HOSTAL RIO DORADO — Hotel in Machu Picchu

The Worst Experience I’ve Ever Had - Avoid at All Costs

I don’t usually write reviews, especially for small hotels or guesthouses -or whatever this place is supposed to be - but this experience was so terrible, I couldn’t stay silent.

From the moment I walked in, things were off. I was willing to overlook the dirty sofa, the broken TV pointing at the ceiling, the layers of dust in the air, and the flickering lights — chalking it up to being in a small town. But what pushed me over the edge was everything combined with the final straw: the shower from hell.

After a long day, I just wanted to take a quick shower and get a bit of rest before my 5 AM hike to Machu Picchu. But that turned into a frustrating, 45-minute battle with the shower knobs. The response time between turning the knobs and any change in water temperature was about a minute. When water finally did come out, it was either freezing cold or scalding hot — there was no in-between. I tried every combination possible. It felt like trying to crack a safe just to get tolerable water, but even when I did, the temperature would shift again a minute later resulting in me getting a skin burn.

To make matters worse, the beds were horribly uncomfortable, the entire place looked like it hadn’t been cleaned or vacuumed in months (which made my usually nonexistent allergies flare up), and the bathroom was covered in mold.

No one on-site spoke English or seemed able to help with anything, which added another layer of stress to an already awful experience.

I’ve stayed in some rough places while traveling, but nothing has ever come close to this.

Do NOT waste your money here. I truly hope no one else has to go...

This hostal is absolutely amazing. It's perfect location, in the middle of the city. You can reach everything within minutes. The owner was very welcoming, polite, helpful. He showed us available rooms and allowed us to choose whatever we desired. Alex made us fabulous breakfast at 05:30 am before we went to Machu Pichu. Coffee, hot water for tea, fresh breads, scrambled eggs, jam . . Everything you can ask for, simple and fulling. Thank you so much, Alex. He is such a smiling boy ! The room was spotlessly clean, bed linen nicely folded and fresh. The water in the bathroom was hot , this hostel offers everything you can wish for. Only disadvantage is not soundproof windows and noise from street but you later at...

Es un hostal de atención muy familiar, por lo cual debes esperar mucha calidez como si fueras un invitado de la familia, pero no esperes el protocolo de servicio de hotel con estrellas. A pesar de estar una sola noche hospedado, se sintió un silencio sepulcral debido a que en esa noche se fue la luz en todo el pueblo y quedo en oscuridad absoluta, pero, si lo miras por el lado positivo, tuvimos con mi esposa una noche romántica a la luz de las velas. Dos anécdotas, primero que no nos entregaron velas en el cuarto cuando fuimos a costarnos (debes alumbrar con el teléfono móvil) y segundo, que la luz en el pueblo no llegó en toda la noche ni en la madrugada y entenderás que los calentadores no funcionan con velas. Solo imagínense bañarte a las 05:00 de la mañana sin calentador, en una ciudad a casi 4000 metros sobre el nivel del mar y donde llueve todo el...