The Best Boutique Hotels in Antigua, Guatemala

Casa Encantada is an oasis in the heart of the city, with its very own garden, including a small outdoor pool and water fountain, coupled with lounge chairs for ultimate relaxation. With its exposed wooden beams and chandeliers fit for the Tudors, the rustic interiors could fool you into thinking you’re in the countryside. Since there are only nine delicately decorated rooms, you’re guaranteed the friendly staff’s full attention, too. The rooftop terrace and bar lounge offer sweeping views of the city and neighboring volcanoes, best enjoyed with your gratis breakfast or an expertly crafted apéritif.

Good by name, good by nature: this hotel is a social enterprise that prioritizes local artisans and even runs its own hospitality training program. Set in a former private mansion that’s been reimagined as a chic contemporary hotel, the Dutch-inspired minimalist design complements the historic colonial exterior. Delightful rooms all feature handmade wooden furniture, and the ensuites include locally crafted sinks for that extra artisanal touch. Head to nearby Bistrot Saúl for your Mediterranean-inspired breakfast, and sink a drink at the hotel’s Living Room bar come evening.

If you like your luxurious hotel stays with a side serving of gourmet rooftop cuisine, Pensativo House Hotel might just be your meal ticket. A rustic yet contemporary design blends earthy tones with pops of tasteful color in each of the nine rooms and 17 suites, some of which offer a Jacuzzi bathtub for a sumptuous soak. Take in volcanic views from the pristine rooftop, or stroll through the colonnaded courtyard, complete with an elegant water fountain. The ornate setting is a sight worth seeing in its own right.

Just a street away from Parque Central, Las Cruces will welcome you – not only with open arms but with a moreish cocktail, too. If that’s not inviting enough, its 20 suites showcase L’Occitane toiletries and silver pieces dating back to the 17th century. Some of the suites even include private patios and Jacuzzi baths – all conveniently located next to Las Carmelitas Ruins, a convent destroyed by the 1773 earthquake but still a beautiful sight to behold today.

If you’re looking for a palatial pamper, then Porta Hotel fits the bill with its sizable outdoor pool and Ceiba Spa, complete with saunas, wet rooms and various treatments. There are 105 guest rooms and five suites, but don’t be alarmed by that scale – each one is individually adorned, blending 16th-century colonial charm with contemporary touches. Your taste buds won’t be neglected either, with both Los Moros Restaurant and El Conquistador Bar on hand for Guatemalan and Spanish flavors.

Just across the street from the ruins of the Capuchinas Convent, abandoned after an earthquake in 1773, is the El Convento Boutique Hotel. Located in a traditional colonial-style building, the hotel has 26 comfortable rooms, a swimming pool and an authentic Guatemalan restaurant. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, and you’re within easy reach of many of the most famous landmarks in Antigua, including the San Jose Cathedral and the Santa Catalina Arch. The restaurant, Elù Restaurant and Lounge, serves fresh Guatemalan cuisine with a contemporary twist. Dine under grand vaulted ceilings in the historic dining room or al fresco on the terrace, where you can admire volcanic vistas as you eat.

Standing in the heart of Antigua, just minutes from the oldest attractions in town, Palacio de Doña Leonor is a monument in itself and provides luxurious boutique accommodation. The restored colonial mansion boasts magnificent original features, including tiled flooring, timber beams and antique furnishings, all of which date back hundreds of years. The exterior is just as impressive, with a beautiful courtyard garden, manicured lawns and water fountains. The Palacio Restaurant serves up modern international cuisine and locally sourced produce in an elegant atmosphere.

Ideally located on the more peaceful side of the bustling Fifth Avenue in Antigua, Mesón Panza Verde began life as one of the first European-style B&Bs in town and, since then, has gone from strength to strength. With only 12 bedrooms and a pretty, jasmine-scented veranda, Mesón Panza Verde is ideal for travelers who prefer a more intimate hotel experience – but foodies will also be in their element here. The onsite restaurant is considered one of the best in Guatemala, and you can feast upon sumptuous cuisine in a uniquely artistic environment, as the hotel is also an art gallery.

Posada del Angel is a traditional and elegant award-winning boutique hotel. There are only seven rooms, and each is decorated in a unique pattern, inspired by the wall colors across the old town. The difference is in the details: the bedspreads are made from traditionally woven Mayan textiles, the toiletries are designed by a local alchemist and have their own signature scent, and decorations are in the form of carved wooden sculptures and hammered metal pieces. Outside, there’s a small pool, a pretty garden and a roof terrace, where you can enjoy incredible sunset views over Volcán de Agua.

Located in a restored and modernized colonial mansion in the heart of Antigua, San Rafael Hotel merges traditional charm with striking modern decor. The brick, stone and stucco building boasts two courtyards, original tiled roofs and three impressive water features, as well as a patio, where you can enjoy breakfast. The grand dining and sitting areas are perfect for a leisurely glass of wine, and, in the colder months, you can keep warm in front of the roaring fire. The courtyards and gardens are full of cypress trees and colorful blossoms, and it’s only two blocks to Parque Central.

Casa Santo Domingo is the most famous five-star hotel in Antigua and, arguably, the most original. Located in the ruins of the Santo Domingo Monastery, which was partially destroyed in the huge earthquake of 1773, this hotel comes with a pool, a spa and a gym, as well as its own art gallery, jade and candle factories and several museums. The ancient walls and brick archways beautifully preserve the Baroque architecture and treasures of the period, and, with a gourmet restaurant, terraced bar and gorgeous gardens (complete with exotic birds), you could spend weeks here and not get bored.

Just a few minutes from Parque Central is another verdant oasis, the Casa Santa Rosa. With two exquisite gardens, it’s perfect for nature lovers, and the interior is no less impressive. There are nine large suites, all decorated in their own unique way and featuring a fireplace and sofa; several have their own Jacuzzis, too. A complimentary à la carte breakfast is served each morning.