Laguna Lodge Eco-Resort and Nature Reserve sits on the lake in Santa Cruz La Laguna, the quieter cliffside village across the water from Panajachel. The room list runs from garden-view suites and superior double or twin rooms to pool-view deluxe suites, junior suites and luxury suites with lake views, plus a two-bedroom luxury villa that sleeps six. The property has an outdoor pool, a dock, gardens, a terrace, a video library and games, and an on-site restaurant, Zotz, with vegetarian and vegan options. Kayaking, boat tours and massages are available on request. Guests score it 8.2 out of 10 from a smaller set of reviews than the busier hotels, and it is classed as a four-class property.
Location and getting around
Santa Cruz is a steep, car-free-feeling village on the water, and many guests reach the lodge by boat, so ask the hotel about transfers from Panajachel before you arrive and do not rely on a map for the road. There is no on-site parking. From here you can swim from the dock, kayak, join a boat tour or book a morning for the Santa Cruz cooking class, and the Panajachel docks are a boat ride away.
The rooms and the feel
This is the lake’s most secluded splurge, with views, terraces and a sense of being among the trees rather than in a town. Rooms vary, from garden suites to luxury lake-view suites, so choose by view and sleeping needs. Guests love the setting and the calm, and the bar and restaurant culture of Panajachel feels far away. The lodge suits couples, honeymooners and anyone who wants to read, swim and watch the volcanoes change color.
Good to know
Check-in runs from 3 pm to 8:30 pm, with no after-hours check-in, and check-out is at noon. Breakfast is cooked to order and charged separately. The restaurant is vegetarian and vegan, which some guests love and others find limiting, so consider eating out for variety. Some reviews mention inconsistent Wi-Fi, so do not plan to work from the lodge. There is no elevator and the grounds are on slopes, so ask about the right room if stairs are a concern. Pets are not allowed, and an airport shuttle costs extra per vehicle.
Why stay here
- ✓Lake-view suites and villa
- ✓Outdoor pool
- ✓Private dock on the lake
- ✓On-site vegetarian restaurant
- ✓Kayaking and boat tours
- ✓Massage services
- ✓Gardens and terrace
- ✓Free Wi-Fi in rooms
Good questions
How do I get to Laguna Lodge?+
Many guests arrive by boat from Panajachel, and reviewers warn against following road directions. Ask the lodge to arrange your transfer.
Is the restaurant vegetarian?+
Yes, the on-site restaurant serves vegetarian and vegan food. Many guests eat out in the village or in Panajachel for variety.
Is it good for families?+
Children are welcome and there is a villa and family-sized suites, but the slopes and quiet suit older children best. Ask about the right room.
