By the Best Mountain Hotels editorial team ·
Casa Palopó is the most elegant hotel on Lake Atitlán, and the only Relais & Châteaux property in Guatemala. Built into the hillside above the lake near the Maya village of Santa Catarina Palopó, it has just 15 individually designed rooms, a small infinity pool overlooking the water and sweeping views of the three volcanoes that ring the lake.
Casa Palopó is the most elegant hotel on Lake Atitlán, and the only Relais & Châteaux property in Guatemala. Built into the hillside above the lake near the Maya village of Santa Catarina Palopó, it has just 15 individually designed rooms, a small infinity pool overlooking the water and sweeping views of the three volcanoes that ring the lake.
Location: Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
The hotel stands on the eastern shore of the lake, just outside Santa Catarina Palopó, a village famous for its brightly painted houses and traditional weaving, a short drive from Panajachel.
Lake Atitlán, in the highlands of Guatemala, is often called the most beautiful lake in the world, a description usually credited to the writer Aldous Huxley. It fills a vast volcanic caldera at around 1,560 metres, ringed by three volcanoes, San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán, and by Maya villages where traditional dress, markets and weaving are part of everyday life. Boats link the villages, from bustling Panajachel to quieter San Juan and Santa Cruz. Antigua is around two and a half hours away by road, and Guatemala City around three.
Around the lake, every village has its own character: San Juan La Laguna for its weaving cooperatives and murals, San Marcos for yoga and meditation, and Santiago for its traditions and markets. The sunrise hike to the Indian Nose viewpoint is spectacular, and the famous market at Chichicastenango, held every Thursday and Sunday, is a short drive away. Many visitors combine Atitlán with the colonial city of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and with an overnight climb of Acatenango volcano to watch neighbouring Fuego erupt.
Rooms at Casa Palopó
There are 15 rooms: 12 in the main hotel, half of them added in a more contemporary style in 2018, and three in a private villa. Each is different, decorated with Guatemalan textiles, art and furniture, and most look out across the lake to the volcanoes.
The hotel's blue façade and interiors, filled with art and colour, are instantly recognisable, and its intimate size means a personal, attentive welcome. The villa, with its own rooms and living space, is ideal for families or friends travelling together.
Facilities at Casa Palopó
The small solar-powered infinity pool overlooks the lake and the volcanoes, and spa treatments can be arranged in advance. The restaurant, with indoor and outdoor tables, is one of the best on the lake, with excellent food and wines and wide views. The hotel arranges boat trips to the lake villages, volcano hikes on San Pedro, Tolimán and Atitlán, visits to markets such as Chichicastenango, and cooking and weaving experiences.
The mountain moment
The Casa Palopó moment is breakfast on the terrace as the morning mist lifts off the water and the three volcanoes appear, one by one, across the lake. Later, a boat glides you across to a Maya village, and the day ends with a swim in the infinity pool as the volcanoes turn pink at sunset.
In the evening, the lights of the lake villages twinkle across the water, and dinner on the terrace, with the silhouettes of the volcanoes against the stars, is one of the most romantic experiences in Guatemala.
Why Casa Palopó is one of the best mountain hotels
Casa Palopó earns its place for its views, its style and its intimacy, on one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It is small, the pool is compact, and the lake can be windy in the afternoons. But for couples who want luxury and culture in the Guatemalan highlands, it is the finest choice.
For a boat-only eco-lodge on the lake, see Laguna Lodge.
Plan at least three nights on the lake to explore several villages by boat, and two or three in Antigua. Pack warm layers, as highland evenings are cool, and travel by boat early in the day, when the lake is calm. Many visitors also combine Guatemala with Tikal, the great Maya city in the northern jungle.
When to go to Casa Palopó
The dry season, from November to April, brings sunny days and the clearest views of the volcanoes. The rainy season, from May to October, brings afternoon showers, green hillsides and fewer visitors. Mornings are usually clearest and calmest in any season, while the afternoon wind, known as the Xocomil, can make the lake choppy.
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Questions, answered
- Is Casa Palopó a Relais & Châteaux hotel?
- Yes. It is the only Relais & Châteaux hotel in Guatemala.
- Does Casa Palopó have a pool?
- Yes, a small solar-powered infinity pool overlooking Lake Atitlán.
- How many rooms does Casa Palopó have?
- 15, including three in a private villa.
- How far is Lake Atitlán from Antigua?
- Around two and a half hours by road.
