Elegant Apt + Atitlan/Volcano Views @7 Volcanes

See all properties

Save

Apartment

Covered front porch with lake view, table and chairs

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.8

Exceptional

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

Mountain view

Explore the area

San Marcos La Laguna, Solola

Lake Atitlán5 min walk
Cerro Tzankujil11 min walk
Church of Saint Peter14 min drive

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Balcony

Dining Area

About this property

This private, secure, and comfortable second level apartment has a small kitchen with stove/oven and refrigrator, its own covered porch, and a wonderful view of Lake Atitlan and 7, including some live, volcanos. The short 5 minute walk to town makes it easy for shopping, activities, and restaurants, but far enough for quiet nights. The wood furniture for this apartment was hand built by me, having been a cabinetmaker in the states for 25 years. The queen orthopedic pillow top bed is provided with 100% cotton sheets, and the bathroom, with 24 hour hot water from a brass rain shower head, sufficient towels, and complimentary shampoo and soap for stays less than a week. The sofa converts to an extra bed for a child or third person.

The apartment is located inside a secure walled garden and has wifi internet access and use of the washing machine. There's a wonderful private garden to enjoy and often other guests staying with me in the house, or the other apartment, from all destinations, to chat and exchange information with. We can meet you at the public dock, or at Blind Lemon's Restaurant in the central area of San Marcos to help you with your luggage, or even arrange transportation from the airport in Guatemala City if you like.

Property manager

Carlos

Languages

English, Spanish

Amenities

Kitchen

Outdoor space

Mountain view

House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM

Check out before noon

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

My casa is your casa, but I expect everything to be treated with care and respect.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

San Marcos La Laguna

Located in San Marcos La Laguna, this apartment is in a rural area. Lake Atitlán and Cerro Tzankujil reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include La Voz Coffee Cooperative and La Calle de los Sombreros. Calle del Café and Calle de las Artes are also worth visiting. Parasailing and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and ecotours nearby.

San Marcos La Laguna, Solola

What's nearby

Multiple Use Area Lake Atitlan Basin - 1 min walk
Lake Atitlán - 5 min walk
Cerro Tzankujil - 11 min walk
Church of Saint Peter - 14 min drive
San Pedro Volcano - 18 min drive

Getting around

Quetzaltenango (AAZ-Los Altos) - 108 min drive

Restaurants

‪The Alegre Pub - ‬14 min drive
‪Coffee San Juan - ‬12 min drive
‪Sababa - ‬14 min drive
‪Lush Apartments - ‬11 min walk
‪Vida Cocina Creativa - ‬10 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Elegant Apt + Atitlan/Volcano Views @7 Volcanes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Elegant Apt + Atitlan/Volcano Views @7 Volcanes?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Elegant Apt + Atitlan/Volcano Views @7 Volcanes?

Checkout is at noon.

Where is Elegant Apt + Atitlan/Volcano Views @7 Volcanes located?

Situated in a rural location, this apartment building is within a 5-minute walk of Multiple Use Area Lake Atitlan Basin and Lake Atitlán. Cerro Tzankujil is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) away.

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

26 Feb 2019

San marcos

What a great place to stay. Carlos is fun to talk to and very helpful. We could contact him easy. The apartment is very nice, clean and safe. We would stay there again.

Stayed 8 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nathalie B.

9 Apr 2018

GREAT APPARTMENT !

We had a wonderful stay in this quality well made apartment. Ludwin took care of everything we needed because Carlos was away. The yard is gorgeous and the view from the balcony or the bed, will make you at peace. They make easy for you to compost and recycle, which is a great plus to us. The apartment is 5 minutes away from anything. We could buy everything we needed from locals and even find places to eat with locals.

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2018

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Claire P.

17 July 2017

Gorgeous apartment in a beautiful location with a great host

I had a thoroughly lovely time staying in Carlos' place. The apartment and furnishings are really nice quality and it is a really nice place to hang out and read/relax. Waking up with the view of the volcanoes from the window and bird song in the forest around the house was a dream. The location was great - close enough to the village that you can pop back and forth, but set back in the woods so you can feel in your own little world. Perfect for getting away from it all. Carlos is a great host and the place is nice and secure so it is ideal if you are travelling alone and want a base to feel at home in. There is a house being built on the plot in front of this one, which is in view from the balcony but doesn't obstruct the view of the volcanoes. I did have a sinking feeling when the workers arrived and put on their music on my first morning. But I mentioned it to Carlos who had a chat with them and they agreed to switch it off for the days I was there, which they did and then everything returned back to peaceful birdsong. Otherwise the construction was very quiet while I was there. Overall, I'm very happy and can't wait to come back again in the future! I will be recommending this apartment to friends and family.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christian B.

