We stayed on night at the Stofella at the beginning of our trip. The hotel was quite passable, clean and well-located. It is small and lacking in amenities, but for the price, it was a decent deal.

The major problems came when we tried to return to the hotel at the end of our trip. We decided to stay an extra day in Panajachel, and we rang the hotel from Pana several days before we were to arrive and told them we wanted to cancel the first day our our 4-day reservation. Both my partner and I were in on this conversation and took notes (to avoid any possibility of misinterpretation), Plus my partner is a Guatemala native and I also speak Spanish. The woman from Stofella who handled reservations told us 'no problem' and appeared to be making the change on the computer as we spoke. They would cancel our first day, and retain the reservation for the remaining 3-days of our stay. She gave us her name and said she looked forward to seeing us.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we were informed that since we were 'no shows' for the first day of our reservation, our entire reservation had been canceled and that we would be charged for the night we 'missed.' We were dumbfounded, and we asked to speak to the woman who had assured us that we could cancel our first day, and retain the rest of our reservation. She was in the hotel, but would not come out to see us - we were told to go to the house phone to speak to her. She denied the conversation. We produced the record of the phone call to the hotel, yet she somehow 'forgot' that she had changed our reservation.

To make a long story short, they finally agreed to find us another hotel in the same price range. We waited endlessly, and I am sure they were hoping we would just leave. After some badgering, they found us a flea-bag hotel and even called and PAID a taxi driver to take us there. The taxi driver told us he takes bumped people all the time from the Stofella to other cheap or dangerously-located hotels. He said they are notorious for over-booking. We eventually wound up at the Clarion (as really great hotel!), but had to fork our several hundred dollars more than we planned.

Obviously, we will never attempt to stay at this hotel again. I recommend that if you do secure reservations, you arrive at mid-day to make sure you get a room, and also that you do not try to change your reservation and if you do, you request they fax you a confirmation. Good luck.

This charming hotel is in the heart of Zona Viva in Guatemala city. Within walking distance to the most expensive hotels in Guatemala like the Camino Real where you can treat yourself to a faboulous breakfast, Guatemalan or German style. The best is the price which in high season doesn't go up to more than $60.00 a night. Impecable wooden floors constantly being cared for. No frills, just a wholesome breakfast with the typical Guatemalan dishes such as black beans, fresh fruit cereal eggs and good coffee.. The staff is nice and friendly, rooms are clean and comfortable. 10 minutes from the Aurora airport.
I stayed there for christmas two years in a row and I don't have any complaints.

Our room must have been done over recently as it was actually quite elegant for a hotel in this price range. The location was convenient to the airport and was safe. The staff were very helpful to us....two very old ladies. The breakfast which had juice, fruit, yogurt, omelet, bread, sweet rolls and coffee or tea was far from the contnental breakfast that was promised. The only criticism I have of the hotel is that there was no purified water in the room though it could be purchased from a machine in the lobby. I don't think the hotel can be beat in this price range.

My boyfriend and I stayed at the Best Western Stofella during December 2007. The hotel was located in Zone 10 (or Zona Viva). According to several travel books and websites, Zone 10 was the safest and very tourist-friendly.

Overrall, the hotel was quite charming but not without its issues. The room was simple and pretty nondescript. However, every morning we were awakened by incessant hammering, as construction was underway.

The hotel staff was somewhat helpful. But on the last day, I was a little disturbed that we had to pay $33 for an additional 2 hours. We needed extra time since our flight was in the late afternoon. The hotel's regular nightly rate was $55. I thought this was a bit excessive.

I felt safe in Zone 10 and the hotel was reasonably priced, especially considering it's immediate competition.