As I spend the next few weeks poring over rental websites with Liebling in search of a decently appointed, moderately-priced, well-located apartment in London (near impossible!), I thought I’d talk a little bit about my current housing situation here in Guatemala.
This is where I’ve been laying my head for the last 10 days while I study Spanish in La Antigua, Guatemala. I found this nifty little place after making up my mind to take Spanish courses at La Union Spanish School.
I think I already told you that I pay $105 USD for 20hrs of Spanish lessons weekly. For an additional $110 USD a week, I could have had a homestay, where I would lodge with a Spanish speaking family. I was keen on doing so at first… until I took a tour of a few homestays and decided that it was not an option for me. The homestays that I saw were crowded, with up to 6 students lodging with one family, often sharing bedrooms and bathrooms with each other. The families are local and don’t have a lot of money, and the accomodations were very basic. Some were very dirty.
I grew up as an only child, I like my privacy. I am also a bit of a germ freak. I also like my space and knowing that I can come and go as I please. So I knew that these homestays were not for me. Liebling and I started the search for a nice, clean, moderately-priced place for me to call home for the duration of my Spanish studies.
Hostal San Nicolas is the place that I now call home. I like my bedroom, it is stylish and just big enough for me. I love the furniture and the fact that it has a large wardrobe where I can put all of my clothes. It’s only about a 2-minute walk from my school. The staff is lovely. And my room lies on a courtyard that boasts a lush garden.
I also got the room at a steal because it is low season and because I was willing to pay up front for a 15-night booking. I pay $25 USD a night for the single room you see above and a simple breakfast of fresh bread, butter, jam, and tea.I think it is a fantastic deal for the living standard. All in all, I am only paying an extra $150 USD to stay here rather than a homestay for the two weeks I’m studying- only about $10 USD a night more than the homestay for privacy, more space, and clean towels and maid service every day.
Call me a travel princess, but I think it’s worth it.
73 Comments
That would TOTALLY be worth it for me too. I love the towel art in the shower 🙂
I totally understand where you're coming from with the need for privacy, and the accommodations are gorgeous. I love that wardrobe!!
OMG, that place looks beautiful! I especially love the decor of the bathroom. I definitely say that's worth it to pay only an actual $10 a day for privacy, cleanness, and awesome scenery.
How cute — and such character! I think you made an excellent choice!
Really nice accommodations! Lovely courtyard!
Love your wardrobe!
I'd say you're just a brilliant traveling woman. If you can make it into a luxury, why not? And that's what kind of makes it less of "traveling" and more of a vacation. I'm totally jealous!
That garden is beautiful! Enjoy your stay!
Love your blog…but you might make me lust after travel a little too much 🙂
@Deidre: Isn't it cute though? I don't know, towel art just makes me giddy, and even after a week the novelty hasn't worn off!
@caribbelle: I love it, too! I would love to have a similar wardrobe someday!
@Afromorena: I think the bathroom is cute as well. I really got lucky with this place.
@Erika: Thanks! I do as well!
@ElleX: Thank you! The gardener takes care of it every day- he really takes pride in it and it shows!
@Emily: I love it too. Would love to have something similar in London but I probably can't afford it. lol
@Lauren: Thanks for your comment, lady! I really felt the need to have a home away from home of sorts and I'm so glad that I feel comfortable in this place!
@Tamra: Thanks so much, but your Italy pics are making me drool!
@Ashley: Thank you!! I'm always looking for travel partners, you know.. 😉
Okay…pretty much, you are my new favorite blog 😉
@Ashley: Awww! That's so nice of you to say!! *tear*!
Oh my gosh….what a deal! Your room, the garden and maid service too. It's all such a bargain, such a steal, so fabulous at that price…..but we won't tell the proprietor that. 😉
I love it.
Enjoy…
Wishing you a beautiful week
Nice digs! When are you looking at heading to London?
I love hostels. If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, you must stay at St. Vincent's Guesthouse. I love that place. And I will need you to set me up with some family hostels for next summer when my husband and I visit his children who live in Stuttgart. Then he and I are going to Paris for a couple of nights. Your place in Guatemala is so cute. I have a friend whose parents are from there. They are the sweetest people.
Do me a favor once you've arrived in London. See if you can find a bathroom anywhere that has electrical outlets in the room. The English, as a people, seem paranoid of everyone dropping dead due to accidental electrocution.
pretty! i'm definitely going to do this one day!!!
Oooh…I lurve the garden. It looks very peaceful. I hear you about not wanting to packed in like sardines. 🙁 I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay.
@Robin: Such a great deal, I wasn't sure that I heard correctly… I still have troubles with numbers in Spanish, haha.
@Hannah: I fly out on October 14! So excited!
@Anna.Kathyn Vaughan: Wow thanks for the rec! Let me know when you need places for Stuttgart and Paris and I will scout some out for you.. 🙂
@legrandezombie: Will do! Never noticed that though! Weird.
@liveletlive: You should! Totally recommend it.
@Terri: Maybe I'm just antisocial, lol. My privacy and space is of the utmost importance these days!
The place is really cute and I love the armoire. I'm not an only child, but I was the only girl growing in my family, so I so get you wanting your own space.
Oneika, I instantly went to the school's website. It sounds like such a great opportunity. I am currently teaching overseas in Abu Dhabi. Though I love it, challenges and all, I want to keep my Spanish knowledge fresh. Learning Arabic is great, but I love Spanish for some reason. I am thinking I need to do this next summer when I have a break. Thanks for sharing this info…
I spent a week in Antigua two years ago and also studied at La Union. It was an amazing experience, and I can’t wait to return again. My group stayed with host families,and I loved the house and my family/roommates. I wasn’t crowed at all, but some of the others in my group said their experience was much different. I guess it just depends on where you’re assigned.
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