Has anyone stayed at this place? What did you think?
We're looking for that laidback, slightly luxurious without being too hoity-toity, nice atmosphere, friendly staff, good food, idyllic (not too much to ask, surely!). Does Mata Rocks fit the bill?
We're visiting in early jan, so a lot of other places are booked up already...

Thanks!

I haven't stayed there, but have spent some time at the bar. It looks great. If I didn't like being closer to town, it would definitely be on my 'short list'.

I stayed at Mata Rocks this summer and loved it. It seems to fit exactly what you described... friendly, laid back, comfortable, pretty setting. You also mentioned you were looking for good food. You should know that the free breakfast they offer is very basic (rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee) and there's no restaurant at the hotel. But we enjoyed Rico's which is quite close, and also several places in town (about a 20 minute walk).

The beach bar is very pleasant. Every one gathers at happy hour to swap stories. I highly reccommend the fishing tour and catamran/snorkel trip offered by the hotel.

You're going to have a great time. I'm jealous!

What restaurants, other than Rico's, can you recommend for dinner within walking distance of Mata Rocks? Family members staying there in Feb.

El Divino is right next door at Banana Beach. I haven't eaten there, but it gets great reviews. I'd consider pretty much south of the cut as 'within walking distance', but I like to walk. Every where south of the cut will be accessible for a $5.00US or so cab fare.

Thanks for the suggestion. Can you recommend any other restaurants that would be a longer walk or cab ride to reach? Do they need to take a flashlight or bug spray to walk at night? Is it best to walk on beach to restaurants or the road? Thanks for any help you can give!

Here's a short list of restaurants that we like and are close to town, or in town.

Casa Picasso, tapas and pasta. Great martinis. Also awesome desserts. Not cheap, but we've always enjoyed our meals there. You'll probably want to take a cab, simply because it's a bit off the beaten path.

Taste of Thailand. Good Thai food.

Blue Water Grill, right on the beach, pretty much across from the airstrip.

Cocina Caramba, right downtown, good fish and shrimp. Also right across the street is The Reef.

Papi's Diner has good cheap meals, right side of town, fairly close to the cut.

I like Jam-Bel jerk pit, my husband thinks it's too spicy.

Jade Garden for Chinese, also they have fish.

A flashlight wouldn't hurt, although I never seem to remember to carry one. If there's a breeze, the mosquitos won't bother you on the beach. My husband got some sand flea bites a few weeks ago.


Jade

We enjoyed the following restaurants:
(no particular order)
Caliente (go see the chicken drop next door on Wed)
Elvi's (sp?) Kitchen
Manelis (sp?)Ice Cream (coconut ice cream is to die for)
Blue Water Grill

All are within walking distance to one another

We just came back from Belize last week. Stayed at Banana Beach. Wish we had time for Casa Picasso. Everyone was talking about it and recommended it hightly. I thought El Divino at Banana Beach was just okay. We walked down to Banyan Bay, next to us, for lunch in their gazebo, and liked it better than El Divino. We used the beach in front of Mata Rocks, small but nice, one of the best on that strip. The hotel looks beautiful and laid back. I think you'll like it.

Now that family members are definitely ready to book a room, Mata Rocks is no longer available. Can anyone suggest other places to stay?

How many people and how much do they want to spend? Lots of people really do like Banana Beach (next door to Mata Rocks), but, to me, it's always looked like a 60's era motel.

Our favorite place to stay is Belizean Reef, beautiful condos, but no pool. For us, it isn't a problem, since it's almost next door to the nice beach at Ramon's. We've also stayed at the Palms, also nice condos, and does have a pool.

For hotel rooms, Sunbreeze gets good reviews. Friends of ours stayed at Ramon's and enjoyed their stay, but I think it's expensive for what you get.

Other people recommend Exotic Caye, the units are individually owned, so their will be some variability. There's a fun beach bar there, and a restaurant that's open for breakfast and lunch.

Also, look at Xanadu. If I can ever convince my kids to come along, that's probably where we'll stay. They have some three bedroom units.

There are some nice properties towards the north side of town as well. Aquamarina Suites has built on a large deck/bar on the beach. Nice looking property. Paradise Villas has good 'curb appeal' as well. We stayed at Blue Tang on our first viist. Nice place, but we've decided we like Belizean Reef better, despite the lack of a pool.

There will just be 2 people--my husband and 24 yr old son. My husband wants to make sure the place has a TV and refrigerator. My son just wants to snorkle and fish. I appreciate your suggestions. This is a last minute trip for Feb. and many places are full. You have given them more places to try.

We just stayed at Banana Beach and enjoyed it. The people are very nice, the rooms clean and spacious with excellent kitchen facilities. It is next to Mata Rocks which has an excellent beach and two pools. It has it's own travel agency to book snorkeling or fishing or you can go to Banyan Beach Resort next door to book through them (if you have to rent equipment equipment, you get it there anyway) All the excursion companies will pick up from the end of the pier at Banana Beach. Whereever you go, just be sure it has a pier to the water and access to travel booking. You don't want to have to waste your timing looking or calling for those amenities.

Is anyone familiar with Caribe Island condos? They seemed a little far from town but claimed to have a shuttle, which we'd want to use for dinner.