Initially when I saw the position of this hotel/resort I was a little surprised and wondered if we were going to get any sleep. This was because the InkaTerra lodge hotel in Aguas Calientes is AT the station. In fact the rail line runs through the middle of the hotel. You have to check in at the Inka Grill on one side of the line then walk across the line to get to the rest of the hotel which consists of a series of lodges set in tropical vegetation climbing up the mountain behind.

After we checked in - on one side of the railway line - we walked across the line to try and find our room. We were trying to sort out the map when one of the staff members asked if they could help us. We jumped at the chance and were escorted to our room very quickly. It is quite tricky to find you room as the hotel is scattered up the mountain and set in beautiful lush tropical gardens. The rooms are in blocks but nothing is set out straight and you have to follow curvy paths and go round rocks and walls which all added to the challenge.

The rooms are in blocks of about 6 to 10 rooms but they all had a view and enjoyed this without being overlooked by adjoining guest rooms. They were decorated and furnished in Peruvian style with tiled floors, white bed linen and cast iron bed head. There were two large windows, one looked out to a rock with plants growing up and the other opened up to a small patio with two comfortable chairs and this looked down into the valley and the railway. The bathroom had an enormous shower and the eco toiletries, soap, shampoo and conditioner as well as citronella insect repellent. The room was quite light in the day but dark with the lights at night but it had a very comfortable double bed and two pillows each. Some of the others in our group had two double beds in their rooms but I'm not sure of the price difference between the two rooms. In the evening someone came in and turned down the sheets and put a chocolate with a 'have a good night' note on the pillow which was a nice touch. It was all VERY clean and smelled fresh. Our little patio looked down into the Urabamba River gorge and the railway line. Oh, and we also got bath robes and little slippers too - but not enough time to relax there to make use of them!

The restaurant was a big wooden lodge with windows all around so that you could see down to the valley. You could sit outside at various different levels as well. Our dinner was included as part of our package so I cannot give you costs but dinner was four courses. You began with fruit juice then a choice of four starters - I had purple corn ravioli stuffed with smoked trout with a cheese sauce - 4 largish ravioli and it was delicious. There were about 5 main choices all of which looked good. I had steak brochettes as the Alpaca had run out and it was very tender, tasty and well presented. For the dessert choices, I think there were about 5 or 6 and again they all looked wonderful when presented and my local tart was delicious. You were offered coffee or other hot drinks afterwards but we didn't want any more so I can't say what they were like. The service was slick and the staff friendly and smiling, the food was presented beautifully and tasted superb.

The grounds of the hotel were beautiful with tropical plants everywhere set against rocks going up the mountain. There were several places with bird feeders and humming birds visited these frequently and if you were patient it was possible to get some perfect photos. The Cock of the rock - the National bird of Peru was also spotted by several people but unfortunately we missed this. In the middle of these gardens was a pool. It looked rather murky to swim in but I guess if it was hot and sunny you could sit there and watch the humming birds feeding. It wasn't THAT warm when we were there so we weren't tempted.

After this bonus of a wonderfully relaxing morning we went over to the Inka cafe for our lunch. I had been feeling a bit 'delicate' in the morning so did not really want anything much but the meal offered was similar to the dinner the night before and all very well presented. All those still able to enjoy their food said it was delicious. It is funny how if you are not feeling great, food becomes remarkably less interesting which was a shame as it looked very nice and I was hungry but just didn't dare risk it.

In summary this hotel was charming, you did need to be quite fit to get to your room if it was one of those at the top of the mountain. You also needed a good sense of direction to find your room again as the paths were only lit with lamps and twisted and turned round smaller paths, foliage and huge rocks. You really felt you were in a tropical Garden of Eden. The staff could not do enough for you and every one said 'Hello', 'good day/evening/afternoon' when they passed and smiled warmly. I felt very 'at home' here and even though I wasn't well the second day I still was able to enjoy the setting and walk around watching the wildlife without having to go very far at all.