Vacation Rentals by Owner

Excellent Retreat

Guest: kandl (Guatemala)
Date of Stay: 02/24/12 Review Submitted: 02/29/12

We live in Guatemala and are always looking for a little retreat area where we can rejuvinate and this location was perfect for our needs. Thank you Lee and Elaine.

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

Best Value on the Lake

Guest: Brian (Guatemala City)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 12/30/11

I just spent a wonderful Christmas vacation with two friends and my dog at the house. Elaine and Lee are wonderful hosts, very laid back, and can assist you with anything needed around the lake. I traveled with two friends and my dog -- and the house is the perfect retreat for spending relaxing days at the lake. The house is cozy with many benefits: private garden with amazing views of the volcanoes, kitchen is outside on the covered terrace, and kayaks available for day trips. The house is a short walk to the main dock in town with several options for eating/drinking. Or, a short boat ride to other nearby towns. You can choose days for exploring or days to be lazy in your private area. I will definitely return to this house and Santa Cruz La Laguna on my next trip to the lake!

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

A relaxing retreat

Guest: Manuka (Fernie, BC)
Date of Stay: 10/24/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

We thoroughly enjoyed our week long stay at Elaine & Lee's accommodation. Very helpful communication prior to our arrival; lovely outdoor kitchen and eating area (very novel if you come from Canada!); very accommodating of our 2 year old daughter. We loved the location - lots of safe hiking trails out the backyard with easy access to Mayan villages on either side of the property. Wonderful to be able to go for a paddle in the morning any time we wanted; swimming right off the dock. The list goes on. If you are looking to be right in the heart of a busy, tacky, touristy centre, then this is not your place. If you are looking for 5 star frills, look elsewhere. If you are looking to be in a tranquil setting with wonderful views of the lake and volcanoes, kayaking, hiking, and swimming at your disposal, and the opportunity to do your own thing, then this is an absolute must! And if you're wanting to explore other parts of the lake, this is very doable by boat. We recommend the village of San Juan La Laguna for a day's outing - check out the Women's Weaving Co-operative where they use natural dyes.

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Lost in Paradise!

Guest: G and G (windsor locks, ct)
Date of Stay: 07/18/11 Review Submitted: 01/22/12

This review is a bit late since we stayed with Lee and Elaine back in July, 2011 but it has taken us this long to get through our separation pangs. We are happily planning a return this summer so we are able to commit to electronic communication, our review with a less depressed outlook. In short, TERRIFIC does not begin to describe our experience at their property. These are two people who have their act together: VERY hospitable, friendly and accomodating.The location lends itself to an incredible relaxed atmosphere. You can be as active or not to your hearts content and Lee and Elaine are there to assist with local information, advice, guided tours and FUN cocktail hours. On a scale of 1 to 10 this an ELEVEN! G and G Windsor Locks, CT. (USA)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful View but limited access to services

Guest: mjennings (wilmington nc)
Date of Stay: 06/23/11 Review Submitted: 06/30/11

This is a lovely little house but not appropriate for 3 persons. The kitchen sink is in the bedroom, the bathroom door does not shut so you do not have privacy if you have 3 persons in the home and the roof leaked in the second bedroom/shower room. Make sure you bring your own wine with you because the owner brought us to a place that only offered three choices of wine and they did not even have a cork just a piece of styrofoam. This place has great potential but a little more communication and a little less interest in trying to monopolize the food industry would go a long way. When the owner decided they wanted to charge you for an avocado off the tree the decision to leave this little piece of paradise was quickly made.

Owner response:We value feedback from each of our guests, and are glad to reply to the comments. We qualify each renter prior to booking to insure they are a good fit for our property. During the email exchange, we advise our renters that our casita is very small for 3 adults. We offered them an upgrade to a second bedroom and second bathroom at the time of their booking. Once they arrived, it was obvious that the second bedroom and bath would allow them more room, and they would enjoy more privacy. We offered them the upgrade again. They declined the offer. We met the renters in Panajachel personally, and made it clear that there are no stores and limited dining options in Santa Cruz. We personally took them shopping and recommended purchases based on their needs. We suggested wine and food needed to be purchased prior to departing for Santa Cruz. The village of Santa Cruz is rather remote and rustic. It is considered charming and tranquil by some, and remote and isolated by others. This is a matter of personal taste and style. The renters had reserved our casita for four nights, however after the first night we all agreed they would be happier somewhere else. They were only charged for the first night, and we assisted them in selecting another location for their remaining time. The avocado did not come from our tree, but was purchased at the market. We hope the balance of their time at Lake Atitlan and Guatemala was enjoyable.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A Beautiful Place

Guest: Tim and Kathy (Silverthorne, CO)
Date of Stay: 02/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/10/11

We had a great week at Lake Atitlan and staying at this beautiful property was the best decision that we made. Lee and Elaine were extremely helpful in providing a local's insight into the area and the trips that we took with Lee were perfect introductions to life in this part of Guatemala. Hiking, climbing, kayaking or just sitting on the patio watching the sun set over the volcanos and sipping a couple of Mozas with new friends. We hope to return soon- give Zip, Lacey and the Gato a scratch for us and hasta la vista!

