Antigua's La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences is top-notch

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This week I had the pleasure of visiting and staying at the barely-a-year-old La Reunion Golf Resort & Residences on the outskirts of La Antigua Guatemala. Although Guatemala does not yet have a Four Seasons, this luxurious golf resort has nothing to envy other better-known properties in destinations such as Costa Rica and Hawaii. In addition to 26 comfortably posh suites (the Gran Clase suites have private plunge pools), the resort has two excellent restaurants and overlooks a Pete Dye-designed golf course with Maya-inspired themes. The golf course is the only one in the world with views of four volcanoes - Agua, Fuego, Acatenango and Pacaya. The rooms also enjoy spectacular views. From my room and my plunge pool, I had Agua Volcano at my doorstep. At night, I enjoyed a glass of Spanish red wine while I watched Pacaya put forth its fiery lava light show.

Long a favorite with budget travelers and backpackers, my travels as of late have put me in touch with Guatemala's finer offerings. (See my previous entry on Francis Ford Coppola's fabulous La Lancha). It seems Guatemala has finally come into its own as a world-class destination with accommodations to suit every taste and budget. As I point out in Moon Living Abroad in Guatemala, the country hasn't always attracted loads of U.S. attention or investment, unlike Costa Rica. But I'm starting to see that this isn't necessarily a disadvantage. Absent U.S. investors, Guatemala's wealthy business sector has stepped in to create the country's finer accommodations, high-rise condos and supporting infrastructure. La Reunion's real estate sales director, Rodrigo de Bedout, hails from Costa Rica and points out that Guatemala's economy is substantially less susceptible to the whims of its giant neighbor to the north. Although Guatemala's economy was certainly affected by the U.S. recession, the effects on tourism and investment in Guatemala pale in comparison to Costa Rica's substantial drop in tourism investment during 2009, he said.

As for residences, only one of the villas remains unsold from the project's first phase, but a second phase is in the works.

De Bedout added that La Reunion's future plans call for the addition of a 125-room hotel and they are currently in talks with luxury chain Waldorf Astoria as a potential operator. For now, La Reunion remains wonderfully peaceful. The only thing you'll hear is the chirping of birds, the occasional roar of a distant lawnmower and, once in a while, a landing helicopter announcing the arrival of Guatemala City's business elite coming in for a round of golf. It's all par for the course.