Lovely space - there are amazing museum-quality statues, weavings, and other art items. The rooms had charm. Unfortunately, Guatemala City is a security concern, but an early morning outward flight led us to find a hotel in the city. When we arrived, the cameras at the door and intercom system were necessary to gain entrance. The owner was very nice, and helped us to find a safe-enough place to walk to get some dinner.
I had booked this inn through hotels.com via trip advisor after reading reviews. I prepaid for inn and it was non-refundable, which was not a problem. On the website it says to call to arrange a late arrival and also if you needed a ride from the airport (with an extra fee, which again was fine with me). I called all day and into the next day I was supposed to depart from Canada and I could not get through or when someone answered they spoke Spanish and then didn't say anything. I called hotels. Com and they said they would try to contact the inn. I called back to hotels.com and they said they would again try to contact and they could not get through either- no one answered and they even said they would have their Spanish consultant try and this too proved to be fruitless. Hotel.com was the best they understood I was a solo female traveler arriving very late to Guatemala City and refunded my reservation thankfully and gladly.…
More than a bed and breakfast, Posada Belen has the spirit of the Guatemalan culture in a very special environment. Conveniently located in the centre of Guatemala City, from here you can go wherever you want to go in Guatemala. The experience of the owners is a great source of advise, not too many owners know Guatemala as they, and you can get the right advise and attention.
I arrived at this hotel after a tiring 11-hour bus ride from Flores. The front door is flush with the sidewalk, and the hotel looked completely dark from the outside; there were no exterior lights. I pressed the buzzer, and the manager came and unlocked the door and led me to his office for check-in. He spoke no English. There were no lights on in the entryway, lobby, or hallway. It felt like it was the middle of the night, even though it was only 7 PM. I could barely make out the decor, but what I could discern looked like something out of "The Addams Family". The hotel rooms open with a skeleton key, which you must also use to lock the door once inside the room. My room had 2 single beds, which were very short and uncomfortable. I'm only 5'2", but I awoke during the night with my feet hanging off the end of the bed. I like a firm mattress, but I've slept on carpeted floors that were softer than those beds. The pillows felt like ten-pound sacks of flour. I finally gave up, threw them on the extra bed, and slept flat on the mattress. I liked the way the room was decorated. It was in traditional Guatemalan style and had a small antique bench, interesting artwork, a wardrobe cupboard, luggage rack, full-length mirror, and small desk fan. There was no TV, but Wi-Fi worked well. There were no windows to the outside, just a small window near the ceiling that faced into the lobby. The bathroom was also decorated in traditional Guatemalan style. The shower was hot and the pressure was good. However, it didn't drain well. By the end of the shower I was standing in nearly 3 inches of water. Soundproofing is almost nil. A woman in a nearby room coughed, and it sounded like she was in my room. However, I saw no other guests during my 2-night stay, and the only employee I saw was the hotel manager. The hotel supposedly has a restaurant, bar, and breakfast available, but I saw no activity, cook, wait staff, bartender, or food preparation. I certainly wasn't offered anything to eat. The hotel looked and felt deserted. I thought I had seen a bookcase near the manager's office when I first checked in, so after showering and relaxing a bit, I walked into the hallway to see if I could find something to read. I found the bookcase, but the hallway was so dark that I couldn't make out any titles. The manager had apparently seen me on the security camera. As I stood there squinting at the book titles, he rushed out of his office and asked if everything was okay. I said yes. He asked me if there was a problem. I said no, and that I was simply looking for a book to read. He didn't offer to turn on the light, but simply stood there staring at me. Apparently guests aren't supposed to be up and about after lights out. Mind you, it was only around 9 PM. A bit nonplused, I returned to my room. Since the hotel is supposedly a museum, the next morning I walked through the lobby intending to check out the artifacts. Calling it a museum is an exaggeration to say the least. The manager AGAIN rushed out of his office and asked me if everything was okay. He then stood there, hands on hips, eyeing me warily as I was looking at a small sculpture. I felt uncomfortable, so I went to my