Hotel Real Plaza

It looks pretty unremarkable from outside, which is misleading. Inside, it’s a stunning place and a really pleasant surprise.

The breakfast was exquisite, but the people serving it had no idea how to treat customers and were very rude. I thought a buffet meant I could take a little more egg, but when I went for another serving, the woman in charge rudely said I was only allowed to serve myself once. That annoyed me because my son got a second helping without her saying anything, and someone at another table did too. There are other hotels in Antigua Guatemala, so remember the competition. The hotel itself is beautiful, with unique decor and a cozy feel, but they should pay more attention to cleanliness. After a long trip, I want a clean bathroom to shower in. The tub looked like it hadn’t been cleaned for a long time, the curtain was covered in mold, and the towels were stained.

The beds are like bricks, the rooms feel damp, and the hot tubs only have lukewarm water. They nickel and dime you for everything. If someone goes into your room, they charge for it. They charged the hairdresser at a wedding $100 just to set foot on site, and the hairdresser had to go to different rooms or they’d charge for everyone being together in one. Stay away. I’m sure there’s somewhere better in the area.

The grounds and gardens are beautiful, and I liked how the rooms looked, but they have a humid smell. The staff were friendly. The pool and spa were so filthy that we couldn’t swim until the third day. Restaurant staff were super friendly too, though the food wasn’t the best.