[Dmitry'smom]

Do you have a favorite Airline or Hotel for pickup in Guatemala? We don't have pink yet but i am trying to figure out what is best.

On hotels, I am taking my 9 yr old son with us and want to stay somewhere safe, nice and easy to get to get around. I am hoping to get one where breakfast is included and maybe a pool, i am not sure if it really is pool weather but...i know if it is my 9 year old will want to swim.

Thanks
Hannah

[052001]

We brought my then 5-year old daughter on our pick up trip last March. We stayed 3 nights at Casa Grande and loved it, but it was boring for my daughter. The last 3 nights of our stay, we were at the Westin. My daughter loved the pool. The weather was great for the pool, just check National and Local Weather Forecast, Radar, Map and Report before you leave.

Breakfast is not included at the Westin, but there was a breakfast buffet during the week. My daughter is picky, but liked the food, especially the milk shakes.

As for an airline, we always fly Delta.

[bekalynn]

We are actually getting ready to visit our new little one next week. This will be our third time in Guatemala, and to us, the only place to stay in Guatemala is the Marriott. It is beautiful, roomy, and the food is to-do-for. The breakfast buffet is out of this world! It is also included with most room rates.
They also have this great family room set up for families.
They have several different restaurants to chose from to eat, but I find if you have a later breakfast, bring snacks and an earlier dinner, you are fine.
The staff is amazing, you want for nothing.

As for airlines, we always fly Delta, but living in Atlanta, that is how it is.

[akasohappy]

I always recommend the Marriott (concierge level)
around $120-130 a night.
It includes breakfast.
You have complimentary access to the concierge lounge where you are able to use the computers, make copies, they have bottled water available day and night, fruit and cookies also. They also serve a hot snack in the evening with dessert. (all included)
The pool area has been renovated and is very nice.
The breakfast is included and is out of this world, we like to sit outside in the covered dining room to eat.
There is a sports bar that serves food, plus the main restaurant, an Italian restaurant, a coffee shop/lobby lounge, and 2 gift shops. You can walk to the McDonalds next door. It is only a couple hundred feet away on the same side of the street.
We did that more than I care to admit.
If you are not comfortable walking outside they also deliver.
The staff is amazingly friendly and it is a very clean, safe, family friendly environment.
We were very comfortable.
I flew down on Delta everytime except for the final return flight.
I flew Cotinental and I really liked it.
They had better food, service, etc. in my opinion.
I also liked the Houston airport better than Atlanta.

[akasohappy]

Since I am singing the praises of the Marriott.
They have an airport shuttle, a Cotinental office and American airlines office on site too.
They will make you anything you want for the baby.
No matter what restaurant, or room service I could ask for things that weren't on the menu for the baby(EX. fruit, rice, eggs) and they would always round it up for me.
I even had Kate's hair cut in he salon and it was so cute.
They gave her a blow out and style and only charged $7. It was the best haircut she has had.
I was there for awhile so I go to enjoy the facilities.

[jordi]

As far as airlines, it depends on where you live and what's convenient. I've flown TACA, Continental, and American to Guatemala. Really liked TACA and Continental.

I've stayed at three hotels there: Grand Tikal Futura, Quinta Real (which is now Vista Real), and the Westin Camino Real.

All three hotels were great. All three had fabulous breakfast buffets. Grand Tikal Futura has a beautiful, indoor (glass ceilings and walls) pool area. Vista Real has an outdoor pool (it was too cool to use when I was there). The Westin has a great pool, and it was warm enough to use when I was there.

[Lori Elena]

I've stayed at the Westin, the Crowne Plaza and the Marriott. The Marriott is my absolute 1st choice. I can't praise that hotel and their staff enough. The Crowne Plaza would be my second choice. It is also a very nice hotel with a lovely staff. I didn't like the Westin very much at all....or their staff.

JMHO,
Lori

[Dmitry'smom]

Ok, a lot of people speak so highly of the Marriott, and it sounds like it would have everything i would want. Breakfast, pool, close walking distance to cool things in a safe area. BUT...in all the pictures the rooms look a little run down. The Westin seems ok with nice rooms but i have heard the service lacks. The Futura has nice rooms and good service but is a taxi ride to places...

[akasohappy]

I think the key to the Marriott is the concierge level. It is a whole other tower. I went over to the family lounge and it is different over there.

[Dmitry'smom]

So are the rooms nicer in the concierge area nicer than the other rooms? Is that the tower that is closed for renovations now? I know, I am really picky about hotel rooms.

[grumpyskirtgirl]

how do you book a room on the concierge level? On the website all I see are regular rooms and deluxe rooms. And don't they have bi-level suites? I don't see a way to book that either. How frustrating!

- tina

[Dmitry'smom]

Grumpyskirtgirl...I love your name. I should have that name, i am a skirt girl and have been pretty grumpy since this whole crazy process started.

[akasohappy]

I would call 1-800-Marriot and do it over the phone.
I didn't care for the bi-level suite.
My friend had one.
her couch looked a little run down and I didn't want to mess with the steps.
yes, I believe the concierge rooms are nicer.
I don't know about the renovations.
I am super, super picky about hotel rooms and I am telling you I had no complaints.

[akasohappy]

To clarify I did make reservation over the phone with the above number listed.
steps and the baby seemed like a problem it has a fairly steep curved staircase

[grumpyskirtgirl]

I definitely wouldn't do steps w/ the baby (plus we have a 20 motnh old. HELLOOOOO hospital).

We are going to be bringing a couple of grandmas and a couple of aunties and I thought that they might want a little more room to spread out.

Thanks for the info! We were going to use latindestinations.com becuase of the savings, but now I am not too sure.


Dmitry'smom: I have been a skirtgirl forever and in my teen years I got a tattoo of Grumpy, my favorite dwarf. I got the nickname and it has stuck.