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15 Best Places to Stay in Antigua Guatemala with Kids or Without!
Looking for one of the best places to stay in Antigua Guatemala? You’ve come to the right place!
I spent six weeks in Antigua with my family on our Pan-American Highway road trip. We explored the entire town and found all the coolest hotels.
This travel guide includes the best hotels in Antigua Guatemala, the best vacation homes in Antigua Guatemala, and the best neighborhoods to stay there as well.
🏆 Editor’s Pick: Don’t have time to read the entire post? The La Cruces Boutique Hotel is the best place to stay in Antigua since it offers a true luxury experience!
Antigua is often called the best city to stay in Guatemala for good reason. There are so many fun and cool things to do there and it’s one of the few UNESCO World Heritage sites in Central America.
Antigua Guatemala was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
This beautiful and magical colonial city has almost five hundred years of history, with a moderate climate and an exceptional view of the Fuego and Acatenango volcanoes.
Best Places to Stay in Antigua at a Glance
Here are all the best places to stay in Antigua, broken down into five categories: luxury hotels, boutique hotels, mid-range hotels, budget hotels, and vacation rentals.
👍 Luxury: La Cruces Boutique Hotel
👍 Boutique: En Convento Boutique Hotel
👍 Mid-Range: San Rafael Hotel Antigua
👍 Budget-Friendly: Posada San Sebastian
👍 Vacation Rental: Beautiful Colonial Home
Places to Stay in Antigua Guatemala: Luxury Hotels
1. La Cruces Boutique Hotel
🏆 Rating: 9.8/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
This is the only boutique hotel that is also a true luxury experience. It consistently receives excellent reviews for its accommodations as well as its customer service.
La Cruces has a rooftop terrace with a lovely view of the city and volcanoes as well as a beautiful garden.
In addition to traditional hotel amenities like free wifi, daily housekeeping, and free parking La Cruces offers some amenities other hotels in Antigua do not.
Hotel La Cruces Reviews
Love this hotel! Breakfast is delicious! Have and will continue to stay there every time we visit Antigua Guatemala!
Ana (read more Reviews)
It’s one of the only hotels in the city to offer air conditioning!
Plus, spa services are available and a made-to-order breakfast is served daily to all guests. There are only 11 luxurious suites.
Each one has the original silver pieces from the 17th century, a beautiful interior patio, and a relaxing sitting room.
2. Pensativo House Hotel
🏆 Rating: 9.4/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Pensativo is one of the most luxurious hotels Antigua Guatemala has to offer. It is also adults-only so families seeking luxury will need to book at La Cruces.
With lovely Colonial architecture, a garden courtyard entrance, and the ideal location on a charming residential cobblestone street.
It’s only steps from Antigua’s Central Park, so Pensativo House Hotel has a lot to offer guests seeking a luxury hotel in Antigua Guatemala.
Pensativo House Hotel Reviews
Luscious sheets, warm staff, small number of rooms, impeccably quiet location, good breakfast, attention to detail, gorgeous room, great parking
Brian (read more Reviews)
One of the most popular features of the Pensativo is the rooftop terrace with excellent views of the Agua volcano.
In addition, while at the hotel you can enjoy amenities ranging from a homemade breakfast daily to relaxing in one of the many various cozy corners all over the hotel.
Pro Tip: The Pensativo is pet friendly!
In addition, the hotel offers wifi, a gym, and parking free for all guests. There are also massage and spa services available, including in your room, at an extra cost.
3. Porta Hotel Antigua
🏆 Rating: 9.2/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Porta Hotel has been consistently ranked one of the best places to stay in Antigua Guatemala for years. This full-service hotel even caters to weddings and conventions as it has several rooms that can accommodate over 400 people at a time!
The Porta hotel is centrally located and has over 110 guest rooms. They offer standard amenities like a gym, spa, free wifi, daily housekeeping, and free parking.
Porta Hotel Reviews
If we return to Antigua, we will stay at the Porta and will encourage others we know to do the same
Dennis (read more Reviews)
Families love the Porta Hotel Antigua for a variety of reasons. Kids stay free and there are cribs available on request. In addition, there is a kid’s pool, a playground, and a free kid’s club at the hotel.
Pro Tip: Parents seeking a date night can even reserve a babysitter, at an extra charge, directly through the hotel!
