Hotel Cuchumatanes has an important family tradition and history in the culture of Huehuetenango. We are glad to present some portions of the hotel’s memoirs in the following paragraphs.

In 1972 Federico Orlando Castillo Prieto – don Orlando – acquires some land in a developing sector in Huehuetenango known as Brasilia. The land is located among the forest in a natural environment, surrounded by hills and with a magnificent view of the Chuchumatanes mountains. Don Orlando builds four swimming pools and a cabin that is then transformed into a restaurant. The construction adds value to the whole Brasilia sector that is then further developed by other owners, all preserving the natural setting of the place.

Later, in 1975, don Orlando comes with the idea of sharing the wonders of that magical spot with guests from all over the world through the construction of a hotel, at the beginning thought as a traditional farm or ranch. For some friends and people from Huehuetenango it was a crazy idea, sector Brasilia was considered too far from down town to build a hotel. Nevertheless don Orlando did not abandon the idea; rather it kept growing and growing in his head and heart. The place was just too beautiful, peaceful, with magnificent views, full of nature to be considered not a good place to stay for vacations and enjoy.

The plains of the hotel were finally drawn in 1979 by architect Rodolfo Simbaldi Galicia, including only 4 bungalows and the offices and restaurant.

The project began and was constructed in 1980. The hotel started small offering only the 4 bungalows of the original design and the swimming pools. It was hard times for Guatemala then. With an internal conflict that sometimes turned very violent, and having Huehuetenango as one of its main scenarios, tourism was severely affected and the hotel had to be closed.

Some years later, with the development that peace brought to Guatemala, don Orlando’s sons decided that it was time for their father’s dream to be brought back to life. They added their own experience and professional skills to the project and started building the new hotel in March 1992, the restaurant and all the constructions of the hotel were built that time establishing Hotel Los Cuchumatanes as a formal family company. The installation and services of the hotel were modern and comfortable, thought to offer the public lodging in rooms and bungalows, restaurant, swimming pools and - since 1994 - a conventions center. The hotel started with a staff of 12 people taking care of the maintenance and cleaning and guests services. Nowadays the staff is composed of more than 75 people among administrative, maintenance and cleaning service, cooking and restaurant, and guest services, working full time in the hotel.

What started as a family company is now a group of four companies named Grupo CASTITELL:

Hoteles Exclusivos, S. A.
Constructora de Occidente S. A. – CONSTRUCTO
Abastecedora Comercial S. A. – ABACO
Agropecuaria Huehueteca S. A. – TIERRA ALTA

The four companies join efforts to maintain the hotel Los Cuchumatanes’ operation and divide the responsibility of administering hotels, corporative organization, construction and marketing.

These companies are organized as anonymous societies – companies whose ownership is represented by shares held by private individuals. 100% of the shares are held in property of the family founded by don Federico Orlando Castillo Prieto.