We just posted a review of El Convento Boutique Hotel in Antigua, Guatemala. While Antigua is full of interesting hotels that are full of personality, only a few try to serve upscale travelers who are more concerned about service and pampering than the price. So El Convento, which just opened in February, is a welcome addition to the scene.

Like Antigua’s Lion’s Inn, El Convento was built from scratch rather than being a restoration job in a historic home. The architects and designers have done their best to give the illusion of gravitas though, with a strong attempt to make the structure blend in with the Convent of Las Capuchinas across the street.

On another note, we also just added two hotels in Guatemala City, the Vista Real Hotel and Westin Camino Real. Neither one has any chance of making a “best in the world” list anytime soon, but both are comfortable for anyone stuck in the capital for a night or two, especially if you pay the minimal premium to upgrade to a business class floor or a suite.

We just posted a review of the new luxury hotel on Easter Island: Explora Posada de Mike Rapu. It’s also known as Explora en Rapa Nui, which makes more sense. My guess is that most people will just end up calling it Explora Easter Island. (Or “that hotel on Easter Island that doesn’t suck.”)

This is from the same people who opened the Explora hotels in Chile (and the architect also involved in Remota—Germán del Sol) and lead tours in Patagonia. These hotels have set the Chilean standard for mixing local elements with a strong sense of design. Our reviewer says, “It’s stylish but at the same time rough and ready, with thick stone pillars of volcanic rock and unpolished, unpainted wood.”

This remote island has a reputation for terrible food, so it’s encouraging to hear that the cuisine here is top-notch. Rates are priced accordingly, with everything wrapped into an all-inclusive package. But why not splurge? This probably is a true “once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Who goes to Easter Island twice?

Unfortunately, Explora hasn’t caught on to the whole global warming and conservation story. There’s a whole lot of waste and not much care about it, again showing us that too many executives think luxury travelers don’t give a damn about the planet. Hopefully those that do will speak up and things will improve on this fragile Rapa Nui island–already wrecked once by short-sighted inhabitants.

Just when you think Costa Rica is heading to the visitor breaking point, out comes a rash of new developments showing us that they still plan to bring in planeloads more people every year. As noted in Jaunted, Delta is increasing its weekly flights from 38 to 45 - just from New York.

First up, Mandarin Oriental is coming to Guanacaste. We’re not sure how Oriental and Latin will go together, but Francis Ford Coppola seemed to pull it off okay with Turtle Inn, so we’ll see.

There are new Four Seasons Hotels planned too. This announcement was so big the president showed up for it. There’s already one Four Seasons in Costa Rica, but with Ritz-Carlton supposedly scouting out spots as well, they are probably feeling the (tropical) heat.

Meanwhile, former AOL head Steve Case has announced a huge $800 million project in Guanacaste that would be run by Miraval and One & Only, plus have the requisite condos to bring in more cash. There’s just one problem: the government rejected the plans. Back to the drawing board.

It looks like Starwood is waking up to the growth in Latin America and has announced some major expansion plans. Some of the hotels look like they’ll be the usual ho-hum corporate cookie-cutter types, but a few may be worth a look.

St. Regis Hotel, Mexico City
Opening sometime in 2008 and located on Reforma Avenue. As is all the rage these days, the 189 rooms will be joined by 100 residences for sale. (If they other St. Regis properties are any clue, residences will be far nicer and have better amenities than we lowly hotel guests receive.)

St. Regis Resort, Punta Mita
Same story here, with a mix of private villas and a hotel. With a 2008 opening around the corner from the Four Seasons Punta Mita. this will bring some serious competition to the prime coastal land north of Puerto Vallarta. “The hotel will feature 120 magnificently appointed guest rooms and suites, each with its own outside shower, and approximately 65 luxury villas for both fractional and whole ownership.” Look for a 10,000 square foot luxurious spa and fitness center.” (Funny though, last time I had a room with an outdoor shower it was less than $5 a night in Bali.)

The Westin Resort & Spa Roatan, Honduras
The pickings are slim for Honduras luxury hotels, so this is a welcome announcement, even if it does mean the beginning of the end for “no-chain-hotels” Roatan Island. Scheduled to open in 2008, this is also a huge hotel by Roatan standards, with 164 guest rooms, plus the requisite “individual residences and villas” to create a chair shortage at the pool.

The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Costa Rica
Not sure yet where this is in Costa Rica, but opening in 2008 in an ocean-front location, with 133 luxury guest rooms, each with a spacious outdoor terrace. This sounds worth a visit: “the cliff-side Presidential Suite boasts three large bedrooms, a private pool and spectacular views of both the jungle and the Pacific Ocean.”

W Santiago Hotel, Chile
I’ve been wondering when Starwood would see what’s going on in Buenos Aires and finally open up a W somewhere down here. Here’s the flack line: “Scheduled to open in 2008, the W Santiago Hotel, Chile is poised to become Santiago’s ultimate flirty escape and a destination in itself.”

If Starwood has bought your loyalty with their rewards program and you’re eyeing the points on your trip south, see the full press release here.