Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu

Casa Andina is housed in a five-story building set on the Vilcanota River. During the day, there's a steady stream of guests shuttling between the hotel, and the train and trail to Machu Picchu, but the property does have some gathering spots. The contemporary lobby has warm, salmon-colored couches and chairs arranged around a coffee table, and there's free tea and other hot drinks on offer. Breakfast is a busy time at the restaurant, which overlooks the river and has bright, red seating and a large photomural on the wall. The hotel's guest list is almost entirely couples and families visiting Machu Picchu.  

Casa Andina Standard Machu Picchu is in the heart of Aguas Calientes. It's next to a souvenir and crafts market, and a short walk from a bank, supermarket, and restaurants. The Vilcanota River is on one side of the hotel, and the train station and bus stop for accessing Machu Picchu is on the other, less than a minutes' walk away. The thermal baths are just out of town, about a 10-minute walk. The Butterfly House conserves eight species of butterflies found in the area -- it's a 20-minute walk. The Manuel Chavez Ballon Museum displays information on Machu Picchu archaeological excavations and Inca building methods -- it's a five-minute drive, or 50-minute hike from the hotel. Putucusi mountain, with its views of Machu Picchu, is a 40-minute walk, while the 15th-century Machu Picchu citadel itself is almost a three-hour hike, or 20 minutes by bus. The nearest airport is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, and to get there takes a little more than four hours on the train to reach Poroy Station, and then a 40-minute drive from Poroy to the airport. 

Guest rooms and suites at Casa Andina are modern and have clean lines -- though they lack several amenities. Decor is mostly neutral, but there's an attractive mix of tone and texture and bright orange and accents, which makes spaces feel polished and pulled together. All units have large desks, safes, and flat-screen TVs, but they don't have AC, heat, or kettles, and there's a charge for in-room Wi-Fi and bottled water. Some guest rooms feature river views and/or balconies. Bathrooms are basic but pleasant, with granite vanities, walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, and toiletries. Some guests who have stayed in river-facing rooms have reported hearing rushing water, and units that facing the train tracks can be noisy from early morning until late in the evening. In addition, some guests have noted hearing neighbors due to thin walls. 

Amenities are limited at this hotel, but there's an on-site, full-service Peruvian restaurant that overlooks the Vilcanota River and serves breakfast for a fee. The spread features cooked-to-order eggs, ham, cheeses, and fresh fruit. The quality is decent, but some guests have pointed out that the variety could be better. The hotel has a convenience store and a lobby business corner with s computer and printer, but no fitness facilities. The front desk operates 24 hours a day, and offers late check-out (for a fee). Guests can help themselves to free tea and other hot beverages in the lobby during the day, but free Wi-Fi is limited to common areas, and guests are charged for in-room access.