The Ultimate Copol Belize Property: Unlocking The Secrets To Paradise Living

Francis Ford Coppola, the famed director of The Godfather franchise, has a portfolio of secluded paradise hotels in Belize. Coppola first fell in love with the jungle when shooting 1979's Apocalypse Now in the Philippines. He opened his first hotel in Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge, in 1993, and has since expanded his portfolio to include Turtle Inn, Coral Caye, and La Lancha. Both Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn offer luxurious accommodations, high-end service, and cinematic touches that reflect Coppola's love for film and attention to detail. Blancaneaux Lodge is nestled in the western region of Belize, offering a remote and tranquil escape in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Turtle Inn, on the other hand, is located on the Placencia Peninsula, providing a blend of adventure, relaxation, and luxury with easy access to the beach and nearby Placencia Village. With their unique features and stunning locations, Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn offer guests a glimpse into Coppola's world, where film, wine, and hospitality come together to create a memorable and enchanting experience.

Blancaneaux Lodge: a boutique resort nestled in Belize's western region

The Blancaneaux Lodge is a boutique resort nestled in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve of Belize's western Cayo District. The lodge is situated on the banks of the Privassion River, surrounded by lush tropical foliage, pines, oaks, and ancient melastome shrubs. With its remote mountain setting, the resort offers guests a unique opportunity to explore the ancient Maya civilisation and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the region.

The lodge was originally purchased by Francis Ford Coppola in the early 1980s as a writing retreat for himself. For over a decade, the property served as a family hideaway before opening its doors to the public in 1993. Coppola's love for colour and quirky tastes are reflected throughout the resort, from the use of Guatemalan tiles and textiles to the eccentric 'shell phones' found in each room.

The resort features 20 luxurious villas and cabanas dotted along the river, providing guests with a secluded and tranquil experience. The accommodations are designed with a blend of Balinese and Guatemalan influences, featuring thatched roofs and colourful Guatemalan textiles. The river offers waterfall pools for back-to-nature bathing and drinking water that is pure enough to drink.

The main building of the lodge houses a restaurant and bar, serving delicious Italian cuisine and Coppola family wines. The menu includes wood-fired pizzas and Mrs. Scorsese's chicken, showcasing the Coppola family's Italian heritage. The resort also offers a spa, stables, and a small library for guests to enjoy.

Located in a dense jungle with steep ravines and spectacular waterfalls, the Blancaneaux Lodge is a nature lover's paradise. The area is home to rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, making it an ideal destination for those seeking adventure and exploration. Guests can explore the nearby ancient Mayan ruins at Caracol, go horseback riding or tubing in the caves, or simply relax in a hammock and observe the vibrant hummingbirds and other wildlife.

Turtle Inn: a beach resort in the coastal village of Placencia

Turtle Inn is a luxury beachfront resort in the coastal village of Placencia, Belize. It is one of Francis Ford Coppola's trio of Central American resorts, including Blancaneaux Lodge and La Lancha in Guatemala. The resort is located on a private beach, offering a tranquil escape with a sprinkling of glamour.

Accommodations

The resort features 25 rooms, including individual thatched cottages and two-bedroom villas. The cottages and villas are spacious and boast rustic Balinese decor, with private decks offering stunning views of the garden, pool, or seafront. The rooms are well-appointed, with elegant rustic-inspired décor, a seating area, a mini-fridge, and a coffee machine. The private bathrooms include a bath, shower, and hairdryer. The garden and seafront villas are ideal for families, while larger groups can opt for the spacious two and three-bedroom bungalows or the pavilion.

Dining Options

Turtle Inn offers a variety of dining options, including:

• Mare: a classic Italian restaurant with a traditional thatched roof and ocean views.
• Gauguin Grill: a beachfront grill serving fresh seafood and Belize-brewed beers.
• Auntie Luba's: an authentic Belizean diner overlooking the Placencia Lagoon, serving regional curries, beef stews, and homemade key lime pie.
• The Laughing Fish: a laid-back beach bar with a barefoot, sand-floored vibe.
• Skip White: a more formal bar attached to Mare, serving Coppola's own wine labels and lime-spiked rum cocktails.

Amenities and Activities

The resort features two swimming pools, an outdoor pool, and a spa offering traditional Thai massages and treatments using locally sourced organic ingredients. There is also a tour desk that can help arrange activities such as diving, sailing, and hiking. The resort provides complimentary beach bicycles, kayaks, and paddleboards, and the onsite dive shop offers snorkelling gear and sailing boats for rent. Other activities include yoga, bird watching, sunset cruises, fishing, and exploring the nearby town of Placencia.

Coppola's favourite: the director's preferred property in Belize

Francis Ford Coppola, the Oscar-winning director of 'The Godfather' and Apocalypse Now, has a well-documented love affair with Belize. Coppola first visited the country in 1981 and fell in love with its natural beauty. Since then, he has opened two luxury resorts in the country: Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn. But which is Coppola's favourite?

