Unbelievable Cusco Luxury: Anden Inca Hotel Awaits!
Unbelievable Cusco Luxury? More Like a Rollercoaster of Altitude Sickness and Awe: My Anden Inca Hotel Awaits! Review (Brace Yourself!)
Okay, listen up, because I'm about to tell you about THE Anden Inca Hotel in Cusco. Forget those perfectly polished travel blog reviews. This is the REAL DEAL. This is the review where I'm still slightly winded from the altitude and questioning my life choices (but in a good way, mostly).
First Impressions: Altitude, Altitude, and More Altitude…and Glamour?!
Arrival. Cusco. BAM! You’re hit with the thin air before you even sniff the roasted guinea pig (more on that later). The Anden Inca Hotel? Absolutely stunning, right from the get-go. It’s that classic, colonial-meets-modern Cusco aesthetic, all stone walls, dark wood, and vibrant textiles. The lobby? Gleaming. The staff? Smiling and efficient. EXCEPT… I immediately felt like a fish gasping for air. Altitude sickness is a cruel mistress, people. The hotel does have oxygen available, which is a lifesaver and shows their dedication to guest wellbeing. They had all the hygiene certifications in place (more on the details of that later), but wow the altitude!
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, But Definitely Trying
Now, let’s talk accessibility. The hotel features the amenities for disabled guests to feel welcome. The elevators (thank GOD for elevators!) were plentiful and swift. I'm not specifically disabled, but I could see it would be relatively easy get around. Everything seemed well-considered, but I didn't get to experience these aspects first hand to give a true assessment.
Rooms: My Own Andean Sanctuary (With a Few Hiccups)
My room…oh, my room! It was gorgeous, the kind of space you could get utterly lost in… in a good way. I had an extra long bed, perfect for sprawling out after a day of exploring. The bathroom was a highlight: separate shower and bathtub, and bathrobes! Seriously, who doesn't love bathrobes? The complimentary toiletries were top-notch, although I did temporarily misplace my toothbrush, which caused mild panic, but that’s on me and my jetlag.
The Wi-Fi Conundrum: Freedom…and Frustration
Let's get real about the internet. Free Wi-Fi in rooms? Yes! Generally reliable? Mostly. The signal strength was strongest in the room, and I even got a few zoom calls going, but there were a few moments of buffering, which made me want to hurl my laptop out the window. Still, I didn't use the Internet [LAN] and the free Wi-Fi was a huge plus.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: From Buffets to Bodily Recovery
Alright, buckle up, because we're diving into the food scene. The hotel's restaurants were a HUGE draw. I really enjoyed the Asian Cuisine. The Breakfast Buffet was a glorious spread. I went for the Western Breakfast and wasn't disappointed. I even tried the Asian breakfast -- a whole new world of flavors! And there was a pool-side bar. Happy hour? Absolutely. Desserts in the Restaurant? Oh, yes! The dessert menu!
But here's the thing: Altitude + Big Breakfast = Feeling like a slightly bloated llama. So be warned: pace yourself! And don’t even get me started on the Soup in the Restaurant. It was exactly what my body needed (despite the aforementioned llama feeling).
A Quick Side Note: The hotel seems to be very careful about cleanliness and safety: They had all the anti-viral cleaning products, professional-grade sanitizing services, etc. The staff seemed extremely trained with the safety protocal.
Ways to Relax: From Steamrooms to…Massages?
Okay, let’s talk R&R. The Anden Inca Hotel has seriously upped the relaxation game. There's a swimming pool, a sauna, a spa, a steamroom, and a gym/fitness center. I didn’t get around to trying everything, sadly. But I did manage to squeeze in a massage. Oh. Em. Gee. Honestly, it was the best massage of my LIFE. The therapist was skilled, the room was dimly lit with relaxing music, and all the tension from the altitude (and, you know, life in general) just melted away.
Side note: I kept wanting to hit the gym and the fitness center; but the altitude…
Things To Do: Cusco Is the Real Star
I will have to admit, the hotel is amazing, but the real star is Cusco and the Inca ruins. The hotel offers airport transfer, and taxi service. With that being said, the world famous Machu Picchu is a must do!
