Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica — Local services in Las Piedras

Did a two-night stay at the Inkaterra Amazonica Lodge from November 28 to November 30, 2024. As a longtime admirer of the Inkaterra brand, I had high expectations for a luxurious and serene experience, but the reality of our stay was deeply disappointing and far below the standards Inkaterra is known for. Below, I outline the significant issues we encountered and the actions I urge Inkaterra to take to remedy this situation.||||1. False Advertising and Neglected Maintenance||||The property is marketed as a luxury eco-lodge, but it is anything but. The lodge is in a state of disrepair, appearing to have been neglected for decades. Specific issues included mushrooms growing on rotting wood within our room and mold on the mesh wire of the outdoor shower—both clear health hazards. Compounding this was a malfunctioning fan above our bed that failed to circulate air effectively, leaving us unable to sleep in the extreme heat and humidity. This lack of investment and maintenance is unacceptable for a property positioned as luxurious.||||2. Unacceptable Environment: Large, Unruly Group of Guests||||While the property is not adults-only, the marketing emphasizes tranquility and romance, which was entirely absent during our stay. The lodge was overtaken by a large group of 50+ guests, including 30+ children. Their behavior included:|| • Yelling and screaming at all hours, with no parental supervision.|| • Breaking into other guests’ huts, as witnessed by another guest.|| • Disturbing the serene environment of not only Lake Sandoval but every area of the property, including the dining room and treetop walkway.||||The group’s behavior was so disturbing and disruptive that we had no choice but to re-arrange our meals and excursions in an attempt to avoid them, even though they were simply unavoidable. Why were we, paying guests seeking a tranquil, romantic experience, forced to make these accommodations when they were the problem? Their presence turned the property into a “summer camp,” or as my fellow guest from Texas described it, a “circus” or a “zoo.”||||3. Misleading Marketing and Operational Failures||||Key operational shortcomings were not disclosed before booking, such as daily power outages during the afternoons and overnight (11 PM–5 AM). Without fans, the rooms became unbearably hot, further detracting from the comfort of our stay.||||This property fell so far below the standard of excellence demonstrated at Inkaterra Urubamba (which is spectacular) that it has irreparably damaged my trust in the brand.||||4. Violation of Privacy||||On the evening of November 29, at approximately 5:15 PM, while my wife and I were enjoying alone time in our room, a staff member knocked and was told, “No, please go away.” He ignored this instruction and entered the room anyway. Despite repeated demands to leave, he lingered, seeming to watch us until I screamed at him four times—loud enough for other guests to hear—before he finally left.||||While Hugo, the head guide, took this matter seriously, conducted an investigation, and provided an explanation, we never received an apology from the staff member himself. His lack of English comprehension may have contributed to this incident, but the word “No” is universal and was stated multiple times in both English and Spanish. This invasion left us feeling deeply violated and unsafe in what should have been a private sanctuary.||||Although retraining for the staff member is clearly necessary, we do not want any member of the property’s staff to be disciplined or terminated. The staff at Inkaterra Amazonica was the best part of our experience. They worked tirelessly under incredibly difficult circumstances and deserve recognition and bonuses for how they handled this overwhelming group situation.||||5. Accountability||||The blame for this unacceptable experience lies not with the frontline staff, who were kind, hardworking, and equally overwhelmed, but with two key decision-makers:|||| 1. The General Manager in Lima – Delegating all responsibilities to Hugo when the local manager was sick was an abdication of duty. While Hugo did his best, he is not a hotel manager and should never have been placed in this position. For a property of this caliber, this level of mismanagement is inexcusable, and the GM should be terminated for their negligence.|| ||2. Head of Reservations in Lima – The decision to book a 50+ person group, including 30+ unruly children, alongside other guests was reckless and greedy. To compound matters, the group booking was not communicated to us or our travel agency; had it been, we would have booked elsewhere. Such a group should have been required to do a full buyout, not placed alongside guests seeking tranquility. This decision has irreparably damaged Inkaterra’s reputation, and the individual responsible should also be terminated.||||With LVMH, the world’s largest luxury brand, acquiring Inkaterra ‘s main competitor Belmond, Inkaterra faces a significant competitive threat. LVMH, with its unparalleled resources and reputation as the global gold standard for luxury, is better positioned than ever to invest in and elevate its properties. Allowing such mismanagement at Inkaterra Amazonica endangers the Inkaterra brand’s credibility and its ability to compete effectively against a much larger company.||||Inkaterra’s customer base at this property is 60% of its clientele, yet the company management takes its American clientele for granted and assumes we will sit quietly while they ‘bait and switch’ us. ||||7. The Good||||Despite these failures, the staff deserves recognition. Hugo, the manager of guides and experiences, and Anderson, one of the guides, went above and beyond to mitigate a situation they were unprepared and unsupported to handle. Their dedication and professionalism deserve significant acknowledgment and reward.||||Conclusion||||Peru is an amazing country, filled with kind, generous people and an incredible history and culture. The food is off the charts. There are many beautiful places to stay with exceptional service. ||||THIS IS NOT ONE. SAVE YOUR MONEY....

