La Casa Rosa based on the lake shore of Atitlan, based in the village of Santa Cruz la Laguna. We have 13 nice rooms, 2 bungalows and 2 apartments. You will be welcome by our new Management that has just started on NOV. 1st. Please stop by and check in with us! we look forward to see you here!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish, German
Location
A Orilla del Lago From main dock - right hand 50 metters - ask for La Casa Rosa, Santa Cruz La Laguna 07014 Guatemala
La Casa Rosa
187 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Beautiful gardens view and deck. I am sure it was popping in the past but was very quiet and chill. Perfect if that is what you want. The owner is soo sweet along with the workers.
Hot gas shower 🙏 in a private room. Simple room but it was clean and she gave me a great price. I wouldn't hesitate to return for a night or at least for dinner. She had a set menu so its best to tell her a few hours in advance if you planon dining there
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We chose La Casa Rosa because of its close proximity to Panajachal and because the grounds offered a safe place for our kids to run around and because the facility was somewhat level to accommodate some of the older folks in our group. Another reason is that we are a large group, two families and single Grandma and a couple Grandma and Grandpa. We needed four private rooms with baths and La Casa Rosa fit all of us with comfort. We stayed for a total of 7 nights.
I did a lot of research and Q & A from past guests prior to booking and found their feedback in line with our experiences. This place is fantastic, run by a Mother Daughter team, Rosa and Nicole are a great team. Nicole added the lakeside lounge December 2011, this was a very smart move as the rest of the property sits back from the lake and with the foliage the views of the volcanoes are blocked. However, inside this secret garden you’ll find the hotel and bungalows tucked away. This not only provides privacy but also leaves you with a quiet nights sleep.
There are a few improvement that could be made to the facility and I don’t want to spend too much time highlighting them because the owners know what they need to work on and seem to be diligently checking things off their list. Hot showers were inconsistent, they could use some newer pillows, ice could be a problem if you are there for an extended stay. Prior to arrival they could use to sweep the bugs that collect from when the place is empty. This is the tropics and bugs happen! We were ok with this but some travelers are not used to bugs. For larger groups I think having hot water or hot coffee in urns in the morning would be beneficial. Realizing that they may not always get a group of 12 American’s, but it would be something that would be nice to have.
As with ANY place on the lake it’s important to let them know that you intend to dine in the evening. Especially if you have a group our size. This was an issue for us and something that Nicole figured out right away. Most places on the lake have a set menu (same thing each night) or do not know what they are serving for dinner until mid-day, so you need to call ahead. We were calling ahead and making lancha arrangements because Casa Rosa has a set menu that we already tried. It’s not exactly easy to get around the lake for dinner and Nicole soon figured out our dilemma and made a meal especially for us so that we did not have to travel. We so appreciated this hospitality.
The best part of our stay was the lakeside lounge and that our kids played with Nicole’s child and her friends. Lasting bonds from travels and sharing each other’s culture is appreciate by everyone young and old.
The gardens are gorgeous here, hummingbirds and butterflies are everywhere and there was always a nice place to just sit and watch the day go by, it’s in a great location to reach Pana and Santiago. The hosts are knowledgable about the area and have a vested interest in their property and community. https://picasaweb.google.com/oregonfox/LaCasaRosa
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Date of stay: November 2012
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A fellow traveler we met on our way to lake atitlan recommended case rosa to us. We looked it up online and saw there was wifi, yoga, beautiful rooms and gardens, so we called and made a reservation. we arrived the next day and were greeted by dona rosa who showed us our garden bungalow. the garden and location of casa rosa are very beautiful, but a the bungalow was a bit dirty (spiderwebs everywhere and trash that dona rosa removed once we entered). the linens of the bed were very old and had so much pilling that it was a little uncomfortable. it just didn't feel clean. neither did the bathroom. there also was no wifi. we were the only guests at the time, which felt a little lonely. the breakfast we ate there once was good, but we soon discovered that you could have very lively family style dinners and nice breakfasts at the iguana perdida right next door. at iguana perdida the staff also offered tons of help and gave us tips on what to do, asked us how our day was and what we did or were planning to do the next day. it just made it that much more obvious that the atmosphere at dona rosa was very different. it felt deserted and while dona rosa was always friendly, she never engaged in a conversation. the second day we met her daughter, who was a little harsh (always made comments about us paying so we won't run away without paying....which i find a little weird. as a guest i do not want to be passive aggressively accused of that without any reason). also there was obviously some friction between daughter and mother, overall we just felt a little like unwanted house guests in someones private home. there also wasn't any yoga, but they do have mats and a patio where you can practice by yourself. and as i said, the garden is really beautiful. but unfortunately i would not recommend this hotel.
