Villa Sumaya – Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
The Villa Sumaya is an Eco-Chic Wellness Center majestically located on the shores of Lake Atitlan and I had the great pleasure of visiting this amazing place during my 3 week journey through Central America.
The location is one of a kind and what stood out for me during my stay there, was the serenity, peaceful and even magical atmosphere being right on the lake surrounded by volcanoes.
Of all the retreat centers I have visited throughout my travels around the world, I would put the Villa Sumaya on my “Top 5 Retreat Centers” list.
The Accommodations
The retreat center has a total of 26 rooms, suites and bungalos, most of which are furnished with at least 2 separate beds.
The different accommodations are set beautifully into the hillside and are tastefully decorated. I absolutely loved the atmosphere and how cozy each room was, a perfect place to retreat to and contemplate the day’s experiences.
All accommodations have a nice outside space which is either a deck, a small patio or terrace and most offer commanding views of Lake Atitlan and the Volcanoes.
Some of my favorite rooms were in the Maya Rose House, the original building closest to the lake and I loved the small patio in front of each room and most of all, you can here the sound of the waves of Lake Atitlan gently splashing on the shore down below.
Another big advantage for retreat leaders, is that it is possible to choose the rooms you want for your group, as long as they are available at the time of your booking, and the retreat leader can choose one of the Ginger Suites, higher up on the property, give him or her complete privacy after a day of teaching and spending with the group.
The Meeting Spaces
The Villa Sumaya has 2 beautiful, formal meeting spaces, holding small as well as larger groups of up to 30 people.
Having had the opportunity to see both of the meeting rooms, what stood out was how bright each one of them was. Both feature floor to ceiling windows, flooding the rooms with light and have amazing views of Lake Atitlan.
The meeting spaces have a serene atmosphere, making it perfect for yoga, meditation or any other inspirational teachings or exercises.
Besides the 2 ‘formal meeting rooms’, there are also many cozy outside spaces throughout the property where more informal meetings can be held.
You could sit down by the pier, enjoying the magical views of Lake Atitlan, or on one of the terraces higher up the hill. All are quite private and perfect for those intimate chats with participants and friends.
All meeting spaces can be completely customized for your group!
Whether you would like to have yoga mats prepared, pillows, blankets or candles for a warm and cozy evening closing meeting, together with the wonderful staff at the Villa Sumaya, whom I have personally met, we will make sure that it is all perfectly arranged for you.
The Amenities
Besides the hotel being a breathtaking location, there are an array of amenities which will make any stay here even more enriching, relaxing and inspiring.
- A nice pool in a well manicured garden
- Options for tours and activities, including volunteering which can be arranged by the staff
- Mayan Fire Caremony
- Cacao Ceremony
- Sweat Lodge Ceremony
- Weaving Demonstration
- Hot Tub or Sauna
- Laundry services by the pound
- For groups, all day tea, coffee and water at the 24/7 beverage station
- Yoga props are available in the studio spaces. This includes mats, straps, blankets and blocks
- WIFI throughout the hotel grounds, in public areas
……and soooo much more.
Treatments & Spa Services
The Villa Sumaya’s on-site spa, offers revitalizing, therapeutic healing treatments to help you relax and restore your radiant health..
There are numerous, really cozy treatment rooms throughout the property and treatments can be arranged during your stay, even at short notice.
Some of the treatments available are:
- Swedish & Thai Massages
- Reflexology
- Ayurvedic Massage
- Shiatsu
- Intuitive Healing
- Reiki
- Breath Work
- Acupuncture
….just to name a few. For a full list of treatment options available, please feel free to contact me.
Whenever we make the arrangements for a group retreat, we’ll of course also take care of any spa treatment bookings for the group in advance, as requested.
The Dining Experience
The Villa Sumaya serves abundant, buffet-style meals, designed to accommodate a variety of dietary requirements.
Most meals have a protein source (eggs, beans, cheese, nuts, etc.). If you are on a high protein diet, just let them know in advance. You can also order chicken or fish as a supplement for buffet meals ($7 per portion).
There are beer, wine, tequila, and rum cocktails. Healthy smoothies, Kombucha and fresh juices and sodas are also available.
The Conclusion
As mentioned before, the Villa Sumaya is one of my top 5 retreat centers worldwide. Having personally made private as well as group arrangements for our clients here, I absolutely love working with the team here. Everything is extremely well organized which makes booking a group or private retreat a real pleasure.
Wendy, the founder and owner, said it perfectly; “Our purpose is to create a save, healing and inspiring space where people can learn, grow, heal and receive inspiration.”
Besides staying at the Villa Sumaya, there are numerous options for tours as well as serving int he community by doing volunteer work.The retreat center has partnered with a few different organizations in the area, which you are more than welcomed to offer your help to during your stay.
For more information on how we can help you to create a truly unforgettable journey for you and your group to Guatemala or any other destination in the world, please feel free to schedule a complimentary consultation call by using the link below, I look forward to having a chat with you:
Trip Planning Assistance & Support
My life path has literally taken me all around the world.
I have been passionate about travel since I have taken my first plane ride at the age of just 7 years, traveling from Germany to Slovenia to spend the summer with my grandmother.
Now that I have my own son, one of our favorite things to do is travel the world together, having now visited over 50 countries.
Please do contact me if you need help with any of your travel arrangement, may it be a personal journey or a group trip. With over 10 years of experience in arranging customized itineraries, I’ll make sure that you will have a truly unforgettable experience.
