Hotel Biltmore Guatemala

The Hotel Biltmore Guatemala is housed in a five-floor modern building on a tree-lined street. Guests gather in the low-ceilinged lobby, a contemporary space with a large lounge that has marble-topped tables, potted plants, sofas, and a flat-screen TV. While public areas and rooms are well-maintained and have a moderately handsome look, but overall the feel at the hotel is somewhat lacking in personality and charm. The main benefit of a stay here is the access (for a fee) to the next-door Westin’s leisure facilities, which include an outdoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center, and tennis courts. The hotel draws a mix of families, solo and couple leisure travelers, and business guests. 

The Hotel Biltmore Guatemala is in Zona 10 at the south end of the city center. It’s just off the Avenida Reforma, the major north-south thoroughfare running through Guatemala City, in an area filled with office buildings, shops, restaurants, and bars. The Avenida Reforma stop for regular busses is a three-minute walk, and Plaza España station, where travelers can catch Transmetro rapid transit busses, is a little more than five minutes on foot. Obelisk Square, at the north end of Parque Las Americas, is about a four-minute walk from the hotel. La Aurora Zoo, the National Museum of Archaeology, Museum of Modern Art, and Handcrafts Market take 10 minutes by car to reach, or 20 minutes on foot. Estadio Nacional Doroteo Guamuch Flores stadium is roughly 12 minutes by car, and a little longer by Transmetro bus. Popul Vuh Museum is a 10-minute drive, and Parque Central, the Spanish baroque National Palace, and 19th-century Metropolitan Cathedral is 20 minutes by car and slightly longer by Transmetro bus. The Biltmore is quite close to the La Aurora International Airport, at a 10-minute drive or free hotel shuttle ride. 

Guest rooms at the Biltmore are spacious and have a fairly pleasant, contemporary look. Expect dark-wood furniture, minimal art on the walls, all-white bedding, and patterned carpeting in dark tan and red, plus desks with ergonomic chairs. Amenities are a bit limited in the standard rooms, with just air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, laptop-compatible safes, and free Wi-Fi, but no coffeemakers, kettles, or mini-fridges. Suites feature living rooms and kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and drip coffeemakers.  Bathrooms are spacious and they contain granite-topped vanities, distinctive square-shaped basin sinks, and stainless steel faucets. All come with large walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, and hotel-brand toiletries. 

The Biltmore has a limited array of on-site features. It serves a free hot breakfast buffet that gets mixed reviews, with eggs, sausages, beans, and wide array of cold items. The hotel has no restaurant for lunch and dinner, but it offers 24-hour room service, a small lobby bar, and free coffee and tea in the lobby from early morning to late evening. There's also a business center, convenience store, 24-hour front desk, and free on-site parking. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the building, and the hotel also offers free roundtrip shuttle service to the airport. Guests are granted access (for a fee) to the two tennis courts (reservations required), outdoor heated pool, hot tub, wet sauna, and fitness center at the neighboring Westin Camino Real.