Saasil Retreat Center Reviews

Elizabeth Edgington 2026.05.02

     

Took my money did not provide accommodation, have not refunded me Scammed me of £250 booking that they could not fulfil on arrival. No refund, no communication and most importantly, no accommodation. Waited an hour on arrival to find someone to check in with. They said they’re not really open, no yoga, no food, room not ready. And they hadn’t paid the WiFi bill, so no WiFi and therefore no communication. Didn’t stop them taking my money though! Very stressful finding other accommodation, and still don’t have a refund. You have been warned!!
Date of experience: 01 May, 2026

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Elizabeth Edgington 2026.05.02

     

Scammed me of £250 booking that they could not fulfil on arrival. No refund, no communication and most importantly, no accommodation. Waited an hour on arrival to find someone to check in with. They said they’re not really open, no yoga, no food, room not ready. And they hadn’t paid the WiFi bill, so no WiFi and therefore no communication. Didn’t stop them taking my money though! Very stressful finding other accommodation, and still don’t have a refund. You have been warned!!

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Ahmed Sami Hammami 2026.03.22

     

Worst experience ever !! I cancelled my reservation before coming and they still charged my credit card when I asked for my refund as it was during the free cancellation period they accused me not to be patient and to be entitiled as they are changing administration when they where not even supposed to use my credit card outside of booking.com… this is not a place that puts customer first unfortunately. I DO NOT RECOMMEND STAYING HERE

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Peaches Griffin 2026.01.25

     

Okay, but I’ve been waiting for a long time to make this review. And I’m excited to do so. First Saasil is so relaxing. There were times I just laid in the hammock for hours & only hear nature. It was so lovely Accommodations: we stayed in a double twin room, the room itself was clean, the beds cozy & they came to clean our room daily. I do think the shower itself could have been cleaner, but they’re very clear about the retreat being rustic, so that’s fine. I saw some reviews talked about bugs, we didn’t experience any issues with bugs, if you’re sensitive to bugs, I recommend the private rooms, I think the shared dorms may be where people were having “issues” but we had none. Also this retreat is for adults wanting to relax l, it wasn’t a party scene, or loud and I really appreciated it. My last day I was there, I saw someone had two children & was shocked because I hadn’t heard them at all. Customer service: customer service was so good, they were friendly, helpful but hands off which was nice, I don’t want to feel like someone was trying to force friendships (as an introvert I hate that) they responded to my text pretty quick, they helped us get tuktuks into town. Food: breakfast was 10/10 so good. Healthy, light but also filling. For me, I prefer some protein for dinner, so we ate dinner out often. I do wish they had an espresso machine, (they had coffee/tea) but there’s a cafe about 50 feet away from the front door that had espresso, so that wasn’t an issue. Yoga classes: 100/10 literally amazing Paras was amazing. They had someone playing guitar during the practice, watching the morning sun while stretching was a magical experience. Genuinely the best yoga classes I’ve ever taken. If I can’t be clear enough, go for the yoga classes & breakfast alone is enough of a reason to go. Location: Tzunna was small, but did have restaurants & I felt safe walking around. It’s in a good location because you can tuktuk to San Marcos if you want to hangout after dark & the boats stopped running. I enjoyed it being quiet & a smaller town, some of the other towns were loud & I enjoyed being able to walk out on the balcony with no pants on and not seeing anyone in the world 😂 The views were also insane. The retreat is a 2 minute tuktuk ride or a 10 minute walk from the docks, we opted to walk. But you can call a tuktuk service and they arrive quick. Wake up for sunrise, trust me! You can watch the volcanoes erupt from the rooftop. I really felt connected to nature there & enjoyed talking to the other international travelers. Cons/room for improvement: I do wish they lit the fire at night & also offering an additional meditation or small class in the evening would be nice for those who aren’t in a structured retreat. But not a deal breaker at all. Maybe clean the showers a bit better, I do understand it was clearly stated it was rustic, so I know what I signed up for, and wasn’t too upset about it. So minimal complaint there. Over all 100/10 for value. I would highly recommend to friends, and I’d stay again. The staff was lovely, the breakfast was tasty & I feel so relaxed & reflective now. Hopefully I’ll see Saasil again! P.S. the retreat changed ownership, so there are some negative reviews from some time ago, the new owners are amazing & all of the volunteers I talked to seemed really happy & loved living there. So ignore old reviews if negativity because the new owners are doing really good work.

