Hotel Review: Casa Palopó, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala

A Luxury Lakeside Hideaway

A luxury 15 room lakeside Relais & Chateaux retreat rich in Guatemalan charm and rooted in personalized service.

Perched hillside with a panoramic view of Lake Atitlán lies Casa Palopó, the once private home turned luxurious 15-room Relais & Chateaux property that is a destination within itself.

Guests are submerged into the country’s rich Guatemalan culture as the property is brimming inviting vibrant jewel colours, antiques, local artisanal furnishings and artwork, as well as some very famous artwork – there is an original Botero.

At the core of Casa Palopó is intimacy and exclusivity, establishing an unprecedented level of personalized service and care, creating an unforgettable eco-conscious escape in an incomparable and enchanting setting.

The view from the infinity pool.

Highlights

The View! Perfectly located, with the premier spot on the lake, Casa Palopó offers unobstructed and unparalleled views of Lake Atitlán and the three volcanoes that define its extraordinary landscape. And yes, it is as stunning as all the photos.

The restaurant, 6.8 Palopó, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and all day snacking options. Executive Chef Eduardo Gonzalez has curated a menu of Guatemalan-inspired dishes with an international twist sourcing most ingredients locally. I suggest trying the chilaquiles for breakfast as it’s a local and somewhat unique dish, or the “huevos divorciados” as their homemade salsas are perfection. Also notable are the wood-fire pizzas, the tuna tartar that’s simple yet so tasty and the steak that is so tender it literally just melts in your mouth, but literally everything is divine, including the wine list!

Casa Palopó embraces local culture and history in all aspects of its design, with its use of deep, vibrant jewel tones and abundance of unique artifacts and artwork from local artists and very famous artists with a real Botero on site! Overall they have created the perfect homey and rustic feel in an elegant atmosphere.

Casa Palopó truly feels like a home away from home. The service is impeccable and bespoke yet also very discrete, leaving guests to their own devices yet not leaving anything wanted for. The level of personalized service and intimacy created in the house is what really elevates the entire experience here and sets this property apart.

The famous infinity pool at La Villa

The Rooms

No room on the property is created equally. Each of the 15 spacious rooms are uniquely and exquisitely decorated with warm rich colours and artifacts and art work thats grounded in Guatemalan heritage.

Every room on the property has a terrace overlooking the lake so no matter what room you book you get a view of the lake. We stayed in room 2 and the terrace was massive with two large sitting chairs where we enjoyed cocktails and watched the sunset and a bistro table for intimate breakfasts and the view was perfection with a very exclusive feel.

The La Villa and its three rooms, are very different to the main house as they are decorated in a more contemporary, rustic and simplistic style using more earth tones vs deep and vibrant palette of the main house with more modern style bathrooms.

Our heavenly room #2

Nearby Attractions

Hiking is the main activity in the area given the three stunning volcanoes that define this lake and its view, San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán. Sunrise. For a shorter and easier excursion, hiking the “Indian Nose” a nearby smaller mountain as a great option as well and provides for stunning views of the San Pedro Volcano.

Immerse yourself in the traditional Mayan culture of the area by village hopping around the lake. All around Lake Atitlán are small vibrant villages all unique in their own way. It is easy to visit a handful of them in a day by boat on the lake. Get an energy boost from all the artisanal coffee shops, learn how chocolate is made or browse the vibrant handmade textiles made right in front of you.

Kayaking is a great outdoor activity to do to enjoy the lake and take in the scenery. Casa Palopó has a private dock where you can rent kayaks and equipment.

For those that are willing to spare no expense, there is a helipad on site for easier arrivals and private sightseeing adventures of this dramatic landscape.

What to Know

The hotel is essentially divided into two houses. The main house hosts reception, the restaurant, the late-night serviced lounge, the more quaint pool without a view and 12 rooms with views decorated with the traditional Guatemalan flare; deep vibrant hues, artisanal artifacts and decor. The second building is located 150 steps up from the main house and is accessible by the hotel’s golf cart if desired. It is called “La Villa” and can be rented out as a whole or each of the three rooms can be rented on an individual basis.

When booking, inquire as to whether or not you will have access to La Villa’s pool, the main infinity pool shown in all the photos. If La Villa is exclusively rented you may not have access and want to rethink the timing of your visit.

Casa Palopó is about a 2.5 hour drive from Guatemala City International Airport and a 2 hour drive from Antigua which can be done by renting a car or hiring a car service to drive you. Driving throughout the country is safe and easy, especially once outside the capital of Guatemala City and the roads are fairly well maintained, not too busy and google maps is a very reliable navigation tool.

The enchanting hotel entrance

Special Amenities

The library is a special place on the property where guests can cozy up by the fireplace, nestle into a book or conversation and enjoy a night-cap. If you stay late enough staff will bid you good night and leave the bar open on an honour system basis.

While there is no formal spa, the hotel offers in-room massages.

For an elevated and extremely exclusive experience, the hotel offers a private chef and butler option when renting the entire La Villa.

Before You Go…

There is one caveat here, while you may come to Casa Palopó planning for a somewhat adventurous stay exploring the Lake Atitlán region, there is a big chance you find yourself just not wanting to leave this property.

I never like comparing places but this hotel has major Amalfi Coast vibes, you almost forget where you are, but isn’t the the magic we all look for in a vacation stay.

Cannot wait to return to this absolutely magical place.