[mommyto2guatboys]

Has anyone stayed at the Casa Grande Hotel in Guatemala City? We are thinking about staying there one of the days of our trip in November? Was it a good family friendly hotel? safe/ Any information, pictures, suggestions, likes, dislikes would be greatly appreciated.
thanks,

Magen
My family!

[planemomtosix]

Love it!!!
I wouldn't stay any where else! Freddy and Gloria who work at the front desk are the kindest most wonderful people you would ever want to meet (husband and wife team). There is no pool so if that's something you want, you may not like it. They do have a front gate that is closed every evening at 8:00 for security.
It's just a small homey place to stay. The staff is very friendly and they love children.

[2xaround]

On our first trip to Guatemala we stayed at the Westin. It felt too much like every other U.S. hotel. The next trip I stayed at La Casa Grande and loved it. It has nice open balcony areas, patios and grassy areas where the kids can play. The entire hotel was basically a large play ground for the kids. Staff was very friendly and helpful.

The food wasn't the greatest, but staff helped us order food for delivery when we got tired of the food at the hotel The US Embassy is right next door to La Casa Grande and there is a really good steak restaurant on the other side of the Embassy.

I liked La Casa Grande so much on my 2nd trip, that my husband and I stayed there on our pick up trip and would stay there again. It truly felt like we were visiting family more than staying at a hotel.

[NJRach]

We stayed there on our pick up trip in March 2007. I agree with the other posters. Freddy and Gloria were wonderful and the place had an authentic Guatemalan rather than American chain hotel feeling to it. We especially loved the balcony - watching all the street traffic - chicken buses, passersby, broken down car dramas, and also there was a great view of the planes taking off from the airport.

It was also very resonable. If I remember right, we had two rooms, about 4-5 days of meals, also a meal for the translator and foster family, and two teenagers ordering snacks at the restaurant. The entire bill with all the taxes was only about $800 I think.

I'd definitely stay there again.

Rachael

[NJRach]

P.S. They have a website with lots of photos, so if you do a search you can find it pretty easily. I'd attach the link but I have to go somewhere right now. You can also search this forum. I found a lot of info there before we left on our pick up trip.

Rachael

[avoel]

Awww, memories. I stayed there twice in 2003. It is where I became a mommy, where I first met my oldest DD and where she was placed in my arms forever. I agree that Freddie and Gloria and the entire staff there are wonderful, the hotel is very Guatemalan and homelike, the food was quite good in 2003 and the waitstaff/cooks basically made us whatever we needed wanted no matter what the time. The first night, my DD was VERY unhappy and cried for about 4 hours...when she finally stopped and we were walking the halls one of the waitstaff stopped me and asked about the baby (yes everyone heard her!) then asked if I had eaten. When I said no, he went back and brought me a sandwich right then even though the restaurant was closed for the night. It was the best sandwich ever (tomato/cheese/avocado...yum!). The staff was so sweet with the babies, I felt very safe there, even with scary demonstrations going on outside the Embassy one day due to a teachers strike. I would definitely go back there again. I have lots of pictures, but in 2003 I wasn't digital yet...sorry! It is a beautiful, very photogenic hotel. My DD still loves cars and I swear it is all the time we spent watching the traffic from the balcony when she was 6 months old!

[leifjackie]

I agree with everyone who has already posted. You can't finder nicer people, and a safe and family friendly hotel than LCG. We have stayed 5 times ... and counting Go and enjoy!

[052001]

We stayed there for our pick up trip in 2007. I agree with everything the other posters said. The staff was wonderful - friendly and accommodating - the food was fine, and we always felt safe. My only suggestion would be to request a room away from the street - it was a bit noisy on the street side.

Here is a link to their website:
Hotel "La Casa Grande"

I have some photos of the inside and outside; PM me your email address if you'd like them.

~Anne

[IzzysMommy]

My husband and I stayed there 3 times in 2007 and 2008. I wouldn't even want to stay anywhere else. Everything the other posters have said is true. Freddy and Gloria and the whole staff were wonderful.

[karen nickols]

It is a lovely place. The beds were short though. I am not sure how many adoption families stay there now but when we stayed we all visited and kids played together. Walking places is kind of tough. The street in front is several lanes and very busy. We just tried to stay on our side of the road. Most of all though--Congratulations.

[churchvillemom]

It's been a while but we stayed there for both of our pick up trips and, with our first son, we were there for 2 weeks. The staff is GREAT! Not a fancy place but a very warm environment. When we go back, we'll definately stay there again.

I have fond memories of watching traffic off the balcony with my boys, too!

[susy...patience]

It's a beatiful small hotel/inn.....feels very Guatemalan in nature. I like the suite the best...big king bed, in back so quiet, front room with 2 twin beds/couches and table. Plenty of open areas....in days when I was there (5 times in 2007 & 2008) there were many, many families visiting & playing in open areas. There was a post few months ago about how it felt like a ghost town so I bet they could use the business.

Meals are simple....best meal / deal of day is breakfast, great pineapple juice drink, fabulous pancakes, etc.

And very, very family friendly. Also couldn't pick a safer spot since it's actually on US Embassy property.

[guatparents2be]

just do a search on this forum, you'll find dozens of threads with photos for casa grande.

one thing i'll say is that it is family friendly but not much there for kids to do on site.

the steak house is called la estancia i believe.

san carlos is next door and we stayed there most of our visit trips because the food is much better and we were able to get a little apartment with a kitchen. there is one with 2 bedrooms i believe.

that said, i would have a hard time not supporting freddy (sp.?) and gloria right now...

[lcikra00]

I stayed there on each of my 7 trips to Guatemala. Very family friendly with a great Guatemalan feel. Do not hesitate to stay there. Good luck.