Posada del Angel

June 13 2007: Stayed for a long weekend in Antigua, Guatemala, which turns out to be a fantastic place to stay for a long weekend.  Posada del Angel is a meticulously refurbished house about four blocks off the main square (Antigua being a great city to walk...cobblestone streets radiate out from the square).  A few rooms, very basic service (though attentive) - if you like intimate places to stay where you don't feel like cattle, this ranks as a decent one.  Nothing corporate about this place whatsoever.  Visit the website...have to say the photography on the site almost does the place too much justice, but it is indeed a visual and comfortable place to relax.  It's a fine alternative to the ultra touristy and popular Casa Santo Domingo.  We went there for a drink and a tour, and got the gist.  Drawbacks are small rooms and not great ventilation...not a deal killer for us but might be for some high-maintenance folks.  For me, a couple mosquitos and no central a/c (why?) are par for the course in a place as simple as Guatemala.

July 27 2007: If you go to Antigua, you should stay at Casa Santa Domingo, a priory (I think that's what they call places for nuns) turned into one of Conde Nast's top 10 hotels in the world (that's what the locals tell me...haven't verified).  If you are Bill Clinton in the middle of the Monica scandal, Hilary stays at Casa Santa Domingo and Bill stays at Casa Del Angel.  I guess I am more like Bill.

When you get dropped off at the Inn you are greated by a green wood door with faded paint.  There are high walls surrounding the entire facade and so you wonder what you've gotten yourself into here.  Then you ring the bell and a face peeks out.  Soon you are ushered into a cobblestone courtyard and enter the tile floored hacienda. 

I do not think there are more than 10 rooms at the facility and the only way you can lock the antique door is from the inside, with an old hook and eyelet made of iron.  My room had a fireplace, a great bed, and a step down shower.  It was quite nice, tastefully decorated, and instantly made me relax.  There are no phones or internet service in the rooms which is ideal for a place like Antigua. 

The common facilities are a small lap pool that sits beside the open sitting area with a fireplace.  There is also a dining area where breakfast is served, a terrific library with a computer for guest usage (and fast internet connection), and a tiny courtyard out back.  At night they put candles in the hallway to light your way which only adds to the romantic ambiance.  The employees are kind and helpful.  

Casa Del Angel is ideally located in Antigua.  There are great restaurants and other hotels in the immediate area and the Parque Central is within blocks.  I walked all around the city with ease and felt that the location of my bed was ideal.  At no time did I feel uneasy about walking around. 

I did check out Casa Santa Domingo and will stay there as it is stunning.  But for a smaller more intimate experience, I recommend Casa Del Angel.