La Lancha, Guatemala - A Francis Ford Coppola Hideaway

As you arrive by boat from Flores airports, the hotel’s dock welcomes you into a jungle walkway – be warned it’s 272 steps to the reception but there is a little funicular that can take you most of the way if steps are not your thing. The hotel overlooks lake Peten Itza, all rooms are in individual villas with balconies and hammocks looking out at the lake. We stayed in a very big room, easily accommodating us and our teenage son – 2 separate areas with a large bathroom. The rooms are all decorated with a lot of Guatemalan local accents, and the best thing about them – no TV, so you can really detach and detox from the hustle and bustle of the western world. The hotel restaurant is small but big enough to accommodate the guests. The menu is rather limited, so if you are thinking of a longer stay, you might want to explore what Flores has to offer. But breakfast offers great choice and the homemade jam is a must. There’s also an open fire pit, and nothing beats sitting by the open fire and enjoying the sounds of the jungle but be warned, the mosquitoes are relentless, but it is the rain forest after all. The staff were wonderful, the manager Noe very happy to accommodate any wish, nothing was every too much trouble. There is plenty to do there, plenty of trips for both nature and history lovers alike. Tikal is, of course, a must, and we also took the opportunity to visit el Mirador – another Mayan site in the process if being excavated, a slightly more niche trip with plenty of hiking through the rain forest, watching archaeologists at work and being watched by monkeys and toucans, and climbing the world's tallest pyramid( yes taller than those in Egypt) But if you just want to relax by the lake, there are sunbeds there, paddle boards, kayaks and you can always use the shell phone to order your drinks from the bar. All in all, la Lancha is the perfect base for exploring what Guatemala has offer in the part of the country. Would strongly recommend it.

Spent two nights at this gorgeous place! Loved the breath taking view of lake peten itza! The staff serrvice is excellent! The were very attentive at all times! Made us feel at home! Food is excellent! We were served various traditional dishes. A must try!

A beautiful place, such a luxurious way to end our 2 weeks of backpacking around Guatemala. Our rainforest villa was gorgeous, so comfortable and clean, and the staff were very attentive - even calling before they closed the kitchen for the night as they hadn't seen us at dinner. That was the one thing that may be an issue for some. It is so secluded and relatively inaccessible that you can't really wander off the resort to do some exploring or sight-seeing or dining out. While the food was quite enjoyable, there are limitations to what you can expect so far from an urban centre, and I think we would have enjoyed some additional options of places to eat. There are tours that can be booked. We went to Tikal and booked the boat to take us to Flores one day - but they are quite pricey, and the guide we had for Tikal seemed somewhat uninterested. He didn't inspire us to book any further adventures through the resort while we were there.

We spent a few days in this beautiful hotel during our trip around Guatemala and Belize. We were welcomed by the manager and taken to our room which was perfectly laid out for a family with teenagers- two sleeping areas, a large bathroom and a balcony including hammocks overlooking the lake. All members of staff knew our names and every evening they would put out a trail of candles leading down the paths to our room. The restaurant and spa were fabulous and we enjoyed spending time in and around the lake after a day at Tikal. It’s rare to find a hotel where high standards are maintained but it’s also a relaxed and easy place to stay. We will definitely return and may try out the other Coppola hotels next time.

Wonderful experience. Loved the secluded location and beautiful rooms. The lakeview suite was great. Staff were wonderful, lots of nice amenities. As many people have said the food and activities are overpriced. An easy solution is just renting a car if you are up for it so you can have more independence. Driving in the area is not bad at all. El Ramate is close and has some good local restaurants. It’s easy to do excursions yourself like Tikal or Yaxha with a little bit of tofu planning and research.

La Lancha feels like you are in a private villa. The hotel is very small, and the staff was SO friendly. The concierge helped arrange day trips to Tikal and crossing across the Belize border to see Xunantunich with two different tour guides to meet us on either side. They made planning unbelievably easy, so we could just enjoy the sites and the vacation. I would recommend upgrading to a water view, but the views from the pool and restaurant will satisfy you if you do not! The food is delicious, especially the breakfast. You take a funicular down to the lake and can enjoy a full day in its peaceful waters. And don't forget the temazcal (sweat lodge)! La Lancha is truly special (especially for its price), and I would recommend it to anyone!

Thank you for a wonderful stay at La Lancha. We particularly appreciated the helpfulness and friendliness of the staff and the very peaceful environment. This is a great place for contemplation. A relaxing base to come back to after a day exploring the surrounding Mayan wonders.

A magical hotel on the most serene part of the lake! Feels like a film director's home that you get access to. Private and luxurious. Service and attention to detail is exceptional, so many considered touches that make everyday special. Would most definitely recommend