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Best Hotel Bets
Best Luxury Hotels
Real InterContinental (Zona 10, Guatemala City; tel. 502/2379-4446; www.interconti.com): There's a host of high-end business class hotels in Guatemala City, but this one tops them all in terms of rooms, amenities, facilities, location, and service. The InterContinental sits on a very busy corner of the Zona Viva, with shops, restaurants, bars, and more just steps away in every direction.
Casa Santo Domingo (Antigua; tel. 502/7820-1220; www.casasantodomingo.com.gt): You can sometimes get lost on the extensive grounds of this fabulous hotel. In addition to the fine rooms, excellent service, and colonial-era ambience, this place features museum-quality collections of art and artifacts, as well as a large amphitheater. The whole complex sits on, and is integrated into, the ruins of an old convent.
Posada del Angel (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-5303; www.posadadelangel.com): With just five beautiful rooms, this place gives you intimacy with your luxury, and is consistently considered one of the top hotels in the entire country. I like the second-floor suite, with its own private rooftop terrace.
Mesón Panza Verde (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-1745; www.panzaverde.com): This elegant and artistic Antigua hotel is actually listed in the "moderate" price category in this book, thanks to the inclusion of several excellent midrange rooms. However, the large suites and superb service easily make this one of Guatemala's top luxury options. The old building is loaded with artwork and interesting architectural details, and there's a wonderful, mazelike rooftop terrace with panoramic views. The restaurant is one of the best in the country.
Hotel Atitlán (Finca San Buenaventura, Panajachel; tel. 502/7762-1441; www.hotelatitlán.com): This fabulous hotel is set on the shores of Lake Atitlán, with a stunning view of the lake and its surrounding volcanoes. Beautiful rooms, lush gardens, ample amenities, impeccable service, and a great restaurant make this a complete package.
Casa Palopó (Carretera a San Antonio Palopó, Lake Atitlán; tel. 502/7762-2270; www.casapalopo.com): Artwork and interesting design touches abound in this boutique hotel, which is perched high on a hillside overlooking Lake Atitlán. The vibe here is hip, intimate, refined, and romantic, and the place is perfect for couples. (Honeymooners should seriously consider it.) The restaurant is excellent.
La Lancha Resort (Lago Petén Itzá, Petén; tel. 800/746-3743 in the U.S., or tel./fax 502/7928-8331 in Guatemala; www.lalanchavillage.com): Set on a steep hillside overlooking the lake, this is the plushest hotel near Tikal. The rooms at this Francis Ford Coppola regional resort (he has two others in Belize) are decorated with style, featuring furniture and artwork from around the world. The food is also excellent, taking local cuisine as its inspiration and adding creative touches and refined twists.
Hotel Villa Caribe (Livingston; tel. 502/2334-1818 or 502/7947-0072; www.villasdeguatemala.com): My favorite rooms here are the individual bungalows, which are what earns this hotel a spot in this exclusive group. These rooms have air-conditioning, cable television, and minibars, which the other rooms lack. However, every room here has a private balcony with a commanding view of the Río Dulce river mouth and the Caribbean Sea.
The Best Midrange Hotels
Otelito Casa Santa Clara (Zona 10, Guatemala City; tel./fax 502/2339-1811; www.otelito.com): With only 12 rooms, this exceedingly hip hotel stands out from all the large, high-rise, business-class monsters that dominate this downtown neighborhood. Each room is slightly different, but a sense of refined, minimalist design is felt in the decor throughout. In addition to the intimate setting and trendy vibe, they also have an excellent in-house fusion restaurant.
Casa Azul (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-0961; www.casazul.guate.com): While most of the boutique hotels in Antigua seek to mimic the city's colonial splendor in their design and decor, Casa Azul has gone for a more modern and eclectic style. The hotel is just a half-block from the Plaza Mayor, making it one of the best located hotels in the city.
Hotel Dos Mundos (Panajachel; tel. 502/7762-2078; www.hoteldosmundos.com): The spacious rooms here are one of my top choices in Panajachel. Although the hotel is located right in the center of Calle Santander, the rooms are set back from the street in a quiet garden area, giving you easy access to all the action and peace and quiet at the same time.
Bambú Hotel & Restaurant (Santiago de Atitlán; tel. 502/7721-7332; www.ecobambu.com): The two private lakefront bungalows are the best rooms in the house, and probably the best rooms in all of Santiago de Atitlán, so be sure to try and book one of these. Better still is that they're the same price as those in the larger building, which are set back from the water's edge. Even if you don't get one of the private bungalows, you'll be plenty happy at this excellent hotel.
Villa Sumaya (San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán; tel. 502/5617-1209; www.villasumaya.com): This lakefront boutique hotel is also a yoga and meditation retreat center. The individual cabins are wonderful, and the grounds and gardens are beautiful. If you want an isolated getaway on Lake Atitlán, whether to seek spiritual or physical enlightenment, this is a great choice.
Casa Mañen (Quetzaltenango; tel. 502/7765-0786; www.comeseeit.com): This is my favorite hotel in Quetzaltenango. The rooms are all decorated with a range of local arts and craft works, the service is excellent, and the owners are very knowledgeable about the various local tour options. The large rooftop terrace offers wonderful panoramic views of the city.
Las Cumbres (Zunil; tel. 502/5399-0029): This hotel is built on top of steam vents fed by underground sulfur hot springs, and some of the rooms come with their own private natural steam bath. All of the rooms have a natural hot-spring-fed Jacuzzi, and there are common steam baths and saunas for all to enjoy. Other amenities include a squash court and small gym.
