Porta Hotel Antigua: Colonial Charm Meets Comfortable Luxury
"Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World." Christopher Columbus
9/22/20256 min read
Guatemala 🇬🇹 is our 66th country. It is home to 37 volcanoes with three or four classified as active depending on whom you ask. Volcano Fuego, you can see smoking throughout the day and even lighting up the night sky. Antigua is amazing and a must-see but it is more pricey compared to other areas of Guatemala. If you are headed to Antigua, Porta Hotel Antigua is a great place to stay. Its location is ideal for exploring the historic downtown of Antigua.
History & Setting
Porta Hotel Antigua is one of the oldest and best known hotels in Antigua Guatemala. It opened in 1948. The hotel was previously called Hotel Antigua. Its architecture has strong neo-colonial influences, including courtyards and traditional Guatemalan decor. The color theme both inside and outside is generally terracotta and white. The gardens around the property are lush with tropical plants and trees. The hotel is known for its gardens, macaws, and colonial decor.
The address is 8 Calle Oriente, Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez 03001.
Rooms & Grounds
The grounds are spacious with a beautiful open courtyard. There is a pool with plenty of loungers. Beside the pool, there is an open area where you can find two colorful macaws perched high in a tree, a playground for kids, and the kids club entrance. Around that open area, you find garden rooms, the bar, a lounge area upstairs, and the restaurant. There is a gym and spa as well.
We stayed in a building across the street from the main garden area, which offered access to more rooms and event spaces. Our room was spacious and had a water dispenser, a small closet, an ironing board, an iron, and a safe. The only thing missing was a mini fridge. Near the end of our stay we asked the front desk and they said those are available upon request.
Our room was toward the back along a major street but the noise did not bother us. The shower was large with shampoo and shower gel provided but no conditioner. The bathroom in the Deluxe King room was small. Only one person could comfortably be in it at a time because the door swings in and is right next to the lavatory.
Dining & Atmosphere
The hotel has a colonial look and feel with beautiful touches from furniture to paintings found throughout. When we got hungry or wanted to watch American College Football the bar area was perfect. We tried many foods on the menu but loved the local soups and the burgers the most. The staff was quick and efficient. Marvyn was a great waiter. Johnny the concierge was very helpful and always knew the answers to our questions. Up front Rosario made our check in process seamless. When we had an emergency issue at the end of our stay Gabriel took great care of us.
Additional Amenities
The hotel has more than fifty rooms including premium deluxe standard rooms and several suites. Many team members have been with the hotel over thirty years. The hotel grounds include another building with more suites and a private pool available only for those guests.
Overall Impressions
We would definitely recommend Porta Hotel Antigua to our friends, family and clients. It strikes the right balance of charm, history, and comfort. Staying here means you are close to Antigua’s main plaza, its colonial architecture, and its culture, but also you have a relaxing and safe refuge to return to in the evening.
If you have any questions about our stay at Porta Hotel Antigua, or are interested in booking tours in Guatemala, just let us know. Be sure to visit our travel blog detailing our 7 days in Guatemala:
https://allinglobaltravel.com/falling-in-love-with-guatemala-history-culture-and-cobblestones
Guatemala 🇬🇹 is our 66th country. It is home to 37 volcanoes with three or four classified as active depending on whom you ask. Volcano Fuego, you can see smoking throughout the day and even lighting up the night sky. Antigua is amazing and a must-see but it is more pricey compared to other areas of Guatemala. If you are headed to Antigua, Porta Hotel Antigua is a great place to stay. Its location is ideal for exploring the historic downtown of Antigua.
History & Setting
Porta Hotel Antigua is one of the oldest and best known hotels in Antigua Guatemala. It opened in 1948. The hotel was previously called Hotel Antigua. Its architecture has strong neo-colonial influences, including courtyards and traditional Guatemalan decor. The color theme both inside and outside is generally terracotta and white. The gardens around the property are lush with tropical plants and trees. The hotel is known for its gardens, macaws, and colonial decor.
The address is 8 Calle Oriente, Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez 03001.
Rooms & Grounds
The grounds are spacious with a beautiful open courtyard. There is a pool with plenty of loungers. Beside the pool, there is an open area where you can find two colorful macaws perched high in a tree, a playground for kids, and the kids club entrance. Around that open area, you find garden rooms, the bar, a lounge area upstairs, and the restaurant. There is a gym and spa as well.
We stayed in a building across the street from the main garden area, which offered access to more rooms and event spaces. Our room was spacious and had a water dispenser, a small closet, an ironing board, an iron, and a safe. The only thing missing was a mini fridge. Near the end of our stay we asked the front desk and they said those are available upon request.
Our room was toward the back along a major street but the noise did not bother us. The shower was large with shampoo and shower gel provided but no conditioner. The bathroom in the Deluxe King room was small. Only one person could comfortably be in it at a time because the door swings in and is right next to the lavatory.
Dining & Atmosphere
The hotel has a colonial look and feel with beautiful touches from furniture to paintings found throughout. When we got hungry or wanted to watch American College Football the bar area was perfect. We tried many foods on the menu but loved the local soups and the burgers the most. The staff was quick and efficient. Marvyn was a great waiter. Johnny the concierge was very helpful and always knew the answers to our questions. Up front Rosario made our check in process seamless. When we had an emergency issue at the end of our stay Gabriel took great care of us.
Additional Amenities
The hotel has more than fifty rooms including premium deluxe standard rooms and several suites. Many team members have been with the hotel over thirty years. The hotel grounds include another building with more suites and a private pool available only for those guests.
Overall Impressions
We would definitely recommend Porta Hotel Antigua to our friends, family and clients. It strikes the right balance of charm, history, and comfort. Staying here means you are close to Antigua’s main plaza, its colonial architecture, and its culture, but also you have a relaxing and safe refuge to return to in the evening.
If you have any questions about our stay at Porta Hotel Antigua, or are interested in booking tours in Guatemala, just let us know. Be sure to visit our travel blog detailing our 7 days in Guatemala:
https://allinglobaltravel.com/falling-in-love-with-guatemala-history-culture-and-cobblestones
