Hotel Villa Santa Elena
Hotel Villa Santa Elena is a 10 room family owned hotel situated in the town of Chahal in Alta Verapaz. The owner, Marvin Pop is focused on showing his guests the many exciting community tourism destinations that surround Chahal. The hotel has a small restaurant on premises that serves national and international meals.
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Speaks: Spanish, English and Other Local Language
Why Lokal Recommends Hotel Villa Santa Elena
Background
Family Business started in 2008| Locally Owned with 100% local staff
A Unique Story
10 years ago Marvin Pop, the owner wanted to bring his friends to see the natural wonders of Las Conchas and Cuevas de Se'tzol but there was no place for them to spend the night. He realized there was a need for overnight lodging in the region so, with the inheritance money from his dad and a loan from the bank he opened up Hotel Villa Santa Elena with the goal of helping the local economy. Marvin is a Chahal native, and of Q'eqchí Mayan descent. His parents live nearby in a remote Q'eqchí community, he sometimes takes his guests there for special events.
Deep Community Connections
The tours originating from Hotel Villa Santa Elena directly support three distinct communities, Finca Sacuitz, Las Conchas, and Cuevas de Se'tzol. These destinations are off the beaten path, and involve supporting communities that don't often benefit much from the tourism industry.
Active Environmental Stewardship
Hotel Villa Santa Elena helps educate the local communities on the importance of taking care of nature and lessening impact by not burning garbage, keeping the rivers clean, not using items that contaminate the environment, and to minimize use of plastic bags. Also, Finca Sacuitz, one of the tours offered by the hotel is invested in conserving it's surrounding forests.
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