The Cool Pool of the Week: Casa Palopo on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

The swimming pool at Villa Palopo offers 180-degree views of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

Perhaps one of the coolest pools Millennials will discover in all of Central America can be found at a quaint, luxury boutique hotel on Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

Casa Palopo is home to just nine rooms. Seven of the rooms are located in one building, but the two-bedroom villa located in the hills is where you will find the property’s most stunning pool.

The villa can be booked by bedroom or in its entirety and guests who do so can have the outdoor infinity pool, Jacuzzi and outdoor palapa. Equipped with a real wood-burning fireplace, it's the perfect place to enjoy a bottle of wine while taking in the views, which are even more breathtaking given the villa's location on the mountain. 

The main swimming pool and deck at Casa Palopo.

The infinity pool gives you the impression that the water is cascading into the lake, although it really cascades to a lower level where two helipads make it possible for guests to helicopter to and from Guatemala City. Renting the villa also comes with butler service, and a personal chef can be arranged.

For guests not staying at Villa Palopo, the hotel’s main swimming pool is not a bad second choice to say the least. In fact, Casa Palopo recently completed a full renovation of its main pool deck. 

In keeping with the property's rustic chic vibe, the renovation involved new, custom mosaic tiling of the solar-heated pool, the addition of a wooden deck and backsplash, and overall expansion of the space, where guests can now catch rays and take in the views of Lake Atitlan and its volcanoes from plush outdoor daybeds and lounge chairs. 

Casa Palopo’s main pool is adjacent to the property’s Balinese-inspired boutique spa and the 6.8 Palopo restaurant. 

Visit www.casapalopo.com and be sure to follow Travel Agent's Joe Pike on Twitter @TravelPike.