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Date of stay: March 2012
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After reading some of the wonderful reviews, my girlfriend and I were very excited about coming to stay at Casa Rosa. Our stay however was far from ideal and I urge people to take note of this review so that you do not suffer and have what should be an ideal stay in Santa Cruz turn very sour (as Santa Cruz is undoubtedly a very special place).
The only clue we were given for what was to come was from the Guatemala Rough Guide book... "the management can be inflexible at times however" - a statement we were made painfully aware of in the days to come.
In short, we reserved a garden bungalow in advance. We arrived just before dark to an empty place. After walking around for 10 minutes calling out, we were met by a fourteen year old boy (Rosa had failed to tell us no one would be there for 3 days) and shown to our bungalow. A small synopsis of our accommodation - spider's webs covered everywhere (we counted over 40 spiders), stains on the sheets, dirt and dust covering every surface. The shower floor was covered with dead insects and we had to unscrew the shower head to even get any water out. We worked out the room must not have been stayed in for a long time for it to have got into such a state - all that was needed was a simple clean to wipe the surface and get rid of all the spiders and webs and it would have been habitable, but I have back-packed around the world and I know sometimes these things happen, so to some degree I could accept it. I therefore stayed one night and checked out the next day.
Since no one was around and since the young man did not speak any English, I looked in the guest book at all the last people that had stayed in the same room and paid exactly to the penny what had been paid before me.
Rosa however was very annoyed that I had told her the room was unclean and told me over the telephone that I had to pay $55 for one night as in her words "it is not my problem". Exactly whose problem it is I still await to find out, however as you will know from the standard at other places in Santa Cruz, $55 for one night in an unclean room is an amount so ridiculous that if it had not turned out to be so serious it would have been the joke of the day.
After telling Rosa that I was only willing to pay the going rate and that I seen in the guestbook what this rate is, she turned on me - I was quite shocked by the transformation. This at least I could have handled, but a man (who I later found out was her son) got on the phone and gave me abuse and threats I cannot repeat on a public site. At the time I remember thinking he was a little unstable, so after he put the phone down on me, I thought nothing else of it and headed down the path to Villa sumaya (a true haven and most wonderful of places to stay).
Three days later, the police, Rosa, her son and David, the owner of the Iguana (who was here to help translate) turn up. Before I knew what was happening, Rosa's son was pushing me, swearing at me and threatening (in front of all the guests in the hotel quietly having an evening meal) to kill me. The police quickly intervened and held him back, Rosa started screaming and crying, David looked on in horror and apologised to me (he had no idea how crazy Rosa's son was). Even the police apologised to me and along with the owner of Villa Sumaya told Rosa's son to leave.
The other guests at Villa sumaya (who we became very friendly with) also tried to help and stop this crazy guy. In the end, I payed the $55 to Rosa because, well, I was genuinely in fear of my life (and of the lives of the kind guests who tried to help).
I will write a separate review for Villa Sumaya, but just quickly, if you enjoy yoga and time meditating (which I had to do lots of after my run in with Hannibal) then the owner, the staff and entire environment are wonderful. There is an attention to detail here not found in many places around the world.
As it transpires, I found out a little later on that I am not the only person to have had such troubles with Casa Rosa (as the rough guide eluded to) and it seems I was just unfortunate to have been in the middle of a family who are clearly having troubles. For this I am compassionate, but there is just no excuse in the world for such violent and abusive behaviour to guests.
Otherwise I hope your stay in Santa Cruz is enjoyable - it is a wonderful place, from the peace and tranquility of Villa Sumaya to the great atmosphere and welcoming staff at the Iguana Perdida.