27 Apr 2017

5 Stars!

Magical! Carlos was the perfect host..there when you needed questions answered or supplies, but otherwise not invasive! His apartment is the ideal perch! AND his blues guitar at his restaurant, The Blind Lemon was soothing to the soul! THANK-YOU Carlos and Kata and Son!!

Stayed 9 nights in Apr 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

mandy d., Calgary, AB, Canada

21 Apr 2017

Great apartments!

My cousin and I stayed for three nights, we had the top and bottom apartments. Units were as pictured, very comfortable, clean and had everything we needed. Carlos was very accommodating and great to do business with! I do recommend ear plugs for the dogs and roosters in San Marcos! Sunrise is beautiful from the top balcony!

Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John O., Pasadena, CA

17 Jan 2017

It Was Great

Great views of the lake and the climate is an eternal Springtime . Saw one of the volcano mildly erupt one morning as I was waiting for the the sunrise. The plume was illuminated by the rising sun. Room is clean, bright, airy and the water pressure is good in the shower. If you arrive via the small ferry let Carlos know in advance of the ETA and if you come via the road check-in at the Blind Lemon Restaurant- which also has cable for sporting events. Carry-on wheeled bags and backpacks work best on the path up to the house. Good restaurants with a healthy food /lifestyle theme are in San Marcos. Short ferry ride to San Pedro and a little longer to Pana for day trips.

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sandra Z.

2 Jan 2017

Excellent

Carlos is a very friendly person, and everything in the apartment is very clean, we really enjoyed the peaceful and beautiful garden!! Thanks Carlos

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn W.

30 Jan 2016

Would return in a heartbeat.

A beautiful comfortable property that is exceptionally clean and well maintained. Very well suited to having late dinners or early morning coffee and beautiful sunrises on the deck. Our host was very welcoming and readily accessible to answer our questions. Would recommend a dinner and music at the nearby Blind Lemons restaurant. A perfect spot from which to explore the whole of Lake Atitlan.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David A.

16 Dec 2015

Only place to stay in San Marcos

We simply echo other reviews: top drawer place. get the upstairs apt for the amazing view during breakfast and/or happy hour. Carlos is a great host and, as a bonus, owns a nice bar/restaurant only 5 min away. this place made our stay so much better than we expected - a treat.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mary N.

23 Aug 2015

Incredibly comfortable, clean, modern and beautiful

I stayed for a month and a half in this clean, modern, beautiful and safe apartment with stunning views of the lake and lush countryside. Everything Carlos builds, including his nearby restaurant, is of high quality and this apt did not disappoint. High quality bed and bedding, luxurious shower and fully stocked kitchen with nice cookware, all contributed to a feeling of beig tucked in and happy.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lucy A.

12 Apr 2015

Beutiful apartment with amazing view

We spend few memorable days at this apartment. The view, the setting, the kitchen, the decoration of the apartment everything was perfect. We loved sitting on the balcony absorbing the beauty of the lake and all seven volcanos. Place was very secure and short walk to the center of the village. Carlos hospitality is outstanding. We would definitely return for a longer stay and would recommend this place to friends.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cathy D., Maryville Tennessee USA

10 Apr 2015

Quiet apartment with beautiful views

This small apartment was an excellent fit for my daughter and me. Carlos quickly answered all of our emails throughout the booking process. Every time we had a question during our stay there he would be right there to help us out. Sitting on the front porch was the best place to have morning coffee and breakfast and afternoon drinks and dinner. The kitchen has what one needs to prepare simple meals. However we usually ate out as there are many good restaurants in San Marcos including Carlos's Blind Lemon. My Spanish teacher came to the house for lessons right there on the front porch. There was always an ample supply of hot water in the shower and plenty of drinking water. We always felt safe at the house and on the short path to the main road in town even at night. This is a quiet village. The people are friendly and helpful. You can easily take a boat over to visit other villages around the lake. The apartment is definitely a great value for the price. I would definitely stay there again if we get to return.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Christopher F.

25 Mar 2015

Could not really ask for more!!!

What can we say? I am not sure which is better, Carlos as a hospitable host or the beautiful apartment? We arrived in San Marcos and instantly knew we wanted to spend more then a few nights. We contacted and looked at a few long term rentals and every time we walked away to think about it and discuss it in private. However, when Carlos met us to show us the place instantly we felt comfortable. The Beautiful apartment we wanted to rent was booked for a a few days so Carlos offered us a private bedroom in his house, with access to the kitchen. When we discussed the options I asked my Girlfriend if she wanted to go have a coffee and think about it. We both agreed that there was nothing to think about. The apartment is beautiful and has one of the best views of the volcanoes and the lake in San Marcos. it is a 4 minute walk to the heart of town and we always felt very safe. San Marcos in general feels very safe. Carlos invited us to hang with his friends whom he had over for a little wine and cheese garden party. He also took me to a nearby town to watch him play at a local music festival. I seriously can not say enough about this property and Carlos. Had he not already had the place booked out, we would probably still be there!!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy W.

