nanette

hi... my husband and i are thinking of a trip to belize early 2002. does anyone have suggestions for luxury accomodations on the beach that are not too sleepy/isolated (i.e. near town with funky local bars) and not too touristy or family oriented. we're looking to relax but have occasional nights out as well. thanks. n

Lan Sluder

I think you'll want to look at Ambergris Caye, which is Belize's most popular destination. It has a large variety of small hotels, inns and condotels, including some of considerable luxury (and price). There are plenty of good, moderately priced restaurants and bars/clubs. <BR> <BR>In the upscale end I would suggest you look at Victoria House, Fountain Blue, Ramon's and Banana Beach, all in town or south of town as opposed to being a boat ride away on North Ambergris. If you do want to be more away from things, then you might look at Mata Chica and Portofino on North Ambergris. <BR> <BR>--Lan Sluder <BR>Belize First

lili

my parents went to belize throught capricorn.net travel ageny, belize experts - check what they have to offer

nanette

thanks for the scoop lan... is it hard to get to mata chica from/to town? how often do the water taxis go? how much to they cost? and how late at night do they run? thanks a lot! n

Lan Sluder

There are on-call water taxis plus Island Ferry, a scheduled water taxi. Fare that far north is at least US$10 per person each way from town, usually with a mininum of about US$30. Typically there's an extra charge for late night trips. So it adds up. Fast. <BR> <BR>But the hotel does have a boat and I think still does some free shuttles into town. <BR> <BR>If you are the kind of person who likes to eat out at a different restaurant each night and go to clubs late at night, Mata Chica wouldn't be for you. <BR> <BR>--Lan Sluder <BR>

Gaz

Hi Nanette<BR><BR>We are located North and provide Luxury accomodations and also provide our own shuttle service into town on a demand basis, what this means is you can get to town when you want to but at the same time you can relax on a quiet beach, but when you want to go into town the boat is ready and waiting.<BR><BR>We also provide a late night boat should you want to go into town and party a little.<BR><BR>Lan rightly has a little negative perception of the Norhtern resorts because of the hassle to get into town from up north, i am a new resort up North and realize this is really the only negative to staying North and thats why I have a boat on standby ready to whisk people into town when they wish, we do charge $5 for a roundtrip ticket just to cover the cost of the fuel and boat captain but this is a nominal fee when you consider the Island Ferry is $20 roundtrip.<BR><BR>I worked in town for 10 years and i LOVE IT up north its peaceful NO TRAFFIC or DUST and if I want to go to town its just 10 minutes away in my opinion its the best of both worlds.<BR><BR>Unless you want to be out partying every night the Northern resorts are really great.<BR><BR>Have a great time <BR><BR>Gaz Cooper<BR>Playa Blanca Beach Resort<BR>www.playablancabelize.com<BR><BR>

TC

We stayed at Villas of Banyan Bay last winter and loved it. Located right on a beautiful beach just a short walk to town, we were very near the Victoria House. I would highly recommend these two bedroom condos. Great staff.

m.s.

does villas at banyan bay have a restaurant and if it doesn't it that a problem? we're just 2 people so it seems silly to stay at a 2 bedroom place?<BR>victoria house seems nice but someone says there's a problem with bugs because of the lush vegetation? anybody know the answer to these questions?

Katie Valk

You'll get some bugs after rainfall and sometimes in the arly morning and late afternoon for about 30 mins. You don;t need a two bdrm, do you? Yes, BB has some sort of food service, but not sure how large or what they serve, etc. But they always do a good job at BB, so I assume it's good.<BR><BR>BB and VH are very close and no, VH doesn't have any more bugs than anywhere else and I wouldn't really call their vegetation lush, but they do have nice landscaping. Very good restaurant at VH. I love the beachfront casitas with ac. <BR><BR>Katie Valk<BR>Belize

m.s.

do you know anything about mata rocks resort? it may be the only place where they have room at the time we want to go.<BR>we don't need a 2 bedroom place at BB.<BR>if they don't have beachfront casitas with ac, is there another accomodation just as nice?

ms.

we liked to travel around islands and explore. is it true that you can't rent a car on ambergris caye? how can you get around on your own? would victoria house be intimidating to people who don't feel comfortable with very "fancy" surroundings? i just don't want to get staying at a very rustic place and i'm afraid mata rocks may be just that.

Lan Sluder

First, I very much doubt that Mata Rocks is the only place that has rooms. Even at Christmas, there are rooms available somewhere, though maybe not where you want and you may have to look around a good deal.<BR><BR>Right, there are no cars to rent on Ambergris Caye. You can rent a golf cart or bikes, or walk, or take a water taxi or regular taxi.<BR><BR>Here are reviews of both Mata Rocks and Victoria House, from my new guide to the island, coming next month, called San Pedro Cool.<BR><BR>--Lan Sluder<BR>Belize First<BR>http://www.belizefirst.com/<BR><BR>&gt;&gt; * * * Mata Rocks, P.O. Box 47, San Pedro; tel. 888-628-2757 or 501-26-2336, fax 26-2349; e-mail [email protected]; www.matarocks.com. Mata Rocks is a small beachfront hotel with 11 rooms and two junior suites, just south of Banana Beach. With its stucco and wood exterior in a distinctive white, turquoise and purple paint scheme, Mata Rocks has a comfortable, relaxed feel. The beach bar hops, however, and if you want to pop into town, about 1 1/2 miles away, bikes are complimentary. All units have A/C and little fridges, and the junior suites have kitchenettes. In-season doubles US$120 for rooms and US$145 for suites. Summer rates US$85 to $96. Rates are plus tax but include continental breakfast. Bottom line: Relax in laidback surroundings on the beach.<BR><BR>* * * * + Victoria House, Coconut Drive, P.O. Box 22, San Pedro; tel. 800-247-5159 or 501-26-2067, fax 26-2429, e-mail [email protected]; www.victoria-house.com. If what you want is an upscale but casual resort vacation, Victoria House is just about perfect A little over 2 miles south of town, Victoria House is a quiet hideaway on 19 acres, with a variety of accommodations ranging from comfy motel-like rooms in two buildings at the back of the resort to thatch casitas to deluxe villas on the beach. The villas can be rented as entire units or in chunks - beautiful but pricey, with rates up to US$975 for the three-bedroom villa at Christmas. That&Otilde;s per day, not per week! There has been lots of remodeling and upgrading of late, with the biggest addition being a gorgeous new beachside pool. The hotel&Otilde;s restaurant also is much improved, no more dreary buffets but a real chef whipping up dishes like shrimp beignets and conch fritters. A full meal plan is US$50 per person per day, though many guests prefer not to be locked into a meal plan and dine around the island. A free-standing lounge caba–a on the beach is ideal for sipping rum drinks or Belikins. Head to the sandy beach area for relaxing, or swim off the pier. The hotel also has a gift shop and a dive operation. Victoria is a popular place to get married, and the hotel has a wedding package including five nights in the honeymoon suite for around three grand. Rates June through mid-December, US$155 to $295, US$170 to $350 in high season, villas US$485 to $795, all plus 7% tax and 10% service. Rates higher during holiday periods. Bottom line: Upscale, barefoot hideaway.<BR>