Uxlabil means in Quiché “What maintains you alive”, which can be translated as “Your breath”.  Quiché (or K’iche’) is the main Maya language in Guatemala. The Eco-Hotel Uxlabil, by the shore of lake Atitlan, is the product of the imagination of an anthropologist, writer and life-lover, so just imagine !

Francisco is permanently looking for new solutions and good practices that may make the hotel more respectful of the environment and local communities surrounding it. The walls are turquoise, with an undulating texture remembering the surface of the lake; The stairs are red, the favorite color of the Mayas… Each detail has been thought of in order to promote local culture and celebrate the beauty of lake Atitlan. “Mayas are not afraid of colors”, as Francisco likes to recall. And such is the hotel, not afraid of colors, mixes, motifs. Each one of the 16 rooms is different. Ceilings are of “A+A” style, Francisco explains: A mix of brick-red tiles recalling the colonial architecture of the old capital Antigua (3h away) and of “petate” (carpets made of reeds, traditionally used to sleep by Mayas), with between them a clear blue paint recalling the common sky uniting Mayas and settlers… And the story of the ceilings is just a detail among many others.

If you want to know Francisco’s other stories you should come to meet him here in Guatemala, on the shore of lake Atitlan or at the two other hotels of Antigua and Guatemala city !

For an account of Florie’s experience, follow the link below:
Uxlabil Hotels, from Atitlan lake to the capitals

Some good practices for a better tourism at Uxlabil :

• Manager and employees of the hotel are all locals from the village; participative management (social responsibility)
• From construction to operation, preference is always given to local products (local development)
• Fair, stable wages all year long (even in low season) (social responsibility)
• Solar panels for hot water (energy)
• Biodigestor (waste management + energy)
• Garden and production of biological coffee (agriculture and catering)
• Project “Mayan Bird” for local bird-watching (tourist’s awareness)
• Hotel facade covered with plants and natural colors (construction and lay out)

Welcome to Guatemala,

We look forward to welcoming you !