Granada, Nicaragua is such a charming colonial city that it only makes sense to stay in an equally quaint and romantic hotel. We ultimately chose the boutique colonial Hotel Xalteva, and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the experience.

 

Hotel Xalteva Granada Nicaragua

 

If you’re looking for comfort, convenience, great service, and a boutique colonial hotel that cares about the local community, then you can’t go wrong with Hotel Xalteva. Read on for our full property review:

 

The Property

 

One of the highlights of any visit to Granada is the gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture that dots the city. Of course, what better way to enjoy the classic adobe buildings than by sleeping in one yourself!

Hotel Xalteva is a boutique colonial style hotel featuring modern, fully-equipped condo-style units—a combination that is not easy to come by!

 

Hotel Xalteva Granada Nicaragua

Hotel Xalteva Granada Nicaragua

 

The gorgeous one and two-bedroom suites come complete with a comfortable sitting area, a well-equipped kitchen and spacious bedroom(s). The exquisite furniture and decor is all handmade from local artists. Our kitchen had every appliance and gadget we could have desired, though with all the fabulous restaurants in Granada, we found we didn’t take full advantage of it. There’s also all the extras like hot water, air conditioning and super fast wi-fi—three things you don’t always find in Central America.

 

Hotel Xalteva Granada Nicaragua

Hotel Xalteva Granada Nicaragua

 

The rooms on the second floor come complete with a private balcony looking out to the pool, while the rooms on the first floor have a private fountain and seated area in the back.

Easily the first thing you’ll notice when entering Hotel Xalteva is the lovely pool that occupies much of the property. Granada gets HOT, and the pool is a fantastic addition to the hotel features.

 

The Location

 

Hotel Xalteva is located in the neighborhood of Xalteva, which is named after the indigenous people who first called Granada home. It’s on a quiet and safe street, but better than anything, it’s on a local street. Granada’s city center can be quite touristy, and we loved that every day we got to experience a bit of slow, local life. We walked by the same people each day, and by the end of our stay, it seemed everyone in the neighborhood knew who we were. Hotel Xalteva is only a short walk from all of the best sites, attractions and restaurants, and we felt extremely safe walking around to and from the hotel, even at night.

 

The Breakfast

 

Breakfast is simple, but sometimes, simple is absolutely perfect. Expect local Nicaraguan coffee, a wide selection of tropical fruits, freshly made breads and pastries, and the best Greek yogurt we have ever tasted. The Greek yogurt is made by an eccentric Greek local based in Granada, and we can only imagine it tastes just as good, if not better, then what you’ll find in Greece.

 

Breackfast at Hotel Xalteva

Hotel Xalteva Breakfast

 

Our Experience

 

Everything about our experience at Hotel Xalteva exceeded our expectations. We loved the colonial touches that were prevalent throughout the hotel; each time we walked through the doors, we felt as though we had retreated back in time. Between the garden, the fountains and the serenity, Hotel Xalteva was a perfect place to relax after volcano hiking and zip lining, or to simply sip on a glass of wine before we headed out for another great dinner in town.

 

Ziplining outside Granada Nicaragua

 

We absolutely loved that the rooms were equipped with a sitting area and kitchen. This made getting a bit of work done much more enjoyable. (We can never get anything done if we’re seated on a bed!) We imagine Hotel Xalteva would make for an ideal experience if traveling as a family.

But as lovely as the rooms, the pool and breakfast, what sets Hotel Xalteva apart is the staff. We relied on the staff to suggest and reserve nearly all of the activities and excursions we did—and there were all fantastic. Whether it was scheduling a private driver to take us to Masaya Volcano, suggesting a tour with Granada’s only female horse carriage driver, or providing directions to the local market, Hotel Xalteva provided us with great ideas that made our experience in Granada truly one of a kind. Melissa, the hotel manager, was, in particular, a source of wealth and information on life in Granada.

 

Masaya Volcano Granada Nicaragua

Horse carriage outside Hotel Xalteva Granada

 

As an extra perk, Hotel Xalteva also has arrangements with numerous other restaurants, spas and shops in town. Things like free martinis and 20% off massages made our anniversary trip all the more romantic.

 

Room For Improvement

 

There’s really not much to mention here! The only thing to note is your room preference before you make a reservation. The small front porches on the ground floor don’t receive a ton of privacy. Though there is the private fountain area in the back of the suite, it gets quite hot out there during the day. If you think you will want to spend a lot of time sitting outside and want the most privacy possible, then we suggest requesting a room on the second floor.

 

Overall

 

We’ve stayed in a lot of beautiful hotels around the world, but Hotel Xalteva certainly tops the list of memorable experiences. Being so close to Nicaragua we hope to go back to Granada to explore more of this colonial gem, and we will certainly be staying at Hotel Xalteva if we do.

 

Practical Information

 

Hotel Xalteva

Nica: 505.2552.0982

US: 321.300.9189

info@hotelxalteva.com

Room Rates: A one-bedroom suite during low season was $114 a night when we visited.

 

We were guests of Hotel Xalteva. As always, all thoughts and opinions remain our own.

 

Where do you recommend to stay in Granada? What do you think of Hotel Xalteva?