Overall, this is a beautiful hotel, with good rooms, bathrooms and facilities; the staff is very friendly and helpful. However, the beds are too small and I slept poorly. We stayed 2 nights over new year in the annex (lovely and quiet) with our 2 children. The beds in the room were full size, my husband and I ended up sleeping with one of the kids, we couldn't be comfortable together. We are smaller/shorter than average. I am 5'5, yet my feet still hung slightly from the edge of the bed. The location is also very good.

We enjoyed staying at this hotel. Spent 2 days at Xmas time in Dec 2011. Very comfortable. Extremely nice, friendly, curteous, helpful staff. Free wi-fi in lobby. 10 minute walk to main Central park and restaurants. Which is nice, because it is quiet at the hotel, but close enough to the town. Cute little Guatemalan town. Rooms are clean, and basic, but have what you need. I would say 4 star quality is accurate. Would definitely recommend this place, and stay again if I'm visiting Antigua again.

Antigua is one of the continent’s most special destinations, and one of the things that makes Antigua special is its scale--no building is much taller than two stories high, and the streetscape has such an appealing consistency. Small is beautiful here, but small makes it tough to house a sizable hotel in the historic center.

The Porta Hotel Antigua, then, has done the impossible, by putting a property of over 100 rooms, noteworthy meeting facilities, a lovely central pool area, and lush gardens behind historic row houses, within old courtyards, and spanning across several blocks (there is even a tunnel between wings). The central plaza and landmark cathedral are just four blocks away, and yet this hotel complex has wrapped itself around the existing grid and honored the history of this magnificent old capital.

The combination of a large, expansive hotel with considerable facilities, together with historic sensitivity, gracious surroundings and a central location makes The Hotel Antigua (Porta is the most recent hotel manager--this hotel has been here in one form or another for decades) a delightful choice in Antigua. The Porta is a great pick for travelers who need everything a big hotel has to offer, but with the local feel of an authentic landmark.

The lobby, open air restaurant, and terraced bar all gravitate toward the pool area--the deck and surrounding gardens lend an air of a resort. Banana trees, bougainvillea, birds of paradise, and bunches of palms landscape the center of the hotel, and many rooms overlook this space.

My standard room was in one of the single story buildings that overlooked the pool and the back of the poolside grill--a corner of glass brought light into the otherwise darkish room. While the furnishings were a bit dated--big TV in an armoire, standard hotel furniture--the hardwood floor, fireplace, and high ceilings were charming and evocative. (There appears to be no central heat or A/C--if things get cold, the fireplace is for more than show.) Beds were standard in their coverings and mattresses are the usual firmness characteristic of this region--photos of the upgraded room in a different wing show upscale bedding. Not quite sure where the street noise came from, but the rumble of nearby trucks was apparent late at night--almost thought it was airplanes at first, but there is no airport nearby. Bring earplugs.

The staff is very, very nice, and works hard to provide good service. I had two challenges, and the hotel handled them very well. And the cookies I received after check-in were a nice touch.

The pool is large and inviting (Antigua has really pretty weather year-round, BTW), and the fitness center is surprisingly extensive. And the hotel seems very proud of its spa. The deluxe room wing, across the street and through a tunnel, has another pool--this one nearly an infinity, black-bottomed lap pool. It was very quiet during my stay--I never saw anyone swimming in it, or sunbathing beside it.

Antigua is a special place, and Hotel Porta Antigua is a special hotel that frames its location delightfully well. From views of Volcan del Agua to the south and the ruins of San Jose to the west, to a great sensitivity to what makes Antigua unique--this is a fine choice for travelers seeking a full-service hotel in the heart of Guatemala’s historical capital.

OK...I must start out by saying I prefer the BOTIQUE 5 to 10 room hotels that are less commercialized. That being said, this is a Marriott Hilton size & style operation set up in a wonderful place. Great place for weddings, meetings and individuals. Rooms ran around $169 US a night for a STANDARD ROOM that included breakfast and 2 welcome drinks. Good location but parking is several blocks away and they provide a shuttle back & forth.