Location: Antigua, Guatemala, Central America (Antigua is 35 Miles from the Guatemala City Airport)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + Loft, 3 Baths (Sleeps 6-8)
Casa Amelia is a stunning Spanish colonial-style Antigua home, with all modern amenities and furnished completely as our second home. The lovely three-year-old house, with indoor garden and covered patio, as well as roof terrace with views of the mountains, volcanoes, and old Spanish church/convent across the street, is cozy and comfortable, yet gives the impression of living in a centuries-old home.
It is literally a hand crafted house with the wood, iron and stone artistry that Antiguans have practiced for centuries. Three wood fireplaces, two in bedrooms, add to the ambiance. Three lovely bedrooms with private baths will sleep six, with a day bed and extra mattress on the sleeping loft overlooking the living room. The "cupula" kitchen and vaulted ceiling dining room are special features that capture the charm of old Antigua.
Each week our housekeeper comes to keep the house in pristine condition. This wonderful "eternal spring" city, at an altitude of 5,000 feet, boosts of the world's best coffee grown on the skirts of its volcanoes. Antigua, a UNESCO monument of humanity since 1984, was preserved after it was abandoned following a 1773 earthquake and is full of ruins of churches, convents, monasteries, and lovely parks and fountains.
The cobble stone streets and old lighting add to the charm. Walk everywhere from our treed street situated within the 10 square block radius of the old city. We are in town, but "away" on the only tree-lined quiet street in town, 1/2 block from a lovely neighborhood park. Antigua has been largely restored in the last 4 decades, and boasts gourmet restaurants, spas, and fancy boutiques.
Spanish language schools abound (including almost next door) and provide amazingly cheap and effective one-on-one Spanish instruction for the aspiring Spanish speaker. Stroll in the Central Plaza, shop in the huge artisan market where representatives of Guatemala's vibrant modern day Mayan population show off their wares, relax at sunset as the looming volcanoes fill with color or take day trips to nearby Mayan towns each featuring its special craft. Experiencing Antigua is a true adventure; it is ready to capture your imagination.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer: House has it own stacked washer and dryer.
- Dryer
- Linens Provided: All beds have at least two sets of linens, many pillows and down comforters. Lots of soft, fluffy towels are also there.
- Off Street Parking: Off street parking is available across the street to the side of the entry gate. generally, it is best to walk, take "tuk-tuks", or inexpensive taxis around town.
- Wood Fireplace: Three working wood fireplaces; one in living room, and one in each of two bedrooms. Wood is plentiful, and fireplaces provided any needed heat to take off the chill in the evenings.
- Beds
- Queen Bed: Master bedroom has a queen, four-poster bed in front of its fireplace.
- Double Bed: Double bed is in the front bedroom, in the separate part of the house from the back bedroom wing for extra privacy.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : The upstairs bedroom, at the top of the winding staircase, has two custom made wrought iron beds - impressively ornate. This bedroom also has its own entry to the roof patio.
- Convertible Bed (2) : The loft over the living room has a decorative day bed, with full linens. There is another identical mattress under the day bed which can be pulled out for the 8th guest, if needed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2) : The house has cable TV, with CNN, Fox News, and some English movie channels. CBS and ESPN programming are also available. Living room and master bedroom have TV's and DVD players. Some DVD's are in the house.
- DVD (2)
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: House has a full kitchen. master bedroom also has a microwave and small refrigerator for midnight snacks.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Kitchen is fully furnished with pots, pans, cooking implements, towels, plates, glasses of many types, serving dishes, spices, coffee, etc. Service for 12.
- Refrigerator: Full size refrigerator and freezer
- Dishwasher: yes
- Microwave: Built in in the kitchen
- Outdoor Features
- Deck/Patio: Roof deck with entrances from both the front loft and the back upstairs bedroom. patio has beautiful views of excavation underway across the street, and ruins of Spanish church. Also Volcan de Agua. Great place for breakfast or dusk drinks.
- Lanai: Covered and furnished patio in the center of the house, looks over the garden, pond and fountains. Lots of plants.
- View/Location
- Mountain View: 5,000 ft high Antigua is in a bowl surrounded by volcanoes and hills, visible from the roof patio. The lovely Spanish church ruin across the street is squarely framed in the corner living room window, and is lighted at night for a breathtaking sight.
- Communications
- Telephone: Land line which is available for calls within Guatemala without charge.
- Cell Phone: Pre-paid cell phone and charger are available. Guests can buy time all over town.
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet): House had Wi-Fi internet, but no computer there now. Internet cafes are all over town, including within a block of the house, and time is incredibly cheap.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed: Pets are not allowed
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters: We believe children should be at least 10 years old to stay in the house. There is a stairway to the loft that does not have a railing, a shallow pond in the garden and a circular, concrete stairway in the back of the house.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Museums
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
....................... $ 925/week (generally 1 week min.) .. $2100/month.
$1500/2 weeks.
$1800/3 week.
Christmas, New Years .. $1500/week.
Easter ................ $2000/week.
Security & Breakage deposit $400.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Antigua
We love Guatemala where we spent six years working in the US Embassy in Guatemala City. Guatemala is the most varied, intriguing, colorful small country we have ever visited. The people are wonderful and the sights, sounds and colors phenomenal. We bought a small piece of land in Central Antigua in 1997 and eventually built our lovely home where we spend several months each year. It is bursting with the crafts and colors of Guatemala, hand dipped candles, and, when we are there, the gorgeous flowers that are sold on the streets. Guatemala is a feast for the senses.
The Unique Benefits of this House
This is our home away from home, and is furnished and outfitted accordingly, from handmade tablecloths and Mexican pewter candlesticks to an extensive English language library scattered throughout the rooms. Having wakened to church bells (or roosters), we eat breakfast (after walking to the French bakery for fresh croissants) in the patio soothed by the sounds of our fountains. Or we eat on the roof patio, with the looming Volcan De Agua as the backdrop. Antigua is full of intrigue. Tour the monasteries, enjoy the comforts of professional spas, or travel to Lake Atitlan and the Indian market at Chichicastenango for unique experiences. Only blemish is from May to October you should bring an umbrella for the afternoon showers.
Property Photos
- Casa Amelia - Antigua Vacation House Rental
- Volcan de Agua "guards" Antigua - Antigua Vacation House Rental
- Relaxing on indoor patio - Antigua Vacation House Rental
- Santa Rosa Church out the living room window
- Garden with pond and fountains
- "Stately" living room
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #248999
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
