With Small Luxurious Motels of the World (SLH) now consisting of over 700 resorts in 100 nations, they’ve a plethora of unbelievable choices. However therein lies the ‘travesty of riches’ or the ‘resolution fatigue’ drawback; it’s usually too arduous for the layman to resolve!
To resolve this drawback, SLH has formulated a sequence of curated collections inside its bigger portfolio to lens the providing round friends’ desired experiences and outcomes. One in all these that we give attention to at the moment is the Thoughtful Assortment which is centered round a choose journey area of interest for folks searching for eco-conscious, regenerative stays that may induce a real sense of non-public transformation.
What this phrase ‘transformation’ or ‘transformative’ implies just isn’t merely touring to a spot for work, an occasion or sightseeing, however needed to be personally moved and eternally improved by the reshaping of how we view the world round us. And one such lodge that wholly embodies this subsequent evolution of journey is none apart from SUMAQ Machu Picchu Resort whereby we had a chance to attach with Proprietor and Normal Supervisor, Angie Clavijo.
Perched atop this New Marvel of the World with sweeping river and mountain views, Sumaq has 62 spacious rooms and suites, with all of the facilities one would count on from a luxurious lodge to function a tranquil base whereas one visits this monumental web site. Moreover its proximity to its namesake, although, what attracted us to this lodge is the way it’s stewarding Peruvian tradition.
Whereas the guestrooms and public areas characteristic textiles, arts and different crafts drawn from group artisans, one other highly effective touchpoint that friends can really feel is Sumaq’s dedication to regenerative farming and a lesser-known idea known as agrobiodiversity.
The phrase ‘regenerative’ is simpler to know because it primarily means leaving a spot higher than once you discovered it, as achieved by soil high quality upleveling and supporting native communities or small-time farmers. Agrobiodiversity is interconnected with the follow of regenerative tourism whereby it implies the cultivation and commercialization of meals crops that aren’t generally discovered within the common grocery store or traded internationally.
The Andes is famend for its agrobiodiversity, with a whole bunch of potato landraces (wild cultivars) and different pseudocereals like amaranth. However even these distant mountain areas are threatened by the relentless march of globalization, therein making the noble combat to protect our culinary heritage all of the extra essential.
That is the place Sumaq shines by agricultural stewardship, and the place vacationers don’t simply get a heat meal however a meals expertise that transcends. Altogether, its an instance of sustainable journey at its zenith with lots to be taught from the folks behind the lodge.
Let’s begin with the historical past of Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort. What does ‘sumaq’ imply in Quechua and the way does the property embrace this high quality?
Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort was based in August 2007 by the enterprise group Clabe Andina, led by my household, the Clavijo Begazo household. From the very starting, our intention was not solely to construct a lodge, however to create a spot that honors and preserves Inca tradition and the Quechua language.
The phrase ‘sumaq’ in Quechua means nice, lovely and harmonious. We selected this identify deliberately to have a good time and preserve alive the language of the Incas. The complete property was impressed by this imaginative and prescient – from the Andean patterns in our décor, the place the chakana is a central component, to the cultural immersion experiences we provide.
Right now, the lodge is managed by the second technology – my brother Aníbal and myself – persevering with the legacy of our father, Don Aníbal Clavijo, who has greater than 35 years of expertise in Peruvian boutique hospitality and deep ties to native communities. For us, ‘sumaq’ just isn’t solely visible magnificence; it’s cultural, moral and emotional magnificence that friends can really really feel.
Peru has such a strong sense of place whereas Machu Picchu is a literal surprise of the world. How are you bringing this storytelling into the lodge from design, service and experiential angles?
Sumaq is situated on the highway to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, simply eight minutes from the prepare station, surrounded by plentiful Andean vegetation that seems like a pure prelude to the citadel. Our purpose is for Sumaq to really feel like an extension of Machu Picchu itself.
We weave this storytelling into the lodge in 3 ways:
Design: Pure supplies, Andean textiles and Inca symbolism create areas that really feel rooted in place fairly than staged for tourism.
Service: Our workforce members act as cultural ambassadors; many are from native communities and share their traditions and tales with friends.
Experiences: By ceremonies, rituals, gastronomy and curated cultural actions, friends join emotionally and spiritually with the Andes earlier than and after visiting Machu Picchu.
Having just lately been accepted into the Thoughtful Assortment of Small Luxurious Motels of the World, what are the standards for becoming a member of this sustainable journey assortment? What upgrades or diversifications did you need to make?
Being accepted into the SLH Thoughtful Assortment was very significant for us as a result of it acknowledges resorts which might be genuinely dedicated to sustainability, group and cultural preservation – not simply as a advertising label, however as a method of working each day.
We have been very concerned about becoming a member of this assortment as a result of we had already been strolling this sustainability path for a number of years. After we realized extra about it, we instantly felt that the Thoughtful Assortment was the right match for Sumaq – each in values and in imaginative and prescient. SLH additionally inspired us to extra visibly showcase and promote the sustainability work we had already been doing, which helped us higher articulate our impression and function to the world.
We have been already on this journey (together with holding a Rainforest Alliance certification till 2020 which we needed to exit as a result of pandemic), however the SLH course of inspired us to go even deeper. We strengthened our partnerships with native farmers and artisans, improved our waste administration and energy-efficiency methods, and made our sourcing and provide chain extra clear and traceable. We additionally expanded our group packages to create extra tangible impression for the individuals who dwell round Machu Picchu.
On the similar time, since final yr we’ve been working towards B Corp Certification with B Lab, and we are actually in our last steps. This can be a very rigorous course of that evaluates how an organization performs not solely financially, but additionally socially and environmentally. It requires us to take a look at our impression on staff, group, clients and the surroundings, rating at the least 80 factors on the B Impression Evaluation, make a authorized dedication to stakeholder governance, and publicly report our progress – with recertification each three years.
