Casa Palopó
LAKE ATITLAN, GUATEMALA
Guatemala’s first Relais & Chateaux hotel (the second is sister property Villa Bokeh), this 15-bedroom hideaway overlooks Lake Atitlan, 3 hours drive from Antigua. Formerly a family home, there are 6 original suites in the main building, and entering these is like stepping into a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel – think brightly painted walls adorned with artwork that was curated especially for the hotel, and lots of local flavour. Overlooking the hotel’s pool deck with views of the surrounding greenery are 6 more suites which are more contemporary in style whilst still employing the warmth and texture so typical of Guatemalan interiors. Located in the upper part of the property, 150 steps from the main building is Villa Palopó. This consists of 3 spacious suites which are furnished with modern paintings and textiles. Perfect for a group of friends or family, guests taking all of the rooms at the villa have the exclusive use of its superb infinity pool. Casa Palopó’s tranquil setting is the perfect choice for those looking to relax and unwind with the option of exploring this beautiful highland region of Guatemala.
Quick Facts
Number of Rooms: 15 in total: 12 suites in the Main Hotel and 3 suites in the Villa
Room Categories: Main Hotel: 1 Master Suite, 2 Suites, 3 Junior Suites, 5 Deluxe, & 1 Superior. Villa Palopó: 1 Grand Master Suite, 1 Master Suite & 1 Suite.
Room Descriptions: Click here
Booking Options: All activities and meals are additional
Minimum Stay: 3-night minimum stay during high season (Easter & New Year)
Dates of Operation: Year round
Membership: Relais & Châteaux
Amenities: Spa consists of a massage room, small gym with a cycle machine, 2 swimming pools (one in the villa), yoga classes (upon request), Dyson hairdryers and L’Occitane products in rooms. Complimentary welcome drink and 10 minute foot massage on arrival. Complimentary wifi throughout property.
Opening Times:
Breakfast: 7:00 am –12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Dinner: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Rates & Key Info
“...an idyllic hideaway, perched high above the water in the Maya Kaqchikel town of Santa Caterina Palopo. My suite, in pale ochre, opens onto a deep blue terrace with volcano views. I’m mesmerised by their symmetry above the jade green lake — and the visiting hummingbirds. Each afternoon, the xocomil, the wind that (legend has it) carries away sin, irritates the lake, turning it slate and sending clouds scudding.”
CUISINE
Casa Palopo has two restaurants, its first, 6.8 Palopó sits within the main building and has cosily lit interiors with intimate clusters of tables and a fantastic open terrace boasting spectacular lake views. Chef Marco Saenz’s menu features Guatemalan-inspired dishes with an international twist using ingredients sourced from local farms around the lake. 6.8 Palopó is open daily from 7am to 9am.
Casa Palopo’s second offering, Kinnik, is set on the lake shore and is run by Executive Chef Jorge Peralta. Its cuisine is inspired by the ancient Mayan way of cooking where premium cuts of meat are grilled over open flames. Tableside carving as well as small table grills are available for guests who might like to immerse themselves in the process and preparation of their meal, a unique experience in the area.
“I’m inspired by the culture, my environment, and the elements,” says Chef Peralta. “At Kinnik, we are able to achieve something that feels traditional, yet elevated. Over the years, Guatemala has emerged as a culinary hotspot and I’m hopeful that Kinnik will play a vital role in bringing Lake Atitlán to the world stage when it comes to cuisine.” Featuring outdoor and indoor seating, guests can choose between dazzling lake views or brightly designed interiors which burst with pops of yellow and gold. Kinnik is open Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner from 12pm to 9pm and Sunday for brunch from 9am to 4pm.
“Lake Como, it seems to me, touches on the limit of permissibly picturesque, but Atitlán is Como with additional embellishments of several immense volcanoes. It really is too much of a good thing”
— Aldous Huxley
Additional Information
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Lake Atitlan: Ringed by three imposing volcanoes, Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro, and surrounded by cool pine forests, Lake Atitlan is considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. A huge crater lake which sits at 5,125 ft above sea level, Atitlan’s ever changing appearance shifts between vibrant hues of azure, aqua marine and emerald, and is also recognised as the deepest lake in Central America.
Home to hundreds of species of plants and birds, Lake Atitlan is a source of livelihood for hundreds of thousands of descendants of the ancient Mayan people. A dozen Mayan towns line its shores and each one boasts a rich indigenous heritage which can be identified through the traditional dress worn by its inhabitants. The highlands of Guatemala are famous for being one of the most colourful regions of the country. This is in part thanks to the bright and intricately woven textiles that are used to make the traditional blouses or “huipiles” worn by the women.
Casa Palopó’s privileged position perched above the lake just outside the town of Santa Catarina Palopó, allows guests to enjoy spectacular vistas right from the comfort of their own terrace. One could easily spend a few days simply relaxing and soaking up the rays by one of the two pools yet there is also an array of adventurous and cultural activities on offer.
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Couples and Honeymooners: Casa Palopó has been described by Forbes’ Magazine as an “off the beaten path gem” and one of the “World’s most secluded Honeymoon destinations”. It boasts a wonderfully intimate atmosphere; its sumptuous rooms have private terraces, and even in the hotel’s common areas there are cosy nooks to snuggle up in. Our favourite room is Santa Catarina (Master Suite) but for more privacy the Villa would be perfect also.
Families: Casa Palopó welcomes children over 10 years old. The best room combinations for families would be San Antonio (Master Suite) and San Pablo (Junior Suite) which are both located on the first level of the main building. Or, San Lucas (Deluxe) and San Juan (Deluxe) which are located on the first and lower level of the main building. For families looking for more privacy and space the villa would be ideal as you also have use of the large sitting room when taking it exclusively.
It’s important to note that there are lots of steps at Casa Palopó, so it is not suitable for anyone with serious mobility issues.
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Adventure seekers will enjoy hiking up San Pedro Volcano, as well as mountain biking around the lake shore, kayaking on the lake and boat trips to local villages. Culture vultures can get involved with local projects as well as visit a number of artisan markets and textile workshops.
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For those interested in getting involved with local community projects, “Pintando Santa Catarina Palopó” is a fantastic initiative, where visitors can “adopt a house” in the nearby village of Santa Catarina Palopó. This involves painting a local house in designs chosen by the family who live there. Colours and patterns are inspired by Guatemalan textile designs, and if you wish to know more details about the different ways to get involved (from visiting to picking up a paintbrush) please let us know.
Property Location
Flights tend to arrive late in the evening, and most travellers decide to transfer straight to the colonial town of Antigua, 1 hour’s drive away from GUA depending on traffic, to overnight or spend a couple of days exploring.
Casa palopo’s sister property, Villa Bokéh, is only 5-10 minutes outside of Antigua and is the perfect base to relax and unwind from a long journey before exploring this colonial gem.
From Antigua it is 3 hours drive to Casa Palopó. There is also the option to go by helicopter which takes less than 30 minutes from GUA (prices here).
When to go
Guatemala is a year round destination; its dry season spans from November to April and its wet season from May to October. Do remember that during this so-called wet season, the majority of the rain tends to fall in September and October, usually in the form of late afternoon downpours interspersed with warm, sunny periods. This time of year coincides with the British summer, a popular time for weddings, and Guatemala and its Central American neighbours make wonderful honeymoon destinations as a result.
Due to its tropical climate, the lowlands tend to be warmer all year round, with the highlands (Lake Atitlan) becoming cooler as the altitude increases.