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Lukas Steindl 2026.01.15

     

Great Yoga morning class, thx!!!

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Tomasz Chłopecki 2026.01.14

     

Nothing matches the description on Booking.com, and it's dirty. Access by car is impossible due to the river and the resort entrance.

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J 2026.01.12

     

Awful place, the staff are western yoginis who seem to be on “working” holidays of their own, not trained hospitality workers, so expect to feel like every problem is an inconvenience and that you should just be one with nature and accept the rubbish state of the place.

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W W 2025.12.23

     

We arrived to find that our „Deluxe Double Room with Balcony” had no electricity or hot water, and it was clear the hotel was already aware of these issues before checking us in. We were offered another room, but it also had no water. With no comparable rooms available and it being too late to find alternative accommodation, we had no choice but to stay. This situation could have been easily avoided had staff informed us of the issues at check-in. The property feels more like a yoga studio with rooms attached than a functioning hotel, and basic customer service seems to be lacking. Staff repeatedly made disclaimers about being “new” and “still learning,” yet the room rate was on par with far better hotels in the area. Given that the property appears to have been operating for some time, this comes across less as inexperience and more as a lack of interest in addressing ongoing issues. Overall, it felt as though there was little concern for guests or for maintaining the property. When I went to pay, reception staff were lying down and simply waved me over, and at one point suggested I “read a book or brush my teeth” while waiting to see if the hot water might return. The only genuinely positive part of the stay was the yoga session with Paras, which was excellent and the sole highlight of an otherwise frustrating experience.

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Gael Chartrand 2025.11.18

     

Be careful if you’re looking to attend the yoga classes advertised on their website. I walked 20 min down a very steep hill at 6:30 to find a note on the door saying there were no yoga classes. I had verified several times on their website, Instagram and had even messaged them on whatsapp. I tried again two days later. The 7 am mentionned on their website is incorrect and on site it says classes are at 7:30 am. I waited until then and nobody ever came.

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Inca Shneor 2025.08.17

     

Our stay at Saasil was such a beautiful experience. It is a space that within just the 5 days we were there felt like home. Beautiful gardens and so many quiet spots to sit and take in the nature. The volunteers and yoga instructors take care of everything for you and are so helpful. The yoga classes were all incredible and in the most beautiful setting to practice. Thank you for our time here , we will be back for another magical experience.

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Gain Hagenau 2025.04.22

     

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D. Janik 2025.04.22

     

The views and property are amazing! The food is made fresh and exactly what I would expect from a retreat. Yoga was really good in the morning and absolutely amazing views and space. This place is run by yoga teachers, so just factor that in… not a hotel experience. This is advertised but if you are not able to handle insects everywhere in your room - this is not the place for you! Also location - this is mentioned in previous comments, it’s a very poor area of the lake and if you plan to come back from town after dark your only option is tuk-tuk and you will get charged $7-10 one way because no one wants drive here, the road is an absolute disaster. In summary, great experience but I would suggest to stay two nights and stay at the property.

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Sophia Muller 2025.04.05

     

Great place with lovely people! I recommend doing a cacao ceremony and I loved the massage from Patti. Also the food was probably the highlight! It was so so delicious and healthy. Don’t expect to be in a town though, it is really secluded but the property is gorgeous. The only advice I have as they are a new place is I would make it easier access to the sauna… I am not used to having to schedule somthing like that at a hotel!

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Samantha Redonda 2025.02.17

     

Saasil was such a welcoming place for my first time here in Guatemala and on the lake. It is a vortex of love and connection. I spent most of my 3 weeks here and could’ve never left and would have been so content. The staff is absolutely incredible as well as the volunteer Gabbie and Ann. Just rays of sunshine! True friendships are built here. I am so grateful for this space and all that came and went and for Patti and Emilie for making my stay incredible. I stayed in the lower dorms and absolutely loved it. Yes there are spiders and sometimes scorpions, but they are harmless and just want to live in this beautiful place too! The showers are lovely, I enjoyed being outside so much and now that I’m in a house I miss Saasil even more. Everything about this place is incredible, especially the meals and the lovely ladies cooking all day. I will be back as long as I can come back. Thank you all!

