Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort & Nature Reserve

Our family had an amazing vacation at Laguna Lodge. Everyone working at the lodge was fantastic and so kind. Imelda, Lesly, Nikolas, Cruz, and Diego were so helpful at the lodge. Rosa was also amazing behind the scenes helping us to plan our vacation. Everyone at the front desk was so patient with us and always responded to my frequent emails! Francisca made us fantastic vegan food, including a 4-course prix fixe menu. Armando was an excellent and safe driver who took us back and forth from Guatemala City. And our multilingual tour guides were amazing as well: Maribel, Humberto, and Fernando, as we explored Antigua, Panajachel, Santiago Atitlan, San Juan, and San Pedro. The lodge was so relaxing and the view from the Jaguar suite and throughout the lodge was breathtaking. Our spa treatments also helped us relax after a journey to the Nature Reserve. A special thanks also for everyone who helped me with my Spanish!! Laguna Lodge is an amazing resort run by kind and caring people. I highly recommend a visit to Lake Atitlan and Laguna Lodge to everyone!

1. **Rodent Problem in the Room**: We arrived to find rat droppings on the bed, which I had to clean and throw away. That same night, a mouse ran through my luggage. Management’s resolution was to move us to another room for two days and then back to the old room, causing extra inconvenience. Instead of offering a refund or something meaningful, they offered us a dinner, as if that would fix the issue. 2. **Terrible Wi-Fi**: The Wi-Fi was almost unusable. It only worked in one tiny corner of the room. If you want to watch something on Netflix, you’d better have strong legs to stand there long enough to finish an episode. For a hotel charging premium rates, this was unacceptable. 3. **Dated and Falling Apart**: Everything in the rooms and common areas—furniture, rugs, cushions, and bed comforters—felt like it was at least 15 years old. The power went out **five times**, and the lights constantly flickered, making the experience even worse. It’s clear this place hasn’t seen a renovation since its last good review in 2013. 4. **Unreliable Showers**: For two days, there was no hot water at all. On other days, the water was either scalding hot or freezing cold, making showering a miserable experience. 5. **Overpriced Pool Access**: The “pool” looks more like a decorative fountain. To use it, you must notify the staff 4 hours in advance, pay $26, and can only enjoy it for a maximum of 1 hour. Come on—I paid $250 per night, and you’re charging me to heat the pool for 1 hour? Are you that desperate to pinch every penny? How about offering at least some mediocre luxury service! 6. **Mediocre Dining Options**: The restaurant offers only a vegetarian menu, which we don’t mind, but the food was mediocre at best. Adding small meat options would provide much-needed variety, especially since you cannot walk anywhere for alternative dining. 7. **Understaffed Service**: At the old wooden "antique" restaurant, there was only one employee juggling roles as a busboy, waiter, and bartender. He was very accommodating considering he had to play so many roles. 8. **Nonexistent Amenities**: The hotel advertised a gym, but it was closed and empty, which was not disclosed during booking. 9. **Unreasonable Refund Policy**: Due to an emergency, I had to leave a day earlier and requested a refund or partial credit toward my bill. I was being reasonable—even a partial refund would have sufficed. Unsurprisingly, the owners refused and instead offered a credit for a future stay. Honestly, I’d rather sleep in a canoe in the middle of the freezing lake than step foot in this place again! This property needs a **total overhaul** to live up to even basic standards. If you’re considering staying here, don’t. Look into alternatives like **Casa Palopó** or **Casa Prana**, even if it means changing your plans. I regret not staying elsewhere. Avoid this place at all costs.

This hotel is fully vegetarian - we didn’t realise before arriving. We tended to eat out at lunch and then snack in the evening in the restaurant. Food was ok. Breakfast was very good but took a while so order for a particular time if you are on the clock. Staff in the restaurant were really good. Rooms were nice and spacious with fabulous views. Showers were temperamental and tended to be scalding or cold. The pool / deck towels may be recycled so ensure you get a fresh one and then keep it. We liked the remoteness but difficult to go out in the evening if you do want to.

An absolutely beautiful location and amazing lodge! The rooms all have a spectacular view. Our room, the Monja Blanca, had a spectacular view right from the comfortable king size bed. The room has gorgeous furniture and lovely finishing touches. The private sitting area in front of the room was also very comfortable. It shows that a lot of work went into creating the space. The restaurant food was delicious and reasonably priced. The staff were all very kind, friendly, and very helpful. Special mention to Nicolas who picked us up late and was especially friendly and attentive to us throughout our stay. Thank you Nicolas and all the staff. We appreciate you! (There is sometimes a smell in the room, as others have said, but it is an ecolodge. Also, it was a bit annoying that the hot tub had to be scheduled and paid for, but easy enough to get over considering the other pros for this place. ) I highly recommend and would come again.

Best resort experience on Lake Atitlán! The special experience began with a private boat pickup from the dock in Panajachel. Our room was spacious, decorated with beautiful handcrafted items. I highly recommend the meal package—the four-course dinner ranks among my top three, and I’m a picky eater. I especially loved the private hiking reserve—quiet, with an interesting path and a breathtaking view at the top. It’s also incredibly easy to get public taxis; we never waited more than three minutes. This isn’t a typical commercial resort but a place that offers luxury and comfort while remaining deeply committed to its local ecosystem. Can’t wait to come back!

This hotel has the potential to be great. Layout is good, location is fantastic and it sits on a huge piece of land. However it’s chronically under-maintained and undermanned. There are some big pluses. The location on the lake is fantastic, facing west for great sunsets, the hot pool (which you pay extra for) and cold pool combo was a great evening energiser. the bar staff, were always kind and attentive (if over worked!), and the walks behind the hotel were lovely We stayed in the big suite upstairs which felt like it didn’t get much use, small give-always like smelled musty, no batteries in the safe, and the wi-fi doesn’t reach there. The gym was out of service (that’s a while now going by other reviews) and we had a booked pedicure session cancelled - but only found out when we went to do it. It could really do with a strong front of house person who sets the standard. It feels like a place where the owners have lost interest somewhat - I don’t know if that’s the case.