My husband and I have stayed at The Cloister on three different occasions and we never tire of enjoying the atmosphere of this beautiful property. The rooms are spacious, clean and attractive, each one different from the other. Your are not at a hotel but, rather, you are a guest at the beautiful home of a delightful friend.
The "tipico" breakfast is delicious, prepared at your request and can be served in the monastic atmosphere of the comfortable dining room (in winter, complete with lit fireplace, as can be the bedrooms).
The central location of the hotel in Antigua is ideal for walking tours of the city.
The church bells are not a bother, but are reminiscent of a time past that one is again able to experience in this delightful city.
We've stayed at other hotels in Antigua in the past, but now always return to The Cloister.
Doreen Vanderbeke de Arevalo, Florida

My son and husband went and found me some Tyl PM so I could sleep. Lots of traffic noise. The church bells are odd, no rhyme or reason for number of chimes or when they play. Breakfast was simple cooked to order but nothing special. The rooms are beautiful, our 18 yo son had his own loft. We would often have some deli take-out to bring back and eat on the courtyard tables. Gorgeous plants. Colorful. Good home base to walk to everything.

We were thrilled to be able to return to the Cloister for Semana Santa 2010, our second visit for the famous celebrations, and our third visit to Antigua and the Cloister. We fell in love with the Cloister on our first visit fifteen years ago and eagerly awaited our return visits to what we consider the most charming little hotel or B&B in Latin America. It feels like a real home, not a hotel, with all the eccentricities of a well-decorated and well-lived-in home, instead of the bland style of a hotel. Barbara greeted us as old friends, when we arrived. Rolando took care of anything we needed. Catalina, Elena, and Claudia prepared wonderful traditional Guatemalan breakfasts. Joel, Jose, and Andres kept the place looking beautiful. The courtyard is so pretty that we spent a lot of time sitting there reading and chatting with other guests. Our room was large and comfortable, Fortunately there were no TVs, so the place was blissfully quiet. There is no better location in Antigua. We worked side-by-side with staff and guests to make a carpet from flowers on Good Friday. While it's true that there are no locks on the rooms, the place is more secure than most hotels, since no one but guests can get into the hotel. No, it's not a Westin or Four Seasons, but where else would you find a library in every room filled with books (real books, not picture books) about Guatemala and the rest of the world and political and social thought, as well as literary classics? Where else are you welcome to plunk out and sing Gershwin and Cole Porter in the drawing room? We wouldn't think of staying anywhere else in Antigua. We're eagerly looking forward to our next visit.

As a solo traveler going to Antigua for Spanish classes this was absolutely perfect for me! The staff was so kind and helpful. The location was excellent. It was very safe and I felt at home. I even had a fire in the fire place on several occasions. The courtyard garden is lovely. I spent several hours doing homework each day at a table in the garden with the fountain and birds chirping in the back ground. I miss the breakfasts and coffee! They were fantastic! The pancakes were yummy, more like crepes. The rooms and beds are nicely appointed and the bathrooms are also nice and everything was clean. If you want to get away and relax this is the place.

This may have been mentioned before in other reviews but, FYI the rooms do not have TV. The doors lock on the inside but otherwise they do not lock. I did not find this a problem. There is no safe in the rooms. Some people hear the bells but I only heard them on one occasion and it did not bother me. There are two small dogs on the property.

I would definitely go back!