Blancaneaux Lodge

Blancaneaux Lodge is a premier boutique resort nestled in Belize's western region. Coppola purchased the abandoned property, originally a jaguar-hunting lodge, in the early 1980s. He renovated the lodge and turned it into a 20-room resort, which opened in 1993. Blancaneaux Lodge is set in a dramatic location, ringed with pine trees, and has 20 charming thatched cabanas set beside a river. Waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the deep jungle canopy. The lodge has two pools, a spa, horse stables, and a long list of fun activities. The rustic luxe decor includes colourful Guatemalan textiles, providing an authentic sense of place. Coppola's quirky tastes and passions are reflected in the design, from the love of colour and use of Guatemalan tiles and textiles to the eccentric 'shellphones' in each room. The food at the lodge is exceptional, with two restaurants serving Italian and Guatemalan cuisine made with produce from the on-site organic garden. Blancaneaux Lodge is also known for its wine list, featuring Coppola's own wines.

Turtle Inn

Turtle Inn is Coppola's second property in Belize, acquired in 2001. It is located on the Placencia Peninsula and offers beachfront properties with private decks overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The resort has 25 cottages with Balinese-themed decor, two pools, three restaurants, and two bars. The resort also offers a range of guided tours and excursions, including snorkelling and scuba diving at the nearby Belize Barrier Reef.

So, Which is Coppola's Favourite?

While both resorts are stunning, it seems that Blancaneaux Lodge is Coppola's personal favourite. In an interview with Maxim, Coppola stated that he prefers properties with history as opposed to new builds. Blancaneaux Lodge certainly has a rich history, having been a jaguar-hunting lodge before Coppola acquired it. Additionally, Coppola has a private villa at Turtle Inn, suggesting that he may prefer the privacy and seclusion of Blancaneaux Lodge. Blancaneaux Lodge is also surrounded by the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the largest and oldest protected area in Belize, which may appeal to Coppola's love of nature and wilderness.

The Coppola family: how the family's travels inspired their properties

The Coppola family is an Italian-American family of filmmakers and performing artists. The family originates from Bernalda, in the region of Basilicata, Italy. The family's travels have inspired properties around the world, including in Belize, Guatemala, Argentina, Italy, and the US.

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

Francis Ford Coppola purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge, originally a jaguar-hunting house, in the early 1980s. He renovated the property and turned it into a premier boutique resort nestled in Belize's western region. The lodge is located in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and is surrounded by lush gardens and knotty pine trees. The main building houses a restaurant and bar featuring Coppola family recipes, Coppola wines, and movie memorabilia. The resort offers luxurious accommodation, high-end service, and cinematic touches.

Turtle Inn, Belize

The Turtle Inn is the other Family Coppola Hideaways property in Belize, located in the coastal village of Placencia. It features 25 private beach cottages with beautifully appointed rooms, including 'shell phones', an extensive wine selection, and exceptional service. The resort offers a range of activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, and excursions to nearby Mayan ruins.

La Lancha, Guatemala

La Lancha is an intimate and romantic retreat situated on the shores of Lago Petén Itzá in Guatemala. The 10-room lodge is decorated with furniture, fabrics, and carvings from Guatemala, personally selected by the Coppola family. The property offers a relaxed ambiance and easy access to nearby ancient ruins and adventures in the Petén region.

Jardin Escondido, Argentina

Jardin Escondido is a boutique hotel located in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The property features a unique design and offers a peaceful and secluded getaway for travellers.

Palazzo Margherita, Italy

Palazzo Margherita is a charming palazzo located in the Coppola family's hometown of Bernalda, Italy. The property is available for short stays or as a private palazzo and reflects the family's Italian heritage.

The All-Movie Hotel, USA

The All-Movie Hotel is located in Peachtree City, Georgia, USA. The hotel is part of the Coppola Hideaway company and offers a unique movie-themed experience.

The Coppola portfolio: the full list of resorts and their locations

Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize

The Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola purchased Blancaneaux Lodge, his first foray into the luxury hotel business, in the early 1980s. Coppola converted the abandoned property, formerly a jaguar-hunting lodge, into a private family retreat. In 1993, he opened it up to guests. The lodge is nestled in the Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve in Belize's western Cayo District and features 20 rooms, an on-site spa, and two restaurants. The property spans 70 acres and includes a four-acre organic farm, a waterfall pool, and the largest wine cellar in Central America. Coppola has described Blancaneaux Lodge as his "personal favourite" of his properties.

Turtle Inn, Belize

In 2001, Coppola acquired his second property in Belize, Turtle Inn, located on the Placencia Peninsula. The resort features private beachfront properties, two pools, three restaurants, and two bars. The Balinese-themed villas and cottages are equipped with luxurious amenities, including indoor-outdoor bathrooms and private walled gardens. Coppola maintains a private villa at Turtle Inn, as do his children, acclaimed filmmakers Sofia and Roman Coppola.

Coral Caye, Belize

A private island called Coral Caye is located near Turtle Inn.

La Lancha, Guatemala

La Lancha is an intimate, 10-room lodge situated on the pristine lake of Lago Petén Itzá in Guatemala. The resort is decorated with furniture and carvings hand-picked by the Coppola family and offers modern amenities and a traditional Guatemalan restaurant.

Palazzo Margherita, Italy

Palazzo Margherita is a boutique hotel located in the modest town of Bernalda, just 10 minutes from the beach. The property features expansive hidden gardens and a film collection curated by Coppola himself.

Jardin Escondido, Argentina

Jardin Escondido is located in the hip neighbourhood of Palermo Soho in Argentina. Coppola often retreats to this property to work on his writing, as it offers access to cutting-edge restaurants, bars, and boutiques while still maintaining privacy. The rooms are named after prominent members of the Coppola family and luminaries in Argentinian art, culture, and philosophy.

Frequently asked questions