Guatemala /May 16, 2023
The Good Hotel company is part of The Good Group, a social business based in Holland that doesn’t pay dividends and instead reinvests its profits into social projects.
Under the brand message of ‘Sleep Good, Do Good’, the Good Hotel group can trace its roots to a trip its founder, Marten Dresen, undertook in 2006.
Travelling through Guatemala, he met Mirna, a young girl with no shoes. Having bought her a pair of Converse trainers, Marten went on to found Ninos de Guatemala, a charitable foundation that builds and manages schools within the rural communities of Guatemala.
The foundation’s first elementary school, Nuestro Futuro, opened in the village of Ciudad Vieja in 2009. A second elementary school, El Porvenir, opened in San Lorenzo El Cubo in 2012, followed by a secondary school in 2015.
|
|
|
 |
Beyond The Ordinary arrange fully bonded, tailor made holidays and tours to Guatemala. Contact one of our experts on 01580 764796, email travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk or contact us via our website. |
|
|
|
While the need to provide education to disadvantaged communities in Guatemala was clear, how to sustainably fund such projects over the long term wasn’t.
At the same time as the Ninos de Guatemala was opening schools, the concept of the Good Hotel was born in 2012.
Not only would such hotels generate an income to support the charity but, just as importantly, the hotels could also provide meaningful employment opportunities for students on completion of their studies.
The first Good Hotel in Guatemala opened in Antigua in 2017 with extension work in 2023 set to add a further 25 rooms.
A second Good Hotel property, in the nearby capital, Guatemala City, opened in 2022. Over time, it is expected that further properties will open in other locations across the country.
In addition to its properties in Guatemala, the Good Hotel group also operates a hotel in Amsterdam as well as a floating hotel in east London which opened in 2017.
While we would very much encourage visitors to experience both European properties, our focus is very much on Guatemala where Beyond The Ordinary arrange tailor made, touring holidays that will pretty much always include time in Antigua and sometimes Guatemala City too.
To discuss your travel plans, either give us a call on 01580 764796 during standard office hours or drop us an email via travel@beyondtheordinary.co.uk
This brief, one week private tour includes many of the highlights of any holiday to Guatemala - colonial Antigua, Mt Pacaya volcano, Iximche Mayan ruins, beautiful Lake Atitlan and colourful Chichicastenango market.
This brief itinerary around the highlands of Guatemala takes in the key destinations of Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan together with some lesser known ones such as the Mayan ruins of Iximche and the city of Quetzaltenango.
This classic Guatemala itinerary starts in the Highland region, taking in Antigua, Chichicastenango & Lake Atitlan amongst others before heading north via Quirigua, Livingston & Rio Dulce to the vast flatlands of Peten, home to the great Mayan cities of Tikal & Yaxha.
Everyone likes a hotel with a view and, when it comes to Guatemala, visitors are truly spoiled for choice with all manner of spectacular vistas.
Hiptipico, which describes itself as an ethical fashion brand, is based in the town of Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan.
Alfombras are sawdust carpets that are used as street decorations, most typically during religious processions and ceremonies.
When making your travel arrangements, we understand just how important peace-of-mind is. Beyond The Ordinary hold both ATOL & ABTOT bonds so whether you book your flights through us, or independently, any money you pay us is 100% protected. More detailed information on Financial Protection can be found by clicking here.
Whichever of our featured countries you wish to visit, we've been there several times. So, if you're after something beyond the ordinary to Cuba, Nicaragua, Guatemala or the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, we'd love to hear from you.
