What do you get when you cross a stunning lake in the highlands of Guatemala, a retired UN peace negotiator, the best fried camembert on the planet, and ten thousand foot volcanoes? You get Lomas de Tzununa, the spectacular, inviting, and restful hotel run by Thierry and Maria, a warm couple from Belgium.

In my many world travels, never have I been so stunned by the service, location, and all around grace shown to me at any establishment as I encountered at Lomas. The room would have been a fine deal at twice the price.

My traveling companions and I would spend our hours between meals eagerly discussing what we should try next from the full menu. The restaurant is great.

Six hundred feet below our balcony was the deep green and blue of Lake Atitlan. Our windows looked upon three towering volcanoes. If I had one recommendation to give to friends willing to travel a bit to reach their destination, I would undoubtedly tell them to head to Lomas de Tzununa.

My only hesitancy in offering so thorough a recommendation is that I want the hotel to have a room available for me the next time I am able to make it to Guatemala.

There is something magical that awaits atop the 400 stone steps that leads one to this tropical paradise. We fell in love with the Lomas in August of last year and knew we had to return. The views from the hotel are breathtakingly beautiful. After the bustle of Panajachel, San Pedro and Antigua, we were more than ready to settle in on our private bungalow patio and bask in the beauty of Lake Atitlan.

The rooms are large but simple, which serves to make the the volcano views which greet you each morning even more special. There is really no reason to leave this place but wonderful hikes await for adventuresome. Also the public lanchas are an easy and convenient means to visit the surrounding Mayan villages. Do not miss quaint San Juan and the Club Ven Aca restaurant in Jaibilito.

Maria is the consumate hostess and and a blessing to the the Mayan people who she's devoted to helping. Her staff are equally wonderful. Andreas and Andreas - thank you for making our stay more special!

We recently spent 7 nights at Lomas de Tzununa on lago Atitlan just outside the village of Tzununa. The views of the lake and volcanos is one of the most spectacular anywhere in the world. Every room has an outstanding view and the rooms are spacious with very nice baths. The food is outstanding, even staying there a week we found we never tired of the many selections on the menu. The owners Maria and Thierry are very gracious hosts, one night taking my wife and myself to the local village festival with them. The local Mayan people working at the hotel were a joy to be around. Lomas was the perfect place to relax and visit the various villages that dot the lake. We certainly will return on our next trip to Guatemala.

My wife and I just stayed three nights here as part of our honeymoon and it was wonderful. She did get sick (we shouldn't have eaten from a local in Santiago), which put a damper on our last day, but that didn't detract from a wonderful hotel and great, friendly owners and an experience. Maria and Thierry were gracious and very nice and, as you'll see if you go, they put their heart and soul into their wonderful hotel.

The views cannot be beat. Simply spectacular. The staff was awesome. Happy, gracious, and very helpful. The rooms were, I think, huge. Nicely designed bathrooms and each room has an exquisite view of the surrounding volcanoes.

The food was very good and it is all cooked when ordered. How much better could it get. No food is fast, because it's not supposed to be. In fact, there is nothing fast here at all. This is where tranquil and calm meet, which if you know how to enjoy such a junction, you'll have a wonderful time. it is quiet, and you are isolated, meaning once you get off the lancha for the day you are here for the night. Again, it is wonderful.

Oh, yes, there are a few steps to climb to get to the rooms, etc. because you are climbing up the side of a mountain (well it's tall anyway). it was tough the first time since we didn't know where we were going and how long the climb was, but it got easier every successive time. In fact, after 3 days we didn't really notice it too much.

This is a fantastic place to stay. And, it is easy to catch boats going to other towns around Lake Atitlan. They come, almost like clockwork, every half hour. Go. Maria and Theirry will be happy to see you.