Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo

Casa Santo Domingo is the hotel that most visitors picture when they imagine staying in colonial Antigua. It opened in June 1989 on the grounds of the Santo Domingo monastery, which was partly destroyed in the earthquakes of the 18th century, and it describes itself as a hotel, museum and spa in one. The Guatemalan tourism board's listing gives it 130 rooms, 22 of them in a spa living concept, each decorated with work by Guatemalan artists and handmade textiles. Many rooms have fireplaces, and the grounds are a maze of courtyards, fountains and gardens among the ruins.

Location and getting around: the hotel is on 3a Calle Oriente, around a ten-minute walk from the Central Park, which puts the cathedral ruins, the Capuchinas convent and the Santa Catalina Arch within easy reach on foot. Antigua is compact, so you will rarely need a car; taxis and tuk-tuks are cheap for the steeper climb to Cerro de la Cruz, and tour operators collect guests from central hotels for the volcano and lake day trips.

The rooms and setting: expect high ceilings, thick walls, antique-style furniture, local art and, in many rooms, a fireplace that comes in handy on cool highland nights. The spa-living rooms add a more contemporary comfort. The setting is the point, because the ruins and gardens are part of the hotel, and the museums on site, which are open to non-guests as well, give you a collection of colonial art, silver and Maya pottery within walking distance of your room. Guests have the grounds to themselves in the early morning and evening, before and after day visitors.

Who it suits: couples, honeymooners and history lovers who want a memorable base and are happy to pay for it, and travellers planning a Pacaya or Acatenango day who want a calm place to recover. It is less suited to travellers who want a modern, minimal room or the cheapest rate, since the property is large and sometimes busy with events and visitors.

Good to know: the hotel is a large complex, so ask for a quiet room away from the event spaces if you are a light sleeper. Check what is included in your rate, including breakfast and any spa access, and confirm parking, since Antigua's streets are narrow. Museum visitors pass through the grounds during opening hours. Book early for Holy Week and the December holidays, when Antigua fills up and rates climb.