LA ANTIGUA GUATEMALA - Guatemala - page 143

Nearby is the phenomenal Un Paseo Por La Antigua (Calle de los Duelos, Las
Gravileas #7 and 8, tel. [phone], www.unpaseoporlaantigua.com , $135 d with break-
fast), run by a friendly French couple that have lived in Guatemala for many years. With
the experience gleaned from running Petén's La Lancha (subsequently acquired by Francis
Ford Coppola), they've managed to successfully create a unique, tastefully executed hide-
away. Each of the five rooms is eclectically decorated with a different theme. There's a
lovelyrooftoppatiowhereyoucanenjoyyourmealswithoutrageousvolcanoviews.Setin
aquietresidentialneighborhood,youmightfindyourselfsleepinginwellpastyournormal
wake-up time.
If you're looking to combine your stay with an excellent spa experience, Casa
Madeleine (Calle del Espíritu Santo #69, tel. [phone], www.casamadeleine.com ,
$95-205 d) is the place for you. Its six comfortable rooms feature wrought-iron beds and
lamps and are decorated in different hues with Guatemalan bedspreads and artwork. Com-
pletespapackages areavailable andservices includemassages, reflexology,aromatherapy,
mud therapy, pedicures, manicures, and deep facial treatments. Room rates include a full
breakfast you are welcome to enjoy in the comfort of your own room at no extra charge.
Casa Quinta (5aAvenidaSur#45,tel.[phone], www.hotelcasaquinta.com , $125-180
d) was brought to my attention by a reader with discriminating taste. The rooms gracefully
meld modern comforts with wonderfully dilapidated antiques and traditional furniture.
View all of the rooms online and pick your favorite.
OUTSIDE OF TOWN
On a working 40-acre avocado farm, Earthlodge (tel. [phone] or 5613-6934,
www.earthlodgeguatemala.com , dorms $4 p/p, $13 d in tree house or cabin) is a sure bet
forwonderfulvolcanoviewsandthechancetogetawayfromitallatareasonabledistance
from town in the surrounding hillsides. Accommodations include a shared-bath, eight-bed
dormitory, three A-frame cabins, and a tree house. The private cabins and tree house are
wonderfullysecludedinagroveofSpanishoaksandhavefabulousviewsofthevalleyand
surrounding mountains. Each has a large double bed. Bathrooms are shared.
Delicious vegetarian dinners are served family-style for $5, though carnivores need not
despair as meat options are also available, including a fun weekend barbecue. Breakfast
items include eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and fresh fruit. Heaping sandwiches and
salads are served for lunch. You can relax in a hammock and take in the valley views, hike
nearby trails, or sweat out any remaining First World stress in the stone-and-mortar sauna.
There are also topics, movies, music, and games on hand should you need further enter-
tainment. Spanish classes are also available and the owners accept volunteers to help out
with chores in exchange for reduced rates on food and bed. The lodge is run by a friendly
Canadian-American couplewhowillpickyouupintownintheirgreenVWbugwithprior