About this hotel
General information
Hotel Atitlán is a hacienda-style hotel on the shore of Lake Atitlán, set on a former coffee plantation in the San Buenaventura valley just outside Panajachel. From almost anywhere on the grounds the view runs across the water to the volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán. The house was built in three wings and now holds 61 individually decorated rooms and suites, each with its own balcony or patio.
The gardens are what set it apart. They step down in terraces from the entrance to the water’s edge: more than two hundred varieties of roses, hibiscus, a heliconia garden, a coffee garden, orchids, azaleas and bougainvillea in over 25 colours. Beyond them, paths and suspension bridges lead through the woods of the old plantation, where more than 250 bird species have been recorded. Indoors, hand-woven textiles, handmade furniture, paintings and traditional tiled floors give the rooms a distinctly Guatemalan feel.
Location
The hotel sits on the shore of Lake Atitlán in the Sololá department, about 1 km from Panajachel in the quiet San Buenaventura valley, facing the volcanoes San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán. Private road transfers from Guatemala City’s international airport are arranged on advance request. Guests arriving across the lake tie up at the hotel’s own dock; there is also a helipad for two helicopters, and helicopter transfers from Antigua Guatemala can be arranged.
Spa
There is no spa as such, but one-hour relaxing massages can be booked at reception and are given daily from 7:00 to 20:00, with the lake as a backdrop.
Sports & leisure
Days here are unhurried and centred on the gardens and the lake:
- walks through the gardens and the trails of the former coffee plantation, with suspension bridges over gullies and streams, moss-hung trees and monkeys sometimes spotted in the canopy;
- birdwatching from dedicated spots on the property, which double as places for stargazing at night;
- boat trips on the lake, including the Delta Boat Experience, a five-hour private outing with a captain aboard a Grady White boat, drinks included;
- kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake;
- an early climb to a ridge-top viewpoint above San Juan La Laguna, at just over 2,200 m, for the sunrise, and the ascent of San Pedro volcano — around six hours with some 1,400 m of elevation gain;
- a two-hour cooking class with the hotel’s chef, preparing highland Guatemalan dishes from corn, chillies, spices and herbs;
- private trips to Antigua Guatemala, Iximché and Quetzaltenango, arranged by the concierge.
Restaurants & bars
The kitchen mixes regional and international cooking, with most of its fruit and vegetables grown on farms next to the hotel:
- Hotel Atitlán Restaurant — regional and international dishes in two indoor dining rooms and on a poolside terrace with views of the lake and volcanoes; a Guatemalan brunch with handmade tortillas on Sundays;
- Bar La Cofradia — a snug bar beside the restaurant, with tall windows, wooden columns, a fireplace and signature cocktails;
- By The Pool — a pool-bar menu served by the pool and jacuzzi, facing the sunset;
- In Room Dining — room service for suite guests from 8:00 to 20:00.
Swimming
An outdoor pool and jacuzzi are ringed by loungers looking out over the lake and its three volcanoes, with towels provided and drinks and meals served poolside. The gardens run down to a small beach on the lakeshore.
Pets
Pets and other animals are not allowed at the hotel.
Rooms
The 61 rooms and suites are each decorated individually, with hand-woven fabrics and rugs, handmade furniture, paintings and traditional tiled floors. All have a private balcony or patio facing the gardens or the lake, and the suites add a sitting room and a fireplace.
Every room has a safe, TV, telephone, free Wi-Fi, a drinking-water filter, a hairdryer and bath amenities; the suites also have a minibar.
Garden View Room
A room with a balcony or patio and a sitting area overlooking the gardens; ground-floor rooms open straight onto the garden. One king-size bed for two adults, or two double beds for two adults and two children.
Lake Front View Room
A room facing the lake head-on, with a private balcony looking across the water to the volcanoes. One king-size bed for two adults, or two double beds for two adults and two children.
Junior Suite
A suite with a sitting room, fireplace and balcony overlooking the gardens and the lake. One king-size bed or two double beds — the two-bed version is on the ground floor, its balcony opening onto the main garden; for two adults.
Triple Room Garden View
A garden-view room with a balcony, opening onto the gardens or the hotel’s corridors. Three beds for up to three adults.
Master Suite
An upper-floor suite with a sitting room, a fireplace for cool evenings and a private balcony facing the volcanoes, furnished with handmade pieces, Guatemalan textiles and artwork. One king-size bed, for two adults.
Family Suite
Two connected rooms: a main bedroom with a king-size bed and its own bathroom, and a second room with bunk beds and a separate bathroom, plus a living room and a balcony over the gardens. For two adults and two children.
Photos are for illustrative purposes only. Actual room layout, furnishings, décor, views and amenities may differ from those shown and may vary between rooms of the same category. Hotel and room descriptions are based on information provided by the property and are believed to be accurate at the time of publication, but are not guaranteed. The hotel may renovate or change its rooms, facilities, restaurants and services at any time without notice. The final details of your stay are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Terms of Use.