For us, each the SLH Thoughtful Assortment and our B Corp journey mirror the identical philosophy. We didn’t change who we’re; we formalized, measured and elevated what we’ve all the time believed in – that luxurious and accountability should go hand in hand.
What are the key experiential touchpoints the place friends can really really feel that they’re staying at a sustainable luxurious lodge?
Friends expertise sustainability in very tangible methods:
In Qunuq Restaurant by domestically sourced Andean components
In Aqlla Spa by rituals utilizing merchandise based mostly on native components
In our interiors, that includes handmade textiles from native artisans
In our longstanding relationships with close by communities
Eating at Sumaq just isn’t solely about meals, however about connection to land and group with sustainability as an integral a part of the luxurious expertise
Farm hospitality or ‘agriluxury’ is a big pattern for 2026. Are you able to describe the general strategy to the lodge’s culinary experiences and the way it drives lodge bookings?
Our culinary philosophy is deeply rooted in Andean terroir and was formed by my father’s a long time of collaboration with native producers. We work straight with highland farming communities, honor seasonality and have a good time ancestral components fairly than world tendencies.
What makes our strategy really distinctive is that gastronomy at Sumaq is experiential, not solely restaurant-based. Friends can take pleasure in curated tasting menus comparable to Apucc Mikhuna (Flavors of the Andes) and Munay-Ki (Quechua for “power of affection”), which each inform a narrative of place by multi-course journeys.
We additionally provide hands-on experiences like participatory cooking and bar lessons, and cultural demonstrations such because the Pachamanca, the place meals is ready underground with sizzling stones – a strong method for friends to attach with historical Andean traditions which might be nonetheless preserved on the area. This strategy strongly drives lodge bookings at the moment. Many vacationers select Sumaq not simply to go to Machu Picchu, however to expertise the Andes by meals – as tradition, historical past and group on the plate.
The Andes is residence to some distinctive meals (and superfood) components that many have by no means tasted earlier than. How does Sumaq help this agrobiodiversity and empower farmers utilizing sustainable practices?
We work straight with native farmers who domesticate native crops comparable to:
Ancestral potatoes
Andean quinoa varieties
Native cacao
Medicinal herbs
By buying straight and paying honest costs, we assist protect conventional agricultural data and encourage sustainable land use. Each ingredient we serve represents each culinary excellence and cultural preservation. For instance, we supply native potatoes from the group of Huatata, the place greater than 350 varieties are cultivated, and we’ve proudly represented this work at worldwide occasions .
The wellness therapies and rituals additionally use a few of these similar distinctive Andean vegetation and herbs. Are you able to describe one or two of those experiences and the way native medicinal components are included?
One in all our signature experiences is the Andean Cleaning Ritual, which makes use of sacred herbs, smoke and intention to assist friends launch stress and reconnect with nature and the mountains. We additionally provide botanical massages incorporating native vegetation comparable to muña and coca leaf, used for hundreds of years in Andean therapeutic traditions. These are usually not simply spa therapies; they’re non secular and cultural experiences rooted in native knowledge.
Hardly only for adventure-seeking adults, Sumaq additionally has nice youngsters packages together with the Mini-Chef Lessons. Are you able to describe this and different actions that assist to create a enjoyable surroundings for households?
Machu Picchu ought to be magical for each technology. Our signature Mini-Chef Program invitations kids into our kitchen to bake cookies made with ancestral Andean grains comparable to quinoa, kiwicha (amaranth) and maca. Guided by our pastry workforce, youngsters put on mini chef uniforms, work with actual components, and depart with a recipe booklet in addition to their very own creations. By these actions, they be taught kitchen expertise and about native diet by creativity and play.
We additionally provide Adventures with Allco and His Pals, a specifically designed child-friendly go to to Machu Picchu. Kids obtain an explorer equipment – together with a backpack, map, magnifying glass, a luxurious Allco mascot and an illustrated story the place Allco, a Peruvian hairless canine, guides them by the citadel. By storytelling led by a devoted information, the expertise blends Andean historical past, nature and creativeness, remodeling the go to right into a significant journey of discovery for households. For inventive time on the lodge, kids may also benefit from the Paint Allco and His Pals Package.
Past actions, households are welcomed with considerate family-friendly facilities and providers, together with:
Kids’s bathrobes and slippers
Allco-themed pillowcases for youths’ beds
Personalised welcome card within the room
Particular welcome with seasonal fruit juice and almond flour chocolate-chip cookies
Nightly turndown service with chocolate milk and cake of the day
Thematic registration card for younger friends
Youngsters’ breakfast
Devoted Sumaq youngsters’ menu
Mortgage of board video games
For households touring collectively, we additionally provide the Sumaq Deluxe Household Room, spacious for multigenerational stays with particular in-room touches that make kids really feel celebrated all through their go to.
Moreover sustainable tourism and gastronomic excellence, what different points of Sumaq do you are feeling are distinctive?
Our biggest differentiator is our soul and household legacy. Sumaq isn’t just a lodge; it’s a cultural bridge between historical Andean traditions and fashionable hospitality. Friends depart not solely with images of Machu Picchu, however with an emotional reminiscence that stays with them.
What near-future journey tendencies do you see impacting soulful, impartial resorts like Sumaq Machu Picchu Resort?
I see a transparent shift towards purpose-driven journey fairly than mass tourism. Vacationers more and more search:
Smaller, impartial resorts with robust id
Genuine cultural immersion
Sustainable, terroir-based gastronomy
Holistic wellness: emotional, non secular and cultural, not simply bodily
Motels like Sumaq – rooted in place, group, and which means – characterize the way forward for luxurious journey.
