An absolutely magic place. We stayed there only one night, but we really enjoyed.All Suchitoto is beautiful, I hope I will return there.

I haven't actually stayed here, but I'm giving it 1 star because their phone number doesn't work and their email address doesn't work. So how are you supposed to make reservations?

Stayed in this hotel for one night. The room was the most massive high ceiling room I've ever been in. Nice fully functioning bathroom and airconditioning. Outside was a private balcony with a stunning view over the lake and mountains. Restaurant also has fantastic views and serves simple typical local food cooked perfectly. Staff were characterful and charming.

My boyfriend is with the Peace Corps staying in El Salvador. Since he hadn't yet accrued a lot of vacation time I decided to spend Christmas with him, there. We toured most of Northern El Salvador (never venturing towards or past San Miguel) staying in such places as La Palma, San Ignacio, San Salvador, Acajuta, San Vicente and Suchitoto.

Though the other towns had their own charm, Suchitoto has best understood how to capitalize on the only two abundant things in the country - people and scenery. They are the nicest, friendliest people I'd met in the country (the people are borderline to nice throughout the country but lack the consistency of Suchitoto) and this is the only town that makes a concerted effort to maintain clean, trash-free streets (until you visit you have no idea how gobs of trash are found in piles along the entire street of every street in most every town in this country).

Now enter La Posada de Suchitlan. They are very accommodating and truthful (if you ask questions such as 'aqua caliente?' every inn keeper will answer yes, but this is one of the few places true to their word). We found it via Lonely Planet (published Oct 2006) and were slightly afraid of what we'd find. The guide informed us of debatable conditions unless we were in rooms with a lake view. That was completely incorrect. Though they made us stay in a room with two beds (we're two guys) the courtyard room we stayed in was incredible. With new, comfy beds, hot water, cable TV and full blasting AC this was true luxury I hadn't previously found in the country. There are two sets of rooms: Courtyard and Lake View. The lake view rooms are more individual structures on the other side of the restaurant. We stayed in one of the courtyard rooms. They have huge porches adjoining all the rooms with the courtyard and they are filled with colonial benches and other bric-a-brac (some adorable [so much pottery] and others wacky [old school record player not plugged in]).

The property is equally as impressive as the rooms. The main house has a full bar, restaurant and gift shop. All in the colonial spanish/stucco/exposed beams motif, the place was endearing. We stayed during Christmas day and got to see lots of decorations (including a huge 15ft decorated tree in the main room). As mentioned in every review, half the hotel rooms share the view of the terrace restaurant - the view of an expansive valley with a sprawling man-induced lake (the result of a huge dam).

As pretty as the hotel is, they focus their energies on the aesthetics and not on the cuisine. I suggest walking the 2 or 3 blocks to the other, more expensive hotel for food that is 4-star quality (it would be considered amazing even in New York). If you chose to dine in, however, your options are in-room, in the courtyard or at the restaurant (and though most of the food is bland, tough and dry, they will be glad to deviate from the menu to meet your requests).

Lastly, the entire town seemed filled with European (German, British and Dutch) and American tourists. It was bizarre as the rest of my trip was spent in places with no tourists - so much so that even I caught myself staring at the other gringos.

If you're unsure of where to stay this is a perfect place for the traveler who wants relaxation, good food (every place serves good food minus this hotel) and where gringos are more common (and more accepted).