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Tambo del Inka is a tranquil, LEED-certified resort in Peru's Sacred Valley. liz tasa While the word luxury has long been overused in the travel space, the concept has evolved in recent years, transcending exorbitant pricing—along with the dated notion that expensive equals better—and exclusivity. Today, it encompasses detail-oriented personalization, comfort when you least expect it, and destinations far beyond clichéd European cities and Asian islands.
That’s what I discovered on a recent solo trip to Latin America, while splitting my time between two Marriott Luxury Group properties: Peru ’s Tambo del Inka and Colombia ’s W Bogota. Though the region has historically been favored for adventure and culinary trips, it’s also an under-the-radar destination that embraces this more inclusive and well-rounded approach to luxury. Even better? Your Marriott Bonvoy points will go much further in Latin America, versus more touristy parts of the world.
Machu Picchu, Peru getty Like countless others, I’ve dreamt about visiting Machu Picchu. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983, this sky-high ancient Incan city in the Peruvian Andes is a marvel of engineering, natural beauty, and history. While getting to Machu Picchu isn’t necessarily difficult—the site welcomes a million-plus visitors annually—trying to experience it efficiently and more importantly, safely, is no small feat.
Tambo Del Inka's experienced staff can book you a private Llama trek. Tambo Del Inka The attentive staff at Tambo del Inka made what felt impossible possible: they booked me roundtrip tickets from Urubamba, where the hotel is situated, to Machu Picchu on PeruRail 's glass-domed Vistadome train, along with an English-speaking guide to curate a tour based on my interests. Also, the hotel’s signature restaurant Hawa thoughtfully opened in the wee hours of the morning (5:30 a.
m., to be exact), so like-minded guests boarding the first train out could dig into breakfast boxes loaded up with fresh fruit, eggs, and Peruvian specialties like humitas (corn cakes steamed in husks). Though the daylong adventure was as soul-stirring as I’d hoped for—seeing Machu Picchu’s doe-eyed llamas lounging amid the 600-year old ruins was a hoot—my time at Tambo del Inka was equally memorable.
Tambo Del Inka's lobby TAMBO DEL INKA If there’s a way to describe the hotel’s ethos, it’s understated eco-luxury. The nightly rates aren’t excessive, and the warm design displays Peruvian handicrafts such Khipu (Incan knotted cords used for record keeping), oversized Chomba jars, and Paracas pottery throughout. F rom the whisper-quiet accommodations cloaked in dark woods and clean-lined furnishings to Kiri bar—where I learned about the national spirit pisco during a private tasting—every aspect of Tambo Del Inka was intended to be tasteful and timeless.
(In fact, the LEED-certified hotel is celebrating its 15th anniversary this May.) Tambo Del Inka is home to Kallpa Spa, one of Peru's best spas and wellness destinations. TAMBO DEL INKA The hotel’s spa and food, in particular, left a lasting impression.
Widely considered one of Peru’s top wellness desstinations, Kallpa Spa is an expansive oasis with indoor and outdoor pools, a thermal circuit—I recommend booking a private session before a treatment—and five rooms. Though longer massages are my preference, I couldn’t believe how much pent-up stress and tightness—hiking Machu Picchu on uneven terrain in high altitudes is grueling—my soft-spoken massage therapist skillfully relieved in just 30 minutes. Tambo Del Inka's organic garden grows herbs and vegetables for use in the the hotel's restaurant and bar.
TAMBO DEL INKA Peruvian food has recently captured the global spotlight, thanks to its prominent use of fresh ingredients flexing the country’s rich biodiversity. Tambo del Inka’s talented culinary staff builds on this philosophy, by using vegetables, fruits, and herbs plucked from the hotel’s organic garden and orchard. So whether you’re savoring Hawa’s five-course Ancestral tasting menu or nibbling on an arugula sourdough pizza at Kiri bar—you’ll feel good knowing everything you’re eating isn’t just delicious, but nutritious, too.
W Bogota's welcome desk Juan Fernando Castro Following three blissful nights at Tambo Del Inka, I was ready to dive back into city life. As for where to go? I set my sights on Colombia’s first W property, W Bogota , since it was an easy direct flight from Cusco. Plus: the W brand always has, since its inception in 1998, specialized in luxury that’s approachable, fun, and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
As I stepped up to the welcome desk area dripping in gold and delicate butterfly “curtains,” I was struck by the hotel’s choice to use such bold elements. Every W property has a unique design narrative, and I soon learned that W Bogota’s was inspired by El Dorado, a mythical South American city brimming with gold. W Bogota's 168 rooms and suites are equal parts comfortable and stylish.
GREGORY ALONSO Fittingly, the ornate theme carries throughout the entire hotel. The 168 guest rooms and suites are punched up with dramatic fabric headbords wrapping the ceiling to the floor and cheeky “gold digger” pillows, while the lounge—where you can sip a Leg, a whimsical cocktail of Licor de Feijoa 472, Luxardo Maraschino, and pineapple garnished with butterfly candy—is decked out golden “threads” and a splashy mural by Vértigo Graffiti, a Bogota-based artist collective. Even the elevators are done up with twinkling lights to mimic the sensation of being a gold mine.
While W Bogota has every perk imaginable for today’s lifestyle-minded jetsetter, including a massive gym with pilates reformer, spa, and hydrotherapy pool, it’s the W Insiders and all-day restaurant Jairo that make staying here worthwhile. W Bogota's Insiders can curate personalized experiences to make your visit more memorable. W Bogota If you’re not familiar with the concept of W Insiders, they’re in-the-know concierges who go above and beyond to curate memorable experiences for every guest.
In my case, it was a guided tour through the hotel’s neighborhood of Usaquén—where I encountered a charming mix of old (Usaquén Flea Market) and new (Hacienda Santa Barbara Mall)—and to the wine and cheese bar Cava Oculta de Alpina for an informative private tasting with famed cheesemonger Lee Salas . (Did you know most cheeses should be served at room temperature, or that Colombia is the world’s second most biodiverse country?) W Bogota's Jairo restaurant W Bogota Open morning to night , Jairo is a restaurant with Colombian roots and global spirit. Guided by chef Diego Contreras—who believes that “food comes from many countries, and not just one place”—Jairo’s kitchen whips up Colombian staples such as Mote de Queso (cheese and yam soup) and Arroz Criollo (rice cooked with meat and vegetables) alongside hoisin-glazed mushroom dumplings to reflect its multi-cultural staff.
The breakfast buffet, too, is just as worldly: the bountiful help-yourself spread of arepas, empanadas, smoked salmon, baba ganoush , fresh fruit, and more is the perfect way to fuel up for a day of exploring..