Portal de la Fe (Esquipulas; tel. 502/7943-4124; www.portaldelafehotel.com): This should be the top choice for anyone coming to Esquipulas to pay their respects to the "Black Christ." This new hotel offers free Wi-Fi throughout, and is a definite step up from the other options around town in the same price range.
Hacienda San Lucas (south of Copán Ruinas, Honduras; tel./fax 504/651-4495; www.haciendasanlucas.com): This converted farm and ranch offers a sense of refinement and creative flare you won't find anywhere else in the Copán area. The hotel is set on a hillside across from and overlooking the Copán archaeological site. In addition, there's a secondary Maya site, Los Sapos, right on the grounds, as well as excellent hiking and horseback-riding trails. As if all this weren't enough, the restaurant is one of the best in Copán.
Catamaran Island Hotel (Fronteras, Río Dulce; tel. 502/5902-0831; www.catamaranisland.com): Whenever I come to the Río Dulce area, I book one of this hotel's private bungalows built out over the water. I love sitting on my private balcony with a book, listening to the river lap against the support posts below me. At night, you'll usually be mingling with hotel guests and some itinerant cruising sailors who tie up at the hotel's dock or anchor just offshore.
Amatique Bay Resort and Marina (4km/2 1/2 miles east of Puerto Barrios, on the Bahia de Amatique; tel. 502/7948-1800; www.amatiquebay.net): This gets my vote as the best beach resort in the country. The rooms are large, and the grounds and facilities trump any other beach hotel in Guatemala.
Hotel Utz Tzaba (west of Monterrico, on the road to Itzapa; tel. 502/5318-9452; www.utz-tzaba.com): There are tons of good hotels set right on the beach along Guatemala's Pacific coast, and this is one of the few worth seeking out. The rooms are relatively simple, but they're modern and clean, and the beach is just steps away.
The Best Budget Hotels
Posada Belén (Zona 1, Guatemala City; tel. 866/864-8283 in the U.S. and Canada, or 502/2253-4530 in Guatemala; www.posadabelen.com): You'll feel at home in this long-standing family-run hotel. The rooms are charming and beautifully done, and the converted home is filled with a wealth of art and Maya artifacts. Although it's near the heart of the city's colonial center, it's on a quiet street, away from the hustle and bustle. These folks have an excellent in-house tour operation.
Posada Asejemenou (Antigua; tel. 502/7820-2670; asjemenou1@yahoo.com): The entrance to this pretty budget hotel is practically underneath the iconic Santa Catalina arch in Antigua. Rooms are kept immaculately clean, and there's a convivial hostel-like vibe to the whole operation. The antique tile floors and worn wood furniture remind you that you really are in the colonial heart of town. The attached restaurant specializes in thin-crust pizzas and other Italian fare.
Hotel Posada La Merced (Antigua; tel. 502/7832-3197 or 502/7832-3301; www.merced-landivar.com): As the name implies, this popular hotel is just around the corner from beautiful La Merced church. The friendly and welcoming staff is a real plus. Those looking for longer stays can book the fully equipped apartments. Interior courtyard areas and communal kitchen lend themselves to a friendly vibe.
Hotel Primavera (Panajachel; tel. 502/7762-2052; www.primaveratitlan.com): I enjoy the neatly varnished wood and slightly European feel to this place. Some of the rooms feature large, bay windows overlooking Calle Santander. If you land room no. 9, you're in for a real budget treat, as it comes with its own private stairway, entrance, and balcony.
Hotelito El Amanacer Sak'cari (San Pedro La Laguna; tel. 502/7721-8096; www.hotelsakcari.com): The rooms here lack something in the way of style and personality, but for less than Q150 ($20/£11) for a double, you can enjoy the sunrise from a hammock stretched out on the veranda of one of the second-floor units.
La Casa del Mundo (Jaibalito, Lake Atitlán; tel. 502/5218-5332; www.lacasadelmundo.com): Set atop an isolated rocky outcropping jutting into Lake Atitlán, this hotel offers a few rooms with shared bathrooms that are a real steal (even the private bathrooms are a bargain), with stupendous views of the lake. A lakeside fire-heated Jacuzzi and several open-air terraces make this place really special.
Casa Doña Mercedes (Quetzaltenango; tel. 502/5569-1630; www.geocities.com/guest_house_mercedes): In a town with a glut of budget lodgings, this one stands out for its friendly service, immaculate rooms, and central location.
Hotel Santana (Flores, Petén; tel./fax 502/7926-0262 or 502/7926-0491; www.santanapeten.com): This lakefront hotel is the best budget choice on the island of Flores. In fact, it might just be the best hotel on the island itself, regardless of price. All of the rooms come with private balconies with wonderful views.
Casa Alcazar Victoria (Cobán; tel. 502/7952-1388; http://hoteles.aventurasturisticas.com): I love the rustic yet refined feel of the rooms in this beautiful colonial home. All of the rooms are different. Those on the second floor are my favorite, with high ceilings featuring exposed wood beams. Throughout the hotel there are eye-catching artistic touches. The owners have a couple other hotels in town, as well as the best adventure tour operation in the region.
La Casa de Café (Copán Ruinas, Honduras; tel. 504/651-4620; www.casadecafecopan.com): Although a few blocks outside of the "downtown" area, this is my favorite budget option in Copán Ruinas. The personable hosts make you feel right at home. Each day starts off with a delicious breakfast and coffee in the lush garden.
La Casa Rosada (Livingston; tel. 502/7947-0303; www.hotelcasarosada.com): Set on the waterfront in Livingston, the individual bungalows feature cheerful design touches, with brightly painted furniture, architectural accents, and sea shell decorations. You'll have to use one of several communal bathrooms and showers, but these are just steps away and kept spotless. Moreover, the restaurant and in-house tour operation are great.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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