These Lake Atitlán and Antigua Hotels Prove Guatemala Aces Boutique Luxury

Casa Palopó: Cozy luxury on Lake Atitlán

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

When I hopped into my private transfer in Guatemala City, I had no idea that the road to Casa Palopó would be so long and winding. After three hours of driving through the picturesque Guatemalan Highlands, I finally made it to the hotel. It was pitch black outside when I checked into my room. Imagine my surprise the next morning when I woke up and saw Lake Atitlán, the deepest and most beautiful lake in Central America, from my room.

Casa Palopó fully embraces the local culture and heritage, offering a perfect blend of Maya-inspired design and modern amenities. The discreet luxury and attentive service create an intimate atmosphere, making you feel at home. Casa Palopó has only 15 rooms, and each one of them looks unique. The rooms are decorated with vibrant colors and local artwork. Most of the furniture is refurbished, and that adds a touch of charm and character. It looks like every corner of the property has an interesting story to tell.

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

Most of the rooms are located in the main house, but there’s also a recently renovated villa located 150 steps up from the main house. The villa has three additional rooms that are decorated in a more contemporary style using neutral earth tones. These rooms can be booked individually, or you can rent the entire villa. In that case, you’ll have exclusive access to the spacious living room with a fireplace, the dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a stunning infinity pool overlooking Lake Atitlán.

I stayed at the San Pablo Junior Suite, located in the original house. This room has blue stucco walls, timbered ceilings, a king-size bed, and a cozy reading corner. Touches like the painting of a Guatemalan artist hanging above the bed, crafted fabrics, and the little candle on a vintage sewing table that served as a writing desk made me feel like I was staying in an artist’s studio.

My favorite feature of the room was the spacious terrace, with a patio table, a few comfortable chairs, and a breathtaking view of Lake Atitlán. Every morning, I’d wake up early and sit in one of those chairs for a couple of hours, completely mesmerized by the surrounding landscape.

Experiencing Guatemalan culture at Casa Palopó and beyond

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

It’s not just the decor at Casa Palopó that makes you feel immediately welcomed into Guatemalan culture. It’s also the dining experience. The on-site restaurant, 6.8 Palopó, serves Guatemalan-inspired dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. My first-ever meal in Guatemala happened to be there, on the beautiful patio, with colorful candle-lit chandeliers and a view of the lake. Be sure to order must-try dishes such as the Guatemalan ceviche and duck breasts. And don’t even get me started on the banana foster that’s prepared right at your table for dessert. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Room service is also available if you fancy enjoying your meal in bed or on your private terrace.

Casa Palopó also offers a range of on- and off-property activities for guests to connect them with Guatemalan culture, notably boat rides to local villages across the lake. Don’t miss out on the traditional tortilla bar experience where you’ll learn how to make corn tortillas and then try them with various toppings. Those looking for a spiritual experience can also book a Maya blessing ceremony. A shaman will come to the property and perform a sacred ritual at a designated spot — an experience that left a profound impact on me.

When it comes to downtime at the hotel, there are two pools to enjoy, one located at the main building and another one with a hot tub higher up at the villa. You can also pamper yourself with a relaxing spa treatment either in your room or in a small on-site treatment room.

Getting to Casa Palopó

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

Getting to Casa Palopó from Guatemala City is an adventure in itself. It’s a three-hour drive, but the picturesque landscapes along the way will make the journey feel like a breeze. And if you’re up for an even more thrilling experience, you can opt to arrive in style via helicopter.

Price per night: From $218

Book Now

Villa Bokéh: A lush oasis in Antigua

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

My adventure in Guatemala didn’t end at Casa Palopó. I left Lake Atitlán and headed toward Antigua to spend a few days at Villa Bokéh, a new luxury hotel located on the outskirts of the city. Villa Bokéh is a colonial-style hacienda surrounded by a lush six-acre garden, with a picturesque lake in the center that opens to views of the Agua volcano. It was cloudy during most of my stay, but the skies cleared up on my last day, finally revealing the majestic peak.

At Villa Bokéh, you hear nothing but the sound of birds chirping and water running in the streams and fountains. Every morning, I’d take a walk around the gardens, watch the turtles and fish swim in the lake, and take in the peaceful surroundings. It truly feels like you’ve been transported to a secluded oasis, far away from the hustle and bustle of the world.

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

It helps that Villa Bokéh has just 15 tastefully designed rooms, each with its own unique features, decor style, and color palette. Two common features of all the rooms are the abundance of art and access to outdoor spaces, be it a balcony or a private terrace. The rooms at Villa Bokéh strike a perfect balance between elegant Guatemalan colonial architecture and modern amenities. Every detail has been carefully designed, from the plush bedding and pillow menu to the thoughtful welcome notes, turn-down service, and delightful surprise gifts.

I stayed in the Lino Junior Suite, a spacious boho-chic room with a luxurious king-sized bed, comfortable sitting area, and private terrace complete with a fire pit. This is the only room at the property that has an outdoor bathtub, and I made sure to set aside a couple of hours to enjoy it. Villa Bokéh takes luxury a step further by offering a bath menu. A simple call to the front desk allows you to choose your desired bath experience and schedule it at your convenience. Upon returning to your room, you find a perfectly prepared hot bath waiting for you.

Villa Bokéh’s commitment to wellness, from the restaurant to the spa

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

The bath menu is one example of Villa Bokéh’s healthful, restorative amenities. Another noteworthy feature is the complimentary morning and night ritual, which includes a selection of drink options such as ginger shots, green juice, hot water with lemon, or refreshing celery juice in the morning, as well as a choice of the signature Bokeh tea, a warm eye mask, and a diffuser with essential oils for the night. The best part is that you get to set the time for these rituals, ensuring they fit your schedule perfectly.

The restaurant at Villa Bokéh — which serves breakfast, brunch, dinner, and room service — is similarly wholesome. Its talented executive chef, Marcos Sáenz, surprises the palate with an elevated presentation of the local cuisine. All the food I ate there was flavorful, but the highlights were the creamy corn soup and the tortellini with loroco, a traditional ingredient in Guatemalan cuisine that comes from the unbloomed flowers of a climbing vine. If you’re looking for a true farm-to-table experience, in the morning you can gather a few eggs from the chicken coop and have them cooked for your breakfast.

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

My favorite drink at Villa Bokéh was the signature bougainvillea lemonade. Not only does it look pretty and taste refreshing, but it’s also said to have numerous medicinal benefits — it can detoxify your body, treat coughs, relieve sore throats, and much more.

The rest of the amenities at Villa Bokéh continue the wellness and relaxation trend. You can swim in the pool, soak in the jacuzzi, get a relaxing massage at the spa, go on a romantic boat ride, or have a picnic in the garden. And of course, Antigua is only a 10-minute drive away, so you can easily spend a day in the city, go on a guided tour, or visit the local shops and eateries.

Getting to Villa Bokéh

Photo: Bronwyn Knight

Getting to Villa Bokéh is easier than getting to Casa Palopó. La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City is the closest airport to the hotel. You can request the staff at Villa Bokéh to arrange your transportation to and from the airport. There are two options available: a private car transfer, which takes approximately one hour, or a helicopter transfer, which would only take 15 minutes.

Price per night: From $238

Book Now