Belize's Best Hotels, According To Condé Nast

Belize is a tropical paradise, offering sapphire seas, coral reefs, emerald forests and Mayan ruins. It is a small country with over 450 islands, known as cayes, and is bordered by its own barrier reef.

The best places to stay in Belize include:

- Belize City Radisson Fort George: The finest hotel in Belize City, with porters in pith helmets, a Royal Mail pillar box and Raj decor.

- Blancaneaux Lodge: Francis Ford Coppola's resort in Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve, with seven thatch-and-hardwood cabanas and five family-size villas.

- Matachica Resort & Spa: A small, laid-back, barefoot-luxury place, five miles north of San Pedro, with vibrantly coloured cottages and excellent fresh pasta.

- Victoria House Resort & Spa: One of the country's first resorts, with excellent service and rooms, suites, villas and casitas (some just steps from the ocean).

- Itz’ana: A new hotel with a beautiful rattan- and plant-decorated restaurant and a bar with a great pool.

Belize's Caribbean Coast

The town of Placencia is a melting pot of cultures, with Mestizo, Garifuna, Creole, and Mayan people living together. The main street, called the Sidewalk, is just two people wide and was originally made of conch shells for a barefoot bishop. The town's newspaper, The Placencia Breeze, advertises the town's festivals, including the chocolate festival in May, a birding festival in October, and the lobster festival in June.

Placencia offers a range of accommodation, from simple $50-a-night cabins to several-hundred-thousand-dollar villas with plunge pools and sea views. Itz'ana is a new hotel with a beautifully decorated restaurant and bar, and Coral Caye, a new island offshoot, offers a private island experience with two cabins and a sand-floored lobby.

Further north along the coast is Ambergris Caye, the most-visited destination in Belize. It is known for its quintessential Caribbean vibe, with golf carts as the main mode of transportation, and great snorkelling and diving. Matachica Resort & Spa is an adults-only stay on a white sand beach, a rare find on the island.

For a quieter alternative to Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker is a short distance south and can also be used as a jumping-off point for visiting the Belize Barrier Reef. Off The Wall Belize, an eco-resort and dive centre on Glover's Atoll, offers a remote experience that can be reached without going through Ambergris Caye.

Francis Ford Coppola's hotels

Belize is home to a range of unique and luxurious accommodations, and one of the most renowned and sought-after collections of hotels in the country is Francis Ford Coppola's resorts. Coppola, the famous film director, has a passion for Belize and has created a trio of eco-resorts that embody the country's natural beauty and cultural charm. Each of his properties offers a unique experience, immersing guests in the local environment and providing a memorable stay. Here is a detailed guide to Francis Ford Coppola's hotels in Belize, as featured in Condé Nast:

Turtle Inn:

Featured in the Condé Nast article, Turtle Inn is located in Placencia, a picturesque peninsula in southern Belize. This beachfront resort exudes a sense of relaxed elegance, with thatched-roof cottages and villas nestled amidst lush tropical gardens. The property offers a range of accommodations, from garden-view cottages to beachfront villas with private plunge pools. Guests can expect a personalized and luxurious experience, with attentive service and a focus on sustainability. The restaurant serves fresh, locally sourced cuisine, and the hotel's bar, with its unique boat-shaped design, is the perfect spot to enjoy a sunset cocktail. Turtle Inn also boasts a spa, offering a range of treatments and a yoga pavilion for guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation.

La Lancha:

La Lancha is Coppola's intimate rainforest retreat located on the shores of Lake Petén Itzá in Guatemala, just a short drive from the Belize border. This eco-lodge provides a unique experience, combining rustic charm with comfortable amenities. The thatched-roof casitas feature local artwork, spacious verandas, and stunning views of the lake and surrounding rainforest. Guests can enjoy activities such as horseback riding, kayaking on the lake, exploring ancient Mayan ruins, or simply relaxing by the pool. La Lancha is known for its warm hospitality and exceptional service, making it a beloved destination for those seeking a blend of nature and cultural immersion.