21 Jan 2015

Wonderful stay and amazing host!

We live in Los Angeles and I traveled to San Marco with my 79 year old mom, 8 yr old daughter, and a friend. We stayed at Seven Volcanoes' two new apartments (top and bottom floor) and felt very much at home. The apartments were built with beautiful wood ceilings and the showers are stylish and modern. We loved the views of the volcanoes from our balcony and my mom said, "I am going to just stay here, there is no need to go anywhere!" We enjoyed the complimentary coffee and tea and cooking our own food. The brand new gas stove is powerful enough for you to cook anything! My mother and daughter enjoyed picking bananas and oranges from the garden. Carlos is a wonderful host, architect, builder, and musician. Just ask him about anything and he will be happy to share. He played the blues for us at his restaurant, Blind Lemon, and we had a blast learning about the history and culture of the blues. We definitely recommend Seven Volcanoes and plan to stay here again the next time we visit!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leyla F.

18 Jan 2015

Amazing host and a beautiful apartment

We arrived in San Marcos on new year's eve and Carlos was waiting for us in his restaurant, Blind Lemon's. He got one of his guys to help us with our bags as we walked up the small hill through the village to the apartment. He lives in another building next door to this one in a complex which is protected by a wall and locked gate to prevent any trouble. The atmosphere in town this night was a little unusual given that everyone was in party mode but Carlos made us welcome and after dinner we enjoyed watching the fireworks across the lake from our balcony, which was also a stunning spot for breakfast or to watch the sun rise. Carlos built the place and furniture and it is really well made with nice touches like the bathroom which is a pleasure and the pretty well provided for kitchen. When we wanted a bigger pan Carlos was happy to provide one and he went and purchased a couple of items we thought were missing from the inventory. He was friendly and we spent a great evening down at Blind Lemon's with him playing tunes for us, some from an album he produced in London, and telling stories. He is a great guitar player and you should take the opportunity to see him perform while you're here! It happened that Carlos needed to travel to Guatemala City airport to pick up his sister on the day that we were leaving and he very kindly offered us a lift. This was awesome as we were able to get to know him and his wife a lot better as we exchanged stories and it became clear how much of a fan of renting and sharing his property he is. It was a thoroughly enjoyable journey, we stopped for an excellent breakfast on the way and then hung out with him for an hour in the city as he ran errands since we were early for our flight. I would not hesitate to recommend staying here - it is a real home away from home.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tana T., West Vancouver

9 Jan 2015

Better than we could have dreamt of!

We arrived after travelling from Vancouver, Canada to a beautifully built & newly completed apartment with stunning views of the volcanoes from our balcony. The workmanship literally takes your breath away & the showers are so artsy & fun, there is also a nice outdoor shower as well. My son & I spent a month here and felt like new people when we left, as it is such a magical & holistic area of Lake Atitlan. I cooked a lot of our meals and was happy that the little kitchen had just enough in it. We ate the freshest bananas everyday off a perfect bunch that was calling to be eaten, & also such amazing citrus on the property. Carlos is a fantastic host and a wealth of information & also an incredible musician. His family are like family and made us feel completely at home & were able to help us with everything we needed or were curious about. The apartment is a short 5 min. walk up from the town of San Marcos & Carlos's restaurant "The Blind Lemon" which has fantastic music and food. We felt completely safe walking around day or night & his place is in a gated compound so we were never worried about our belongings or safety because someone was always around keeping everything beautiful. A great base to visit the other pueblos from, either by boat or tuk tuks! It was hard to leave but we were booked at the beach in El Salvador for the holidays. You won't be disappointed & will have enchanting memories forever. The people of San Marcos are very happy & extremely welcoming. Thank you Carlos y familia.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hyungjoon J.

17 Sept 2014

“Exactly what we needed”

We live in Guatemala City and go out to the lake every one to two months. We have stayed in several different towns, but this was our first time to stay in San Marcos. Carlos's place is located right outside the main area of San Marcos and easily accessible via footpath. Our dogs loved this short nature walk. They also loved his enclosed yard where they ran around free. We loved the view from the balcony. His apartment is well furnished with everything we needed for the weekend and also provided us with complimentary tea and coffee. The shower is amazing with sun light shining right down through the skylight and always had hot water. Unlike other places in the area that depend on solar panels, his system is heated by gas, and we had hot showers even on cloudy mornings. I definitely recommend 7 Volcanes and plan to stay there again the near future.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Hannah G.

