It's hard to describe what a truly special place Lomas de Tzununa is. The view and setting are stunning. Even when it rained in the afternoon it was interesting to watch the storms move across the lake from the comforts of our deck and room.

The owners, Thierry and Maria are gracious hosts and fascinating people. The staff is very attentive and genuinely friendly. The food is great and well priced considering the location.

The last reviewer complained about a dearth of activities which is inaccurate unless you don't consider swimming, kayaking, mountain biking and hiking activities. It is true that this is an isolated location and the nearby village Tzununa has no bars or restaurants for tourists. One can stay in Pana with your fellow gringos if nightlife is what you're looking for.

One word of warning - the stairs up to the hotel are steep and the elevation starts at 5,000 feet but you can call on a intercom at the dock and the staff will gladly come down and carry your bags up.

My wife and I stayed at Lomas de Tzununa Lodge for six nights ending July 27, 2008. We were extremely well pleased. Our hosts, Thierry and Maria, were both charming and professional, and attended to our every need and question. Thierry arranged our transportation to and from the Lodge and helped advise us regarding all matters.

The accomodations consist of cabins located about 250 feet overlooking Lake Atitlan. Each cabin is aimed at the view of the lake and an entire side of each cabin is a picture window facing the lake with a curtain which can be left open or closed. The view of the lake is without equal in my experience. The lake itself is a beautiful color of blue which is surrounded by green volcanic mountains. The weather comes from the left of the view and constantly changes the vista. In the morning about 5:40 there is ten minutes of pink sunrise. The day finishes about 7:00 with an unusual sunrise caused by the way the sun sinking over your right shoulder strikes the clouds which constantly drift across the lake or behind or atop the volcanoes in the distance. All day lond the view changes according to the weather.

We occupied ourselves with boat trips from the lodge to villages around the lake on several days. These were interesting. We also Kyaked to the neighboring village of Tzununa one day and hiked to the neighboring village on the other side another day. Both experiences were memorable, expecially the hike. It is debatable whether it is necessary to have a guide for safety reasons, but Thierry advised that it was likely to be safe if we stayed on the main trail, which was the case. The hike was about one and one half hours and offered an insight to a part of the life of the villagers and was very invigorating.

The restaurant was very good. I especially liked the bass from the lake. Of course the view continues to please from the restaurant.

Overall, we recommend this lodge and look forward to staying there again someday.

Lovely, lovely hotel but not much to do there. Great place for someone who just wants to relax and stay in. The closest activities is by a 30 minute boat ride (careful of being ripped off by the boat operators!) or a 30 minute (at least) steep, steep hike to Tzununa. It is literally a place in the middle of nowhere. The only choice for a restaurant is the hotel unless you wanted to do one of the above listed activities. Great view of the mountains and the lake--again, lovely place to relax. Unfortunately, our water never got hot (or even warm) for a shower, and the weather always stays a little chilly because of the altitude. Not a place to stay for long for the active or adventurous person.

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.