The Little Things: What Makes a Hotel Truly Shine
This is where Anden Inca got it right. They provide essential condiments, like those little packets of sugar and cream. The daily housekeeping was impeccable. They have a concierge service that was incredibly helpful. They have a gift/souvenir shop for those desperate last-minute gift runs. The small touches really add up, and the Anden Inca nailed it.
My Verdict: Go…But Prepare Yourself!
The Anden Inca Hotel is a fantastic choice! It’s luxurious, well-equipped, and the staff are genuinely lovely. And the fact that they are doing so much to ensure cleanliness and safety makes the whole experience just that much more secure. It's a place where you can truly relax and unwind (after a day of trekking around Machu Picchu, which probably isn't the relaxing part, but definitely the "amazing" part of your trip!).
However, be warned: the altitude is a beast. Bring some coca leaves, drink lots of water (they provide free bottled water!), and be prepared to take it easy for the first day or two. But overall? A truly unforgettable experience. Unbelievable…yes, that's probably the right word. Just…go. And then come back and tell me all about it!
Beijing's BEST Hotel Near UTech? (Hanting Hotel Review!)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this isn't your perfectly sculpted travel blog itinerary. This is the REAL deal, straight from the (slightly caffeine-addled) brain of someone who just wrestled a suitcase and a severe case of altitude sickness onto Peruvian soil. We're talking the Anden Inca Hotel in Cusco, and trust me, it's been a journey already.
Anden Inca Hotel, Cusco: My Chaotic Conquest (So Far)
Day 1: Arrival & Altitude Hangover – Hello, Cusco, You Beautiful Lie
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Landed in Cusco. Whew. That flight? Utter chaos. Screaming babies, a dude who clearly hadn't seen a shower in a week, and turbulence that made me question my life choices. Customs? Smoothish, surprisingly! Found the pre-booked airport transfer. Thought, "I'm so organized!"…Famous last words.
- Late Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Arrival at the charming Anden Inca Hotel. Charming, I tell you! Except, you know, the whole "altitude" thing. My brain is practically a balloon animal at this point. The air is thin. I felt like a goldfish gasping for air. The hotel staff are angels though, offering coca tea like it's liquid gold. I probably drank three cups before even checking in.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM): "Rest." Yeah, right. More like a fever dream punctuated by the sound of my own increasingly labored breathing. Tried to nap. Failed. Walked around the hotel, immediately regretted it. Every two steps was a struggle. Every breath, a major effort. My heart felt like it was doing marathons. Swore I saw a tiny alpaca in the elevator. Probably the altitude.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at…was it called "Resto-something"? Can't really focus on the name. Found a place that had a tiny menu, I could barely read. It offered soup. I ordered it. Ate, then slept. I have no other recollections.
Day 2: Cusco City Tour (Or, The Day My Legs Betrayed Me)
- Morning (8:00 AM - 1:00 PM): City tour. Booked it because, you know, tourists, gotta tourist! The guide, bless his heart, was trying his best, but my brain was still back in the hotel room trying to figure out if there was a secret tunnel to Machu Picchu. We visited the Plaza de Armas, which was beautiful, but honestly, the cobblestones are the enemy of every traveler on Earth. Then, the Qorikancha, Temple of the Sun, which was cool. The stones? Incredibly impressive. But my legs are the enemy of the tourist here. I swore I took a wrong turn and ended up in a torture chamber.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Lunch. Managed a local restaurant. Ate something…possibly llama? I cannot remember. The waiter spoke rapid-fire Spanish, and I mumbled something resembling a food order. My stomach's doing the cha-cha.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): Tried to visit Sacsayhuamán. It's an Incan citadel. Supposedly amazing. I made it about halfway up the path before my legs screamed "NONONO!" and I surrendered. The altitude was relentless. The sun? Merciless. I sat on a rock, watching the other tourists, feeling ridiculously inadequate. Watched a llama, it seemed to be laughing at me.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Back at the hotel. Coca tea, coca tea, and more coca tea. Ordered room service. The simplest thing possible. Feeling like I might actually survive this. Still fighting the altitude sickness!