As soon as you step onto the longtail boat in Puerto Maldonado, you feel the thrill of adventure setting in. The journey to Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is about a 45-minute boat ride deep into the Amazon, without a road in sight. Surrounded by the vibrant sounds and colors of the rainforest—colorful butterflies, flocks of macaws, and lush greenery—it feels like stepping into another world. The staff greets you warmly, and before long, you’re meeting Henry, the guide, who introduces you to an array of experiences: canopy walks, canoeing, and nighttime wildlife spotting.||||One of the most incredible experiences was the canopy walk. Suspended 40 meters above ground, the bridges stretch between the treetops, offering a unique perspective of the jungle. High up in the canopy, you can spot curious monkeys, vibrant birds, and, if you’re lucky, macaws gliding through the trees. Though a bit nerve-wracking for someone like me who isn’t a fan of heights, it felt like a small price to pay for such an incredible view. The excitement of seeing the Amazon from above was more than enough to keep me going.||||Another unforgettable experience was the canoe trip on Lake Sandoval, which is part of the stay. The lake is alive with wildlife; colorful herons, kingfishers, and the ever-present macaws create a scene that’s almost unreal. We saw otters playing along the shore and, in the stillness of the water, caught glimpses of black caimans. It was peaceful yet thrilling, as if we were entering a hidden corner of the world, and it felt like a privilege to be there, observing these creatures up close.||||Adding to the charm is the property’s founder, José Koechlin, whose passion for conservation and sustainable tourism is felt in every detail. His work in protecting the Amazon and its communities has made Inkaterra a true model of eco-conscious travel. From reforestation projects to community partnerships, Koechlin has managed to create a space where nature and tourism coexist in harmony, letting guests experience the Amazon while supporting its preservation.||||Evenings are magical in their own way. The night walk and river cruise revealed a world that wakes up after dark, with capybaras, exotic birds, and caimans all making appearances. The property itself is a haven, with beautifully designed bungalows that feel like an escape within an escape. The food is exceptional, and the staff’s attention to detail makes every moment feel personalized. At night, the symphony of the jungle takes over, leaving you with a sense of awe and gratitude for this rare experience in the heart...

This whole experience felt like a scam. I will start by saying the huts were all that we needed. Small, yes.. but everything you need— fan to cool down, clean and sealed from jungle creatures/bugs, running water, flushing toilet etc. and it was nicely put together. Remember, you are in the jungle. Everything else about this stay was extremely disappointing. It is mentioned that food and activities are included. I’ll start with the food— you have no say in how much you are eating since it’s a fixed menu with very small portions. Note: if you are a vegetarian you will not have enough. Not even close. Everyone should bring protein bars and snacks but especially if you are veg/vegan. The food took extremely long to come out which was confusing because it was examples like 2 breaded chicken strips or a plate of garbanzo beans with some diced vegetables in it. They really put a lot of effort into the “experience” of the dining rather than the quality of it. The small portions are plated on large plates and delivered by staff with white napkins draped across their arms and the energy of a fine dining restaurant. It honestly made the lack of food and low food quality more frustrating. There’s also no source of food or snack outside of the designated meal times so you come very hungry and prepared to wait a long time for these meals that leave your stomach full but your body hungry. There’s also activities— do not expect an “excursion” because these are not that. They are light walks with an unexcitable guide who, in our experience, had little to no interest in being there. I’ve experienced guides with lots of knowledge about the nature were surrounded by and excited to point out things to the group and share— this was not the experience here. I wish I could say the staff made up for it all but they didn’t. Nothing was available for self serve, like coffee fixing or even water so you have to ask the staff for anything. Be prepared for Spanish gossip and attitude when you do. I will say we later learned there’s one water dispenser outside of one of the lodges, we were just not informed until the end of our stay. So another note is to not rely on the orientation to set you up for success in your stay. Don’t expect 14 activities like we were told there would be, there are 4. The other 10 are available for an additional cost. Walkways were unsecured and loose, floors were extremely slippery—i took a tumble. Booked through Auri Travel Agency, stayed in November 2024. Will not return to...