Villa Sumaya — Hotel in Sololá

BEWARE! (non-retreat guests especially)!! According to its own website, Villa Sumaya is a place for "rest and relaxation", with a "nurturing environment". However, when my wife and I went here recently on a weeklong individual package, there was a 38-person tantric sexuality retreat going on where they played loud rock and dance music and had group screaming sessions that could be heard anywhere on the property at any random time during the day or evening. To make things worse, we were the only guests not on the retreat, and our dream vacation quickly became a nightmare.

When we complained to the owner, her response was that she "had to defer to the majority", and that if we felt we wouldn't be happy, she would help us find another place to stay (which she was immediately very anxious to do). In other words, for purposes of that week, we would be second class guests. We had put a lot of planning into our stay there, and didn't really want to move to another place on the fly, but by the second day it had become unbearable, so we decided to leave. Although we were able to negotiate a partial refund, we had to fight tooth and nail for it, and in the end, the owner was so ungracious, that she completely ignored us as we were leaving, even though she was standing right next to us in the reception area. So much for the whole professed New Age ethos of peace, love, and harmony.

Even though we ended up at a pretty nice place (Hotel Isla Verde, just "down the road"), our experience at Villa Sumaya left such a bad taste in our mouths, that it pretty much ruined our trip. As we discovered once we explored around, there is no shortage of lovely places with amazing views in Lake Atitlan, where you can also eat vegetarian/vegan food, take yoga classes and get spa services (for less money, in some cases with the same practitioners), and interact with genuinely friendly, hospitable, and unpretentious people. Unless there's a specific retreat going on at Villa Sumaya that you want to attend, I recommend...

Setting: Absolutely paradisiacal. Went in March, the dry season, on the altoplano, no mosquitos! Yet with all the feeling of a lush tropical place with ample greenery, flowers, and birdsong. Perfect temperature, almost bizarrely perfect temperature, never sweated, never needed a jacket. Actually presents better than it photographs. Absolutely gorgeous and meticulously maintained gardens. Lovely rooms, many had their unique flavor, all well sited to give you privacy. All yoga areas had amazing views and just felt relaxing and beautiful. Lots of little seating areas scattered around, you will always find a serene private place for yourself. Lovely resident dogs and cat. Santa Cruz is a little sleepy down-to-earth town with great views, a nice, reasonable, scenic walk away (2 methods: seaside or gardenside)||||Wifi (if necessary): Perfectly fine if you stay close to the office, there is a lovely seating area at the Apothecary for that, though I will admit most people weren't using it which may have made it faster for me. Enough to listen in on a Zoom if not participate in it with video. Not being very strong in the rooms is good for digital detox.||||Food: Excellent, and inspiring to those considering vegetarianism.||||Service: Outstanding, each and every staff person encountered. For the contractors, I did a solo retreat so only had personal yoga classes and bodywork, cannot speak about the ceremonies, and had good experiences with all. Very much enjoyed deep tissue massage with Robert.||||I've travelled a lot and like variety and novelty, but I said to myself at the end of the week, I need to come back here. It is a very special place.||||Rm 10: Topmost bunglalow, you'll get a daily calf exercises getting up there, but nice view and feels very private, no one can see you up there. After walking around, I don't really think there are any bad rooms and that they are accurately in...

I recently had the incredible opportunity to stay at Villa Sumaya in Guatemala, and words can hardly do justice to the sheer magic of this place. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

From the moment I arrived, the energy of Villa Sumaya enveloped me. Nestled on the shores of Lake Atitlán, surrounded by the majestic volcanoes, it's a place where you instantly feel a profound sense of tranquility and connection with nature.

The atmosphere is simply enchanting. Whether you're lounging in a hammock overlooking the lake, meditating in the serene yoga shalas, or wandering through the lush gardens, there's an undeniable sense of serenity and spiritual nourishment here.

But it's not just the stunning natural surroundings that make Villa Sumaya exceptional; it's the staff who elevate the experience to another level. Their warmth, kindness, and genuine care for guests create an atmosphere of true hospitality. They go above and beyond to ensure your stay is not just comfortable, but truly memorable.

And then there's the location - it's a slice of paradise on Earth. The views of Lake Atitlán and the surrounding volcanoes are nothing short of breathtaking. Whether you're watching the sunrise paint the sky with vibrant hues or gazing at the star-filled heavens at night, you'll find yourself in awe of the beauty that surrounds you.

In short, Villa Sumaya is more than just a place to stay; it's a sanctuary for the soul. It's a place where you can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the world and reconnect with your inner self. If you're seeking an experience that transcends the ordinary, I wholeheartedly recommend Villa Sumaya. It's a hidden gem that deserves all the stars in...