The convergence of nature & culture
How Uxlabil Hotels is integrating Guatemala's Mayan roots into each guest's experience
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The mirror image of Volcan San Pedro reflects off the glassy, deep blue water of Lago Atitlan. Patches of low clouds slowly roll past the surrounding mountains as the buzzing of insects and gentle splashes of feeding fish fill the dusk air. It’s just after 5pm, and as the sun begins to set across the western Guatemalan highlands, the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding jungle is in full effect.
Uxlabil Atitlan's Birdwatching House
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The beautiful Lake Atitlan from Uxlabil's fourth floor balcony
It’s from the Bird Watching House, on the fourth floor deck of Uxlabil Atitlan Eco-Hotel, where this perfect display from mother nature takes place. It’s a quiet and peaceful spot where it’s easy to envision life as it was over a thousand years ago, when the Mayan people, whose culture is still very deeply rooted here, once flourished.
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It’s this connection with history, nature and local culture that convinced Francisco Sandoval to build a hotel on Lago Atitlan. A native Guatemalan and anthropologist at heart, Francisco worked with the United Nations for over 22 years before starting Uxlabil Eco Hotels in 1997. The first hotel was built (using only local materials) in Guatemala’s capital, Guatemala City, or “Guate” as it’s affectionately referred to. Soon after, in 2003, Francisco opened his second eco hotel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, followed by a property in Antigua in 2014. The name itself, Uxlabil, means “your vital breath” or “what keeps you alive” in Mayan. Each hotel is unique in it’s own way, but all capture the personality and spirit of their gregarious creator. In the Atitlan Eco Hotel, each room is named after an indigenous bird, emblematic of the local habitat; whereas Antigua’s rooms are named after the city’s most well known churches.
The view of La Merced Church from the Antigua hotel's rooftop terrace
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Uxlabil Atitlan Eco Hotel's private dock with complimentary kayaks and surrounded by banana trees
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Uxlabil Atitlan Eco Hotel, built with local materials
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Guatemalan art throughout Uxlabil Atitlan Eco Hotel
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Each of the three Uxlabil hotels incorporate sustainability initiatives, but it’s the Atitlan location that's gone the furthest. The stone hotel was built completely of local materials, by local workers. It’s tropical gardens are maintained in part, by the hotel’s composting system.
Uxlabil Atitlan has a rustic and simple design, putting the spotlight on the hotel’s most prized amenity, the lake. To minimize energy usage and keep in line with the “retreat-like” feel, there are no TV’s in the hotel and CFL lighting is used throughout all of its rooms. Meanwhile, the Antigua location utilizes solar panels to provide much of its electricity. And in each location, Uxlabil offers filtered water for guests, ensuring they don’t have to purchase bottles of water during their stay. |
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In addition to reducing waste, Uxlabil is committed to supporting local communities and perpetuating Guatemalan culture. Each hotel works directly with indigenous artisans, with both the Atitlan and Antigua properties providing a platform for these men and women to sell goods to visiting guests. Francisco, intrigued by the high quality of Mayan artists in Atitlan, is even considering starting a business to sell the artist’s work online. |
A quiet sanctuary at Lake Atitlan
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“We try to make each hotel a special and unique place to visit” says Francisco. “The local art is beautiful and representative of Guatemala. It makes perfect sense to support local artists and share their crafts with our guests.”
Perhaps the best and most sensible way to understand Uxlabil Hotels is through their combined mission and vision statements. The mission, they say, is to provide “relaxing hospitality services in harmony with the surrounding nature and culture.” It’s on these principles that the three hotels operate today, nearly twenty years after the first hotel opened its doors in Guatemala City. And it’s with this principle that Francisco plans to continue operating long into the future.
Perhaps the best and most sensible way to understand Uxlabil Hotels is through their combined mission and vision statements. The mission, they say, is to provide “relaxing hospitality services in harmony with the surrounding nature and culture.” It’s on these principles that the three hotels operate today, nearly twenty years after the first hotel opened its doors in Guatemala City. And it’s with this principle that Francisco plans to continue operating long into the future.
About Uxlabil Eco Hotels: Lake Atitlan, Antigua, & Guatemala City
> For reservations and more information, visit www.uxlabil.com
> Uxlabil hotels are located in Guatemala City (27 apartments), Antigua (10 historical rooms), and Lake Atitlan (17 rooms with lake views)
> Complimentary breakfasts and unlimited filtered water is available to guests of each hotel
> Starting rates (may vary by date and number of guests): Guatemala City: $52/night, Antigua: $58/night, Lake Atitlan: $45/night
> Uxlabil hotels are located in Guatemala City (27 apartments), Antigua (10 historical rooms), and Lake Atitlan (17 rooms with lake views)
> Complimentary breakfasts and unlimited filtered water is available to guests of each hotel
> Starting rates (may vary by date and number of guests): Guatemala City: $52/night, Antigua: $58/night, Lake Atitlan: $45/night
Uxlabil Hotel Antigua, located in a refurbished historical building
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Herbs growing on the hotel rooftop in Antigua
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Hotel Uxlabil Antigua
Complimentary daily breakfast at Cafe Don Diego in Antigua
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Beautiful colonial details at Hotel Uxlabil Antigua
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