The hotel also has a great reputation for excellent customer service, specifically that the staff goes above and beyond to assist guests. It’s one of the best luxury places to stay in Antigua Guatemala, for all travelers but especially for families.
Boutique Hotels in Antigua Guatemala
4. En Convento Boutique Hotel
🏆 Rating: 9.2/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
En Convento is located in a renovated former convent from the 1700s.
It’s centrally located and is only 3.5 blocks (a 6-minute walk) from the famous Santa Catalina Arch. It’s also near Antigua’s Central Park.
This boutique hotel has only 16 rooms, all of which are different in size, shape, and style. They all have high-quality furnishings and artwork.
En Convento Boutique Hotel Reviews
Amazing room, amazing location, best facilities and super nice staff. Truly great!
Jon (read more Reviews)
Many of the rooms also have a view of the convent’s courtyard or garden.
Amenities at En Convento Boutique Hotel include free wifi, a restaurant, and a bar on-site, room service, daily housekeeping, a spa, and parking.
5. Casa Santa Rosa Hotel Boutique Antigua Guatemala
🏆 Rating: 9.2/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Casa Santa Rosa is another great option for those seeking a boutique hotel in Antigua Guatemala. It’s centrally located, only a few blocks from the main square.
This hotel has 17 rooms and suites, each one decorated differently with a mix of modern and traditional Guatemalan elements. The rooms all have high-quality furnishings and artwork.
Casa Santa Rosa Hotel Boutique Reviews
Recommend highly if you want to stay in a beautiful verdant sanctuary and be close to everything.
Michael (read more Reviews)
Some of the suites even have private balconies with views of the surrounding volcanoes!
Amenities at Casa Santa Rosa Hotel Boutique include free wifi, a restaurant and a bar on site, room service, daily housekeeping, a spa, and parking.
6. Meson Panza Verde
🏆 Rating: 9.2/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Meson Panza Verde hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood just outside the busy central area of Antigua.
However, it’s still within walking distance to many of Centro’s attractions.
Families will like the garden, terrace, and on-site laundry facilities. There is also free daily breakfast and a pool to enjoy as well.
Meson Panza Verde Reviews
Magnificent property. Great welcome drink. The nicest hotel room I’ve ever stayed in – Grand Suite. Really unique. I’d recommend to anyone.
Allison (read more Reviews)
In addition, the rooftop terrace offers a lovely view of the surrounding volcanoes.
Meson Panza Verde has a restaurant and a bar and offers basic amenities like wifi, housekeeping, room service, and free parking.
You can even take some on-site yoga classes if you wish!
Mid-Range Hotels in Antigua Guatemala
7. San Rafael Hotel Antigua
🏆 Rating: 9.8/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The San Rafael Hotel Antigua Guatemala is a great option for families looking for a mid-range hotel.
It’s centrally located, only a few blocks from La Merced Church, and it’s close to many of the best restaurants in town.
This hotel has 54 rooms on four floors. The rooms are spacious and decorated with high-quality furnishings. Some rooms even have fireplaces!
San Rafael Hotel Reviews
It is such a beautiful place, I was able to relax a lot and really enjoy this peaceful oasis and its surroundings!
Maxime (read more Reviews)
Families will enjoy the free breakfast and on-site, self-service laundry facilities.
There is also a garden, pool, and communal living room area to relax outside your room after a long day of sightseeing.
8. Hotel Camino Real Antigua
🏆 Rating: 9.4/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The hotel Camino Real is located only five blocks from the Main Plaza of La Antigua.
It’s near the main historical monuments, plazas, artisan workshops, and commercial centers as well as other interesting sites.
For families, they offer family-size rooms as well as in-room babysitting (which does cost extra).
Hotel Camino Real Reviews
Luxury and comfort. This hotel is absolutely beautiful. The grounds are impeccable and the staff is very accommodating. I highly recommend a stay at this hotel.
Stacey (read more Reviews)
This is great for parents who want to explore on their own for a bit or to have a date night!
The hotel also offers a spa, free wifi, a business center, a gym, a restaurant, a snack bar/deli, and free parking. Plus, there’s an ATM on-site and laundry services available.
9. Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo
🏆 Rating: 9.0/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo is a great option for those seeking a mid-range hotel in Antigua Guatemala. It’s centrally located, only a few blocks from the main square.
