Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Welcome To Casa Valdres

At the crossroads of relaxation, inspiration and adventure, Casa Valdres is Lake Atitlan's favorite luxury basecamp.

About Casa Valdres

What We're About

This estate is the picturesque background to your next favorite memory.

With gated entry into the private, perfectly tended gardens you will find yourselves in awe and at home from the moment you arrive. Our goal is to provide this home as the perfect canvas for your retreat, family gathering, event or simply a top-tier get away with friends.

"After nearly two decades of traversing the Mayan world, we decided to establish a permanent home to share our love of exploration. We wanted to make it easy, comfortable and accessible for others to experience what we have loved for years."

Stewart & Pejota

The Owners

Casa Valdres

Around The Casa

The House

This refuge of relaxation is decorated with mayan fabrics, arts, woodblock prints, local pottery, European fixtures and furniture to make your time in Guatemala one to repeat as an annual experience. Equipped with two bluetooth speakers on the first and second floors and a flat screen smart TV for your apple device to screen mirror, you are invited to enjoy your own music and movies downloaded to your device.

The Rooms

Each of the rooms offer European King beds. Perfect to either separate into single beds or nestle together for romantic couples. Guests may choose from one of three fully private rooms with private baths, and one Jack-and-Jill suite with a shared bath between the two rooms. The second and third floors give way to decks with expansive views of Volcan Tolimán directly across the lake. The lake itself is a short 3 minute walk from our gate to the shore with views at nearly every spot in the house.

The Kitchen

You’ll enjoy our perfectly appointed kitchen with all the tools a chef will need to serve an intimate dinner for two, or produce a banquet for ten or more. We've hosted group meals for sixteen with ease. If you don't want to do the cooking and cleaning yourself, check in advance of your stay and we'll arrange to have Dominga and her team care for every aspect of shopping, cooking and cleaning for you. We recommend having her prepare at least on of the national dishes of Guatemala. A joy to watch her prepare and a delight to enjoy.

The Pool

Solar heated at about 72º, swim jet, infinity edge with waterfall and illuminated, decks and pool furniture surrounding makes for wonderful times with all ages.

The Grounds

A succulent 1/2 acre of gardens embraced by stone walls and iron gates showcase the 388 square meter villa and pool with expansive decks. Feel free to help yourself to any of the ripe fruits from our many banana trees, citrus trees and the towering avocado tree. Just ask Anastacio to assist you in determining which fruits are ready. If you love avocados, our sentinel tree is here to provide. The avocado are so abundant, we are honored to share them with the locals to sell or to use in their homes.

The Art

All hand woven fabrics by local artisans, limited edition woodblock prints, hand painted prints, wooden masks, local pottery and more. We support as many individual artists as possible and are confident the samples of their work will inspire you to purchase your own items directly from a local artisan as gifts for others… or a gift to yourself.

Journey

We Also Offer

Casa Valdres has been appointed to effortlessly provide four distinctly different experiences.
Explore the links and determine which best suits you.

01 Yoga & Wellness Retreats

As a single, a duo or a group of 10, we provide all inclusive retreats for you. Follow the link for more.

Learn More

02 Coffee Exploration

If your team of baristas, coffee buyers or wholesale clients wish to explore the many regions of Guatemalan coffee, this is your basecamp for the Lake Atitlan Region. Follow the link for more.

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03 Birding Tours

As a birder, you and your group can choose to go at it alone or we can provide and an inclusive, fully guided tour for you. Follow the link for more.

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04 Event Basecamp

Casa Valdres has hosted weddings, family reunions, friends getaways, language immersion weeks, artist retreats, silent retreats and more. Follow the link for more.

Learn More

Stewart Fritchman

A Coffee Guy

PJ Fritchman

A Yoga Girl

Your Guides

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?

A coffee guy and a yoga girl. We fell in love with each other and Guatemala.

Since 2001, Stewart has been traveling between Bend, Oregon and Guatemala in search of top tier Guatemalan coffees. During a trip into the state of Huehuetenango, Stewart ventured the winding back roads and stopped at Lake Atitlan. It was love at first sight and ever since, he has traveled back to the lake during every coffee buying season.

“I’ve left dollars, my heart and tears of joy every journey to the lake – I knew this would someday be my home.” – Stewart

PJ is an experienced 500 hour yoga instructor, wellness event planner and a lover of Guatemala as well. She has brought health and balance, exploration of body and soul to all her students throughout the USA as well as in Guatemala.

“Years wrinkle the skin, lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Come play with me.”- PJ

Stewart and PJ have taken four families under their wings with employment and other opportunities.

“We direct opportunities for education, employment and language development to a chosen group of families. Watching these tight knit families grow and expand has been one of the highlights of our lives. They sit at our table and live in our hearts”