US$100–200

Outside of town on a lovely and quiet lakeside plot,
Hotel Atitlán (tel. 7762-1441, www.hotelatitlan.com [1], $120–190 d) does a wonderful job of combining old-school charm with modern amenities in its well-furnished, tastefully decorated rooms featuring tile floors, antiques, and colorful textiles. All rooms have balconies with gorgeous lake views. There are extensive tropical gardens, an attractive swimming pool, and boat docks. The hotel’s restaurant is a favorite with well-to-do Guatemalans.

Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo (at the lakeside end of Calle Santander, tel. 7762-2326, www.posadadedonrodrigo.com [2], $100–110 d) has rooms in two separate areas, one of which is more modern and is worth the extra splurge for the splendid lake views. The rooms are comfortable and well furnished. The restaurant/bar serves excellent Guatemalan and international dishes in a pleasant dining room with views to the lake and the swimming pool below.

The resort-style Porta Hotel del Lago (www.portahotels.com [3], $220 d all-inclusive) is an all-inclusive affair housed in a modern five-story building overlooking the public beach. The recently renovated rooms have all the usual amenities and the remodeled pool area has a pleasant deck for lounging and enjoying your favorite cocktail.

Outside of town just past the Hotel Atitlán, San Buenaventura de Atitlán (tel. 7762-2559, www.hotelsanbuenaventura.net [4], $105–262) has quaint rooms housed in buildings with domed ceilings and adobe and brick walls with an upstairs kitchen or slightly less attractive one- or two-story concrete structures, also with kitchen. You can rent out the whole structure for 4–6 people or a single/double room. There’s plenty to keep you busy, including a beautiful private beach with kayaks available for rent, a pool and hot tub, and bike rentals. It’s a good choice for families.

Farther along the same road, La Riviera de Atitlán ($122–342 d) is a resort-style hotel in a large high-rise building reminiscent of Acapulco. The 16-story building had stood abandoned for decades under a previous owner, but it has now been finished. There are 82 comfortable rooms with all the usual amenities among standard rooms and suites. The lobby has a nice terrace bar with a happy hour 7–8 p.m.