restaurants – Illariy in the cloisters opening out over the leafy courtyard where you’ll find delicious breakfasts and light lunches, and El Tupay which serves fine international cuisine created from local ingredients, often accompanied by opera. The relaxed lobby bar is the place to sip pisco sours after a day exploring.

Overview

This luxury boutique hotel is located right in the center of Cusco surrounded by cobblestone streets, museums and next door to Plaza Las Nazarenas. This really is the premier property in Cusco and a real delight to stay at.

La Casona is a beauitfully and carefully restored colonial manor house from the 16th century with modern luxuries. With only eleven suites surrounding a courtyard, the atmosphere is very private and charming.

Each room is furnished with period antiques and has a fireplace and heated floors. Other hotel amenities include a library, restaurant, lounge, spa, butler services and Peruvian cooking classes.