Antigua Central Plaza with Volcan Agua
PHOTO ESSAY: Profile of an Antigua, Guatemala Guest House
Antigua, Guatemala – UNESCO World Heritage City since 1977 and one of the country’s most famous destinations. It was built by the Spanish over the course of two centuries – from the mid 1500s to the mid 1700s.
The town’s original cobblestone streets are lined by the solid walls of estates, churches, monasteries and grand hotels as well as wall-to-wall shops, homes, restaurants, bars and small guest houses.
Striking Volcan Agua towers over the town, adding even more atmosphere and a clear southern landmark. Here’s the view from Antigua’s main square.
typical hostal entrance -in Antigua – Guatemala
Scattered throughout the compact city are dozens of charming little hotels, hostels, guest houses and boutique hotels offering accommodation in all price ranges. Even the least expensive hostels are set up in renovated historic buildings and real family homes.
Typical hostels and hotels are signposted simply by ‘hotel’ ‘hostel’ or ‘posada’ written vertically on the inner edge of the main doorway. Often they don’t look like much of anything from outside, but once you step inside it’s another world. Here’s the main door of the wonderful little family guest house I stayed in.
my Antigua guest house reception
This lovely, inviting foyer/reception area greets guests at my favorite guest house. It also separates the hostel business from the family’s private living quarters.
From the foyer a simple staircase leads up to the guest rooms and rooftop terrace.
Most Antigua houses, shops, restaurants, hotels and galleries are set around an inner courtyard that’s open to the sky. Usually the courtyards are filled with lush gardens full of leafy green foliage and flowering bushes.
My guest house featured a modest courtyard, which never the less added a wonderful touch of nature.
The second floor guest quarters consist of an L-shaped hallway running around the courtyard and four rooms situated along the hall.
so much warmth from the golden colors!
Here’s my cozy room, full of Antigua’s most common color – yellow.
The hostal also offers a dorm room for budget travelers and students.
a relaxing place to chill out, gaze at the leafy courtyard, and have a cup of Guatemalan coffee or tea
At the far end is a nicely appointed, relaxing sitting area for guests. The bathroom is adjacent.
a nice splash of nature from inside the guest house
A large rooftop terrace provides great views over neighboring houses to the surrounding hillsides and mountains. Impressive Agua Volcano is distinctly visible on clear days from the rooftop…
I loved marveling at symmetrical Volcan Agua at sunrise on the rooftop.
This beautiful carved chest adorns the hallway, complimenting the terracotta tiled floors and bright yellow walls…
beautiful Guatemalan traditional furnishings increased the charm factor of my cozy guest house.
The vibrant yellow stairwell and beautifully designed wrought iron gate made me smile every time I went out for a meal or explorations of charming Antigua.
…an inviting climb downstairs
I always looked forward to returning to the tranquil welcoming little guest house.
This beautiful gate made me feel as though I were staying in an upscale boutique hotel!
You might also enjoy:
My First Impressions of Guatemala
My Plans for Exploring Guatemala
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Hi! I'm Lash, an American nomadic world traveler who's been traveling solo since 1998. I’m passionate about traveling the world nomadically and then sharing it all with you. I hope to inspire you to travel the world, to entertain you with tales from the road, and to help you reach your travel dreams. Welcome! 