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.

Exceptional

Guest: Albert (Los Angeles, CA )
Date of Stay: 02/16/11 Review Submitted: 03/26/11

This was an exceptional experience in every way ... exceptional lake, exceptional view of volcanoes, exceptional views from the house, exceptional living quarters and exceptional hosts, as well as the unique and picturesque Mayan villages around the lake. Lee and Elaine provided a lot of information prior to our arrival and were very helpful in suggesting ways to enhance our visit at the lake. Without reservation, we highly recommend staying at their house while exploring the lake.

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

Great House, Great People, Great Views

Guest: Friends of Zip and Lacy (Philadelphia, PA)
Date of Stay: 12/30/10 Review Submitted: 01/11/11

The house has everything you would desire staying on Lake Atitlan, but the true gems are Lee and Elaine. They were very accommodating and huge resources about the area. We hiked to Solola with Lee which was amazing and they gave us several days worth of ideas for us to explore on our own. Thanks for the great stay!!!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Amazing, amazing experience.

Guest: nacawlf (Hendersonville, NC USA)
Date of Stay: 12/26/10 Review Submitted: 01/14/11

Amazing, amazing experience. Wonderful views, personalized attention, convenient to all the offerings in Santa Cruz as well as all that Lake Atitlan has to offer. Our group ranged in age from 2 to 65 and we all had an amazing time. If you are lucky enough to go and to get to stay here, be sure to pay for the all day tour of the lake with Lee, well worth every penny. The only negative thing about our whole experience was that we had to leave.

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.

Great hosts, Cozy open air home, Gorgeous views!!!

Guest: Dino (Orlando FL)
Date of Stay: 11/13/10 Review Submitted: 05/18/11

Lee & Elaine are soo knowledgeable, helpful, and fun to talk with. I am fortunate to have shared time with them. The scenery is amazing from any angle! The weather is the best I have experienced! The price is a real deal. Thank you for opening your home to my dad, sister and I

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great place for relaxation

Guest: Lynn (Florida)
Date of Stay: 08/28/10 Review Submitted: 09/06/10

We just returned from a week's stay at this cute casita. Despite less than perfect weather, we had a wonderful time. This is a very good value & the perfect size for two. Lee & Elaine are the perfect hosts offering any help or info needed. When we encountered problems the last two days of the trip due to the tropical storm which caused severe mudslides & road closures, they helped us arrange alternate transportation to get back to the airport. We did not want to leave!

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

Honeymoon on Lake Atitlan

Guest: Kevin & Moe (Cleveland, OH)
Date of Stay: 08/09/10 Review Submitted: 09/14/10

My wife and I recently spent our honeymoon on Lake Atitlan and stayed at Lee and Elaine's place. We had a wonderful time getting away and we got to experienced a whole new culture in Guatemala. They are great hosts that are very well known and knowledgeable in the area and were always very helpful when needed. One night they even gave us some of their delicious homemade soup that Elaine made and also a jar of very fresh honey to use for the week. Overall we had a great time and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to friends and family, and would certainly contact them again if we revisit the area. Even if you end up choosing another place or village to stay in.. Lee offers great tours of the lake that were by far the highlight of our trip and Elaine offers massages so be sure to get in contact with them! You won't be disappointed!

