metcarl

My husband and I are planning a last-minute trip to Belize in July for 7 nights. I have been looking at Victoria House, Turtle Inn, and Kanantik. We want luxury (nice accommadations, great service), relaxation, good food, nice pool/beach or better yet own veranda for sunning or reading a good book. In addition to the taking it easy portion we would like some options for activities - snorkeling, wildlife, maybe even fly-fishing (husband only).

Kanantik seems a little expensive, but the package we are looking at really does include a lot - taxes, meals, drinks, flight from Belize City, and 3 tours (Jaguar Preserve, snorkeling, ruins). By the time you add those up, Turtle Inn and Victoria House are probably more expensive.

That being said, I love all three of these properties, but they all 3 might be a little on the high end. We would like to spend around $3000 total trip (food, lodging, activities, transfers to hotel) not including airfare to Belize city. The Kanantik 6-night package is $3700 for two. We would have to pay for an extra night or stay somewhere else for the first or last night. Are there any other hidden gems that I may be missing that would compare to these 3 places at a little less cost?

JeanH

I see no one has replied to your questions. Since I've not stayed at any of the places you mention, I'm hardly qualified to answer. That said, I've wandered the grounds at both Turtle Inn and Victoria House.

We've been going to Belize for four years now, and recently purchased a condo on Ambergris. Obviously, that skews my opinions. I've always said if I was going to splurge on a place to stay in Belize, it would be Victoria House. To me, the place has the feel of a British plantation. Very nicely done. I've never eaten at the restaurant there, but it gets decent reviews. There are lots of very good restaurants on Ambergris. I certainly wouldn't recommend getting the three meals a day plan at Victoria House.

The reef is less than a mile from shore on Ambergris, making snorkeling trips much shorter, half days vs. full days. The trade off is trips to the mainland are more expensive and longer. I've made the trip to the ruins at Lamanai twice from Ambegris, it's a very long, but wonderful day. Lots of wildlife to be seen, and the ruins are awesome.

It's been a few years since I've been to Placencia and seen Turtle Inn. I recall thinking the beach front units were stunning. I've heard mixed reports on the restaurant there. Not as many options in the village of Placencia for restaurants, but there are some fun places.

I don't know much about Kanantik at all.

Katie_Valk

All 3 inns are very good and in 3 very different locations. VH is on Ambergris, our most visited destination with the larger selection of hotels, restaurants, people, bars and is less than a mile from the reef. TI is in Placencia, more laid back and less developed than Ambergris, smaller more intimate beachfront inns. Other nice restaurants on the Placencia peninsula, the reef is 19 miles from shore and snorkel and dive trips are full day based on an island on the reef. TI does not have ac. Kanantik is the most remote, you'd have all your meals on site and arrange all your trips thru the inn. The reef is about 10 miles from shore and snorkel and dive trips are full day based on an island on the reef. If cost is an issue, look at Roberts Grove in Placencia and Hamanasi in Hopkins. Great fly fishing in all 3 areas.

SEGRAB

I just got back from belize. I stayed 2-months in Placencia, it is a great village. You can stay at the high end places but they are not in the village you have to get a taxi to get to town.
I camped out and also stayed in some very nice hotels, check out the cozey corner,nice rooms and they have A.C.also have a suite on the top floor If you want a bungalow right on the beach check out Trade Winds very private but still walking distance to the Bars and rest MS Janice runs it she is very helpful. For jungle tours and also mayan ruins check out Doyle at D-tourz. He is right on the sidewalk by barefoot beach bar.You can book trips when you get there all the dive shops are at the end of the point if you check them out they will cut you a deal, splash, or trade winds give good dive trips. If you want to fish go to J byrds at the end of the point by the shell station ask Gilbert at the bar for Kevin the fisherman he is a great guide. His boat is called the Bad Tide it is tied up at the end of the point.

SGiff

I too am planning a trip to Belize and one of the hotels I am looking at is the Turtle Inn, but am concerned that there is no a/c. Is this common? While I enjoy the outdoors and am acitve with hiking and scuba, I do like a warm shower and a cool room at the end of the day...

Thanks.

Katie_Valk

TI is one of only a very few upscale beachfront resorts without ac. Try Roberts Grove with ac in Placencia or Victori house with ac on Ambergris.