When you’ve stayed at only the best in the world, sometimes it starts to feel like the same old, same old. But then a spot like Villa Bokéh gets on your radar, and travel gets exciting again.
Atmosphere
Villa Bokéh is an old hacienda, which was completely restored to what I’m sure is beyond its former glory. I’ve never been impressed by Relais & Chateaux, but this hotel was special. Some places have a natural beautiful energy, and that’s what I felt as we pulled up to the gated estate. Villa Bokéh is exquisitely elegant with contemporary white interiors. The design balances the authenticity of the historic mansion with a fresh and modern feel. The grounds are sprawling with a large lake in the back yard, which is the centerpiece of the beautiful landscaping. If I wasn’t with a girlfriend, it would have been romantic to take a nice rowboat in the afternoon. I normally don’t talk about the grounds, but they were so beautifully laid out, it looked like a picture.
The other part I really liked about the authentic vibe of Villa Bokéh was that it wasn’t just filled with tourists. Most of the people dining for lunch and dinners were affluent locals. Villa Bokéh has established itself with its art, music and food programs as a part of the community. So while Villa Bokéh is a hotel, it also feels like a part of the chic Guatemalan culture.
Rooms
There was such charm and elegance to the rooms, and each accommodation is unique. This also means, though, that the type of room that you have matters. I stayed in the Azul Junior Suite with a large balcony, with comfortable couches and a stunning view of the surrounding mountains. We would talk for hours outside in the evenings over a glass of wine.
The bath in this room is also notable, as it was the size of a regular bedroom. They have a bath menu of the baths that they can draw for you in the evenings. I rarely take baths in hotel rooms, but this is one that I looked forward to each evening.
One thing to note is that the rooms don’t have heat. If it’s a cold evening, the rooms downstairs can get really chilly.
Dining
What I liked so much about the food at Villa Bokéh is that it’s a culinary destination. They have a packed schedule of guest chefs and special dining evenings. It’s anything but a stale hotel restaurant. For example, this February, they have a “Four Hands” dinner event, with the chef from Pikaia Lodge in the Galapagos. The chefs are serving up a 6-course tasting menu, that blends Ecuadorian and Guatemalan cuisine.
The normal menu, though, stands solidly on its own. While it’s always good to go out for dinner, if you arrive late and just want to chill, the dishes hit the spot. The shrimp ceviche is still memorable to me, piled high into a sundae glass with airy homemade rice chips. I think I had it twice a day, before heading into the top restaurants in the old city of Guatemala. The overall theme is international, with touches of Guatemalan traditional ingredients, like beans and corn.
Not to back-track, but the best meal of the day was the generous breakfast. Besides having a buffet that filled a room with beautiful pastries and fresh fruit, the made-to-order was memorable. There was such love and care put into the food. My huevos rancheros had every single component laid with care on the plate. The simple black bean was just so flavorful, along with the salsa verde. I know it’s just scrambled eggs, but they must have been brought fresh that morning. The bread on the avocado toast also tasted homemade. The ingredients were simple, but they were straight from the farm.
Spa + Grounds
I’ve established that I thought the grounds were impressive, but surprisingly, the pool area wasn’t that memorable. During the evenings there’s a bar and restaurant, but it was the second-least atmospheric part of the hotel. The first, surprisingly, is the spa. There’s a lot of potential, as the spa is in a barn-like structure. If fully converted, it could be a world-class wellness center. However, as it stands, most of the building is for conferences, and the two spa rooms are upstairs. They’re pretty small, and there’s not even a relaxation area. With that said, the massages are functional, if all you need is to work out the knots.
Overall: 8/10
This is a special hotel. Its luxury is in its authentic simplicity and the heart that clearly went into creating the hotel.
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FAQs
Q: Where is Villa Bokéh located?
A: Villa Bokéh is located at San Pedro Panorama, Sacatepequez. Lote C3, Entrada a Finca San Nicolás, Guatemala.
Q: Is Villa Bokéh located centrally in town?
A: No, Villa Bokéh is not located centrally in town. The hotel is on the outskirts of the main town of Antigua Guatemala. It’s about a 10-minute car ride into the old city.
Q: Does Villa Bokéh allow children?
A: Villa Bokéh does allow children, and it is family-friendly for the family looking for culture. There’s no kids club, but children who are inquisitive about the world and experiencing a destination will enjoy Villa Bokéh.
