Off on its own in a mostly residential area a few blocks from one end of the airport runway, Hotel Adriatika also stands apart with its contemporary design.
The “boutique part of the name here refers to its artistic aesthetics more than the size since this is a high-rise with 116 rooms. It’s sleek and slick, with contemporary furniture and elevators where you tap your key against a sensor and it automatically lights up your floor. (With only two elevators though, you won’t exactly get whisked back down to the lobby when you return.)
Plenty of thought went into creating a striking first impression. Dramatic light fixtures and sculpture elements in red contrast with the mostly black and gray furniture and carpets, plus colorful throw pillows add some pops of color.
In a city with lots of chain hotels clustered around a relatively small area—see our Guatemala City hotels round-up here—the Adriatika location is both a plus and a minus. It’s a relatively quiet area, especially on the high floors, and there’s no traffic jam by the front door. There’s nothing else around here though, so getting to a restaurant or bar of any kind besides what’s on the premises is usually going to require a taxi ride of 15 minutes or more.
Thankfully there is a good restaurant here and it has several attractive sitting areas inside and out. There’s also a nice lounging area besides the ample sitting areas in the lobby and when weather permits you can order poolside.
That pool is a prime attraction when the weather is hot, with its blue tiles and areas for lounging in the water or being in a whirlpool. There’s an Astroturf area that’s always green, with a big TV lounge off to the side and a small playground. On the mezzanine level is a gym with cardio machines, weight machines, and dumbbells overlooking the pool.
Rooms come in three categories, with the standards nicely appointed and comfortable. The outside walls are whitewashed brick, a nice change from the norm. They have king or two double beds, duvets, good bedside reading lights, and loads of closet space with quality hangers. An ample writing desk with lamp has a good ergonomic desk chair and the included WiFi works well. Despite the short age of this property though, finding an open electrical outlet is a struggle. Baths in the standards are rather small shower-only affairs, but are attractive.
Amenities include some quality basic toiletries, a bottle of water, iron+ironing board, and a 32-inch TV with mostly dubbed Spanish channels in the standards. An electronic safe is listed on the website, but there wasn’t one in my room. It’s well worth upgrading to one of the two suite options if you’ll be spending much time in your room. These have a sofa, alarm clock with music dock, coffee maker, make-up mirror, and of course a lot more space.
This property is priced below the luxury offerings in Guatemala City and with a few more service personnel and some more extensive room amenities like bathrobes it could compete at the top level. As it is the Adriatika Hotel is a good value, with rooms starting at around $100 and the suites starting at $145. Book direct at the hotel website or check rates online at Hotels.com.
Review and photos by editor Tim Leffel, who was a guest of Adriatika as an invited media attendee of Travel Mart Latin America in Guatemala City.