room, grabbed my backpack, and left for the day. In all of my travels--52 countries and counting--I have never stayed at a hotel that shut down at 7 PM. Or expected you to remain confined to your room. Or that treated you with suspicion for merely walking through the lobby. To top it off, I didn't see any mosquitoes in the room, but I awoke the next morning with several bites on my legs and ankles. I don't know what bit me, and prefer not to speculate. The manager arranged for an early morning taxi to take me to the bus station. I had also requested a wake-up call, but he overslept and the knock never came. Fortunately, I woke up on my own. The manager groggily stumbled out of his office a few minutes before the cab arrived. I was up, dressed,and heading for the door by then. I love old hotels, and I much prefer to stay at local hotels rather than American chains. Based on all the positive reviews, I was really looking forward to staying at this inn, and thought I would love it. I didn't. Most of the positive reviews are at least a year or more old, so maybe the hotel has gone downhill lately. Maybe I caught it at an off time. Maybe the manager thought that I, a short unassuming middle-aged nurse, looked shady. I don't know. All I know is that this was the weirdest, creepiest, and most unwelcoming hotel or B&B I have ever stayed in. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. This was my third trip to Guatemala, and I will return again. However, I will not be returning to this hotel, and I do not recommend it.…
My husband and I spent one night at this hotel, prior to our early-morning departure. The ethereal light filtering though the rooms and lobby, with the amazing textiles and mayan artifacts. We were the only visitors at this fine hotel, and yet it was inexpensive and we felt very safe. Our host helped us to identify an area where we could shop and pick up dinner. From the outside it doesn't look like much, but this wonderful spot deserves your full consideration.
This unassuming little inn iIs tucked into a residential neighborhood in Zone 1, the historic district. It is so low key that I wasn’t actually sure I was at the right place. Built in 1873, the Inn has been open since 1973. If you need glitz and glamour, this hotel is not for you. By most rating standards this hotel is two stars at best. But on the scale of authenticity, the warmth of the staff, the service provided and as a travel experience it is Five Stars all the way. We were waited on hand and foot by Nilo. Nilo welcomed us, brought us cold beers and hot coffee and cooked excellent meals for both breakfast and lunch. Nilo also got up at 3:30 AM to see us off on our Tikal tour; and he did it graciously, as if getting up in the middle of the night was no big deal. When we checked out both Nilo and Marvin saw us off with hugs The rooms are not large but they are immaculate. The towels are small but clean. This place is short on frills but long on charm. I can’t wait to go back and see my friend Nilo. …
To enter Posada Belen is to discover Guatamala. View a multitude of original Mayan artifacts in cases that fill the hall, the atmosphere created by paintings and Mayan stonework in the dining room is wonderful. A small adjoining patio houses two tortoises that can be found sunning themselves in the foliage of a bright room. The rooms are finished simply and comfort is key: there is extra bedding housed in elegant wood wardrobes and a desk for study or wifi. Browse a small library and read in the enclosed sun-filled patio adjoining the dining area; try out the hammock or enjoy some delicious coffee at the small iron tables and chairs. Safety and security are key for single and couples, and tour groups. Order breakfast from a very welcoming staff headed by Francesca who offers a caring friendship along with information on tours, city information, and travel advice. Hotel Pasada Belen is exceptional in all it offers to the traveler and is well worth the visit…
I stayed here last night and the service was outstanding. We had arrived from a long trip from el salvador..and Franchesca accommodate my friend and I for the night. The night shift gentleman I believe his name was Marvin or Melvic was extremely helpful and friendly. His customer service is the main reason I give this place a 5 star!
In a city that is probably not that safest, this place makes you feel super comfortable. Stayed here for two nights and can't complain. The room was super tidy, you can take warm showers and the staff will give you filtered drinking water. Furthermore the staff is in general super friendly and helps you whenever you need something.
The owner was very nice, booking was easy. The mattress in my room sort of dipped down on one side which made it uncomfortable, So I just stayed one night. It's nicely decorated and location is walking distance to center.
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