I have to stick up for the Pan American. I stayed there for 7 or 8 nights in April, scattered over a two-week trip to Guatemala.

First of all, it's located in the heart of the Centrohistorico, in famous Zona Uno. It's one block from the Parque Central, Palacio Nacianal, the Catedral, and many other beautiful, famous old locations.

Zona Uno is aften described at dirty and chaotic--those terms may have applied until recently, but the campaign to beautify the Zone is working wonders. The streets are cleaned daily, buildings are being renovated, and in general the area looks far better than it did when I first sawe it in 2003. OK, it is still a little chaotic--in a vibrant street life kind of way.

The hotel has a beautiful interior, decorated with huipiles from all over Guatemala. It is extremely clean, the staff are attentive and friendly, and the restaurant is famous (and inexpensive, with great regional food and some of the best coffee I've had in Guatemala).

At one point we were traveling to another part of Guatemala and they let us keep all of our suitcases in a back office until we returned. They really went out of their way to make us feel at home.

We like it so much we're going back in August!

Several decades ago, the Pan-American was reportedly THE upscale hotel in Guatemala City, before the international chains arrived.

Nothing special from the outside, but the interior of the hotel still has loads of character, with traditional weavings and embroidery throughout. The staff were also very friendly.

Unfortunately, the Pan-American is located in an area that is fine by day but deserted and somewhat dangerous at night. Even as a tall young male who's used to traveling in sketchy areas, I didn't feel entirely comfortable leaving the hotel at night except by taxi.