Caravan Tour of Christmas 2008
Tikal Futura, Guatemala City, Guatemala
This hotel reminded me of a Sheraton in the United Sates, as it doesn’t really have any Central American feel to it. It’s a business hotel in the capital city with large rooms and all the amenities you expect at this type of hotel. It’s located near a large shopping district. I liked the hotel’s exercise room and they also have spa services available. The food was good, but don’t expect gourmet-style. I only spent the night of Christmas Eve at the hotel and the view from my window at midnight of the fireworks going off all over the city was amazing. If you are there at that time, don’t plan on calling it a night early. The fireworks will surely keep you entertained.
http://www.grandtikalfutura.com.gt/
Villa Santa Catarina, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Located just a short walk from the banks of Lake Atitlan, this luxury hotel boasts a nice swimming pool with lush gardens and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and lake. From the open-aired dining area you have a nice view over the pool, palm trees and volcanoes. Next to the reception area, there is an entertainment room which also provides free internet access.
The room was clean, the beds were hard and the bathroom was nicely done, but the faucet wasn’t working properly so I couldn’t turn off my shower all the way. This is of course preferable over having a shower with cold water and the staff had fixed the problem by the time I came back from sight-seeing. The bell boys literally ran with our suitcases to get the luggage to the rooms as quickly as possible.
The food was okay, but nothing to rave about. There is no gym at this hotel.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
Posada Real de Copan, Copan, Honduras
Located a few miles outside of the town of Copan and about 5 minutes drive from the ruins, this hotel was one of my favorite hotels we stayed in on the trip. The rooms were spacious and very clean and the king-size bed was soft. I slept with the windows open and the sounds of the many birds outside my hotel window made this a very relaxing night’s sleep. The shower had hot water, but not much pressure, but the bathroom was functional.
The courtyard with palm trees and the swimming pool with hot tub was nicely maintained.
The only negative was the food which was very salty to my taste and again okay, but not great.
A few times electricity went out (only a few seconds), but this is apparently due to an energy crisis in the country. There is a natural trail at the hotel and the grounds are nicely kept. There is no gym at this hotel, internet is available for a fee.
http://www.posadarealdecopan.com/
Villa Maya, Peten, Guatemala
This eco-style bungalow hotel was my favorite hotel by far. The rooms were very large and had a fridge to keep your drinks cool. The shower had hot water and lots of pressure. There was even a small balcony with 2 chairs from which you can enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds you. The hotel has a large swimming pool near the bar and restaurant area and the food was good, even though one time what we got didn’t really reflect what was on the menu. There is internet access for a fee, but also wireless in the lobby. No gym and no TV in the rooms. You don’t need TV when you can gaze over the water at sunset with a glass of wine and watch the crocodiles and many birds near the water’s edge. The property features scarlet macaws, deer and nature trails. This hotel is a little far from the nearest town, but you want to stay here anyway so you can take in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy some peace and quiet.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
Villa Colonial, Antigua, Guatemala
This hotel was like a small town complete with a central garden and little cobble-stoned walkways in between its buildings. Everything is very colourful, including the breakfast buffet. While I enjoyed the hotel’s layout and architecture, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about my room, which was quite dark and humid. The colonial-style tiled bathroom with shower (no tub) was its best feature. The breakfast buffet was the most delicious we had during our entire trip with a wide variety of foods. The hotel provides internet access for a fee. This hotel is located at the outskirts of town, but is easily reached by foot (just consider leaving your high heels at the hotel), by cab, or even by carriage ride.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
However, if your wallet allows it, stay at the 5-star Santa Domingo Hotel in the middle of Antigua, which is one of the most beautiful hotel properties I have ever seen (especially at night). Dinner was absolutely delicious, service impeccable and their chocolate mousse dessert heavenly.
http://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/?language=en
Tikal Futura, Guatemala City, Guatemala
This hotel reminded me of a Sheraton in the United Sates, as it doesn’t really have any Central American feel to it. It’s a business hotel in the capital city with large rooms and all the amenities you expect at this type of hotel. It’s located near a large shopping district. I liked the hotel’s exercise room and they also have spa services available. The food was good, but don’t expect gourmet-style. I only spent the night of Christmas Eve at the hotel and the view from my window at midnight of the fireworks going off all over the city was amazing. If you are there at that time, don’t plan on calling it a night early. The fireworks will surely keep you entertained.
http://www.grandtikalfutura.com.gt/
Villa Santa Catarina, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Located just a short walk from the banks of Lake Atitlan, this luxury hotel boasts a nice swimming pool with lush gardens and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and lake. From the open-aired dining area you have a nice view over the pool, palm trees and volcanoes. Next to the reception area, there is an entertainment room which also provides free internet access.
The room was clean, the beds were hard and the bathroom was nicely done, but the faucet wasn’t working properly so I couldn’t turn off my shower all the way. This is of course preferable over having a shower with cold water and the staff had fixed the problem by the time I came back from sight-seeing. The bell boys literally ran with our suitcases to get the luggage to the rooms as quickly as possible.
The food was okay, but nothing to rave about. There is no gym at this hotel.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
Posada Real de Copan, Copan, Honduras
Located a few miles outside of the town of Copan and about 5 minutes drive from the ruins, this hotel was one of my favorite hotels we stayed in on the trip. The rooms were spacious and very clean and the king-size bed was soft. I slept with the windows open and the sounds of the many birds outside my hotel window made this a very relaxing night’s sleep. The shower had hot water, but not much pressure, but the bathroom was functional.
The courtyard with palm trees and the swimming pool with hot tub was nicely maintained.
The only negative was the food which was very salty to my taste and again okay, but not great.
A few times electricity went out (only a few seconds), but this is apparently due to an energy crisis in the country. There is a natural trail at the hotel and the grounds are nicely kept. There is no gym at this hotel, internet is available for a fee.
http://www.posadarealdecopan.com/
Villa Maya, Peten, Guatemala
This eco-style bungalow hotel was my favorite hotel by far. The rooms were very large and had a fridge to keep your drinks cool. The shower had hot water and lots of pressure. There was even a small balcony with 2 chairs from which you can enjoy the beautiful nature that surrounds you. The hotel has a large swimming pool near the bar and restaurant area and the food was good, even though one time what we got didn’t really reflect what was on the menu. There is internet access for a fee, but also wireless in the lobby. No gym and no TV in the rooms. You don’t need TV when you can gaze over the water at sunset with a glass of wine and watch the crocodiles and many birds near the water’s edge. The property features scarlet macaws, deer and nature trails. This hotel is a little far from the nearest town, but you want to stay here anyway so you can take in the beautiful surroundings and enjoy some peace and quiet.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
Villa Colonial, Antigua, Guatemala
This hotel was like a small town complete with a central garden and little cobble-stoned walkways in between its buildings. Everything is very colourful, including the breakfast buffet. While I enjoyed the hotel’s layout and architecture, I wasn’t that enthusiastic about my room, which was quite dark and humid. The colonial-style tiled bathroom with shower (no tub) was its best feature. The breakfast buffet was the most delicious we had during our entire trip with a wide variety of foods. The hotel provides internet access for a fee. This hotel is located at the outskirts of town, but is easily reached by foot (just consider leaving your high heels at the hotel), by cab, or even by carriage ride.
http://www.villasdeguatemala.com/
However, if your wallet allows it, stay at the 5-star Santa Domingo Hotel in the middle of Antigua, which is one of the most beautiful hotel properties I have ever seen (especially at night). Dinner was absolutely delicious, service impeccable and their chocolate mousse dessert heavenly.
http://www.casasantodomingo.com.gt/?language=en
