At night, with a row of torches burning on the beach and the waterside thatch-covered dining room glowing in lamplight, this lodge has an East African feel. Nestled on the coast, it has views over the water in one direction and of the Maya Mountains' green slopes in the other. The whitewashed duplex cabanas with thatch roofs have soaring pitched ceilings with exposed wooden beams. The newer Colonial suites and rooms have local artwork, salt-tile floors, and custom-made hardwood furnishings. For those who aren't excited about swimming in the sea, there are two seaside pools. Meals are served in a glassed-in beachside restaurant. The Butterflies Spa offers a variety of treatments and packages (the day package, for instance, includes three treatments and lunch). Pros: Attractive and well-kept grounds, lovely beachside location, good selection of tours. Cons: Diving and snorkeling requires a long boat trip out to the reef, restaurant can be inconsistent.
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