With Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World (SLH) now consisting of over 700 motels in 100 international locations, they’ve a plethora of unimaginable choices. However therein lies the ‘travesty of riches’ or the ‘choice fatigue’ downside; it’s typically too exhausting for the layman to determine!
To resolve this downside, SLH has formulated a collection of curated collections inside its bigger portfolio to lens the providing round visitors’ desired experiences and outcomes. Certainly one of these that we deal with at present is the Thoughtful Assortment which is centered round a choose journey area of interest for folks in search of eco-conscious, regenerative stays that can induce a real sense of private transformation.
What this phrase ‘transformation’ or ‘transformative’ implies just isn’t merely touring to a spot for work, an occasion or sightseeing, however wished to be personally moved and ceaselessly improved by the reshaping of how we view the world round us. And one such resort that wholly embodies this subsequent evolution of journey is none apart from SUMAQ Machu Picchu Lodge whereby we had a possibility to attach with Proprietor and Basic 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 anticipate from a luxurious resort to function a tranquil base whereas one visits this monumental website. In addition to its proximity to its namesake, although, what attracted us to this resort is the way it’s stewarding Peruvian tradition.
Whereas the guestrooms and public areas function textiles, arts and different crafts drawn from neighborhood artisans, one other highly effective touchpoint that visitors can really feel is Sumaq’s dedication to regenerative farming and a lesser-known idea referred to as agrobiodiversity.
The phrase ‘regenerative’ is simpler to understand because it primarily means leaving a spot higher than if 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 tons of 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 battle to protect our culinary heritage all of the extra necessary.
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 a lot to be taught from the folks behind the resort.
Let’s begin with the historical past of Sumaq Machu Picchu Lodge. What does ‘sumaq’ imply in Quechua and the way does the property embrace this high quality?
Sumaq Machu Picchu Lodge 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 resort, however to create a spot that honors and preserves Inca tradition and the Quechua language.
The phrase ‘sumaq’ in Quechua means nice, stunning and harmonious. We selected this identify deliberately to rejoice and preserve alive the language of the Incas. All the property was impressed by this imaginative and prescient – from the Andean patterns in our décor, the place the chakana is a central aspect, to the cultural immersion experiences we provide.
Immediately, the resort 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 visitors can actually really feel.
Peru has such a strong sense of place whereas Machu Picchu is a literal marvel of the world. How are you bringing this storytelling into the resort from design, service and experiential angles?
Sumaq is situated on the highway to the Historic Sanctuary of Machu Picchu, simply eight minutes from the practice station, surrounded by considerable 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 resort in 3 ways:
- Design: Pure supplies, Andean textiles and Inca symbolism create areas that really feel rooted in place quite than staged for tourism.
- Service: Our workforce members act as cultural ambassadors; many are from native communities and share their traditions and tales with visitors.
- Experiences: By ceremonies, rituals, gastronomy and curated cultural actions, visitors join emotionally and spiritually with the Andes earlier than and after visiting Machu Picchu.
Having lately been accepted into the Thoughtful Assortment of Small Luxurious Accommodations of the World, what are the factors for becoming a member of this sustainable journey assortment? What upgrades or diversifications did you must make?
Being accepted into the SLH Thoughtful Assortment was very significant for us as a result of it acknowledges motels which might be genuinely dedicated to sustainability, neighborhood and cultural preservation – not simply as a advertising label, however as a approach of working daily.
We have been very fascinated about becoming a member of this assortment as a result of we had already been strolling this sustainability path for a number of years. Once we realized extra about it, we instantly felt that the Thoughtful Assortment was the proper 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 influence and goal 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 programs, and made our sourcing and provide chain extra clear and traceable. We additionally expanded our neighborhood applications to create extra tangible influence for the individuals who dwell round Machu Picchu.
On the similar time, since final 12 months we’ve got been working towards B Corp Certification with B Lab, and we are actually in our closing steps. This can be a very rigorous course of that evaluates how an organization performs not solely financially, but in addition socially and environmentally. It requires us to take a look at our influence on employees, neighborhood, prospects and the atmosphere, rating at the least 80 factors on the B Affect 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 got all the time believed in – that luxurious and accountability should go hand in hand.
What are the most important experiential touchpoints the place visitors can actually really feel that they’re staying at a sustainable luxurious resort?
