Lomas de Tzununá

Lomas de Tzununá opened in 2005 as a family-run hotel in the hills, the lomas, above Tzununá. The town's name, the pages note, means "the water of the sparrows" in Kaqchikel. Below lies Lake Atitlán, a crater lake in the Sierra Madre highlands, framed by volcanoes. Every room looks out over the water.

The sustainability work is practical. Solar panels power the pumps that draw water from the lake, and an on-site chicken coop and herb garden supply the restaurant, with permaculture practices throughout. Andrés, the chef, has cooked there since the opening, serving Guatemalan and international dishes made from scratch, with herbs, eggs and coffee grown on the property.

The hotel has 14 rooms and sleeps 28, or up to 40 with two to a queen bed. Eight lake view bungalows and two with bunk beds have private bathrooms and balconies. Four more rooms sit beneath the shala and watch the sunrise. For wellness retreats, the space is stocked with mats and cushions, and catering can be arranged around a group's budget and dietary needs. Weddings and conferences can host 50 people.

The owners have worked in development for more than 20 years and call the hotel their best excuse for social work. In 2007 a group of local parents asked them to help build a library for the children of Tzununá. It has grown into a project for a community centre, supported by guests, aimed at literacy and opportunities for learning and earning. The restaurant, pool and facilities are open to day visitors, and the hotel can arrange traditional Maya experiences nearby.