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Philippa Eddison 2025.02.03

     

I’ve just spent 4 nights at Saasil Retreat at Tzununá and it was all I imagined it would be be - and more. The location is idyllic, nestled in the hillside surrounded by lush vegetation with stunning views over the lake. The rooms are really clean and very comfortable yet retain a lovely simplicity and my early morning sunrise view was very special. The food is delicious, the 7am yoga classes in the magnificently appointed Shaka were varied and excellent and the staff were really friendly and helpful. There is an air of tranquility and calm where you can be in solitude or be with the other guests in the main dining and lounging area, again with stunning views. For more action there's exciting boat rides across the water to visit the towns dotted all over the huge lake, lakeside and volcano hikes, kayaking and loads more. I feel enriched having spent some time at Lake Atitlan and restored after a few days of heaven at Saasil.

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Helena Kasten-Hoersch 2025.02.01

     

I‘ve had the absolute best time at Saasil - it‘s such a unique place! Especially the crew - Pati, Emily and Gabbi - made me feel welcome and like part of a little family from day one. I initially stayed for 4 days together with a friend, but then returned to work remotely for another 8 days. The location itself is gorgeous (from chirping birds, a beautiful garden and great views over the lake); there is yoga every morning (an incredible start into the day) and the food was great, too (especially breakfast was delicious). Besides, they have strong wifi, so I could work well from the common area. It‘s a place to arrive and not wanting to leave again. What also made it special to me was the connection/exchange on what was going on in Tzununa and San Marcos. Through having meals at set times, it was very easy to connect with everyone staying at the retreat and so groups would shape and do fun stuff together like hiking to a closely waterfall, going to Kirtan or heading out for a Pizza night. I‘d generally recommend rather staying a bit longer (not a good place to rush through.) Overall a 10/10 experience for me, and I hope to return some day!! :))

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Joanna LaFayette 2025.01.24

     

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Daniela Santos 2025.01.20

     

Had an amazing stay at Saasil! Location was easy to access other towns on the lake. Food was AMAZING and staff was very friendly and helpful.

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Eva Zettwoog 2025.01.10

     

Saasil Retreat is a beautiful and peaceful paradise, far away from the crowds and the tourists. The yoga classes every day are great and the food is absolutely amazing. I also booked some sauna sessions and massages which help me recover both physically and mentally. Saasil is really like a family who open their arms for you. Everyone from the owners, to Anika the volunteer, Pati the manager, all the staff are really kind hearted people who do their best to make your stay comfortable. I felt so much happier and relaxed there and didn't want to go away. I will definitely come back

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Reply from Saasil Retreat Center 2025.01.12

Thanks so much for the kind words Eva! It was a pleasure having you and we're so glad you were able to unwind. We'd love to welcome you back any day!

C. Sara Lawrence Minard 2025.01.08

     

If you want a place where the heaviness of the world melts away, where the majesty of the mountains and lake quiets the busy mind, where birdsong and sunshine and flowers and the sounds water flowing are everywhere as a reminder of the peace of wild things, and where the teachers and staff meet you exactly where you are; and yet from this warm, inclusive environment they create, you feel encouraged and supported to transcend your edges, open your heart wider than you thought possible, and smile from a deeper place -- this is what the Saasil Retreat Center under Lauren and her team's gentle and generous guidance will offer you. The rooms are perfect, clean and spacious, made of bamboo, stone, glass, and wood, with new sheets everyday and thick wool blankets for those chilly nights, and yet you still feel immersed in the elements. Hammocks are draped everywhere to catch you and rock you into complete awakened relaxed presence. The kitchen is vibrant, with a daily fresh menu of local and global foods (the handmade corn tortillas are phenomenal), constant flow of locally roasted coffee and hot water infused with fruit and herbs found on the property, and all food preferences and allergies are diligently met without fanfare. What I appreciated most about this experience was how grounded, kind, open and fun everyone is who works there. The staff feel like family, and after a week there, we all felt like family, while always having space to be alone to write and meditate or sleep, take excursions (supported or on our own), or just hang out in the Buddha Cafe (the main food spot) to chat with the amazing people from around the world who are drawn to this sacred space or just feel the warm sun on your face after an awesome yoga class and sound bath with a cup of tea alongside "Snow", the retreat center's adorable kitty. There is no place like this. Don't miss it. It's a gift you'll give to yourself that keeps on giving.

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