Company expertise sustainability in very tangible methods:
- In Qunuq Restaurant by domestically sourced Andean substances
- In Aqlla Spa by rituals utilizing merchandise primarily based on native substances
- 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 neighborhood with sustainability as an integral a part of the luxurious expertise
Farm hospitality or ‘agriluxury’ is a large development for 2026. Are you able to describe the general strategy to the resort’s culinary experiences and the way it drives resort 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 rejoice ancestral substances quite than world traits.
What makes our strategy actually distinctive is that gastronomy at Sumaq is experiential, not solely restaurant-based. Company can take pleasure in curated tasting menus akin to Apucc Mikhuna (Flavors of the Andes) and Munay-Ki (Quechua for “vitality 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 scorching stones – a strong approach for visitors to attach with historical Andean traditions which might be nonetheless preserved on the area. This strategy strongly drives resort bookings at present. Many vacationers select Sumaq not simply to go to Machu Picchu, however to expertise the Andes by meals – as tradition, historical past and neighborhood on the plate.
The Andes is house to some distinctive meals (and superfood) substances that many have by no means tasted earlier than. How does Sumaq assist this agrobiodiversity and empower farmers utilizing sustainable practices?
We work straight with native farmers who domesticate native crops akin to:
- Ancestral potatoes
- Andean quinoa varieties
- Native cacao
- Medicinal herbs
By buying straight and paying honest costs, we assist protect conventional agricultural information and encourage sustainable land use. Each ingredient we serve represents each culinary excellence and cultural preservation. For instance, we supply native potatoes from the neighborhood of Huatata, the place greater than 350 varieties are cultivated, and we’ve got proudly represented this work at worldwide occasions .
The wellness remedies 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 substances are integrated?
Certainly one of our signature experiences is the Andean Cleaning Ritual, which makes use of sacred herbs, smoke and intention to assist visitors launch stress and reconnect with nature and the mountains. We additionally provide botanical massages incorporating native vegetation akin to muña and coca leaf, used for hundreds of years in Andean therapeutic traditions. These aren’t simply spa remedies; they’re religious and cultural experiences rooted in native knowledge.
Hardly only for adventure-seeking adults, Sumaq additionally has nice children applications together with the Mini-Chef Lessons. Are you able to describe this and different actions that assist to create a enjoyable atmosphere for households?
Machu Picchu needs to be magical for each technology. Our signature Mini-Chef Program invitations youngsters into our kitchen to bake cookies made with ancestral Andean grains akin to quinoa, kiwicha (amaranth) and maca. Guided by our pastry workforce, children put on mini chef uniforms, work with actual substances, and go away with a recipe booklet in addition to their very own creations. By these actions, they be taught kitchen expertise and about native vitamin by creativity and play.
We additionally provide Adventures with Allco and His Mates, a specifically designed child-friendly go to to Machu Picchu. Youngsters obtain an explorer package – 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, reworking the go to right into a significant journey of discovery for households. For artistic time on the resort, youngsters can even benefit from the Paint Allco and His Mates Package.
Past actions, households are welcomed with considerate family-friendly facilities and providers, together with:
- Youngsters’s bathrobes and slippers
- Allco-themed pillowcases for teenagers’ beds
- Customized 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 visitors
- Youngsters’ breakfast
- Devoted Sumaq children’ 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 youngsters really feel celebrated all through their go to.
In addition to sustainable tourism and gastronomic excellence, what different facets of Sumaq do you are feeling are distinctive?
Our best differentiator is our soul and household legacy. Sumaq isn’t just a resort; it’s a cultural bridge between historical Andean traditions and trendy hospitality. Company go away not solely with pictures of Machu Picchu, however with an emotional reminiscence that stays with them.
What near-future journey traits do you see impacting soulful, unbiased motels like Sumaq Machu Picchu Lodge?
I see a transparent shift towards purpose-driven journey quite than mass tourism. Vacationers more and more search:
- Smaller, unbiased motels with sturdy id
- Genuine cultural immersion
- Sustainable, terroir-based gastronomy
- Holistic wellness: emotional, religious and cultural, not simply bodily
Accommodations like Sumaq – rooted in place, neighborhood, and which means – characterize the way forward for luxurious journey.
