Vacation Rentals by Owner

A little piece of Heaven!

Guest: Jake and Grace's Grandma (Omaha, NE)
Date of Stay: 06/01/11 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

We stayed in this home in June and it exceeded our expectations in every way! The pictures do not truely reflect the homey feeling you get from this home, starting with the big comfy sofa to the great beds and huge showers. The views from the roof are outstanding and the flowers are incredible! It was a short walk to the market and central park. Antigua is a beautiful city and everything is easily accessable from the house. Estela, the house keeper, is a jem and a wonderful cook! We look forward to returning in the near future. Joan you have an exceptional home!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing. Not just the house (it is) but the whole Experience!

Guest: Tony J.
Date of Stay: 06/01/11 Review Submitted: 12/29/11

My family and I spend roughly two months of every year in Guatemala and have stayed in a number of different locations. Antigua is by far our favorite location and Joan's house is by far our favorite place to stay. First - Joan is incredibly accommodating. Helpful at every turn, with great insights on the local culture, restaurants, tours, transportation, you name it - she is well-connected and an incredible resource. She's simply wonderful to work with and has been so flexible with us. The location is by far the best in Antigua for a furnished house. We've rented all over the city and to be able to walk easily to the Bodegona (grocery store), Market, restaurants, and central park is such a treat. The community is gated and incredibly secure. The guards at the front gate have been the same since 2007 when we started staying in this location. The neighborhood is a great mix of vacationing families and year-round residents who are friendly and helpful. They're all wonderful with our kids. Then, there's the house. Unbelievable. We've had guests join us at Joan's house over the past several years and we always here the same gasps at the incredible views of all three volcanos surrounding Antigua. The courtyard/garden is simply amazing - and very rare to find one of this size and so well appointed. Our children love eating meals in the courtyard and watching the fish in the pond. The house is so well decorated and equipped that it immediately feels like home. Our family spent two months there this past summer and wanted for nothing the entire time. We cooked meals for our family and another family staying nearby nearly every day and never found ourselves needing other cookware, dishes, etc... As soon as you think it's too good to be true, you get to meet the full-time housekeeper, Estella. She's simply amazing. She keeps the house impressively clean and organized and has a sweet and friendly spirit. Plus, she's truly a gourmet cook and she will not only prepare amazing meals for you, she'll shop for the food! Our children consider her part of the family and speak often of her when we're back in the States. Full-time house help is very rare in Antigua and her diligence makes the stay so much more enjoyable. We can't wait to get back!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Could Not Have Been Better

Guest: The Roman Family (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/24/10 Review Submitted: 09/16/10

We recently spent 9 weeks calling this amazing house - home. All the other descriptions you will read below are accurate representations of what you will find here. I second every positive comment left by others. The only thing I can add that will truly capture our feelings is this - All of us, my wife, my 4 kids and even me (dad) cried when we left Estella, her 3 great kids, the house, Hugo (expeditionsguatemala.com), our teachers at CSA and the wonderful city of Antigua.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.

Gorgeous house in a beautiful town

Guest: djm (Lake Atitlan, Guatemala)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/26/10

We stayed here for five weeks just recently. The house is amazing: comfy sofas, big screen TVs, fully equipped kitchen, two fireplaces, stunning decor, waterfall, garden, and a spectacular views of Volcan Agua. It is one of the nicest houses I've stayed in - and I've stayed in some beautiful places across the globe. We were 5 people and had plenty of space. And if we needed something the house is a quick five minute walk from the market, and ten minutes to the town square. Yet at night it was so quiet and peaceful. The owner is fantastic!! We had an issue that required us to stay in Antigua an extra week. The owner - who had just arrived back in Guatemala - moved into a friend's house to allow us to stay on at hers. That kind of thing doesn't happen everyday! We got to know the owner a bit and it became clear that she is not a "tourist" in Guatemala. She knows a lot of people and is helping out/working with the locals in a variety of ways. To me being active in the community is extremely important ... and it's nice to know your money will help out some of the region's less fortunate. In summary - just stay here! You won't be disappointed!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

What a find!

