GUATEMALA CITY - Guatemala - page 81

$100-200
The 183-room Crowne Plaza (Avenida Las Américas 9-08 Zona 13, tel. [phone] or
800/835-4654 toll-free U.S., www.cpguatemala.com.gt , $105-150 d) features rooms with
thechain'sSleep Advantage, including deliciously comfortable beds,fineduvets,andyour
choice of seven different pillows. The seventh floor is designated as a “Quiet Zone,” with
TVs that reach only a certain volume and a relaxation kit with aromatherapy products. The
ninth floor is an all-suite executive floor. The staff assures me you can drink the tap water
and everything, including the hotel food, is certified to the highest standards of hygiene. It
has a business center with wireless Internet, a huge gym with excellent city views from the
topfloor,asportsbarwithvideopokerandslotmachines,andaheatedpoolwithwhirlpool
tub. The Los Volcanes restaurant, on the ground floor, serves international and local dishes
à la carte or buffet style. There's a piano player at night. Video Lotería Monte Carlo (video
gambling, 1 P.M.-3 A.M. daily) is also based on the ground floor, featuring video poker
and slot machines. Proceeds benefit the environmental foundation Monte Carlo Verde.
Formerly the city's Hyatt Regency, the Grand Tikal Futura (Calzada Roosevelt
22-43 Zona 11, tel. [phone], www.grandtikalfutura.com.gt , $90-600 d) still maintains
the same high-quality standards and has comfortable, well-furnished rooms varying from
standard rooms to stunning Diplomatic Suites. All have splendid views of the city and sur-
rounding mountains. Restaurants include elegant La Molienda, serving international and
Guatemalan dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the excellent Asia Grill and Wok
serving lunch and dinner in a tropically inspired, casual atmosphere. There is a lobby bar,
a fitness center with health-food bar, and a covered swimming pool with poolside service
and city views.
CARRETERA A EL SALVADOR (SUBURBS)
Over $100
Although a bit far from the action, the all-suite Vista Real Guatemala (Km. 8.5 Car-
retera a El Salvador, tel. [phone], www.vistareal.com , $109-190 d) scores big points
for its location on a bluff overlooking the city and its neocolonial architecture featuring
Mexican artistic touches. Its 129 rooms are all comfortable and well furnished with some
truly splendid features, including vaulted wooden ceilings and neocolonial archways in
some rooms. The Suite Gran Clase rooms are a good value and substantially nicer than the
Master Suites, which are only slightly less expensive.