Posada de Don Rodrigo

This was a real gem of a hotel. It’s by no means the most expensive in Antigua (that honour probably goes to the Casa Santo Domingo), nor the cheapest, but we were pleasantly surprised by the quality and the character for what we paid. Like many of the city’s hotels it is located within an old colonial house, or rather, within three houses that have been cleverly combined to create a sprawling but at the same time intimate posada.

The 41 rooms are arranged around courtyards. We were fortunate to get one (room 310) at the back, as I’ve read reviews that say those on the street side can be noisy (we did though experience a bit of noise from the kitchen behind first thing in the mornings, as breakfast is served from 6.30). We were on the first floor, with seating and a hammock right outside our door. Inside the room was spacious enough for our needs and furnished with traditional old wood. There was a large shower and separate WC, with basic toiletries provided.

The restaurant here (photo 5) gets good reviews, although the only meal we ate here was breakfast on our first morning (breakfast was not included in our room rate). This was good – traditional huevas rancheros with toast and pineapple jam, fresh juices and good coffee – and cost 114 Q for two. At lunch and dinner a traditional marimba band plays in the courtyard outside the restaurant. Depending on your taste that might be a pleasure or a bit of an irritation!

Unique Quality: The staff were all very helpful, one happily calling our tour company to check details for our transfer to Panajachel, and another assiduously calling the same company when the driver was just 20 minutes late (not his fault – the road outside was closed to traffic and he was trying to get close to the hotel). And we really appreciated the offer of a welcome drink when we arrived after a long journey – a choice of soft drinks, fresh juice, tea, coffee or beer, to be brought to our room. We chose the beer, our first Gallo, and enjoyed unwinding before tackling the unpacking.

There is a lovely roof terrace with great views of the city (see photo 4) and one room is furnished with old paintings and furniture from colonial times and rather grandly labelled a museum.

There are two computers just off the lobby offering guests free internet access, although on one the keyboard was so worn that we struggled to use it.

Directions: Two blocks north of the Parque Central on 5a Avenida Norte (here known as Calle del Arco), and just south of the Arco de Santa Catalina (on the right if walking north)

A beautiful hotel with a gorgeous courtyard. There is entertainment in the courtyard in the evening. The hotel has a restaurant with a view of one of the nearby volcanoes. A very enjoyable stay. We even booked a stay in their sister hotel in Panajachel.

Directions: A block or so from the main square.

This is a gorgeous 220 year old property right in the center of town. It's a 1st class hotel with a pool and all. The only thing is tour groups are often here so it can get pretty busy. It's a little pricey for Antigua at about $100.00 per night.

Unique Quality: Its a great location with lots of restaurants nd shops right outside the door.