Just remember, if you don't mind having no lake view and a possible dirty room, then you may well, like others, have a good stay at Casa Rosa, but if like us, you are unlucky enough to have had an issue that needed sorting, then if it is met with threats and violence you will at least be prepared...
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Date of stay: March 2010
Value
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Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There were only 2 people working at the place and sadly every single detail was abandoned.
Rooms abandoned, curtains with burned holes in them, the bathroom was dirty, the gardens full of old branches with thorns, you couldn't even walk on the paths because all the plants would be booking the way, there was a bar closer to the lake inside the premises and no one to serve you, and dirty as well, even the lamps to light up the path were smashed.
To finish they didn't even have beers what do I say beers, ice.
A complete disaster, please do not let yourself be fooled by the pictures
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bungalow one was ideally suited for me, as I was recovering from a sprained ankle. I could get to the dining for delicious meals and sit in the lush garden easily with Rosa's assistance. The beauty of la Casa Rosa and Rosa's kindness nurtured my body and my soul. I highly recommend her place for yoga and other types of retreats.
Poem inspired by living at Casa Rosa.
Softly at first the raindrops prance as flowers sip, fat roots suck palm fronds dance.
February rain a new pattern it seems each day around a5 grey clouds burst to mate with earth.
Louder now, a million tongues lick and fingers pound, punch and probe rocks, grass and stones. Ecstasy shivers my bones.
When I enter the sound, it enters me, igniting the fire at the base of me. It grabs my ears, and lo,- I am fully here, I am free!
Laura K. Golden 2011.
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Date of stay: February 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I absolutely agree with my dear friend who described so well our exotic, unforgettable trip to Lake Atitlan and our stay at La Casa Rosa. We were so grateful for the hospitality and friendlyness tha our host Rosa and her helper Lucas showed us. Lucas got up every morning and made us lovely breakfast on the terrace at 6 a.m. before yogaclass, and lit the fire in the evening when needed. They contributed to make our visit to Guatemala a very special one.
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Date of stay: July 2010
Value
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Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
When we arrived at Casa Rosa the owner told us that our booked villa was not available due to a mistake booking.com did. As a solution she gave us a single room where she added another bed and doubled the price. Even though we were happy having a place to stay for the night Casa Rosa was very disappointing. The spot is so run-down and in a bad shape that we were very happy to leave asap. The advertised WiFi for the garden lounge is only available in the main house and is practically useless - or to slow to even fetch emails. The staff at the lake lounge is more happy to talk to each other that to serve the for ever waiting guests. Seriously the slowest staff in four weeks travel in Guatemala. Finally when it comes to payment they only accept Visa but state Mastercard online as well. Overall: give it a miss - it's very much overpriced for what you get. If the owner was so nice and helpful this deserves one star only.
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Date of stay: April 2014Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I would recomment La Casa Rosa to anyone doing a tour of the Lake Atitlan area.
You can relax in a sun bed on a dock and watch the sunrise or set or simply take in the extraordinary views of this magical lake!
There are places to sit and read and relax throughout the property. From hammocks to little nooks in rocks to sit and read, work or relax. Comfy chairs and sofas everywhere. And, a lovely dining area right at the water or in the main foyer. Wifi is available in the foyer area too.
The owner Rosa is exceedingly kind and helpful.
A great place to relax or work on a big project.
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Date of stay: December 2012
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We didn't stay in the hotel but in one down the road (i.e. boardwalk made of planks -- issue of the rising water in Lake Atitlan), however, we did take the opportunity to get some drinks here. First off, the lounging area which is comfortably open for guests is well kept and has a beautiful view of the water and environment. However, there is a 2 for 1 happy hour from 4 to 6PM which seems to be on whichever drink you did not order. So, just a word to the wise, while the menu and ads may imply that the 2 for 1 special is on drinks--it is on specific drinks and, if you're a little cost conscious, it is best to clarify this before ordering. Otherwise a very pleasant experience.
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Date of stay: December 2012Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Santa Cruz La Laguna area.
LOCATION
GuatemalaWestern HighlandsSolola DepartmentLake AtitlanSanta Cruz La Laguna
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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