bml

I'm working on planning a trip (actually a delayed honeymoon) for my husband and I to belize and have a few questions. I visited AC about 5 years ago (stayed at Coconuts before the remodel), but my husband has never been...

We're both SCUBA certified and want to do some dives. Other than that, we want to spend some QT on the beach, possibly do the jungle/cave tubing, and just have some romantic R&R time.

I'd like to visit someplace that I've never been before, so we're thinking two locations. Placentia (possibly Roberts Grove / Robert's Caye) for 4-5 days and then AC for 4-5 days. I'd considered Blancaneaux, but I think it will be out of our price range. So on to my questions...

For Placentia, has anyone stayed at Robert's Grove or on their Caye. We really like the idea of the cabanas over the water on the Caye... Also, how does it compare to Turtle Inn (price and general atmosphere)?

On AC, I'd like to stay either just south of town or north of the cut. I think that we could handle the water taxi into town as long as the resort was nice. We don't need a large room, but would like something nice, private, and with a nice ocean view. We'd also like a pool, and a nice beach. The room doesn't need a kitchen, but a fridge and coffee maker would be nice. What are some of the more romantic and scenic places to stay?

Finally, we're looking to go at the end of march / early april and I'm starting to get concerned about availability. We're flexible on exact dates at this point, but do you think that we'll have a difficult time getting reservations?

Thanks in advance!

LanSluder

I have stayed at Robert's Grove several times -- it's terrific -- and also on their caye. Actually they have two cayes -- Robert's Caye, which is a tiny island with "over the water" cabanas and also they lease Ranguana, which is close to the reef. Robert's Caye was fun for a day, but overall I think Ranguana is a better choice for most people.

The rooms and junior suites at Robert's Grove are a little less than Turtle Inn's cabanas, but both are in the same ballpark.

For a honeymoon, I'd probably opt for Turtle Inn - it's truly exotic and delightful in every way.

I know both Robert's Grove and Turtle Inn are (or at least were a few days ago) fully booked at Easter -- I would hurry to make reservations for late March/April, which is a very busy time in Belize.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com

LanSluder

On Ambergris Caye, in the moderate but very nice category I'd look at:

South of town:
Banana Beach
Mata Rocks
The Palms
Xanadu

(wouldn't consider Coconuts now)

North of the river channel, I'd look at
Belizean Shores

--Lan Sluder

Katie_Valk

You might want to opt for Placencia soley because the whale sharks are present off the coast and you can dive or snorkel with them. Best time is 3 days before and after the full moon. Both RG and TI are great, I've been at both the last few weeks. Also look at www.kittysplace.com, next to TI also, with pool, a/c, frig, coffeemaker. Less $ than the other two choices.

bml

Thank you both for your replies!

Lan, you said that Robert's caye is fun for a day but Ranguana is a better choice for most... is that just because there is more to do on Ranguana? From the website it looked like the accomodations definitely weren't as nice as on Robert's Caye, that was my main concern. Also, do you know if SCUBA boats will pick us up from the Caye or if we'd have to go back to Robert's Grove first?

Regarding Turtle Inn, it looks very nice and I'd love to stay there, but it seems significantly more expensive than Roberts (Robert's seems to do packages whereas Turtle Inn seems like it's just a nightly rate). Do you know if Turtle does packages or if the rates are better going through an agent?

Of the places that you mentioned on AC, we were looking at Belezian shores, but I hadn't considered the other ones because they seemed less exotic maybe. But I could be wrong here... What are your thoughts on Mata Chica and Portifino?

Thanks again!

LanSluder

Right, the accommodations on Ranguana aren't as nice as the new cabanas on Robert's Caye. The difference is the island and the location of the island -- Ranguana is considerably larger (Robert's Caye is literally about 75 feet across) and it is on the reef, so the snorkeling nearby is better than at Robert's Caye.

Don't know about packages at Turtle inn -- suspect what you see on the Web site is what you get. Demand is high.

I stayed at Mata Chica this past summer -- nice, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Portofino is very attractive. Overall, though, if you are looking at upscale places on Ambergris Caye, I'd vote for Victoria House. Or one of the condotels, which offer more space for the money, with about the same amenities.

--Lan Sluder

mark_n_marci

My husband and I got married in Belize at Captian Morgan's on AC. The thatched roof huts on the beach were fantastic! Great food too, as was the food next door at Capricorn. We also heard good things about Victoria house but they were closed at the time. We did diving of AC too, it was incredible! My husband and two friends did their open water certifications here. I would absolutely recommend Amigos del Mar, wonderful dive group!

We also went to Placentia and stayed at Tutle Inn. We loved it so much we tried to extend our stay! Opt for one of the beach Cabannas (they upgraded us when my hubby told them we were on our honeymoon)! Unfortunately the food left a lot to be desired (one of the worst places we ate). We opted for more casual dining at the Purple Space Monkey!

Have a great time!

alzaloum

The food at Turtle Inn is excellent. I don't know what the last poster is talking about. (And I live in NYC and have very picky taste.) they also include a continental breakfast which is a fruit place and a basket of baked goods. Very good. I ended up getting it every day. They have their own organic garden, and you can taste the freshness in the food.