8 Sept 2014

tranquility with a view

The apartment is nothing short of excellent. It is spacious enough that you can really get comfortable without there being too much space if you know what I mean. The bed is firm yet cloud like with probably one of the most spectacular views in San Marcos. I would wake up for early morning yoga and would see the sun rise over the lake as soon as I opened my eyes. I think that was my favorite part of the room. The bay windows in front of the bed are just heavenly. There is immaculate level of detail in every part of the architecture--from the hand cut stone in the bathroom to the beautiful hand made furniture to the cozy front patio--the overall room just has a great vibe. The kitchen is perfect for small meals and a good cup of coffee or tea. It is a very safe and secure location with a gated wall around the entire property. To be honest, though, I never felt threatened as a young female traveling alone. The location is ideal as it is walkable to every attraction but very quiet in the evenings. The landscape around the house is beautiful too. In all of my travels, I think I slept best here due to the good vibes of the room and decor and the clean, crisp air. Carlos was a great host, nothing shy of excellent. Not only was he very integrated and connected with the local community, he has a great personality--someone you can really shuck and jive with. He was friendly enough to make sure that I felt comfortable in the area but also did his own thing and gave me plenty of space to explore. He has a great restaurant in San Marcos, The Blind Lemon, that offers great food, company and blues guitar. I was lucky to have the opportunity to catch a couple live performances. I was so impressed as Carlos is just as good of a host as he is a blues guitarist. I would highly recommend this apartment to anyone who is traveling in Guatemala. It is worth a long weekend or even a long months stay. My week stay was honestly too short--I am sure I will be back.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

31 Aug 2014

Wonderful views! And Carlos is the perfect host!

My wife and I recently spent a wonderful week at the casita of Carlos Funk, who also owns an excellent local restaurant and blues club. More about that later. We rented the second floor of a two-floor cottage, which is located next to Carlos’s own beautiful house. Our casita experience started with an incredible view of Lake Atitlan and several volcanoes. If you’re an early riser, the sunrises are amazing. However the inside is equally attractive and appealing. In addition to being an outstanding blues guitarist and singer, Carlos is an excellent builder, carpenter, and cabinet maker. He built the house, then the restaurant, and most recently the casita. All are beautiful examples of local architecture with close attention to detail. Carlos made all of the furniture in the suite: bed, armoire, tables, even the lamps. We were blown away by the quality of his work. The suite even has a beautifully-tiled, walk-in shower, with good water pressure and an ample supply of hot water. The kitchen allows preparation of small meals, coffee, or tea, and also makes a convenient bar for drinks on the balcony overlooking the spectacular sunsets reflected on the lake and the volcanoes. Carlos is the perfect host. From arranging your transportation to and from the airport, to entertaining with his music and his humorous stories, to making sure you have everything you need, Carlos clearly wants to make sure you have a wonderful visit to this beautiful guest suite in his corner of the world. Carlos’s restaurant and blues club, Blind Lemon’s, named after an obscure country blues player, rates a separate review, but I’ll tell you about it here because it becomes an integral part of your experience at his casita. The restaurant is run hands on by Carlos’s wife, Cata, a lovely Mayan woman. The food is the best in San Marcos. At lunch, we found the burritos to be particularly good, with different sauces for different fillings. The hamburgers are also excellent. The dinner menu also meets high standards for the American or European visitor: the lemon chicken, the blackened tilapia, and even the steak were all outstanding. I was especially taken by Cata’s mushroom pasta. The food is prepared with great care, one dish at a time, sometimes seeming slow by American standards, but allowing time to soak in the ambiance. With very little arm twisting, Carlos will play a few blues songs right at your table. Overall, this is an experience not to be missed when visiting Guatemala.

About the host

Hosted by Carlos

I am an acoustic blues musician, who passionately loves pre war country blues. Although I was born and raised and educated in Pennsylvania, I have lived on Lake Atitlan, in San Marcos La Laguna, Solola, Guatemala for twenty years and am married to Catarina, a Maya woman born here on the shores of this lake. I love the Guatemalan people and culture, and also have a restaurant here, called Blind Lemon's which features good food and treating guests to some live blues. I also occasionally have acoustic blues guitar workshops here and also have private students.I have two beautiful guest apartments here in San Marcos that have great views of the lake and it´s volcanos. I have built these with local workers who have been with me for years, and I have done the woodwork and built a lot of the furniture, as I worked for years in the states as a cabinetmaker. I feel that my wonderful quiet, secure, and beautiful compound here is much more enjoyable when I can share it with guests.

Why they chose this property

I bought this property in 1995 and started building my house, which is in the same compound as the guest apartments in 1999. I love the location for the wonderful views, and for being a little apart from the noise and activity of the town. It is very natural and peaceful and loaded with tropical plants and birds.

What makes this property unique

The unique benefits of staying here is that you have a secure, peaceful, and quiet place to relax and enjoy and to explore from. Also my experience living here and with my Mayan family can give you some unique and interesting guidance to discovering and enjoying the culture and environment.