Sol y Luna

Fodor’s travel magazine has recognized Sol y Luna as one of the seven best hotels in South America, following a visit by travel journalist and South America specialist Heather Jasper.

“In the middle of the Sacred Valley in Peru” writes Heather, “lies a Relais & Chateaux collection of casitas, little houses in Spanish, where you can go horseback riding in the morning and lounge in the pool all afternoon.”

“All 43 luxury casitas have their own patio and garden area, with the property’s lush greenery affording complete privacy” she continues, capturing the essence of Sol y Luna.

Each room is its own standalone villa, connected by winding stone pathways and dotted across acres of peaceful gardens, filled with blossoming bougainvillea that attract hosts of butterflies and hummingbirds.

An Ideal Base for Adventure

While Sol y Luna serves as a tranquil retreat, it is also an ideal base for exploring some of Peru’s most iconic landmarks.

“Sol y Luna is an easy day trip to the famous Inca ruins at Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, and Pisac, though the property is so beautiful you may not be inclined to do many day trips” writes Heather.

Whatever guests are looking for, the team at Sol y Luna can oblige. Private guides can accompany guests on a range of excursions, including riding, cycling, trekking and ATV driving; all brilliant ways to explore the scenery of the Sacred Valley in their own way.

But of course what really draws visitors to this part of the world is the stunning pre-Columbian architecture, in addition to the colonial outposts established by the Spanish Conquistadors.

Nearby Cuzco was the heart of the Inca Empire, and the surrounding area is dotted with hundreds of Inca ruins, including the iconic Machu Picchu, and other less well-known but no less awe-inspiring sites such as Chinchero, Moray or Cusco itself.

Moray Inca Terraces

Unwind in Luxury

After a long day exploring the Sacred Valley, guests can indulge in the Yacu Wasi spa, which uses “locally grown medicinal herbs for a fusion of modern indulgence and traditional Andean healing” Heather continues. Guests can choose from a range of massages, facials and hydrotherapy treatments, including wraps, exfoliations, manicures and pedicures.

With an outdoor hot-tub and stunning pool, guests will leave feeling gloriously pampered.

As a Relais & Chateaux hotel, Sol y Luna’s culinary offerings are not to be forgotten. As Heather explains, the “Killawasi Restaurant is fine dining indoors by a lovely fireplace or outdoors poolside, [whilst] the Rancho Wayra Restaurant is a casual affair near the stables, where you can try Pachamanca (meat and vegetables baked underground) while watching an afternoon horse show”.

A Commitment to Community

What truly sets Sol y Luna apart is its dedication to supporting the local community.

As Heather highlights, “You would never guess this dazzling property was an afterthought, but it was created to support the pre-existing Sol y Luna Foundation.”

The foundation, which recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary, works tirelessly to support local families, providing housing, meals, education, and higher education support for some of the Sacred Valley’s most underprivileged and vulnerable children.

By staying at Sol y Luna, guests are not only indulging in luxury but also supporting these vital efforts, making their experience even more meaningful.

A stay at Sol y Luna is good for the body, good for the soul, and most importantly, good for the community.