This stay was sponsored, but all opinions are my own. I do not write about or accept sponsored stays unless I truly enjoy them.
The Sacred Valley in Peru is situated about an hour and a half from the bustling city of Cusco and is often viewed as a total oasis and place of serenity and calm. You have the option to simply visit the most famous sites in the Sacred Valley in a day trip from Cusco, but I would highly recommend actually going to spend a few days there instead! Travelling can be extremely intense, and the Sacred Valley is the perfect place to go and unwind in total peace and serenity.
I stayed two nights at Casa Andina Premium in the Sacred Valley, and it ended up being one of the highlights of my entire Peru trip. For me, the setting of the hotel was the absolute best bit- a 5* hotel nestled between the mountains, with panoramic views of the Andes from every room. The seclusion only added to the total feeling of serenity- the area is absolutely silent aside from the babbling of running water by the spa. I also felt the style of accommodation added to calm- the rooms are all designed in a chalet style, with big colourful pillars outside each room, and balconies on the top floors.
The hotel has also been described as 'Sacred Valley's most complete hotel' and for good reason! It boasts a retreat style of accommodation, with the gorgeous chalets, a spa, planetarium, restaurant and bar. If you wish, it is also a short walk down into the local town and on the way you pass several different restaurant options.
Although we didn't have time to use the spa, we had a look at the options and it seemed that everything you would want was available! There was also a hot tub which could be hired for a few hours at a time, and which included refreshments.
One of the best parts of the hotel also had to be the resident Llamas! There is the option for guests to bottle feed the Llamas twice a day at 12:00pm and 4:00pm which was such a unique and popular activity.
We headed down to the restaurant for dinner on our first night and were so impressed by the wam, cosy atmosphere, the staff and the food. The restaurant overlooks the large grounds, and even in the darkness we could make out the gorgeous mountains in the distance, which made such a romantic setting for an evening meal. The menu was extensive- Kee went for grilled chicken and risotto which was absolutely delicious, and I went for the standard Peruvian dish of Lomo Saltado- it was the best I'd had in Peru! For dessert, we both went for the chocolate brownie and ice cream. This was presented so beautifully, and again was the best dessert we have had so far in Peru! The entire meal felt like such a treat, and the staff were so attentive and friendly.
The next day, we headed down to breakfast before our packed day exploring the Sacred Valley. The breakfast was laid out in a buffet style, which I absolutely love as it means you can pick exactly what you like. There were hot options, such as potatoes, sausages and rice dishes, as well as a range of cereal, fruit and sweet breads. There was also fresh coffee and a large range of herbal teas.
We hadn't booked a tour of the hot spots of the Sacred Valley before leaving Cusco, so we asked for help at reception. They were so wonderful and advised us of the best locations to visit, then booked a taxi for us so we could enjoy a private tour. The taxi service the hotel recommended was absolutely wonderful with an English speaking driver, and we had such a wonderful experience exploring the different spots. I would highly recommend the Ollantaytambo ruins and town, and the Salt Pans in Maras and Moray.
That evening, Kee and I decided to make use of the bar. The staff were (again) absolutely wonderful, and recommended a traditional Peruvian gin to try, which was delicious. We took our drinks out into the vast grounds where a fire was set up alongside an outdoor bar. It was the most wonderful atmosphere with everyone sat around the fire, enjoying their drinks and chatting away. It was one of those nights that you don't want to end!
The next morning, we enjoyed the buffet breakfast once again. We were actually the last ones left in the restaurant because we were just sipping our coffees, enjoying the view. Once again, the staff was so helpful and booked us a private taxi back to Cusco. It arrived about 10 minutes after we had ordered it, and the staff helped us load our bags into the car. On the journey home, the driver kindly pointed out loads of areas of interest, which made the journey so interesting.
Once again, I cannot recommend Casa Andina highly enough! Each stay has been absolutely wonderful, but this one had a real extra magical touch. It was the perfect weekend of relaxing that we were craving, before jumping straight back into the busy life of Cusco!
Hope you enjoyed this blog, and as always let me know if you have any questions or if I can help in anyway!
Thanks for reading, and I'll see you again soon!
Saz
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