To head straight out of Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport on a 45-minute ride to Antigua just sounded like a giant cop-out to me. So while I eventually made it there, I decided to nest at the eco-friendly Piedraluna Hotel for a few days, and enjoy Guatemala’s capital.
I was the only one staying in the hotel, where the manager Gabriela, the restaurant staff, and the security all made me feel like the ultimate VIP. I may have had the impression that the hotel could serve as a secret destination for an important minister or two, but income is income in an emerging economy, and I felt it added to the allure of this fascinating hotel.
The feel of the neighborhood is much like Fortaleza, Brazil, with armed guards and heavily fortified walls all around, but the location is convenient and as long as your driver picks you up directly you’re going to feel safely satisfied.
Rooms are high-quality Danish style, spacious, and fairly quiet for sleeping. Reading materials on the coffee table included a hip Guate mag and El Economista. A little office is reserved for guests to use the computer with free wifi. Gabriela was an accommodating manager and proactive in her recommendations, if not always present.
Fifteen million people live in Guatemala and three million of them live in the capital city. I can’t imagine not having rubbed elbows with hundreds of them on a Sunday along...To head straight out of Guatemala City’s La Aurora airport on a 45-minute ride to Antigua just sounded like a giant cop-out to me. So while I eventually made it there, I decided to nest at the eco-friendly Piedraluna Hotel for a few days, and enjoy Guatemala’s capital.
I was the only one staying in the hotel, where the manager Gabriela, the restaurant staff, and the security all made me feel like the ultimate VIP. I may have had the impression that the hotel could serve as a secret destination for an important minister or two, but income is income in an emerging economy, and I felt it added to the allure of this fascinating hotel.
The feel of the neighborhood is much like Fortaleza, Brazil, with armed guards and heavily fortified walls all around, but the location is convenient and as long as your driver picks you up directly you’re going to feel safely satisfied.
Rooms are high-quality Danish style, spacious, and fairly quiet for sleeping. Reading materials on the coffee table included a hip Guate mag and El Economista. A little office is reserved for guests to use the computer with free wifi. Gabriela was an accommodating manager and proactive in her recommendations, if not always present.
Fifteen million people live in Guatemala and three million of them live in the capital city. I can’t imagine not having rubbed elbows with hundreds of them on a Sunday along Avenida Sexta or seen the Palacio Nacional, and my dinner at the nearby restaurant, Casa Chapina, was the best during my entire Guatemalan adventure. No matter how many times others urge you to flee the capital, think twice about it and make your reservation at Piedraluna.More
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