This hotel has over 100 rooms and suites on two floors. Each one offers a different mix of modern and traditional Guatemalan decor.
The hotel also offers an amazing pool, which kids will really enjoy!
Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo Reviews
Great place and we really enjoyed the hotel plus the museum and ruins on site.
Catherine (read more Reviews)
Parents will like the poolside bar, two restaurants, and optional breakfast each morning. The hotel also has standard amenities including free wifi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. The hotel is also pet friendly!
Pro Tip: The hotel has a museum and a mummy crypt. Admission is included in the room rate for hotel guests, but anyone can pay the entry fee to visit it.
In addition to a spa, Hotel Casa Santo Domingo also has a sauna, health club, and steam room. It doesn’t have a gym, though.
Best Budget Hotels Antigua Guatemala
10. Posada San Sebastian
🏆 Rating: 9.8/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
Families visiting Antigua, Guatemala will have a great experience staying at the Posada San Sebastian hotel. This hotel is one of the best budget hotels in Antigua, Guatemala, and is perfect for families.
This hotel has 22 rooms on two floors. The Posada San Sebastian hotel offers comfort, proximity to tourist activities, and kid-friendly amenities or perks.
Posada San Sebastian Reviews
Amazing homely accommodation with beautiful rooms, terrace and atmosphere. Great to stay in such a nice quiet environment in a perfect location.
Tom (read more Reviews)
Parents planning a vacation will appreciate the convenient location of this hotel. There is also a refrigerator, stove, and microwave in the common area. So you don’t have to give up the conveniences of cooking just because you’re staying in a hotel.
Families will enjoy the comfortable rooms, the pool, and the delicious complimentary breakfast at this hotel. It’s one of the best budget-friendly places to stay in Antigua Guatemala.
11. Hotel Posada del Luna
🏆 Rating: 9.4/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The Hotel Posada del Luna is a great option for families looking for a budget hotel in Antigua Guatemala.
It’s a centrally located and renovated colonial house that’s only a few blocks south of Antigua’s Mercado de Artesanias.
This hotel has 36 rooms on three floors. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. It offers a free full breakfast daily to all guests.
Hotel Posada del Luna Reviews
A charming hotel with a very friendly & helpful staff. It is just a block away from busy area and surprisingly quiet. The room was cozy. I’d stay there again.
Lisa (read more Reviews)
Families will appreciate the free breakfast, wifi, and parking. There are also laundry facilities available on site.
Pro Tip: The hotel offers babysitting services for an additional fee.
In addition, Hotel Posada del Luna is across the street from Rancho Nimajay, which is a nice green space for little legs to wander more freely.
12. La Villa Serena Bed & Breakfast
🏆 Rating: 9.4/10 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The La Villa Serena Bed & Breakfast is a great option for families looking for a budget hotel in Antigua Guatemala. It’s not centrally located, which puts it in a quieter neighborhood. However, it’s still walkable to Centro.
La Villa Serena Bed & Breakfast Reviews
All great! The accommodations and the place are out of series! Give to feel love and affection.
Renato (read more Reviews)
This hotel has 12 rooms on two floors. The rooms are simple but clean and comfortable. The hotel offers free breakfast, wifi, and parking as well as a rooftop terrace and bar.
Pro Tip: Families will love the free grocery shopping service!
There are also rollaway beds available upon request as well as a snack bar/deli, library, garden, and self-serve laundry on site.
Vacation Rentals in Antigua Guatemala
Sometimes, you want a bit more space and privacy than a hotel or B&B provide. Especially when you’re able to cook your own meals in a full kitchen from time to time on vacation, it really helps to feel a bit more relaxed.
These vacation rentals are some of the best places to stay in Antigua Guatemala for families seeking more space and privacy in this colonial gem of a town.
13. Beautiful Colonial Home
🏆 Rating: 5/5 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
This four-bedroom, 3200-square-foot home near the center of Antigua sleeps eight people. It has a beautiful garden as well as a rooftop terrace with beautiful volcano views.
There is a full kitchen with a fridge, stove, oven, and cooking materials as well as a toaster oven, blender, and coffee maker (and grinder). There isn’t a microwave but with a little planning, that won’t matter.
Beautiful Colonial Home Reviews
Casa Bella is a lovely house . It is spacious with incredible views. Virginia the caretaker could not have been more helpful. She was tremendous. We could not have been more comfortable.
