Best Urban Hotels in Guatemala

Immerse yourself in Antigua’s past, by booking a suite at this hotel, opposite the 18th-century Capuchin convent. El Convento has a domed cupola, brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls, cedar-beamed ceilings, hand-crafted doors and textiles, spiral staircases, fine art pieces and a central courtyard where a century-old Tempixque tree still stands. In many ways, it’s evocative of a bygone era, but with the benefit of luxe mod cons like hot tubs, a chic lap pool, fluffy robes, air con and designer toiletries. The roof terrace and wine cellar are highlights for those who enjoy a glass of something special after a day’s sightseeing.

While still in its infancy, Posada del Angel was visited by the likes of Bill Clinton during his Presidency. But on first sight you may be surprised to learn it’s fewer than three decades old; with much patina, terracotta tiles, stone walls and a pretty pillared central courtyard bursting with blooms, it resembles a heritage building, blending well into Antigua’s cobbled streets and colonial-era properties. This was the UNESCO-listed city’s first-ever boutique hotel, with a long narrow outdoor pool, a plushly decorated outdoor terrace with far-reaching volcano views, a breakfast dining room with an open fire and just seven individualised suites.

Reflecting the city’s Colonial elegance, San Rafael is a place of beauty and surprising seclusion, geared mainly to adults (although over 12s are welcome during the off-peak season). Step into its lushly planted, floral and fragrant courtyard and you’ll feel a million miles from the bustle beyond – this is where the morning repast is served. The bedrooms too provide an escape, with log fires, crystal chandeliers, paintings and (more) fresh flowers; there are just seven (all situated on the ground floor) and each has the aura of a Latin aristocratic mansion house.