Sol y Luna ****

Best available

Particularly well-situated in a beautiful part of the Urubamba Valley, The Sol y Luna resort does a wonderful job of integrating a high standard of accommodation into a stunning and peaceful surrounding environment.

Being one of the first Urubamba Valley hotels to be built, the location of Sol y Luna was carefully chosen in order to maximise the amount of sunlight is captured during the day. In fact it is precisely from this motivation that the hotel has taken it namesake; the owners have strived to reflect those elements that made the valley so significant to the Incas - the movement of the sun and the moon being of particular importance - and these are practically ever-present during the Andean dry season.

Great effort  has likewise been made to give the property a natural ambience; on the journey to their rooms or suites, guests are greeted by a gentle walk through the resort's peaceful and colourful garden, which features flat, grassy lawns and many diverse flower beds which constantly change in appearance as the sun moves across the valley. The overall environs are peaceful, and often only the trickling sound of water can be heard. A sign of the dedication to maintaining this beautiful floral environment, Sol y Luna employ dozens of staff to tend to the garden and its plants.

Standard Bungalows

The standard bungalows are situated in circular buildings (again subtle testimony to celestial bodies), all have comfortable beds and ample amenities and are well decorated and appointed. The bedroom decor is continuous of the natural environment, using elemental motifs, arte popular and tasteful flower decorations with structural elements such as large wooden beams complementing this.

These rooms have recently been brightened up with a new colour scheme, though some of the rooms still retain the previous cream colour. There are family sized rooms as well that have a second floor with a couple of extra beds for the kids.

Las Casitas

The New Suites of the Sol y Luna

Those looking for an extra grade of intelligent luxury will revel in the new suites of the Sol y Luna. Built only in June 2010, these are of sophisticated attire that feels far from out of place with the natural feel of the complex. All guests will enjoy a personalised service, with a private reception and access to Sol & Luna’s different facilities.

From the first moment stepping inside the attention to detail quickly becomes apparent. The artwork - which has a different theme in every suite - was all produced by a local artist and muralist Federico Bauer who has respected local styles to create excellent murals, paintings and other pieces in the suites decoration. Through this “Arte Popular”, he has masterfully reflected the natural environment of the gardens; flower patterns, in particular, are very prominent in his designs, and this is continued into the patterns of the fabrics. Elements of the valley also feature in these works, different plants such as maize and fruits, for example, take the centrepiece in each of the different themes, though it should be noted that his work is far from over-dominating and wonderfully helps to create an authentic environment.

All of the furniture, meanwhile, was crafted by a master joiner based in Lima, who is renowned for his immaculate replicas and representations of colonial furniture. A friend of Aracari’s, Sr. Liebana has applied his skillful hand to create a specialized range of fine furniture for the suites. (If you like these, Aracari can also organise a visit to Sr. Leibana’s house in Lima with the opportunity to acquire some of his exquisite joinery).

The amenities in the suites are aplenty, with safe, minibar, Wireless Internet Connection, flat screen TV’s with Satellite signal, heated flooring, High-fidelity sound system and also an ipod station. Don’t worry if you don’t have an ipod; Sol y Luna have thoughtfully preloaded one for each suite with a mixture of popular and relaxing tunes, there is just about something for everyone on there. A charming fireplace also adds to the cosy, home like ambience of the suites, and these can be utilised with prior arrangement.

For families and larger groups, it is possible to book two adjoining suites, separated by an entrance hall. The service in the suites is excellent, with a turn down service that includes lighting the flame lantern in the garden – a warm and welcoming glow after a day of activities in the Sacred Valley.

The advantage of the Premium suites is that they are split into 3 rooms – bedroom, living room and entrance hall – with a walk in closet and a bathroom with an even more privileged view towards the mountains. There is also an extra TV and fireplace for the enjoyment of guests along with a relaxing private jacuzzi.

The management attested to Aracari during a recent visit that it is their intention to surprise their guests with the quality and attention detail of the suites. These Casitas, they told us, would simply not have been built if they were not going to be done properly. This dedication has certainly shown.

For more on the Casitas, please read our blog review Peru hotels review - New suites of the Sol y Luna.

Restaurants

The hotel is complete with three restaurants for different occasions. For breakfast, the restaurant Killa Wasi has a buffet of juicy fresh fruit along with cold meats, breads, fresh yoghurt and cereals; the breakfast section of restaurant is next to the swimming pool, positioned so that the morning sunlight flows in.

Wayra restaurant, a charming open air space lined with long benches and tables, is perhaps a better suited atmosphere for lunches and dinners. This is incorporated into the Wayra ranch, and the excellent quality of food served here can be enjoyed with various shows and activities that take place at the ranch.

In both restaurants Chef Nacho has helped to build an inspiring menu around simple Andean ingredients that makes the most of the various flavours using such authentic equipment as wood burning ovens. Sol y Luna have placed great importance on using local ingredients and source many fruits and vegetables from their own garden as well as from the nearby high jungle for more exotic fare. Guests can choose from juices made from a variety of regional fruits.

Wayra also organises a Pachamanca, where the traditional Andean process of cooking meats, potatoes and other vegetables underground, beneath scorching hot rocks is demonstrated and explained step by step; the resultant meat is of great succulence. Nacho is also happy to give a demonstration of Peruvian cuisine; him whipping up a huancaina or ocopo sauce with tender potatoes; dicing up a fresh ceviche; or searing some beef for a lomo saltado stir fry all make for most enjoyable and insightful viewing, and a Pisco Sour demonstration is also of high interest. Rather amusingly, guests can also try their hand at “food art”, turning carrots and watermelons, for example, into beautiful flowers and decorations.

And for very special occasions, The Cava is a very special dining experience; beneath the Wayra Ranch there is kept an extensive collection of Wines from around the world to accompany a gourmet menu which, again, uses chiefly Andean ingredients, though here they are presented in an elegant, flamboyant fashion with original and sometimes daring combinations of flavours.

Activities and Facilities

Sol y Luna also operate a range of outdoor activities such as quad biking (ATV), horse riding, mountain biking, trekking and kayaking, while Wayra ranch is host to regular Peruvian Paso horse shows, theatrical folk shows and textile demonstrations amongst other activities; please contact us for more details.

Room service, TV room, Safe box and Laundry service are all a part of the service. There is also an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a delightful spa adorned with stained-glass windows – the massage’s come highly recommended.

This hotel can only be booked as part of an itinerary as we do not do stand-alone hotel bookings.