Day 3: Market Mayhem & Souvenir Stupor
- Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): San Pedro Market. Oh. My. God. The colors, the smells, the people. It's sensory overload in the best, most overwhelming way possible. I saw everything from mountains of potatoes to what I think were llama fetuses (look up "ch'uya" for context - you can't unsee it). The juice stalls were a highlight, though. Fresh fruit juice, like a burst of sunshine in a chaotic world. Bargained for a scarf. Probably overpaid, but I was so overwhelmed by the sheer… thing of the market; I didn't care.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Souvenir shopping around the Plaza de Armas. So many alpaca sweaters. So many, many, scarves. The alpaca shopkeepers? Relentless. But I found a beautiful weaving, finally. Probably slightly overpriced, but the woman who sold it, her smile was warm. And that counts, right?
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Coffee at a local cafe. People-watching. Realizing I'm starting to get a handle on the Spanish (sort of). The altitude is still a pain in the behind, but at least I'm not seeing tiny alpacas anymore. Progress!
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner and a quiet night at the hotel. The hotel has a courtyard with a fountain. It's gorgeous, and finally, I'm starting to appreciate the beauty of this place, even if it's kicking my…well, you get the idea.
Day 4: The Great Machu Picchu Debate (And a Very Long Journey)
- Morning (6:00 AM - 7:00 AM): The grand plan! Machu Picchu. The Big Kahuna. The reason I'm here, wheezing slightly. The journey there is almost as epic as the site itself. Train from Poroy (which I've heard is a stunning ride, though I may be too bleary-eyed to appreciate it).
- Morning (7:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Took a train, then a bus. The view of the Andes? Unbelievable! Still trying to figure out how I'll survive the next three days on the road.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Arrived at Aguas Calientes, a town built around its hot springs. The town is so crammed that it looks like they might be falling off a cliff.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM - 6:00 PM): Settled in a small hotel, and walked around. The tour is for tomorrow!
- Evening (6:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner: A surprisingly good pizza, even if I still had some altitude issues.
Day 5: Machu Picchu. Finally. (And a Lot of Sweat)
- Morning (5:00 AM - 6:00 AM): Up. Early. The bus ride up to Machu Picchu was terrifying. The roads are narrow, winding, and the drivers clearly have a death wish. But the anticipation! The promise of the lost city!
- Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Machu Picchu. Holy. Crap. Even with the altitude, the crowds, and the constant struggle to breathe, it's breathtaking. The engineering, the history, the sheer scale of it all… I was speechless. (Okay, maybe not completely speechless, I probably mumbled a few expletives under my breath.)
- Afternoon (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Explored Machu Picchu, took a guide tour. Walked around with my eyes wide. It was overwhelming. Then, tired. Took a lot of pictures.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 4:00 PM): Bus down from Machu Picchu, train to Cusco, and then, collapsed in my hotel room.
- Evening (4:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Ate dinner and slept. The experience of Machu Picchu will live on.
Day 6: Departure (And the Burning Question of "Was It Worth It?")
- Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Last breakfast at the hotel. Staring out at the courtyard. Thinking, "Did I really do that? Did I actually climb a mountain and visit a lost city?"
- Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Packing. Trying to squeeze all the souvenirs into my already bursting suitcase.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Last-minute souvenir shopping and lunch.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 4:00 PM): At the airport, waiting for my flight. Contemplating life choices. Was it worth it?
Unbelievable Cusco Luxury: Anden Inca Hotel Awaits! – FAQs (with My Brain Splattered All Over Them)
Okay, Okay, Spill the Tea: Is the Anden Inca Hotel *Really* Worth the Hype?
Ugh, alright, fine. You *have* to know, right? Look, I'm a sucker for a good spa day and a fluffy robe, so my initial reaction at the Anden Inca? Jaw. Dropped. It's like... imagine stepping onto a movie set, but *you're* the star. Everything is so polished, so effortlessly chic. Seriously, the air practically *shimmers* with "luxury."
But is it worth it? Here’s the truth sandwich: the *hotel* itself? Seriously. Amazing. The view from my (ridiculously plush) bed? Incredible. The service? Impeccable. The problem? My *wallet* is still weeping a little. So, “worth it” REALLY depends on your bank account and tolerance for self-induced guilt. I’d say… if you can swing it, go for it. Just… don’t look at the bills later.
Oh, and one minor, totally petty complaint: the tiny, tiny toothbrush. Come on, guys! We're in luxury land! Give me a brush I can ACTUALLY brush my teeth with! (Rant over. Kind of.)
What's This About a Spa? Do I Need to Book a Prenuptial Agreement Before I Go?
