Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:51:03 GMT

Revisits are not typically our thing. More like”been there – done that – moving on to see what is next” …..but The Filadelfia Coffee Resort in Antigua, Guatemala was too tempting to pass up for another long holiday weekend.

….well, at least the public demonstration (roughly 30,000 – 40,000 upset because the sitting president allegedly had an opponent “terminated”) in Guatemala City, had occurred a two days prior to our arrival (only a few disgruntled individuals bearing signs were wandering the main avenidas) and we were able to work through the normal congestion around the airport before heading out to Antigua. How about an slight earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale (must have been some shifting of tectonic plates….like who cares…it’s the fact the ground is moving and you’re trying to stand still….and “slight” is the wrong adjective to use with any earthquake).

The road to Antigua from GUA is almost always “rush hour” no matter the hour….buses and truck…cars and scooters….seems like every inch of pavement is taken by someone trying to get some place. For us, the ride is entertaining…always something different.

Asked our driver if he would mind stopping at a bank drive through window so we could handle a quick currency transaction…of course…no problem…and the conversion rates is far more favorable than the airport or the hotel…..now we have some walking around local money.

The air clears and the temperature drops pleasantly as we leave the city, gaining some altitude on the short 45 minute drive to Antigua…no wonder so many local city dwellers head for countryside retreats on weekends.

Soon we are winding our way down familiar cobblestone roads, entering Antigua and working our way through foot traffic and bicycles along the outskirts and toward the guarded calle arbolada de Filadelfia. There are familiar faces, broad smiles and several hugs from the staff upon arrival….as well as the freshly brew café and assorted jugos. Le us show you to your suite.....so many fresh flowers I'm wondering if we're attending a wake...fortunately no deceased in sight?

The next five days past too quickly…mule rides into the mountains - and we are reminded why mules are strong, determined and sometimes stubborn, volcano treks up Picaya…..a long steep trail that may best be attempted early in the AM….worth the effort (you can cheat and ride horses), excellent dining at both upscale (Panza Verde www.panzaverde.com/en/dining.htm) and modest restaurants (Sabe Rico…Thanks for the special vegetarian lunch packed for our Picaya trek….also loved the secluded courtyard dining).

The Filadelfia remains a very peaceful, private retreat – a place to come home to – even if it is your first visit….close enough but not too close to the activity and crowds of Antigua.

Maybe another long weekend next year…..we’ll just have to shop around on LL to see what great return deals pop up!

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

kyshel — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:36:19 GMT

I wanna go!
I wasn't very impressed with Antigua when I went last year--musta been the wrong [holiday] weekend, whatever--OR--maybe--it was Filadelfia...
time to re-think! Thanks!

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

bonniejoy03 — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:38:43 GMT

Loved the post....Also to keep in mind...Guatemala is a wonderful country to visit. Tourism is beginning to increase so get there now before the crowds visit!! It is also a great getaway especially from the East Coast. Can't wait to try Filadelfia sometime soon!

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

Mountie — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:26:22 GMT

Guess I really should seriously think about getting down to Guatemala, especially with the good air fares AA is offering. Apparently, the fact you went back to Filadelfia for a second visit must say something positive for the property.

I need to get Belize behind me next month and then see about doing something like this for a few days before the end of the year.

Thanks for the information.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:09:20 GMT

mountie....The Filadelfia is not currently being offered as an auction package. I have no idea why. The last few packages offered had an expiration date of July 31, 2009. We did speak with the Managing Director a couple of times during our last visit and she mentioned they evaluating several of their marketing strategies. Could be The Filadelfia is looking to put a new program together with LL. There are still a couple of excellent choices here on LL, if you are considering going out to Lago Atitlan.

Enjoy your time in Belize.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:41:04 GMT

mountie....didn't take LL too long to "outdate" my last posting re: The Filadelfia. Looks like LL auction packages are are available again running through the end of the year.....so, bid and win one!

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

travel2fun — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:40:18 GMT

-O-, not sure I am going to Guatemala any time soon, but you do make The Filadelfia in Antigua seem interesting.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

showard1 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:26:11 GMT

Buenas Tardes, O,

Glad to hear that your second visit to the Filadelfia Resort was as nice as la primera vez --

We will be visiting there (again) after the CP experience in November. We loved the resort and the people in and around it. I spent the entirety of one beautiful, sunny morning lounging in a most comfortable spot on the balcony overlooking the mountains. It was the first time since I returned home from Southeast Asia many years back that I heard nothing but the sounds of the birds and the distant voices of the plantation caretakers, laughing and talking, seemingly without a care in the world. Just an incredible almost-silence that caused me to question the importance of much in modern Western life. I'm so looking forward to recapturing that feeling on our next visit. Thank you for reinforcing that possibility.

Kudos, again.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:56:15 GMT

showard1....we would agree, The Filadelfia is a peaceful destination (which causes us to wonder why some reviews in tripadvisor.com are critical of the location - not everyone wants to spend their nights in the historic center of Antigua). During our first visit we had a lovely junior suite on the second floor overlooking the pool with a direct morning vista of Volcano Agua....spectacular.

The auction package for our second visit included one of the two suites at the property (we also elected to stay on the second floor - although the first floor suite has a delightful patio which is completely walled for privacy). The temperatures ranged in the low 50s during the evening, allowing us to leave the windows open to fully enjoy the breezes (we did partially close the privacy shutters on the windows to avoid the early morning direct sunlight spilling into the suite).

The service staff at The Filadelfia impressed us. Most of them recalled our travel idiosyncrasies (six pillows for the bed and no feathers in them or any bed coverings) and anticipated our needs.....it says something about a server who (after five + months have elapsed since your first visit) recalls your preference for blue corn tortillas at desayuno.

We thought The Filadelfia offered a total experience for our needs and interests.....maybe not for everyone, but we will likely return for a long weekend in the not-too-distant future.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

jsattapr2 — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:10:16 GMT

Hey -O-, there is nothing like returning to a hotel or resort and having the staff remember you and what you like and dislike. Sounds like the staff at The Filadelfia has this important aspect figure out for the return traveler.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

omegaet — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 14:45:32 GMT

Well, I'm not sure The Filadelfia is going to be offered again here on Luxury Link. Too bad for those of you who were interested, thought about bidding but just procrastinated. You may very well have lost out on a very special place in Guatemala!

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

bonniejoy03 — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 15:16:07 GMT

I did check the website and Small Luxury Hotels of the World and the Filadelfia is not a part of their group at this time. I couldn't even find a way to contact the property. Is it still open? THanks for any updates. We will stay at the Hotel Casa Concepcion on our next trip to Antigua. It is run by Elizabeth Bell. We stored our luggages there this past February and it was very quaint.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

kapper — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:09:36 GMT

I went to the coffee web site and tried to get a link to the hotel, but it did not connect. I called the telephone number in Houston and the person who answer said they wtill handle the coffee import for the company, but have nothing to do with the hotel.

Re: Filadelfia Resort & Spa - Again

Mountie — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 15:26:26 GMT

Well, this could be another example of strike while the iron is hot. I don't know the meaning of that remark, but I think it deals with taking action immediately and not wait around thinking about making a decision.