Guest: Abuelos (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/15/10 Review Submitted: 06/24/10

My husband and I came from Canada, to join our son with his very pregnant wife and our 3 1/2 year old grandson (who had been living at Lago de Atitlan). We rented Joan's beautiful house in order to be close to the hospital in Guatemala City where our daughter-in-law was going to have her baby. We could not have made a better choice. The house is absolutely stunning, and at the same time, incredibly comfortable. For us, having Estela there Monday to Friday was a godsend. She was never intrusive and always accommodating. She cooked many meals for us, which we really enjoyed - usually with enough left over for the following day. We have rented houses from VRBO numerous times, but this was definitely the top of our list. Joan is incredibly helpful, and on top of everything. She has fitted out the house with everything you could possibly desire, and then some. Her taste is exquisite. Her staff, including Estela, Alex, and Gregorio, are warm, friendly, and helpful. You can not go wrong with this rental!

Owner response:Thank you, Linda. It was a real treat to meet your family especially little Maya who had the good sense to wait until after Tropical Storm Agatha to make her debut.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

An oasis

Guest: Fly Me Somewhere (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 03/31/10 Review Submitted: 04/10/10

I've trusted VRBO for stays all over the world. This home exceeded my expectations in every way. While many places are comfortable, few are the home environment this casa offers. Positives: Location, safety, tranquility, cooking equipment, laundry facilities, watching a volcano puff away, exceptional support from the owner Rough spots: For me, anyway, it was having staff come in and out. Just not used to the loss in privacy that creates. Really one of the more exceptional VRBO properties I've booked.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Robbie (Santa Fe, New Mexico)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 03/06/10

If Joan hasn't thought of it, you probably won't need it! This home has everything, and more. Wonderful interior spaces, magnificent views, and lovely patio and rooftop gardens. Estela and Alexander took great care of us while we were in residence. We've traveled all over the world, and our stay here was one of the most memorable!

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Guest: Bonnie Newman (Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico)
Date of Stay: 01/02/10 Review Submitted: 01/02/10

Joan has created a lovely home with all the comforts of a full-time residence. We have rented many homes in all parts of the globe and this property is at the top of the list. We did not have to buy one thing to complete her well-equipped kitchen. It was wonderful to come home to after a few days of exploring the Highlands and her staff always had a smile when we returned. Excellent.

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Guest: Julia S. (Birmingham, MI)
Date of Stay: 09/05/09 Review Submitted: 09/05/09

We absolutely loved staying in this stunning home. Perfectly appointed, we would not have changed a thing about the decor, and Joan thought of just about everything, including a welcome book that was extremely helpful to reference throughout our month-long stay (not only about the house but with restaurant and tourist tips, etc.). The views in all directions are incredible, and the photos on this site do not do the house or the views justice. The location of the house is actually perfect - close enough to the historic center to be very convenient but very safe in a gated community and quiet. The courtyard of the house was a sanctuary - but only one of many in the house! It was an incredible place for our family (with two young children) to spend a month, including a husband who worked every afternoon from the master bedroom desk, looking up at the volcano views. Amazing. Wonderful value, highly recommended.

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Guest: Sissy and Peter Burke (Costa Rica)
Date of Stay: 05/24/09 Review Submitted: 05/24/09

We have been to Antiqua many times and stayed at a wonderful B&B. This time we decided to try a renting a house and it was a super experience. The house is located within a comfortable walk to everything and the views of the 3 volcanos are unbelievable. This is a beautiful home with every possible amenity available. Alex and Estela make the house run smoothly and address every need from ironing to finding an open pharmacy on a Sunday. I highly recommend the experience of living in Antiqua in this very special home.

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Guest: Rebecca36 (Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico)
Date of Stay: 04/23/09 Review Submitted: 04/23/09

Look no farther for a place in Antigua! If this house is available book it now! Fabulous house, great owner, nice staff, wonderful kitchen, secure location close to everything, views, garden, big bathrooms, TV, wireless, nice sheets and beds, ample closets, what more do you need? We stayed for two weeks for Easter and had a wonderful time. A home away from home!

