Lake Atitlan - Where to stay?

Perhaps this will help at least generate some ideas for you... I got this in an email the other day from the people at Live and Invest Overseas dot com:


"Lake Atitlan, of Kashmiri-blue sapphire hued water, set in an emerald
green girdle
fronted by small beaches, inlets, and coves," writes Latin America
Correspondent
Michael Paladin, "is placid in the morning and wind-whipped in the
afternoon. It
sits at a mile high altitude in the western highlands of Guatemala and is
ringed by
three spectacular volcanoes, San Pedro, Toliman, and Atitlan. The
vibrantly green,
perfectly shaped cones rise another 3,000 feet above the 'unruffled
surface, blue as
a peacock's breast...it is a view that qualifies beyond argument to be one
of the
wonders of the world' (so said Sitwell in 1961).

"Aldous Huxley said that he did his best writing here and concluded that
'it really
is too much of a good thing.' That was in 1934, long before anyone was
paying any
attention to what now is generally regarded as the most beautiful lake in
the world.

"Today, the children of the hippie wanderers who flocked to San Pedro La
Laguna in
the 60s have returned to the region that attracted their parents. The
small artist's
colony of Santa Cruz is alive and well. And Panajachel, the largest town
on the
lake, with some 14,000 inhabitants, serves as the entry point for the
other 12
villages scattered around it.

"The streets of Panajachel are lined with colorful fabrics, handicrafts, and
wandering tourists. Calle Santander is a five-block-long buffet of color,
from
phosphorescent blues and purples to day-glo reds, oranges, and yellows.
The street
is narrow, a sea of tourists parted by the huffing crimson tide of red
tuk-tuks,
that motorcycle with a shell, the three-wheeled shopper's special. Once,
after
observing that this city's fleet of tuk-tuks is shinier and cleaner than
any others
in the country, I was informed that the mayor owns the concession.
(Typically, these
are individually owned.)

"Pana, as its called, is home to some 200 or so expats from all parts of
the world.
Russ, the ex-lawyer from Boston, has been living here for 14 years, in a
spacious
house on a side street. His yard is a jungle. The gardeners are there
daily, hacking
away with their machetes. Dr. Guevara, who lived at the lake until she
moved to
Antigua, two hours away, still sees some of her patients there. She's an
Oxford-trained psychologist who explains that, not surprisingly, she
doesn't have
many lake-region patients with stress-related issues.

"Around the corner, to the south and a half-hour away by boat or car, is
Santiago
Atitlan, home of Maximon, the cigar-smoking, heavy-drinking patron saint
of lost
causes, bad marriages, and favors granted (if you've got the cash).

"David Glanville, owner and proprietor of the superb Posada Santiago, came
here in
the 1970s and gradually built his hotel and restaurant. There's an
estimated 50
expats in Santiago, and poker is a popular pastime. David's skills are
legendary.

"San Pedro and San Marcos? Two entirely different villages, each with a
distinct
flavor. Pedro? Leafy, narrow, winding paths lead you past small bars,
cafes, and
signs indicating massage therapy nearby. It has lesser views of the lake
and the
only ATM on that side of the lake (reached by a steep climb up cobblestone
streets).
The pluses? Cheap rents, cheap houses. On the other hand, you pay a bit of a
surcharge for 'carrying' for any and all consumer goods you buy locally.

"San Marcos? Southwest of Pana, northeast of San Pedro, 20 minutes by taxi or
launch, it's smaller, quieter, and more esoteric and laid-back. The expat
residents
here seem to be holding on more diligently to the traditions of their
parents and
professors from Maharishi University. Astral Traveling seminars? They got
'em.
Pyramid Power? Check. There is also a definite air of tranquility,
peacefulness, and
serenity, thanks probably to the location. Living here you enjoy a
constant stunning
open view of the lapis-blue lake waters and malachite-colored volcanic
mountains.

"'Om' may be the dial tone of the universe, but this place doesn't answer
the phone.
I tried calling to make a reservation at a recommended hotel and restaurant.
Voicemail told me to leave a message. I called back twice; same thing.
Another
hotel, Plan B, answered and took my reservation.

"Why would you want to live here? The weather is ideal. Neither snow nor
soggy
coastal humidity. Plus, no bugs. I've already told you about the views.

"The price for the perfect weather and the paradise views is the
inconvenience of
living at the end of a supply chain for commodities and daily necessities.
Paul, the
new British owner of the hotel/restaurant Paco Real in San Marcos, has to
take the
20-quetzal, 20-minute boat ride to San Pedro for hotel supplies that the
local
gardens don't produce.

"Armand Boissy of Atitlan Solutions (real estate agency), when asked about
his
reasons for living at the lake, explains, 'The most beautiful lake in the
world,
views of three perfect volcanoes, spring temperatures year-round, and a
friendly,
welcoming community. Then there's the Mayan culture, inexpensive lifestyle,
proximity to Guatemala City for good low-cost health care, and easy access
to the
States.'

"How affordable is the cost of living? You could rent a two-bedroom condo
in a gated
community (Pana) for US$275 a month or a one-bedroom house (again, in
Pana) for
US$550. Rental costs are comparable all around the lake.

"Many homes are available for purchase in the $200,000 to $300,000 range;
mansion-style properties are in the range of US$700,000. The quality of
construction
is excellent.

"With its small but established population of full-time expats from all
corners of
the world, this place is uniquely suited for the off-the-beaten-path,
Taos-rather-than-Sante Fe, Big Sur-rather-than-Carmel potential overseas
retiree.
This is the end of a very beautiful road with stunning sunsets, a
sapphire-colored
lake, and the white-hot blaze of the Milky Way at Midnight. No Snickers."

You should stay in Pana for the two nights and use the boats to get around the lake, it's 20-40 minutes to any of the villages.  This way you can stay where there are safe, reliable hotels, ATMs, restaurants and infrastructure and see the villages at your leisure by day. 

In Pana I like Hotel El Amigo (low end, 100Q a room) or Hotel Jardines del Lago (mid range 200Q), on the lake.

This is a great little place to stay!  My husband and I went there upon the recommendation of friends and loved it.  We have recommended it to many people and have only received good comments, so feel very confident in recommending it: tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g292008-d640663-Reviews-Hotel_Utz_Jay-Panajachel_Lake_Atitlan_Western_Highlands.html

The link has reviews, etc.  It is called Utz Jay hotel, it is a block away from the main street there, so away from the crazy noise but close enough to the fun, and a short walking distance to the lake.  It has an AWESOME Mayan sauna and I particularly liked the home-made banana bread they offer.

Thank you Guateliving and Misstrudy for your reply. I really appreciate it. I'm so looking forward to my trip.