Blancaneaux Lodge:

Nestled in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in western Belize, Blancaneaux Lodge offers a secluded and luxurious jungle experience. This eco-lodge, also featured in Condé Nast, is set amidst a stunning landscape of pine forests, waterfalls, and crystal-clear streams. The lodge features a range of accommodations, including rustic cabanas and luxurious villas, many of which come with private pools and breathtaking views. Guests can enjoy a range of activities, such as horseback riding, hiking to nearby waterfalls, birdwatching, and exploring ancient Mayan sites. The lodge also offers a spa, a yoga deck, and exceptional dining, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Blancaneaux Lodge provides the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation in a breathtaking jungle setting.

Coppola's resorts in Belize offer guests the opportunity to connect with the natural beauty and cultural richness of the country. Whether it's relaxing on the beach in Placencia, exploring the rainforest in Mountain Pine Ridge, or immersing oneself in the history of the Mayan ruins near La Lancha, each property provides a unique and memorable experience. Coppola's passion for Belize is evident in the attention to detail, warm hospitality, and commitment to sustainability that can be found at each of his hotels. For travelers seeking a blend of luxury and authenticity, Francis Ford Coppola's hotels in Belize offer a truly exceptional getaway.

Placencia

For accommodation, Chabil Mar is a good option for travellers who want comfort while still experiencing local culture. Francis Ford Coppola's Turtle Inn is decorated in Balinese style and has a beautiful beach. It also has an island offshoot, Coral Caye, which offers a private island experience with two cabins and a sand-floored lobby.

Ambergris Caye

The island's only town, San Pedro, is a bustling hub with paved streets, golf carts as the main mode of transportation, and a mix of trendy restaurants, nightclubs, and coffee houses. The increase in tourism and infrastructure has led to a higher cost of living compared to other parts of Belize.

For those seeking outdoor activities, Ambergris Caye offers world-class snorkelling and diving sites just minutes away from the island. The Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley are must-visit spots to snorkel and dive with exotic fish, rays, and even sharks.

The island also boasts a variety of dining options, from fresh ceviche and conch fritters to stone crab and lobster. Mambo Restaurant and Bistro is a popular choice for dining.

When it comes to lodging, Azul is a secluded resort on a long beach at the quieter end of Ambergris Caye, offering open-plan villas and a pool overlooking the sea. Matachica, located five miles north of San Pedro, is a small, laid-back, barefoot luxury place with vibrantly coloured cottages and excellent fresh pasta. Victoria House Resort & Spa, one of the country's first resorts, offers rooms, suites, villas, and casitas, some just steps from the ocean.

Southern Belize

Placencia

Placencia, a peninsula in the south of Belize, is known for its beautiful beaches, mangroves, and lagoons. It offers a mix of simple cabins and luxurious villas, with options such as:

• Itz'ana: A new hotel with a beautiful rattan- and plant-decorated restaurant, a bar with a pool, and cabanas decorated with Balinese motifs.
• Turtle Inn: One of Francis Ford Coppola's three hotels in Belize, decorated in Balinese style, with a beautiful beach and child-friendly staff. It offers the best crispy pizza in Belize, and nearby, you can dive with whale sharks.
• Jaguar Reef Resort: Thatch-and-stone cottages, most with sea views, set on the coast. The rooms have tiled floors, mahogany fittings, and large bathrooms. The resort offers extensive tours, including the Coxcomb jaguar reserve, as well as diving and snorkelling.

Punta Gorda

Punta Gorda, located in the Toledo district, is home to a jungle lodge that provides access to Mayan ruins, cave systems, villages, chocolate ateliers, and coffee plantations. Belcampo Belize, the lodge, is proud of its green credentials and produces its own organic coffee, rum, and sugar. The food is a highlight, with dishes such as cinnamon-smoked breakfast sausages and wild shrimp for dinner.

Hopkins Village

For those seeking an adventure, the Hamanasi Adventure & Dive Resort in Hopkins Village offers an excellent opportunity to explore nature. Set on 45 acres of coastal forest, the eco-resort has its own nature preserve full of turtles, fish, birds, and tropical vegetation.

Stann Creek District

The Stann Creek District is home to a beachy hideaway, the Belizean Dreams Resort, built by Francis and Eleanor Coppola for long days spent gazing at the Caribbean Sea.

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