Panama = Country Inn & Suites (on the Causeway, not the one in town). I booked through their website. After I booked, I received discount deals (emails) from them, so not only rebooked for 30% less, but also upgraded to a canal-view suite at a fraction of the cost. I looked into staying in town or in the jungle but decided the Causeway was best suited for us. We enjoyed being along the canal and having the causeway activities so close by. Breakfast is included. This was probably the nicest hotel of our trip. We received a voucher for a free coffee from their shop, and it was quite good. When booking a hotel, take into consideration the cost/ease of transportation to get there. Cost to the city is quite reasonable ($15) but to the jungle is expensive ($100). Causeway would have been close to $45 but we hired a tour guide/driver instead.
Lima = B&B Lima Casa Guadalupe. I booked through booking.com but you can go direct. Their price was right - esp. for our short stay (hours). They had good reviews, are one of the closest to the airport (10 minutes if no traffic), and the owners are very nice and helpful. We paid for their service where they hire a taxi to meet us at the airport (they do not own a car), and then to return us to the airport. One of them came with us both ways, and gave us directions for the airport. The room is plain but it met our needs. The breakfast is included and was basic and good. They also held our Panama bag for us for a week until we returned. They offered to make us a 2am breakfast but we declined; they did get up however to hail us a taxi. And since I thanked her with Ghiradelli chocolates, she sent me home with cake!
Ollantaytambo = Apu Lodge. I booked directly through them. They responded to my emails very promptly, and set up a guide for me - which I ended up canceling (and went with Juan Jose instead). They were also willing to book our tickets to Huayna Picchu for a very fair price. They have good reviews - equal to another place in town. I specifically reserved a room with a view of the ruins, which we got. The room actually fit 4 people. The room was not fancy but definitely met our needs. It included a decent breakfast - the "best" of our trip. I was disappointed to not meet either owner - who I had exchanged emails with, but the workers were very friendly and helpful. Pay attention to their directions for how to use the shower so you don't end up with a cold one!
Cusco:
1) Second Home Cusco
I booked through expedia but you can book direct. The B&B only has 3 rooms. I chose it because of its location - San Blas - and its excellent reviews. It was not cheap - you can stay in many other reasonable places in Cusco for less. But it was worth every penny. Carlos was exceptional. His replies to emails were instant. He offered to pick us up at the airport on our arrival even though we did not stay with him that night. (I feel terrible because he actually went to the airport to get us - a miscommunication I believe was due to translation.) He was constantly asking to accommodate all of our needs. He cooked us breakfast to order (eggs). He would book any tours or services we needed. He booked our dinner reservations and our Huayna Picchu tickets - at face value. He held our bags while we were on the Inca Trail, and then he delivered them to our next hotel in Cusco. The morning we had to leave for our trek, he got up before 5am to make us tea and say goodbye; he even packed us a picnic breakfast to go. The room was a suite and it was very nice. Make sure you have good directions. Because it is small, it is not well-known. The addresses on the street are random - not in numerical order. You cannot take a taxi directly there because the street is pedestrian only. I hesitate to say anything negative but feel I must disclose one thing - the room is not sound proof. You can hear the other activities like you would in your own home. I didn't mind though - since it made it feel more like home. Our Second Home :)
2) El Vierrey Boutique
I booked this through booking.com. I chose it because of its location - our room overlooked the main plaza - Plaza de Armas. We would be arriving late at night very tired from the Inca Trail. We booked their nicest room - I wanted a treat after the dirt and ground of the trail, and I wanted to overlook the activity of the plaza. Service was nice; breakfast was plain. I can't recommend their other (regular) rooms since I didn't see them - but they don't view the plaza. Our room and bathroom were very large with a balcony over the plaza. We slept with the door ajar and listened to the activity of the plaza, and enjoyed watching it early in the morning. As it turns out, there is a Starbucks very close by in the plaza which I enjoyed drinking in the middle of the plaza.
Inca Trail = SAS Travel Peru
I had narrowed down who to book our Trail through to two agencies. SAS responded right away where the other (the one I was leaning towards) did not - which unfortunately turned out to be a problem with their email service. When you book the Inca Trail, regardless of who you book through, there are only 500 spots available per day. The quantity available is updated daily, and they go quickly during the dry (non-rainy) season.
SAS responded to emails within 24 hours but they often did not address every question, and all the information they provide is contradicting. They sent two confirmation emails with contradicting information. They guaranteed us camp Winay Wayna (on the last night) when we booked (my condition to booking with them) - which we were informed upon arrival we did not get. They offered to book our Huayna Picchu tickets, and then doubled the price when I asked them to book it (all in the same string of emails). Lastly, there was no bus to pick us up when we arrived from Aguas Calientes to Ollantaytambo, and when we did get a van, it was too small so everyone was squished and our bags were on our laps. Other than the office organization, the trip was terrific! The porters, cook and guide are hard working and attentive. The food was delicious, and I am somewhat picky. The equipment was top notch - and I definitely recommend renting as much as possible (do not bring your own sleeping bag)! Their heavy sleeping bags are extremely warm for those cold temps, and they include a liner. If you are not into details or specifics, this is the company for you.
Absolutely hire a porter. And don't fall short with only 6kg - that only holds your sleeping bag and sleeping pad. And if you weigh your duffle at your hotel the night before, plan in SAS telling you it is still too heavy when they weigh it at the trail entrance (their scale is calibrated differently).
Regardless- with them you will have the trip of a lifetime!
