Villa Sumaya is an Eco-Chic Wellness Center. We are dedicated to rejuvenating holistic practices and healing modalities as well as preserving Mayan traditions and facilitating outdoor adventure in the heart of the Altiplano. Majestically located on the shores of Lake Atitlan, we offer custom designed all inclusive services, to personal, group and family retreats.
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.
Villa Sumaya is absolutely stunning. It may be a hike to get too (flight to Guatemala City, 3 hour bus ride, 20 minute boat ride), but it is well worth the travel time! We stayed in the Ginger Suite which was recently renovated and has an amazing sunrise/set view. It is a bit of a hike from many of the other private suites, so be sure to break some sturdy walking shoes as there are many steps, and bring a flashlight when it get's dark out. The suite was beautiful, the beds comfortable, and the cleaning service was amazing. It can get hot being so high up, so make sure you open your windows for some fresh air! The food is INCREDIBLE. Sweet potato tostadas, vegetarian sushi, and there are about 30 different kinds of tea, some of which they grow right on property, as well as some of the fruit. Their service is always timely and the dining area is very beautiful as well, but I would suggest walking around the villa to find all of the secluded areas there is to offer. I came for a yoga/wellness retreat, and the Blue Tiger temple had everything we would need for practice: pillows, blocks, mats, eye pillows, blankets, etc. Plus the windows are retractable so you can overlook the beautiful Lake Atitlan while you practice. I highly suggest partaking in one of the many services offered. Chinese medicine by Luzio was my personal favorite. There are also ceremonies groups should consider such as the Cacao Ceremony with Astaria or the Sweat Lodge with Paola (and please jump in the lake after the sweat!) The service was absolutely amazing, all of your questions will be answered in a timely manner and the employees are all very pleasant to speak with. Look out for the resident dogs and cat! They may end up in your room to say hi.
Notes: 1. Don't purchase WiFi. I was told it was a bit spotty and honestly you should be there to relax and deplug. Leave your phone in your room or use it to take pictures. 2. Don't worry about bringing books, they have a TON of donated books to borrow and hammocks to read in. 3. Check out the Apothecary. 4. You'll need to get used to throwing your TP into the trash instead of the toilet. 5. Go for walks! There is a ton to see. 6. Check out CECAP, an amazing organization that Villa Sumaya assists with as well. 7. Let me know when you are going so I can go back!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â Ginger Suite!
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 had the best stay at Villa sumaya. The staff were so friendly and accommodating , the meals were fresh, healthy and deliciously unique , the location is divine- private with access to hiking and directly on the lake , the body workers all had a specific niche and I enjoyed my treatments immensely! I love that it integrated local culture with comfort and cultivated a sense of community with all staying here. I highly recommend and hope to come back soon!
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip 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 chose to book a personal 1:1 retreat with one of the healers. My experience was so incredible from start to finish. I have never stayed at a retreat center or done anything like this before, and I felt so comfortable and welcomed here as a solo female traveler.
The wonderful booking staff helped me customize my entire trip over email by recommending the perfect room for me, arranging my shuttle from the airport, and keeping me up to date on covid rules and restrictions.
Due to visiting during the low season (September) and during the pandemic, it turned out that I was their only guest for the week! The staff made me feel so welcome and safe, and completely open to use all of the facilities on site. I spent my retreat week doing 2 sound healings and/or meditations per day. During my off time, I simply wandered the beautiful grounds, used the pool and solar hot tub, paddleboarded on the lake, and hung out with the cute dogs and cats on the property. I only left the property twice in my 9 days there. The serenity and peace that I found during this visit was remarkable.
I am rather afraid of insects and should mention that while some insects are around at night, I did not have issues with any entering my room. The staff does make themselves available to remove any insects as needed!
I also ate all of my meals at Villa Sumaya, and did not have any stomach issues at all during or after my trip - which as I understand is not common for visitors to Guatemala ;)
So much love and care has been put into this retreat center, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. I am already dreaming of returning with friends or a retreat group. Thank you Villa Sumaya!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
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.
I have no idea how all the reviews are so stellar. We have a completely different experience. We came to Villa Sumaya at 9am because it was Christmas day and there were no boats after 8am operating from San Pablo. We were really looking forward to spending a warm and peaceful Christmas at Villa Sumaya. The whole experience was like a trauma story.
Hotel tried to charge us an extra 5% for credit card transactions and is saying they cannot charge us in local currency and they are asking for $30+ more dollars. They have been harassing us since the very moment we arrived here. Booking said we can pay by credit card and you will charge us exact amount quoted. It's really bad management and they are trying to squeeze every last possible dollar. After Booking.com called so many times (they hung up on them too), they finally got rid of the fees after booking.com warned them that it is illegal.
WiFi did not work. Front desk does not pick up phone. It is rarely does then I keeps you on hold for 10 to 15 mins.
Front desk regularly lies and is dishonest. Hotel is not cared for. The owners really do not care about the quality of experience of the guest. We are here to relax, but this has been the most intense part of our trip with constantly harassment, false charges and then eventually apologizing for their mistakes. But our vacation time lost is not going to come back.