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

Out and About with a Toddler

Guest: Victor R. (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 03/20/10 Review Submitted: 05/16/10

We needed to get away but were apprehensive about travling with a two year old. Lake Atitlan provided us with plenty of enjoyment and relaxation. Falling asleep each night to the sounds of the water lapping on the rocks was just as soothing as waking up to clear skies and 70 degree weather. The boat tours are a must, it really gives you a sense of where you are and how amazing the Gutemalan people are. Lee is an awesome tour guide and well respected by the Guatemalans who welcomed us everwhere we went. Our daughter loved being in and around the water, as well as jumping on the trampoline. Elaine's hospitality and wonderful massages were the perfect compliment to our hiking and kyaking. A beautiful week. Victor, Laura and Lacy Mae

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

Fabulous vacation on Lake Atitlan

Guest: JW13 (Cornwall, VT USA)
Date of Stay: 03/06/10 Review Submitted: 04/05/10

We stayed over 2 weeks at Lee and Elaine's at the lake and loved it. They were helpful, gracious hosts with a lovey dog and entertaining cat. The house was great. The outdoor (covered) kitchen with eating and reading area was the best. It is not fancy, but is just what we were looking for. Amazing view of the lake and volcanoes...we spent so much time cooking, reading and just relaxing outside, which is just where we wanted to be. In between books and tasty meals, we kayaked (they have lots to choose from), hiked to other villages and up the canyon, or took the boat (20 min) to Panajachel to the mercado to restock on food and books. We walked 10 minutes on the path along the lake to yoga with Belle 3x week and there were several great restaurants nearby to choose from. And the massage from Elaine!!! Wonderful! Lee was a wealth of information about the area, and took us hiking up up up the canyon to Solola for market day. We highly recommend staying at their rental houses (they actually have 2) and we hope to get back there again before too long.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, tourists without a car.

Guest: Gilles Charest (Quebec)
Date of Stay: 03/03/10 Review Submitted: 03/03/10

The place almost a heaven. My wife and me stayed 1 week in this beautiful house. We appreciated a lot the place, the lake, and also Lee and Eleine the owners. If you need a good guide with a good culturals explanations you have the best with Lee. Two generous persons always ready to help you. Highly recommand. Pour les francophones si vous allez au lac Atitlan n hesitez pas le rapport qualite prix est excellent. Les proprietaires des lieux sont accueillants toujours prets a vous aider et Lee est un guide extraordinaire qui vous fera connaitre les diffrents villages a un prix des plus abordables. Nous pensons y retourner l an prochain. Chaudement recomande.

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Guest: Eric Holt (-)
Date of Stay: 03/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/01/10

My friend and I had the fantastic pleasure of staying at this amazing rental. Lake atitlan was gorgeous and peaceful, and the location equally so. The immense graciousness of our hosts was incredibly appreciated, and they provide the perfect balance of "giving you solitude", while simultaneously being obviously and easily available if you need anything. I couldn't possibly recommend it more, and what you get for your money is incredibly worth it.

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Guest: Scott and Toni Armstrong (Maryland)
Date of Stay: 11/03/09 Review Submitted: 11/03/09

Toni and I spent our honeymoon in Santa Cruz with Lee and Elaine. WOW what a time we had, hiking in the mountains, kayaking, rock climbing. Lee took us to the indiginus market at Solo La and to some cooperatives around the village to meet locals. Best of all at the end of the day my wife Toni could get a message and facial from Elaine!! The Casita was great, the view amazing.... The only hard part was leaving. We miss you guys!!

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Guest: Silviya Slavova (Varna, Bulgaria)
Date of Stay: 10/17/09 Review Submitted: 10/16/09

This place is so fantastic, the views of the lake are breathtaking and Lee and Elaine are the nicest hosts we have ever met ( and we travel a lot). There is so much natural beauty around and Lee and Elaine made sure that we would experience it and enjoy it to the max. And we did. The boat trips and the trail walks that Lee offered took us very close to the indigenous culture of the Mayas and the deep tissue massage that Elaine gave me was the best ever. Our son who is 8 and normally is bored by anything that is not an electronic game, just loved it and did not even think about his games while we were there. If you really want to experience the lake area in Guatemala you would have to stay with Lee and Elaine. We are definitely thinking of going back some day. Thank you Lee and Elaine.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 09/13/09 Review Submitted: 09/13/09

As in all places of great natural beauty, the more effort you make to enjoy them, the more you will. At Lake Atitlan you have to stay with Lee and Elaine. They can arrange a wide variety of memorable activities to help ensure that you make the most from your visit. We enjoyed a number of unforgetable experiences which was largely due to their help. It was a wonderful holiday.

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Guest: James White (Baton Rouge, La. )
Date of Stay: 08/09/09 Review Submitted: 08/09/09

I was fortunate enough to visit the property for ten days, in June,2009. It is very comfortable, private, quiet, and yet close to the water, without too many steps (that MATTERS as you age). The owners were very kind and helpful, and transport for supplies was easy. High speed internet worked great. Marvelous view from front porch/yard. Year-round perfect weather, 55-75 degrees. Highly recommend.

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