[Mom2ddb]

Thank you for helping me decide WHEN to visit. (I am going when my baby is 10 weeks old-I can't wait!)

Now I need your advice on WHERE to stay in Antigua? We hope to spend around $70-100 a night??? I would like to save some money, but I also want to be somewhere that is SAFE, clean, convenient and I nice atmosphere. Also, who did you book your hotel thru? The hotels directly or someone like Nancy Hoffman ( I think that's her name!)

My second question is do you have any restaurants you would reccomend? I am a vegetarian, but I want to try and experience Guatemalan food. Thanks for your help!

[jcarter31]

Denise

I went to Antigua 3 times while adopting my son. Each time I went I stayed at The Casa Santo Domingo. The staff is wonderful and the restaurant has great food, even veg. food. If you decide to go call the hotel directly and ask for Iris. She speaks english, and ask her for an adoption rate. They will lower the price for you, they did each time for me. If you need anything the staff will send out and bring it to you.

Check out their website for more info.

www.casasantodomingo.com

Have a good trip! Antigua is fantastic, make sure you go to the Market de Artesenia's for local art.

Jennifer
Mom to Caitlyn (bio) 9
and Cole (Guat.) 2

[WVUMom418]

When I went on my visit trip I stayed at the Porta Hotel Antigua, I believe it was cheaper than the Santa Domingo. It's beautiful, peaceful and the staff is wonderful. I booked my trip through Nancy Hoffman as she was able to also schedule a driver and a tour for us. It worked out wonderfully because even though our flight as delayd 2 hours and we didn't get in until after 11 the driver was still there waiting for us. He also picked us up the day we were leaving at 4am since we had a 7am flight.

Nancy gives you her direct line so if you have any problems while you are in Antigua, day or night you can call her. It's a comforting feeling.

Good luck and let me know if you need more information.

[buckeye1]

I've not had the chance to stay in Antigua yet, but I can recommend a great restaurant. We had lunch at Restaurante Fonda de la Calle Real in June. Delicioso! I highly recommend it.

[JoTed]

We stayed at Hotel Museo Uxlibil. The people treated us like we were family. I would recommend Chiminos (I think that is correct), they are right on the square by the government center. They have a guy Angelo Guzman that plays a mean guitar. Enjoy

[stephanie d.]

[quote=Mom2ddb]We were just in Antigua visiting Sept. 3-10 and we stayed at Hotel Posada de Don Rodrigo - excellent staff. One of our older children became sick in the middle of the night and they called a Dr. to come to our room and even went out after midnight to get her prescriptions filled. Amazing service, great restaurant. our room was between $60-70/night. Safe place, 1 block from the famous arch. Highly recommend it - other adoptive families there too.

[LauraP0322]

Denise,

I think I already told you about the aroundantigua website, but in case I forgot -- we stayed at the Mansion del Pensativo and absolutely loved it! It was perfect for all 5 of us and if you bring the older boys, it really is perfect. There's only 8 rooms and they have one large suite for everyone.

Nancy Hoffman may be able to give you more information as well. Just drop her an email and let her know what you're looking for and the price range. She'll find something for you.

We loved Cafe Meditteraneo and ate there 2 nights. We also loved Cafe Delicioso for yummy snacks (and American peanut butter for my son!) to bring back to our hotel.

Good luck!

[jal_morris]

Hi: I stayed at Hotel Mansion del Pensativo and also found it lovely, peaceful, and very well located. The staff don't speak English though (although they're very sweet and helpful), so if you're Spanish isn't passable and that makes you uncomfortable you might ask Nancy Hoffman for English speaking recommendations. I had wanted to stay at the Santo Domingo and we looked around it (there are several museums located there - its a former monastery) but its a big place and not as close to the Central Park, so I was very happy we ended up at the Pensativo - plus there were 3 other families adopting from the same children's home staying there.

Major recommendation for amazing broccolli soup - an italian place called El Sabor del Tiempo. I don't each much meat but am not a strict veggetarian so didn't inquire as to whether its made with chicken broth or anything but it was amazing (we ate it 3x in 1 week!). Their minestrone was also fabulous. Meat is big on most menus but you can usually find good veggie options.