Karen (read more Reviews)
The owner caters to families by offering baby changing tables, baby gates, and high chairs.
There are also sets of kids’ dishes and utensils in the kitchen as well as games, puzzles, and books in the living spaces. There are laundry facilities on site, too.
14. Exclusive Villa with Pool and Hot Tub
🏆 Rating: 5/5 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The villa has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a large garden, a patio, a basketball court, a pool, and a hot tub.
The kitchen has everything you need to cook, or there’s even an optional cook you can hire to prepare your meals for you.
Exclusive Villa with Pool and Hot Tub Reviews
We absolutely enjoyed our stay at Monja Blanca. What a beautiful and comfortable home. It was an easy walk into town. Magdelana and Josselyn were amazing and pleasure to be around. Look forward to making another trip back in the future.
John (read more Reviews)
In addition, families will love staying here because there are so many activities to do right on-site. In fact, all the TVs have DVD players along with a selection of DVD movies.
There’s also a washer and dryer on-site as well as high-speed internet throughout the villa.
If you visit in the winter, you can even use the large fireplace in the living room during family time in the evenings.
15. Charming Casita with Pool
🏆 Rating: 4.9/5 | Class: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🏨 Check Rates
The three-bedroom, 1000-square-foot townhome is in a gated neighborhood with a shared community pool. It’s a 15-minute walk to Parque Central and a variety of sights and restaurants.
It offers a full kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, blender, toaster, coffee maker, coffee grinder, and a good selection of cooking utensils. Families will find it easy to cook meals here.
Charming Casita with Pool Reviews
Wonderful stay in Julie’s casita. I just regret not having booked a longer stay.
Daniele (read more Reviews)
In addition, the vacation rental caters to families by offering kids games and a full-size washer and dryer on site.
There is also a Welcome Book, complete with helpful information about restaurants, sites, activities, excursions, and tips about the house.
Bonus: Hobbitenango
If you want a truly unique overnight experience in Antigua, spend a night in a hobbit hole! The hobbit-themed casitas at Hobbitenango are truly one of the coolest and best places to stay in Antigua Guatemala.
It’s a bit outside of town, so you may only want to spend a night or two here before booking something else from our list for the remainder of your stay.
There are a lot of fun, kid-friendly activities at this loosely Lord of the Rings-themed eco-attraction. Even if you don’t stay there overnight, plan a day trip to visit.
Best Area to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
El Caseo Neighborhood
El Caseo is the most popular area in which people stay when visiting Antigua, Guatemala. It’s at the very center of town and is filled with historic buildings, museums, art galleries, and restaurants.
This is a great place to stay if it’s your first time in Antigua because there are so many restaurants, hotels, and things to do within a short walking distance.
Most of the buildings that can be seen today in El Caseo have been restored after successive earthquakes.
The centrally located Plaza de Armas is considered the heart of the city and houses the Antigua Cathedral, which is currently in ruins.
El Caseo is also the main shopping area in the city. Here, you can find small souvenir and handicraft shops in colonial-style houses, traditional markets, food stores, supermarkets, and banks.
The downside of staying in El Caseo is that it’s the busiest part of town. This means it can also be a bit noisy, just because there are so many people coming and going pretty much all the time.
Santa Ana Neighborhood
Santa Ana is another good neighborhood base for your travels in Antigua Guatemala. It’s just outside El Caseo on the Southeast corner of town.
This area has a vibe and traditions all its own as well as several of the coolest places to stay in Antigua Guatemala.
The trailhead to Cerro de la Cruz is in Santa Ana. It’s an easy, paved hike to a hill overlooking Antigua that’s very kid-friendly.
The hotels and vacation rentals in this area tend to be more budget-friendly. There are also a lot of yoga studios here, so the area gives off a more eclectic vibe.
Santa Ana is also the best neighborhood in Antigua Guatemala to stay in if you want to experience the local culture. The central plaza is always busy with locals going about their daily life.
And there are some great food stalls at the north end of the plaza if you want to try some local food while you people watch.
Barrio de la Concepcion Neighborhood
Barrio de la Concepcion is very close to the center of Antigua. That makes it the best area in Antigua Guatemala to stay for families seeking convenience and a quieter atmosphere.
You can walk from this neighborhood to the city center in less than 10 minutes. Well, less than 20 if you have toddlers in tow.
