Great service, peaceful, not in downtown Antigua, but a fantastic experience...A must have experience...

Revisits are not typically our thing. More like”been there – done that – moving on to see what is next” …..but The Filadelfia Coffee Resort in Antigua, Guatemala was too tempting to pass up for another long holiday weekend. We had been there in January as part of a longer trip in Guatemala and really had fun.

….well, at least the public demonstration (roughly 30,000 – 40,000 upset because the sitting president allegedly had an opponent “terminated”) in Guatemala City, had occurred a two days prior to our arrival (only a few disgruntled individuals bearing signs were wandering the main avenidas) and we were able to work through the normal congestion around the airport before heading out to Antigua. How about an slight earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale (must have been some shifting of tectonic plates….like who cares…it’s the fact the ground is moving and you’re trying to stand still….and “slight” is the wrong adjective to use with any earthquake).

The road to Antigua from GUA is almost always “rush hour” no matter the hour….buses and truck…cars and scooters….seems like every inch of pavement is taken by someone trying to get some place. For us, the ride is entertaining…always something different.

Asked our driver if he would mind stopping at a bank drive through window so we could handle a quick currency transaction…of course…no problem…and the conversion rates is far more favorable than the airport or the hotel…..now we have some walking around local money.

The air clears and the temperature drops pleasantly as we leave the city, gaining some altitude on the short 45 minute drive to Antigua…no wonder so many local city dwellers head for countryside retreats on weekends.

Soon we are winding our way down familiar cobblestone roads, entering Antigua and working our way through foot traffic and bicycles along the outskirts and toward the guarded calle arbolada de Filadelfia. There are familiar faces, broad smiles and several hugs from the staff upon arrival….as well as the freshly brew café and assorted jugos. Let us show you to your suite.....so many fresh flowers we’re wondering if we're attending a wake...fortunately no deceased in sight?

The next five days past too quickly…mule rides into the mountains - and we are reminded why mules are strong, determined and sometimes stubborn, volcano treks up Picaya…..a long steep trail that may best be attempted early in the AM….worth the effort (you can cheat and ride horses), excellent dining at both upscale (Panza Verde www.panzaverde.com/en/dining.htm) and modest restaurants (Sabe Rico…Thanks for the special vegetarian lunch packed for our Picaya trek….also loved the secluded courtyard dining).

The Filadelfia remains a very peaceful, private retreat – a place to come home to – even if it is your first visit….close enough but not too close to the tourist activity and crowds of Antigua centro.

Maybe another long weekend next year…

We recently visited La Antigua Guatemala and stayed at Finca Filadelfia. The entire experience was wonderful and the staff especially helpful. The resort offered tours of the coffee plantation, mule rides up the mountainsides, as well as the opportunity to relax and enjoy the unique beauty and serenity of the plantation and grounds.

For us, it was not only a welcome 5-day respite from the work-a-day world, but also a chance to appreciate a simpler, more measured way of life. Gracias, Carlos, Sofia and all the staff at Filadelfia Resort and Spa. Hasta luego!

Wow! The Filadelfia was amazing! A wonderful hidden gem tucked away in charming Antigua. The staff welcomed us with a delicious cocktail when we checked in. Everyone on the property was so friendly and most were bilingual.

We had lunch up the hill at the casual restaurant on the patio under a loaded avocado tree. They have every detail covered. Play areas for kids are discreetly set away to keep them entertained but not in the middle of everything. There was a live band playing local music with marimbas. The air was so cool, crisp and clean!

Our room had an incredible view of one of the three volcanoes. The bed linens were so luxurious I wanted to stay in bed all morning. There was a coffee grinder and french press in the room to make fresh R Dalton Coffee every morning. I have to admit that I didn't even like coffee before I came here. Now I realize I'd just never had genuine Arabica coffee hand picked, dried and roasted the way they do here. It was beyond description!! I shipped a case home to share with my friends and family.

Our room #6 had a wonderful little fireplace in the corner fueled with wood. The staff at our request went in and started it for us one evening while we were dining in the formal dining room. How romantic to return to our cozy room and enjoy our aperitifs by the fire before retiring to those delectable sheets!

Everything is so well built and organized I almost felt like we had the place to ourselves. One afternoon we took a tour of the plantation and went on a zip lining tour. It was a great way to see the area and not nearly as scary as we thought it would be. You could tell how safety conscious the guides were and their equipment was all brand new!

They have guided tours of the coffee operations that are very interesting. The groups coming back from the mule rides were laughing and appeared to have had a ball.

The resort definitely takes safety, security and privacy very seriously. The armed security personnel were discreetly evident.

We walked into the Village center to shop at the artisans market. The craftsmanship was amazing. The best selection of artwork and gifts we found was actually at the resort. The owner's wife scouts out the best work from the locals and brings it to her store there at the resort. I never would have discovered so many wonderful treasures wandering the streets of Antigua on my own.

One morning I caved in and used their computer in the lobby to check in on facebook and gush to my buddies about my trip. Not really a business center, but adequate for a quick e-mail check. The bartenders were so much fun teaching us about local liqueurs and their favorite specialties.

We were there during the first part of lent so the village was busy with locals celebrating in all of the beautiful churches. It was fun to see whole families that had come in from the outlying areas. The people were as beautiful as the scenery!

We only had four days at the Filadelfia. I will plan to stay longer next time!