Family Overview—All Guatemala Family Hotels
by Candyce H. Stapen, Away.com, August 28, 2007 to current

LAKE ATITLAN

Expert Review of Hotel Atitlán
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Situated on the lakefront in Panajachel, Hotel Atitlan’s rooms offer a nice mix of Spanish Colonial furniture and Guatemalan handicrafts. Bedrooms have tile floors and area rugs. The botanical garden, although small, is a nice touch.

Expert Review of Casa Palopo
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
* Consider booking the villa

Casa Palopo is a charming boutique hotel on the shores of Lake Atitlan. In 2001, the property made it to Conde Nast Travelers’ hot list of top new hotels. The rooms are a sensuous mix of Guatemalan color—blue or terra cotta—with antique huipiles and old Spanish wooden chairs. Some have views of the lake. Dine outside and enjoy views of the lake and the volcanoes.

Expert Review of Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
*Kids like the pool with its water slide.
This hotel mixes Spanish Colonial furniture with Guatemalan handicrafts. The hotel is located near the markets in Panajachel.

LAKE PETEN
Expert Review of La Lancha
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
* Canoe or kayak on the lake
*Borrow the mountain bikes for cycling

Opened in 2005, La Lancha is the newest of Francis Ford Coppola's eco-lodges. La Lancha, on the shores of Lake Peten, is more rustic than the others. This one doesn't have air-conditioning, but the property does have that blend of local color and style that infuses Coppola's properties. Of the ten casitas, some are lakeside (reached by steep stairs) and others sit on a ridge overlooking the water. From the hammock on your deck you're likely to hear howler monkeys, parrots, and other wildlife. La Lancha is about a 30-minute drive from Tikal.

CHICHICASTENANGO
Expert Review of Hotel Santo Tomas
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
*The food at the hotel is good and rates typically include breakfast.

This is the nicest hotel in Chichi. The 60 rooms, divided among two levels, open onto an inner garden courtyard with a fountain and a resident macaw. The rooms mix Spanish Colonial carved wooden furniture with Guatemalan masks and statues of saints. Many rooms have fireplace.

ANTIGUA

Expert Review of Hotel Casa Santo Domingo
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
*Visit the candle shop to see people making candles by hand
*Check out the on-site chapel and the archeological museum

This atmopsheric hotel, four blocks from Antigua's center has some walls dating to 1543. The former Dominican monastery was rebuilt in 18th and 19th centuries. Walk along the garden-lined path to the lobby and you hear Dominican chants in the background. The candles, thick stone walls, chants, Spanish Colonial furniture and lush gardens with views of the volcanic peaks sets a mood. Most of the 125 rooms are good sized and come with fireplaces. Hilary Rodham Clinton stayed here as first lady in 1998 and Bill Clinton lodged here in 1999. The proprety made Conde Nast Traveler's gold list of best hotels in 2007

Expert Review of Porta Hotel Antigua
By Family Travel Expert Candyce H. Stapen

Expert Tips and Helpful Hints
*Allow time to splash in the swimming pool

The 77-room Porta Hotel Antigua offers good service and food. The ceiling has Spanish style beams, wrought iron leaves and candleholders decorate the wall. The garden features a pond with daffodils as well as a swimming pool.