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Guest: Anne Dougherty (Northfield, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 02/16/09 Review Submitted: 02/16/09

From the moment we opened the door to the beautiful courtyard, we knew we would be happy for our month's stay. As others have said, the photos don't capture the warmth and beauty of the house. Our favorite spot was the roof garden just outside of the master bedroom. From there, we could see all three volcanoes and the views changed from sunrise to sunset--all spectacular. Estella and Alejandro were very attentive to any of our needs, and Estella cooked a wonderful "typico" dinner for us when two other couples visited us for a week. It only took a few days at the house before we signed up for a month next year. It was perfect for us!

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Guest: Chris Shewmake (Farmington, MN, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/08 Review Submitted: 12/01/08

This is a beautiful house in a great, safe location. The pictures online do not do it justice, the house is even better in person! Joan does a great job of communicating with you through email so you know everything is taken care of. You are only a 5-10 minute walk to the Central Park and you can pretty much walk anywhere in Antigua in 20-30 minutes. If you decide to go to Antigua, make sure to use Hugo from Expeditions Guatemala for your trips.

Owner response:To find Hugo just google "Expeditions Guatemala"

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Guest: Ursula Melvin (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 10/31/08 Review Submitted: 10/31/08

This house is beautiful, safe and wonderfully set up. I stayed here with my sister and friends and we felt right at home. It was kept clean and we had everything we could possibly need. I wouldn't consider staying anywhere else the next time I visit Antigua.

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Guest: Susie Arnold1 (Kansas City, MO)
Date of Stay: 10/24/08 Review Submitted: 10/24/08

Joan, we really enjoyed our 2nd stay in your beautiful home. Our first visit was in 2006 when our daughter was married and this year to meet our new granddaughter! It was so fun coming back for our family reunion. I took many pictures of your house to show friends. They were amazed at the architecture and how beautifully furnished it is. This time I had more time to really appreciate the craftsmanship and art pieces displayed from Antigua. We had a restful visit-- from the rooftop to the living room with a fire. I hope we can do it again!

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Guest: Jenny Finley (Portland Oregon)
Date of Stay: 10/21/08 Review Submitted: 10/21/08

I was so very lucky to stay in this beautiful home on my 3rd visit to Antigua. I wish I had discovered it earlier. The views are fabulous - I especially enjoyed sitting on the veranda outside the master bedroom, enjoying the view of the volcanoes and drinking my morning coffee. I had my children with me and they had a place to play in the garden! They both felt at home in a foreign country!!!! We cooked, we played, we studied spanish and we enjoyed meeting Estella and Alex and their children as well. We cannot wait to return!

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Guest: Susan Mayclin Stephenson (Trinidad, California)
Date of Stay: 10/03/08 Review Submitted: 10/03/08

My husband and I spent several days here this summer, visiting our daughter and her family. The quiet, end-of-the road, privacy, and the lovely garden, rooftop patio, and artwork throughout the home was much more than we expected. The home is clean, modern, convenient, and has view of the volcanoes and beautiful sunrise and sunset. This house, inside and out, is obviously a creation of love and anyone who stays here is fortunate. I would especially like to commend the cook, her husband the driver and gardener, and their lovely and polite children who we were fortunate to meet. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

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Guest: Narda Sherman (Portland, Oregon)
Date of Stay: 10/03/08 Review Submitted: 10/03/08

If I could have a second home, this would be it! I have now rented this home on multiple occasions and have had friends and family of all ages join me. We have all been astounded by the beauty and comfort. Thoughtfully prepared by its owner, the house made us feel welcome immediately. As a cook, I appreciate the completely furnished modern kitchen. We were pampered by Estela, the delightful housekeeper. My kids even invited her kids over for a playdates and sleepovers and they rambled away in "spanglish." With the gates and guards it is very very safe. My only hesitation in recommending this piece of paradise is that it will be booked up!

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Guest: Anne11 (Santa Fe, NM)
Date of Stay: 03/20/07 Review Submitted: 03/19/07

We are currently in residence at this property. I really felt I had to write immediately, while I am living this dream. Tomorrow I will make breakfast for my family (yes, my small children are here as well) in the stunning kitchen downstairs, take my coffee to the master suite patio and sit for a few quiet moments gazing at the volcano while the fountain splashes in the perfectly planned and maintained garden below. I have absolutely never ever rented such a thoroughly equipped, exquisitely decorated and comfortably appointed vacation home. It is all here, just pack a bag and come...we will be back!

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