GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala - page 75

Under $10
There are some real cheapies in downtown Guatemala City, traditionally the city's budget
accommodation headquarters, though there are also some nice budget options outside the
downtown area now, so you have to stay in this slightly dodgy part of town only if you
really want to. A longtime favorite with the backpacker crowd, Pension Meza (10a Calle
10-17 Zona 1, tel. [phone]) has shared-bath doubles for $7 and rooms with private bath
for $12 d. It's somewhat dilapidated, though the graffiti-strewn walls have a certain charm
and the beds are good enough. You'll find a courtyard, Ping-Pong table, and book ex-
change. Hotel Fenix (7a Avenida 15-81 Zona 1, tel. [phone]) is a good budget value
with clean rooms. It's also quite secure. There are shared-bath doubles for $7 (upstairs and
quieter) and rooms with private bathroom for $10 d. It has a bistro with excellent sand-
wiches and areas for hanging out.
$10-25
Hotel Ajau (8a Avenida 15-62 Zona 1, tel. [phone]) has 44 rooms, including shared-
bath doubles for $12 and doubles with private bath for $19. Hotel Spring (8a Avenida
12-65 Zona 1, tel. [phone], hotelspring@ hotmail.com) is a good value with clean,
pleasant rooms. It has doubles with shared bath for $18, older rooms with private bath for
$23 d, and quieter, newly remodeled rooms with private bath for $33 d. A cheery three-
level place, Hotel Excel (9a Avenida 15-12 Zona 1, tel. [phone], $23 d) has rooms with
private hot-water bath. The architecture at Hotel Colonial (7a Avenida 14-19 Zona 1, tel.
2232-6722, www.hotelcolonial.net , $19-30 d) is just as its name implies, with tile floors,
wrought iron, and dark hardwood accents. Its spacious rooms come with shared or private
bathroom.
$25-50
Across from the police headquarters is a perennial favorite in this budget category, Chalet
Suizo (14 Calle 6-82 Zona 1, tel. [phone], $27 d), with 47 spotlessly clean rooms, all
with private bath, built around sunny courtyards. On a quiet side street, another fine choice
is Posada Belén (13 Calle “A” 10-30 Zona 1, tel. [phone], www.posadabelen.com ,
$49- 60 d), an 1873 home converted into a lovely museum inn. It has 10 rooms with
tile floors tastefully decorated with Guatemalan bedspreads, paintings, and weavings. Its
gracious hosts, René and Francesca, speak English and can help you plan your journeys
into Guatemala's rugged interior. Amenities include telephone and Internet access. All
rooms have private bath and rates include breakfast. Other delicious homemade meals are
available upon request. Hotel Quality Service (8a Calle 3-18 Zona 1, tel. [phone]/
7, www.qualityguate.com , $40 d) has 22 recently renovated tile-floor rooms with private
hot-water bath, cable TV, and desk. Rates include a Guatemalan breakfast of eggs, beans,
bread, orange juice, and coffee or tea.