You’re standing before what once was the legendary Hotel Museo Uxlabil, a place that whispers with memories from Antigua’s golden age. Imagine the Pellecer family, wealthy and respected, living here for five generations-hosting elegant gatherings on starry nights, their laughter echoing through these old stone walls. Step closer in your mind and picture the marvels indoors: precious antiques lining the halls, every corner revealing a secret of the past. The marble bathtub, so massive it reportedly weighs two tons, was once the ultimate sign of luxury. Can you picture hauling that through narrow, cobbled streets? Even the delivery men must have swapped wild stories about it over the years.
But the true gems hang on the walls-two grand paintings by Toribio Jerez, the famed Nicaraguan artist. Painted in the mid-1800s, they show the faces of church pastors, their eyes watchful and wise. Each brushstroke seems to link the Pellecers not just to Antigua, but to far-off Nicaragua and a wider web of influence. Imagine the candlelight flickering over their solemn gazes during the quiet of the night.
In 2009, the story changed. New owners transformed the building, adding lush gardens, a sunny rooftop, and peaceful courtyards-a reinvention as Hotel Casa Antigua. Yet, if you listen closely, perhaps you’ll still hear a hint of the old family’s secrets and laughter carried on the Antigua breeze.
