THE WESTERN HIGHLANDS - Guatemala - page 220

private hot-water bathroom; some have balconies with splendid mountain views over the
well-tended garden. Some beds are firmer than others. The Maya Lodge (6a Calle 'A'
4-08, tel. [phone], $26 d) is rather “plain Jane,” though it's right on the plaza. Hotel
Chugüila (5a Avenida 5-24 Zona 1, tel. [phone]) has 15 rooms, all except one with
chimney, and it is expanding. Rooms are set around a courtyard and have TV and nice
patios.
$50-100
At the entrance to town on the left-hand side is Hotel Casa del Rey (Km. 144, entrance
to Chichicastenango, www.hotelcasadelrey.com , tel. [phone], $45-60 d) in simple motel
style with a restaurant/bar and swimming pool. You'll see large tour buses parked here, as
it's a favorite for folks on overnight package tours, giving the property some semblance of
atmosphere. In the heart of town, Hotel Santo Tomás (7a Avenida 5-32 Zona 1, tel.
7756-1051, $100 d) is a lovely colonial-style hotel with rooms centered around a graceful
courtyard fountain complete with squawking macaws. There are a pool, hot tub, gift shop,
a lively bar, and restaurant. A longtime favorite with travelers to Chichicastenango is the
Mayan Inn (8a Calle “A” 1-91 Zona 1, tel. [phone], www.mayaninn.com.gt , $100
d),establishedbyAlfredS.Clark,founderofClarkTours,in1932.The30roomsarebeau-
tifully decorated with antique furnishings and have fireplaces. Most of the bathrooms have
tubs.Eachroomhasitsownattendantdressedintraditionalvillagecostume,asthereareno
locksonthedoorsfromtheoutside.Restassured,youcanlockyourselfinatnight.There's
a good restaurant here. The market is literally at your doorstep.
FOOD
Tziguan Tinamit (5a Avenida 5-67 Zona 1, tel. [phone], 7 A.M.-10 P.M. daily) serves
a variety of light meals and has particularly tasty baked goods. Los Cofrades (corner of
6a Calle and 5a Avenida, tel. [phone], 9 A.M.-10 P.M. Wed.-Sun.) has pleasant outdoor
seatingonabalconyoverlookingthebusystreetbelow.Therearedelicious,largeset-menu
lunches and dinners for $5-7. Restaurante Las Brasas (6a Calle 4-52 , Comercial Girón,
tel.[phone],7A.M.-10P.M.daily,$4-9)isagood-valuesteakhousealsoservingdecent
breakfasts.BesideElCalvariochurch, Casa San Juan (4aAvenida,onthemainplaza)
serves creatively prepared sandwiches and Guatemalan food in a stylish environment that
includes wrought-iron chairs and artwork. La Villa de los Cofrades (6a Calle “A” and
main plaza, tel. [phone]) is a café/restaurant serving good breakfasts, grilled meats, cof-
fee, and even crepes. The town's most stylish eateries are at the restaurants housed inside
the Mayan Inn and Hotel Santo Tomás, where a three-course meal runs in the vicinity
of $15. The waiters at both places wear elaborate traditional costumes, though the food at
Hotel Santo Tomás outshines that of its closest competitor, albeit slightly.