LA ANTIGUA GUATEMALA - Guatemala - page 139

Hotel San Jorge (4a Avenida Sur #13, tel. [phone],
www.hotelsanjorge.centroamerica.com , $53 d) has attractive rooms centered around a
garden courtyard with a fountain and patio furniture. The well-furnished rooms are car-
peted and have private hot-water bathroom, Guatemalan bedspreads and accents, chimney,
cable TV, and reading lamps. Rates include a continental breakfast and guests enjoy free
use of the nearby Porta Hotel Antigua's sprawling swimming pool. Hotel Santa Clara (2a
Avenida Sur #20, tel. [phone], $45 d) features 19 rooms, some with cable TV, and all
with private bathroom, colorful decor and wooden furniture set around a courtyard. Newer
rooms with less character, but slightly more cheerful, are at the rear.
$50-100
With many of the fine decorative touches and amenities of its pricier boutique counterparts
El Meson de María (3a Calle Poniente #8, tel. [phone] or 7832-0520,
www.hotelmesondemaria.com , $75-135 d) is a good value. Its 20 brand-new, well-ap-
pointed rooms are attractively decorated with Guatemalan fabrics and beautifully carved
wooden headboards. You'll feel the antique charm as soon as you enter the doorway of
your room framed with antique wooden beams. Rooms on the second floor have sky-
lights and some of the spacious tiled bathrooms have whirlpool tubs. There are gorgeous
views of the town and volcanoes from the delightful third-floor terrace. Rates include
breakfast at the nearby La Fonda de la Calle Real. Outside the city center on the way to
Santa Ana is Hotel Quinta de las Flores (Calle del Hermano Pedro #6, tel. [phone]/
25, www.quintadelasflores.com , $70-130 d), another excellent value. The lodge was built
on the site of what were once public baths and you can still hear the soothing sounds of
tinkling fountains throughout the property. The charming rooms, built around a peaceful
garden, feature tile floors, chimneys, cable TV, Guatemalan bedspreads, and nice accents
and furnishings along with a small porch with sitting area. Larger two-bedroom casitas
comfortably sleep five and have living room, dining room, and fully equipped kitchen.
There's a large outdoor swimming pool just next to the hotel's restaurant, which serves
Guatemalan dishes, including delicious chuchitos and tostadas, or salads, steak, and chick-
en. It's a good choice for vacationing families.
Hotel Casa Azul (4aAvenidaNorte#5,tel.[phone], www.casazul.guate.com ,$83
d including breakfast) has comfortable rooms with cable TV and minibar, some with car-
peting, decorated with an abundance of colorful hues and pretty tiles. There's a small pool
with volcano views and a whirlpool tub. Posada de Don Rodrigo (5a Avenida Norte #17,
tel. [phone], $68 d) is one of Antigua's classic hotels, well situated near the Arco de
Santa Catalina. Housed in a very old house, the inviting rooms have been updated with
all the comforts of a modern hotel. The staff wears traditional costumes and marimba mu-
sic can often be heard in the main courtyard. Hotel Casa Noble (2a Avenida Sur #29,