Melissa Wasi — Hotel in Pisac

I was baffled when I relooked at Melissa Wasi's ratings and customer reviews as they seemed to describe a very different place than we experienced. Our room was shabby (or in PR speak "rustic"), seemingly furnished from thrift shops, lighting was too dim for reading, the only heat was a wood stove, so the room was cold, and the king bed we thought we were getting was a kind of full size futon. There was an utter lack of attention by management to even the simplest details or quality control. (And you can't blame an overworked staff as there were only a few guests.) For example, we learned that the lack of hot water in the shower was the result of staff not turning on the water heater. We had to ask that someone supply matches and wood for the stove. The owner mentioned a heater but never supplied one. The owner was a nice enough chap who mouthed the words "mi casa es su casa" but he seemed to put his interests ahead of ours, like asking for payment in cash because it suited him. At the slightest pushback he was never apologetic, always defensive. This wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that our room was 95USD per night, outrageous considering we're well travelled and have stayed in much nicer places for less. So this is shabby accommodations at luxury pricing. I would not recommend Melissa Wasi until the owner has learned to become a proper hotelier, and someone has edited the online description so that it properly...

The setting of Melissa Wasi is lovely - the gardens are beautiful and well cared for, there is a sauna and an on-site restaurant as well as a range of other helpful things to make your stay enjoyable. It is a little way out of town and I'm not sure much was being offered in the way of evening food when we stayed. A lot could be due to the lack of tourists as a result of the riots when we went and it certainly felt quieter than it should have done in the whole area. There are a range of rooms available from twin/double and whole bungalows. Be aware that the arrangement is pretty communal so if you are two couples or have older children, the chances are it will be two on the balcony and two on futons below so there will be minimal privacy. The owners were super welcoming and as we were a large(ish) group, basically gave us their entire lounge and kitchen for the night which was really kind. Breakfast is included and is served in their restaurant and includes tea/coffee, juices bread and condiments as well as eggs and cereals which saves the walk into town. Rooms are reasonable and clean although fittings such as TVs are beginning to be a little dated - if you need to stream netflix to send you to sleep, this is unlikely to be the place for you! Overall lovely place and lovely setting - you can...

The Karina Wasi is about 10 min walk outside of Pisac. I did not call beforehand and just asked for directions and walked there when I arrived in Pisac. I knocked on the gate, a men opened and I asked if they have a room and/or bed in a dormitory available. He replied that Karina Wasi is a private house and in no way a hostal or anything like that. I told him about reviews on tripadvisor and the webpage of Karina Wasi. The man insisted that Karina Wasi is a private house and for that reason he cannot do anything for me.|So I guess either the 4 comments on tripadvisor before me are fake or the Karina Wasi is a private house that occasionally takes guests if reserved well in advance (from the fotos on tripadvisor I know that I have been at the right place), but definitively not a place at which you just can show up...