As I told you yesterday, my husband and I were cordially invited to spend last weekend at Hotel Casa Palopó, in the village of Santa Catarina Palopó, by Lake Atitlan. Although we had been to the hotel’s restaurant a number of times for lunch and dinner on our prior visits to the lake, we had never stayed there as guests. After hearing great comments from my in-laws, whom have stayed there various times in the past, my husband and I were anxious to see if all our expectations would be met.
And they were.
The hotel is located on a lush hill overlooking the enormous (and magical) Lake Atitlan, giving it one of the best views I have ever witnessed of the 3 volcanoes that guard it. The decor of the hotel has a colonial feel to it, with vibrant colors, antique furnishing, Guatemalan textiles and contemporary art – including an enormous Botero painting that is the focal point of the lounge area. And because the hotel used to be a private residence, it is quite small, consisting of only 7 rooms which give you that “at-home” feel and comfort.
Upon our arrival, we were told that we would be staying at their Master Suite (room #1), which is their biggest room – with the exception of the 2-bedroom villa that sits about 150 steps higher than the hotel’s main building. The room was indeed very large, with vibrant blue walls, antique furniture and french doors that opened to its own private (and huge) terrace. The terrace was a hit. We spent most of our stay laying there, watching life go by as we took in the beauty that surrounded us. Another thing that was a hit: the Frette Linens! Nothing beats the luxury of good-quality sheets and towels, and Frette does it better than anyone! As a result, my husband and I found it very difficult to get out of bed in the mornings; we just wanted to open the french doors and admire the view from the comfort of our soft and luxurious bed. And since there is no television in the rooms, we took this opportunity to disconnect, relax and enjoy the magic of Atitlan and each other’s company. God knows we needed to unwind.
But that isn’t to say that there isn’t anything to do – there’s plenty! Guatemala is filled with adventures! You can take a private boat to Panajachel (a must-see Bohemian town just a few minutes away), or explore the surrounding Mayan Villages and the Lake itself. However, since our main goal was to relax and escape the city-life, we decided to stay within the hotel’s premises and enjoy all it had to offer.
Besides all the wonderful things Hotel Casa Palopó provides, the warmth, unpretentious and detailed attention you receive from everyone who works there (who will always call you by your name) is the one thing you’ll probably appreciate the most, and the one thing that definitely separates them from the rest. We felt like family being welcomed into our own home, and I don’t know about you…but service is the one thing that always keeps me coming back!
Because words aren’t enough to describe the magic of this place, we took various pictures to show you instead. Enjoy!
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| Not one, but 3 volcanoes that you can admire from anywhere in the hotel |
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| Of course, I had to take a picture of the Buddha |
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| The Botero painting that overlooks the lounging/fireplace room |
Our room – The Master Suite:
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| The terrace of our suite was the perfect place to unwind and take in the view |
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| Some of the many dishes we tried. The jellies are homemade with fruits harvested from their own garden – they were to-die for! |
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| There’s nothing like roomservice – especially when breakfast is served with a view like that! |
{Sigh}
We could have stayed there forever!
faviorodas 