There are also some amazing local food carts and restaurants in Barrio de la Concepcion.
You can also easily visit La Antigua Galeria de Arte or Museo de Santa Semana from here. The famous Dulcería de Doña María Gordillo is nearby, too.
San Cristobal Neighborhood
The neighborhood’s full name is San Cristobal El Bajo but most people just call it San Cristobal. The area is just south of Santa Ana, so it’s a little further from El Caseo in the city center.
This means that it’s a bit cheaper and a bit quieter. If you stay here, plan to take an Uber back and forth to El Caseo if you don’t have your own vehicle to get around.
It’s a bit far to walk if you have kids or less-abled folks with you.
The area is home to Templo San Cristobal El Bajo as well as the Antigua Mountain Trail called Finca El Pilar, which is popular for birdwatching and hiking.
The local paintball center, called Gotcha Survivor Antigua, is also within walking distance.
Colonia En Manchen Neighborhood
The En Manchen area is great for families because it’s just north of El Caseo. The Convento de la Merced ruins and the Santa Catalina Arch are both 10 minutes or less walking distance from the neighborhood.
One of the best features is the kid’s playground, called Infantil El Manchen Park.
It’s not big but it’s a great way for the kiddos to unwind after sightseeing, especially if you’re staying in a hotel without a pool or it’s too chilly to swim.
In addition, the Parroquia San Sebastian ruins are located in this neighborhood. While not as large as some of the convents in El Caseo, it’s fun to explore.
Tips for Booking the Best Places to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
Antigua Guatemala is a colonial city in Central America that is rich in history and culture. It is also a popular tourist destination for families.
If you are planning a trip to Antigua Guatemala with your family, here are some tips to help you book a hotel:
☑️ Book early: Antigua Guatemala is a popular tourist destination, for both local and foreign tourists. This means that the best places to stay do fill up quickly. Be sure to book your hotel room well in advance of your trip.
☑️ Avoid holidays and weekends: Antigua Guatemala is often crowded on holidays and weekends. Plus, rates are often higher on these dates. If possible, plan your trip for during the week to avoid crowds.
☑️ Choose a hotel with family-friendly amenities: When booking a hotel in Antigua Guatemala, look for one that offers amenities that will be enjoyable for the whole family.
For example, some hotels have swimming pools, playgrounds, or childcare services. Other hotels may offer discounts for nearby attractions or activities.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in one of the best places in Antigua Guatemala.
Best Places to Stay in Antigua Guatemala FAQ
What is the best place to stay in Antigua Guatemala?
The best place to stay in Antigua Guatemala will depend on your budget, preferences, and the age of your children.
Refer to the Best Places to Stay at a Glance section at the top of this post for specific lodging recommendations.
Is Antigua safe for tourists?
Yes, Antigua is safe for tourists. However, as with any travel destination, it is always important to take precautions to ensure your safety.
Also, as with any travel-oriented destination, there is a risk of pickpocketing or theft of personal items.
When visiting Antigua, be sure to keep your belongings safe, stay in well-lit areas at night, and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar areas. Stay vigilant in being aware of your surroundings as well as your personal items.
Do not have your smartphone out when you’re walking around, and take a taxi or tuk-tuk back to the hotel rather than walking if you are out at night.
This advice is not exclusive to Antigua. We recommend these common-sense safety behaviors anywhere you travel, and follow them ourselves.
Where to Stay in Antigua for Families?
First-time visitors may want to stay in El Caseo because it’s close to almost everything.
For families with young children, Barrio de la Concepcion is a great option because it’s quiet, close to the city center, and has kid-friendly amenities.
Families with older children may feel Colonia En Manchen is a good choice because it’s close to attractions like the Convento de la Merced ruins and the Santa Catalina Arch.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
👉 While we have global health insurance for our day-to-day lives, we also elect travel insurance with SafetyWing for our spurts of fast travel adventure!
Conclusion: Best Places to Stay in Antigua Guatemala
When planning a trip to Antigua Guatemala with your kids, it is important to choose accommodations that offer amenities that will be enjoyable for the whole family.
Some hotels have swimming pools, playgrounds, or childcare services. Other hotels may offer discounts for nearby attractions or activities.
By following the tips in this post, you can ensure that you have a comfortable and enjoyable stay in one of the best places in Antigua Guatemala.