If you are coming here for tranquility or healing please beware. Because that is exactly what is not available at Villa Sumaya. And all of this is reflective of the internal patterns and wounds of the owners. The owners clearly have a deep core trauma around money, spaciousness and generosity. And so every few hours we experience something that reflects their core wounds.
For this place to really be relaxing or healing, the owners need to do a little self reflection around what kind of energy they are holding for their guests.
It is very likely that they are also mistreating their local Guatemalan staff send underpaying them.
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Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Rooms
Service
Room Tip:Â don't stay at this hotel
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 recently attended a retreat at Villa Sumaya and it was just fabulous. The location was absolutely serene with beautiful views all around the property. Jorge was fabulous and took care of everything the group needed and all of the staff were really terrific. I loved that we got to meet all of the healers at the beginning of the trip, so we could select our treatments for the week. I’m not a vegetarian, but the food was fresh and delicious and the menu was really creative. From our location, we could take a boat to all different villages around the lake. If you are thinking of doing a retreat at Villa Sumaya, do not hesitate! You’ll leave in a state of bliss.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â The higher rooms have beatiful views!
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 attended a week long Breath Work retreat with Laurie Young (which was life changing…really!) at Villa Sumaya. When I arrived I thought I landed in heaven! I’ve been to many retreat centers around the world and in the United States and never have I been in such a paradise. Not only is it located in one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, Lake Atitlan in Guatemala, a lake surrounded by 3 huge volcanoes, but a sense of peace and beauty is imbued in every aspect of the architecture and interior design. Every place I looked as I walked...every step I took... I felt peace permeate my soul. My plate at every meal was an array of color of the most delicious, beautiful, healthy food. The staff were helpful and SO friendly! I can't say enough about Villa Sumaya! Treat your soul to some true peace!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Rooms
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.
The Villa Sumaya has got to be one of the most magical places in the world to do a yoga or wellness retreat! Reached only by boat, this Mayan paradise is nestled on what Aldous Huxley called "the most beautiful lake in the world" - Lake Atitlan with its three majestic volcanoes. Wendy, the owner and steward of the spectacular property is an incredibly dynamic and gifted "goddess," whose enchanting touches and care is felt in every corner of a building or landscaped area. The food (most grown on the property) is the best I've ever had at any center. The cooks and ALL the staff are exceptional. I will come back here over and over and over! THANK YOU Villa Sumaya for being such an empowering, healing and beautiful force on this planet!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled on business
Room Tip:Â Any room is fabulous. For more privacy & luxury, treat yourself to a suite that is higher up...
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.
Our retreat at Villa Sumaya just ended and it was wonderful! The energy of the lake, the beauty and strength of the people surrounded us constantly. Jorge helped us with everything that we could ask for. The healing staff was incredible! Paola left me in a state of pure bliss and relaxation.
We had a long trip and the drivers and boat operators were patient and helped guide us. They handled our group well and made our already close connection even stronger. I’m so grateful for this beautiful experience.
We had a few small issues with some of the wildlife. Mostly just spiders and ants. Other wildlife included the resident Shiva, a small black cat, and Lila, a golden retriever. They were so sweet and very welcoming!
Right before we left we lost water and power in few places because of a bad wind storm. Not the resort’s fault. Just something to be aware of. It’s a very remote place and built to be ecologically sustainable.
The food was amazing and abundant and varied everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I would go back to this place in a heartbeat. I absolutely love it here! Thank you to the beautiful staff at Villa Sumaya for a great stay!
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip 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.
I recently joined a yoga retreat at Villa Sumaya on Lake Atitlan near Santa Cruz La Laguna, Guatemala. It is a magical, serene oasis with views of volcanoes, wonderful yoga and meditation facilities, and delicious food made lovingly from local sources. The staff were friendly and helpful. An amazing experience that I highly recommend! I look forward to my next visit...
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Date of stay: February 2021
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 stayed at Villa Sumaya for a solo trip (initially, then a friend joined me because I raved about the beauty of the place so much!). The place is beautiful and peaceful, the staff are incredibly kind and helpful, the garden is magical, the pool and hot tub help unwind and the access and view of the lake makes you feel very special. It is a perfect secluded place to relax, I would go back in a heartbeat.
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Date of stay: April 2022
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.
Hey Tejomani! Trip advisor does not allow posting links so I would have to ask you to go to our website and in Upcoming Group Retreats under the heading of Retreats, you will be able to find Lama Marks'. All the info on pricing is at the bottom of Lama Mark's retreat page.
We hope to see you soon!
Hola, lo siento por el retraso en mi respuesta. El número en sumaya villa es 4026 1390 o 4026 1455, por favor llame al hotel. Gracias por su paciencia.
Lizzy
There are more places to choose from in the Santa Cruz La Laguna area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
villa sumaya hotel santa cruz la laguna
LOCATION
GuatemalaWestern HighlandsSolola DepartmentLake AtitlanSanta Cruz La Laguna
NUMBER OF ROOMS
24
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