The spa? Okay, brace yourselves. It’s called "The Incan Serenity Sanctuary" or something equally dramatic. And it’s basically a portal to another dimension – a dimension where stress doesn’t exist and everything smells like essential oils (in the best possible way). I may or may not have spent half a day there. Don't judge me! I *needed* it.
Do you need a prenuptial? Maybe not a *legal* one, but definitely a budget one. Treatments are pricey, but listen, that massage was… spiritual. Okay, maybe "spiritual" is over-the-top, but I swear, I felt like a new person. And the facial? My skin glowed for DAYS. You could see the city from outer space! (Okay, not really, but close.) Just be prepared to drop some serious coin. But really. worth it.
My therapist there, a woman named Marisol with the hands of an angel, told me I should "release my energies." I wasn't sure what that meant, but I think it involved me saying "yes" to a hot stone massage and an avocado face mask. (She was persuasive!).
The Views! Tell me EVERYTHING about the Views! Spill the Tea Again!
Okay, views. Let's talk about the *views*. I mean, Cusco is gorgeous, but the ANDEN INCA takes it to another level. Think postcard-perfect: red tile roofs, winding cobblestone streets, the majestic mountains... and the ancient ruins scattered around like jewels. Honestly, I could have just sat on my balcony (or, let's be real, *in* my ridiculously comfortable bed) all day and been perfectly content.
I especially loved watching the sun set over the city. The way the light hit the mountains was pure magic. One evening, I almost didn't go to dinner because staring at the colors was more amazing. (Yes, I eventually went, but only after a *lot* of internal debate!). The hotel also offers panoramic views from its restaurant. Imagine eating a gourmet meal while gazing at the gorgeous Cusco! It's heavenly.
Here's a slightly embarrassing confession: I might have taken about a hundred pictures of the same sunset. I’m not even a photographer! What can I say? The sight was simply *that* stunning.
Is the Food *Actually* Any Good... Or is it Just Fancy Presentation?
This is where things get interesting. The presentation? Spectacular. Like, art-on-a-plate kind of stuff. The food itself? Mostly fantastic, but with a few hiccups. (Every restaurant has flaws, right?)
The breakfast buffet? Unreal. Fresh fruit, pastries galore, and made-to-order omelets. I might have had three. Don’t judge me, they had a Peruvian coffee station, too! The coffee was so good, I ordered another. I'm not usually a big buffet person, but this one was a game-changer. The only downside was the slight fear of accidentally wearing my favorite shirt while reaching for something. (Happened to me. More on that later, probably.)
Dinner was more hit-or-miss. One night I had the best ceviche of my life. (Seriously, the flavors exploded in my mouth!). Another night I tried the guinea pig. (Don't judge! I told myself I HAD to try it!) It was, uh...interesting. Let's just say, I'm glad I tried it, but I wouldn't order it again. But they *did* have a nice wine selection! So, it all evens out, right?
Oh! And the pisco sours at the bar? Dangerously good. (See above about potential for wearing your dinner. Seriously. They're STRONG.)
Any Downsides? Be Honest! Even the Tiny Ones!
Okay, okay, I promised unfiltered truth, right? Aside from the slightly painful dent in my bank account (and the tiny toothbrush), here are a few other minor gripes:
The Altitude: Cusco is HIGH. Like, really, really high. Even though the hotel staff tries to make things ease, you might feel a bit breathless at first. I took some altitude sickness pills, which really helped. (Definitely listen to the hotel staff, they are very experienced with the altitude).
The Price Tag: I've mentioned this, but it bears repeating. It’s expensive. REALLY expensive. Factor in the meals, spa treatments, and maybe those extra pisco sours. Yikes. But hey… memory made!
The Occasional Discomfort: The staff were amazing, but here and there, I felt slightly out of place. I mean, I'm not used to being waited on hand and foot! (That's not really their fault. That's MY problem!). But still. First world problems, I know.
Would You Go Back? The Ultimate Question!
Hmm… would I go back? That’s the question, isn't it? Despite the wallet-crushing price tag and the fleeting moments of feeling like an imposter (okay, maybe a *lot* of moments), the answer is… YES. Absolutely. Without a doubt.
I mean, can you really put a price on a truly unforgettable experience? The memories, the pampering, the views…they’re worth their weightStay Collective
