Laguna Lodge

Santa Cruz La Laguna is a small town set along the shores of Lake Atitlán. Accessible only by boat, Santa Cruz is beautiful. Thick green forests rise behind the town and the blue waters of Lake Atitlán spread out in front of it. The pace of life here is mellow, as are most of the activities, which include reading, swimming, hiking, and relaxing.

The Laguna Lodge is set along the lakeshore and is nestled within its very own nature reserve. The lodge, like the rest of the village, is only accessible by boat. The location is privileged and utterly beautiful. The views from the hotel sweep out over the azure waters of the lake and include a trio of dramatic volcanoes in the background.

Inspired by nature and created from volcanic stone, adobe, and palm trees, the spacious lakeside suites are individually appointed with comfortable beds, fine linens, intricate textiles, and indigenous artwork. There are several suites to choose from, but all come equipped with a private bathroom and hot water shower—the bathrooms are beautiful with their green marble, vanity mirrors, and hand-painted sinks. Botanical toiletries, oversized towels, and bathrobes are provided. Sliding glass doors open onto a large private balcony that’s set with furniture. This is an absolutely ideal place to spend time outdoors.

Spend your evenings at the hotel’s Zotz restaurant. With its lovely lakeside setting and large stone fireplace, this restaurant has a romantic ambiance and serves a wide variety of cuisine. The food is flavorful and healthy—fresh vegetables, eggs and cheese are harvested from the hotel’s own gardens and from other local farmers. The breads are baked in-house and even the coffee is grown and roasted onsite. The menu varies with the season, and particular attention is paid to guests’ dietary requests.

After spending a day exploring the local area, guests will enjoy taking a dip in the hot spa pool or being pampered with a massage. As the sun begins to set, relax at the bar or lakeside pavilion with a drink and watch the stars come up. It’s an experience you aren’t likely to forget. The bar has a fine selection of wine, beer and spirits from Guatemala and around the world. A favorite is the Molten Lava cocktail, which is made with Guatemalan rum and organic carrot and apple juice.

Activities at the Laguna Lodge include kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. You can walk and jog along the hotel’s trails or head to the small gym for a little more exercise. The Laguna Lodge is set on a 100-acre (40-ha) piece of property that protects primary forests. While walking along the trails you can stop at palm-thatched rest pavilions and enjoy panoramic views of the lake.