ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
January 2020
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bokéh @rosewoodhotels
(/ˈboʊkə/ BOH-kə or /ˈboʊkeɪ/ BOHkay; Japanese: [boke]) is the aesthetic quality of the blur produced in out-of-focus parts of an image.
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property overview
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A once sleepy, 15-room hacienda sits in the heart of a six-acre garden, overlooking the lush, volcanoladen landscape that surrounds the historic, colorful town of Antigua, Guatemala. In June 2021, the estate opened its doors to inspirited travelers, making its debuts as Villa Bokeh -- the little sister to a small hotel with a mighty footprint, Lake Atitlan’s legendary Casa Palopo.
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design
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It’s all in the details. Operated by local hospitality pioneers, Grupo Alta, and designed by Paliare Studio, visitors experience an alluring blend of sophisticated, storied architecture, Guatemalan colonial design, and modern details. Common areas and guest rooms will entrance visitors with Guatemala’s irresistible textile culture, from the tapestries to the linens to accent wallpapers that harmoniously coexist in celebration of this ancient national tradition. All textile related decor is curated by textile expert, collector, museum curator and independent retailer, Violeta Gutierrez Caxaj.
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Rooms & Suites
With room to accommodate just 15 reservations per night, guests of the intimate and exclusive Villa Bokeh choose from rooms and suites boasting private balconies, enclosed gardens with fire pits, and volcano vistas, all spaciously distributed throughout the first and second stories of the estate. A private art collection provides the finishing touch to each room with exquisite, oversized black and white portrait photography, remarkable sculptures, and elegant paintings -- all sourced locally to support and shine a light on the country’s artisans who are the heart and foundation of Guatemala’s beautifully bewitching Mayan culture.
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rooms and suites
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DINING An onsite restaurant offers upscale cuisine with a feels-like-home twist. The kitchen is open to guests throughout the day with snacks and fresh juices available for grazing in between the creative lunch and dinner menus.
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common areas
A stroll through the grounds puts every element of nature at the guests’ disposition with a serene lagoon, hidden gardens, and charming plazas that serve as picture perfect spots to enjoy coffee brewed fresh from the Guatemalan highlands -- or a craft cocktail -- and a good book. Dramatic views of the majestic Volcan de Agua complement each experience.
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events and weddings
Villa Bokeh’s lush grounds and picture worthy backdrops have already established Villa Bokeh as a popular choice for events and weddings; every weekend in Fall 2021 has already been booked for lavish wedding celebrations.
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community
Earlier this year, Casa Palopo made headlines when it launched its “Palopo Activo” program, in which 10% of the guests’ nightly rate is given back to them in vouchers to shop from local artisans, ensuring the return of tourism directly benefits the community’s most vulnerable members who were hardest hit by the pandemic. Villa Bokeh will implement a similar program, not only educating its guests about the magic of Guatemalan craftsmanship, but ensuring an avenue that upholds it.
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Villa Bokeh is the second hotel for Guatemalan hospitality group, Grupo Alta, and a sister property to Lake Atitlan’s award-winning Casa Palopo, the first Relais & Chateaux hotel in Guatemala. Villa Bokeh joins Casa Palopo in that distinction as the country’s second Relais & Chateaux property.
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ANTIGUA
destination
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A quaint city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. Antigua is renowned for its Spanish colonial buildings, many of them restored following a 1773 earthquake that ended the city’s 200-year reign as Guatemala’s colonial capital. Notable architectural examples include the baroque La Merced church, an integral part of the city’s famous Semana Santa, a holy week with parades and rituals. Its streets are dotted with boutique hotels, including Grupo Alta’s Villa las Pilas, a three-bedroom accommodation available for private bookings.
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villabokeh@diamondpr.com
January 2020