La Lancha

Style

Stilted lakeside casitas

Setting

Guatemalan monkey jungle

With parakeets for background music and howler monkeys for alarm clocks, Francis Ford Coppola’s Guatemalan outpost near Tikal, La Lancha hotel, is located in one of the world’s wilder – and most beautiful – spots. Hidden by rainforest on the shores of Lake Peten Itzá, the hotel’s ten naturally built casitas offer spellbinding views of the glassy waters and the greenery of Guatemala, as well as a back-to-nature vibe that’s tinged with luxury.

Facilities

Rooms

10.

Checkout

Noon, although later check-out may be possible.

More Details

Rates include Continental breakfast.

Also

La Lancha is prime twitching territory, as the rainforest is home to hundreds of exotic bird species, including toucans and falcons. Take a trek or a mountain bike along one of the resort’s jungle trails or hop on the small motorboat for a sunrise tour.

Free Internet Access

On-Site Restaurant

At the Hotel

Small library, free WiFi throughout. In rooms: iPod player, minibar, handmade organic toiletries.

Our Favourite Rooms

La Lancha’s casitas come in two flavours. We like the front row of Lakeview Casitas, particularly neighbouring numbers 1 and 2 for their big decks, meditative hammocks, and the utterly wonderful vistas over the glassy lake. Numbers 4 and 6 also have partial lake views.

Poolside

The smooth stone area around La Lancha’s curvy split-level pool is dotted with loungers and deck chairs and encircled by vibrant greenery.

Packing Tips

Nibbling insects emerge at night, so make sure you have trousers to keep your legs covered. Binoculars and a decent camera are essential for wildlife watching.

Also

A two-night minimum stay is required over Christmas and Easter.

Children

Overhanging branches and steep slopes mean the hotel isn’t ideal for younger children, although under-12s can stay free and extra beds ($50 a night) and babysitting services are available.

Gallery

Food & Drink

Top Table

Sit close to nature on the edge of the palapa, or take a picnic down to the edge of the lake.

Dress Code

Relaxed jungle garb.

Hotel Restaurant

Guatemalteca Restaurant is a palm-thatched palapa overlooking the sea where guests gather to enjoy authentic local dishes of fresh fish and parilla-grilled meat. There’s also a wood-fired pizza oven and a comal for cooking tortillas.

Hotel Bar

Guests gather round the little bar in Guatemalteca to sip cocktails to a soundtrack of cicadas and howler monkeys.

Last Orders

The grill starts to cool at 9pm, but the bar keeps serving until the last guest leaves.

Planes

Flores International Airport is 30 miles from La Lancha – roughly a 45-minute drive.

Automobiles

The drive from Flores can be done in around 45 minutes. There’s free parking at the hotel.

Worth Getting Out of Bed For

After the ruins of Tikal, wildlife watching is the big draw here. La Lancha's guided bird-spotting tour at sunset is eye-opening – the forest is essentially a giant exotic aviary. You can also trek, horse ride, or mountain bike the jungle trails, and, should your Spanish need polishing, La Lancha can arrange language lessons in San Andres village.

Earn or Redeem Points with World of Hyatt

This Mr & Mrs Smith hotel participates in the World of Hyatt loyalty program. As a member, you can earn and redeem points and enjoy exclusive benefits for qualifying nights. .