Hotel Snapshot
This is the only true luxury boutique hotel in Antigua. There, I said it. Villa Bokéh, a Relais & Châteaux gem, is where the Latin America glitterati go to unwind, party, eat, and escape the cobbled streets of the vibrant and colourful cultural epicentre of Guatemala. It’s an artistic spot, 10 or so minutes away from the metropolis famed for its Spanish colonial architecture, whitewashed walls, and glorious gardens. But perhaps its biggest sell, especially for tourists like me, is its view of its rocky neighbour: the mighty Volcán de Agua, one of three volcanoes that frame the city and all the postcards. While the 15-room hotspot is all shades contemporary, deep down its charm lies in its characterful past as a hacienda and private estate. Over the years, it all fell into a state of sorry disrepair until eventually Claudia Bosch, the president of the hospitality group Grupo Alta, saw the villa as a unique opportunity to create an upscale retreat for those passing through Antigua. Did she score? Oh, she sure did.
Design & Character
As with anything this big and unloved, the multi-year restoration project took time and came with a hefty price tag. Rooms were reconfigured—think sledgehammer style—and the interior design and architectural restoration projects were all led by homegrown talent Paliare Studio. The result of Claudia’s labour paid off. From Villa Bokéh’s Italianate style terracotta belvedere, a postcard of six acres of verdant gardens and walking paths, including a bamboo forest—for extra privacy—and a private outdoor pool dotted with blue-and-white parasols, frames the entire scene—great big shooting fountain included. It’s sort of like one big Monet painting, minus all the lily pads. As for its interiors, brilliant white walls allow for plenty of natural light in all spaces and there’s an emphasis on eclectic patterns, lattice and bead work and modern curios from puppets to masks.
The Rooms
In the rooms suite living reigns supreme. Top-level top-tier boudoirs with balconies are best, as are the garden-facing lower-ground suites with views of the garden and the volcano. Colour palettes range from blacks to blues to pastel greens, and all walls feature hung black and white artworks by photographer Mitchell Denburg. Some even star 1900s tapestries curated by the Guatemalan textile expert and collector, Violeta Gutiérrez Caxaj. Hand-carved colonial-style furniture, vintage mirrors, and a medley of statement rugs sourced from Guatemalan and international artisans also form the aesthetic. Beds? Huge and roomy, though some are lumpy and hard, and the rough-hewn linens might not fare well for those with skin on the sensitive side. While the bathrooms are on the huge and elaborate side, the slack water pressure and uneven lighting detracted from all the bling in room number five. Advice: give yourself plenty of time to get ready pre-check out.
Food & Drink
As I spent the vast majority of my time in Antigua climbing volcanoes, dinner at Villa Bokéh escaped me. That said, Chef Marcos Saenz’s restaurant is often lauded as one of the city’s best. Think a unique fusion of traditional Guatemalan dishes and modern cuisine, dressed on plates made to look like art pieces. Breakfast comes in the form of a small buffet headlined by fresh seasonal fruit, yoghurt and cereals, along with cakes, pastries, bread and jam. For anything more substantial, you’ll have to order off the menu and at a supplement, too.
The Amenities
Experience-wise, you are spoilt for choice on all sorts of exclusive collaborations and bespoke itineraries, but the truth is that this place is designed to make you switch off, read a book by the stylish pool, and escape it all. Think of it as a county club—fun, refined, elegant, and wildly beautiful.
Fast Facts
Location: Antigua, Guatemala
Address: San Pedro Panorama, Sacatepequez. Lote C3, Entrada a Finca San Nicolás, Guatemala
The vibe: Elegant country club-like escape, perfect for couples and newlyweds. It’s like one big old posh pastoral painting you’d find in a fancy museum in Paris.
Room Count: 15
Starting Rate: From about 330 USD per night.
Dining: I missed dinner, but the buffet continental breakfast was decent albeit on the stingy side.
Amenities: Bar, restaurant, spa, pool, gardens
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