THE PACIFIC COAST - Guatemala - page 325

7920-9785hotel, www.pezdeoro.com ) ,anexcellentchoicewithtastefullydecoratedrooms
built around a swimming pool with wooden deck. The 11 attractive bungalows, all with
privatebath,featureterra-cottafloors,nicedecorativeaccents,andfirmbeds.Ratesare$40
d weekdays and $52 d on weekends. Equally well decorated and furnished raised-platform
bungalows with nice decks (or patio) and hammock in a separate area with its own swim-
ming pool cost the same. The restaurant here is recommended.
$50-100
Westofthemainstreet,about200metersfromthepedestrianthoroughfare, Atelie del Mar
(tel. [phone], www.hotelateliedelmar.com , $50-56 d) has somewhat smallish rooms
centeredaroundasizeableswimmingpool.Thehotelissetawayfromthebeachandthere's
a restaurant with spotty service. (Avoid the room directly above the kitchen, as smells tend
to filter in.) It's worth springing the extra $6 for a room with a/c.
Eight kilometers east in the community of Hawaii, Hawaian Paradise (tel. [phone],
www.hawaianparadise.com , $93 d) is another welcome addition to the area's hotel infra-
structure. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms are housed in a cheerful yellow structure
toppedwitha palapa -roofterrace.Thehotelfrontsaswimmingpoolandtheoceanandhas
a restaurant /bar; there are also hammock lounges and a pool table. It's the place to go if
you'renotintoMonterrico'ssomewhatraucousatmosphereandjustwanttogetawayfrom
it all.
Over $100
Monterrico's most stylish beachside digs are at the Italian-owned Dos Mundos Pacific
Resort (tel.[phone], www.dosmundospacific.com ,$120d),locatedaboutonekilometer
east of Monterrico, along the beach. This fabulous property features 14 luxurious beach-
front villas with terra-cotta floors, hot-water shower, and air-conditioning housed in eco-
chic thatched-roof structures with private patio. The bathrooms feature artsy ceramic sinks
and oversize “rain” showerheads. The fine restaurant serves excellent Italian cuisine over-
looking an infinity-edge swimming pool and the sea.
Another option in this pricier domain is located east of Monterrico in the village of
Hawaii. Casa Bella ( www.casabellamonterrico.com , $150 per bungalow) offers spacious
one or two-story bungalows (2 or 4 bedrooms) with cable TV, full kitchen, and sitting
area featuring tropical rattan furniture. Each bungalow has a covered private patio with sea
views. There is a pool and restaurant.
FOOD
Most of Monterrico's hotels, particularly those that are on the beach, serve food. The fol-
lowing are the best of the hotel restaurants, along with a few nonhotel eateries serving de-