The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:33:53 GMT

..the best choice for visiting Antigua, Guatemala

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

Dani — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:26:46 GMT

stumbled across your blog while searching for Antigua, are you a travel writer? these photographs are better than those on the hotel website.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 09:47:56 GMT

Dani, thank you for visiting and reading my blog.

Well, yes, I do travel and I do write, but I am not a travel writer. Too much of my travel is for business and too little for leisure, but I try to tack on a bit of bleisure here and there.

Rather than sit in airports and watch CNN between flights, I would prefer to pound away on a tome or two.....mostly for my own amusement, but hopefully to share some information with others.

I don't go many places without one or more of my cameras. I often see things I want to remember "in the moment," and the camera allows me to capture the visual essence.

Only a few "family" photos here and there...just the minimum needed to document events. Most of my images have personal meaning and probably most are not worth sharing with others.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

bonniejoy03 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:59:20 GMT

Hi O. Great post on Antigua and Hotel Filadefia. I wish I had the opportunity to stay there. You really captured the essence of the region with your post. Thank you. Also, glad you enjoyed Elizabeth Bell's tour. She is a great resource. She actually planned our trip last month. Her contacts/drivers etc were well informed and prompt.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

travel2fun — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:56:46 GMT

omegaet, it is always interesting to read your postings. The Filadelfia Resort seems quite different from most of the other hotels I have read about in Antigua. I haven't quite figured out why the resort imported mules from Texas to use there in Guatemala.

Did I miss your comments on tasting their coffee? Was it the best coffee you have ever drank?

Must be fresh!

Is that you on the cable or are you taking the photo of some other brave soul?

Good post!

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:31:03 GMT

I didn't ask why the mules were imported from Texas....I do know their US coffee distribution office is located in Texas and apparently, the owner of the company has a ranch in Texas....maybe he raises mules there.

Re: COFFEE...As soon as our luggage was delivered to our suite, there was another knock on the door and we were greeted by a waiter carrying a tray with a Bodum Chambord 4 Cup French Press Coffee maker, already brewing. He pressed the handle (maybe it is called a plunger) and poured us each a "steaming" and very freshly brewed cup of their R. Dalton Estate Blend!

I don't know if it was the best coffee we've ever had, but it was probably brewed from the most freshly roasted coffee beans we've ever had.

btw....I like the taste of French Pressed coffee....but I hate to slurp up those fine grinds sometimes left in the bottom of the cup....just a matter of "practicing safe" slurping!

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:36:54 GMT

The coffee plantation tour starts from the "tourist side" of the Filadelfia Coffee Resort, where you board a Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG. These are sturdy vehicles (no longer produced) and have been used all over the world in rough terrain and difficult off-road situations.

We were picked up in the same type of vehicle when we ascended higher up the mountain to ride the zip lines.

The ride is a little "rough" but they seem capable of almost climbing a vertical wall....

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

Mountie — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:13:47 GMT

Hey, omegaet, I like the looks of that UNIMOG. There were several days this past winter during several snow days, when I could have used one of those to drive to town. It would also problem come in handy to tow my boat I keep in Key Largo. Do they burn gas or diesel?

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

dani — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:14:28 GMT

This is such an interesting looking place. I have never been to Guatemala, but if I were to go there, I would want to do things like this.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 19:24:57 GMT

dani...if you do decide to travel to Guatemala, you certainly should consider spending some time in Antigua. Many interesting things to see and do. Even if you do not stay at The Filadelfia Coffee Resort, you would probably enjoy stopping by for a few hours and participating in one or more of the available activities.

Thank you for visiting my blog.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Sun, 24 May 2009 15:27:38 GMT

Writing from The Filadelfia in Antigua....back for the long Memorial Day weenend.....will update when we return.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:55:58 GMT

...it was great!

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:06:00 GMT

Too bad, looks like The Filadelfia in Antigua, Guatemala no longer participates with Luxury Link. Maybe they will return in the near future.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

kapper — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:02:53 GMT

Wonder why this property was removed? Of course, it possible they decided not to renew for some reason. Looked interesting.

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

omegaet — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:37:04 GMT

Well, looks like "slow tourism" and "reduced dining" budget finally nailed one of our favorite restaurants in Antigua http://www.nicolas.com.gt/

RIP Nicolas!

Re: The Filadelfia (with an F) Resort & Spa

bonniejoy03 — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:33:08 GMT

WOW.....we had considered visiting on our next trip. I had heard great reviews. Thanks for the update. Will probably go, again, to Maria's place, La Calle del Fonde. Great local food and great owner!