Belize Hotels, Lodges and Resorts

Belize is home to a wide variety of hotels, lodges, and resorts, all with their own unique charm and character. From small guesthouses to luxurious jungle and beachfront resorts, Belize offers something for almost everyone.

Also, Belize has only a few hotel chains (only in Belize City and Ambergris Caye), so while you can be assured of not finding cookie-cutter hotel rooms, here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a Belize hotel, lodge, or resort:

• Location: Where do you want to stay? Belize has something to offer everyone, from the bustling Ambergris Caye to jungle retreats and secluded cayes and islands.
  
  
• Amenities: What amenities are important to you? Some hotels offer amenities like air conditioning, swimming pools, and Wi-Fi, while others are more rustic and offer a more basic experience.
  
  
• Budget: Are you looking for upscale or more moderate lodging?

Once we understand the kind of lodging you're looking for, we can offer you choices of Belize hotels, resorts and lodges that we think you'll enjoy.  (You also might want to take a look at our discussions about Belize beach hotels and resorts, and Belize jungle lodges included on our site.)

A Few Notes on Belize Hotels, Lodges and Resorts

• All Inclusives: Belize offers very few all-inclusive resorts with the exception of jungle lodges and resorts on small cayes (islands) or in the Hopkins area.  The reason is that most beach hotels and resorts are in locations that offer travelers easy access to nearby local restaurants, shops and services.  No need to duplicate what is already available - and guests who patronize local businesses help spread the economic benefits of tourism further within local communities.
  
  
• Hotel Licenses:   By law, all lodging facilities must be licensed by the Belize Tourism Board and charge hotel tax.  The nine percent (9%) hotel tax funds the Belize Tourism Board, which inspects and licenses hotels, tour guides and tour operators, and which markets Belize internationally.  If you are arranging your own lodging, and are interested in an apartment or condo that is not operated as part of a hotel or resort, please make sure the place where you are staying is licensed. If it is not, it is unfairly competing against local businesses.
  
  
• Service Charges:   Service charges of 6% to 15% are often charged by full service Belize resorts and lodges.  If you're not sure if a service charge is included, make sure to ask.  Also, the Belize Tourism Board requires that service charges actually be distributed to hotel staff.  (Note that service charges for Belize hotels are added to the price of the room only, not including the hotel tax.  However, Belize's sales tax (currently 12.5%) is assessed on service charges at restaurants and other businesses. For example, if a hotel room costs $100 and a 10% service charge is added, the total bill will be US$119 - US$100 + US$10 + US$9.  But, if your restaurant bill is US$100 and a 10% service charge is added, your total bill will be US$123.75 - US$100 + US$10 = US$110 + US$13.75 in tax.)  Plaase note that some resorts and lodges are now adding on what they term a "resort fee."  The resort fee may or may not be a gratuity - some are using the resort tax to increase rates -without calling it a rate increase.  Some split the resort fee with employees - so ask the hotel to clarify what they mean by the term before you book - otherwise, you won't really know what you're paying for with the resort fee.
  
  
• Amenities:  Air conditioning is now common at Belize beach hotels and resorts, but some very upscale properties, such as Francis Ford Coppola's Turtle Inn, do not have a/c. However, a/c at a jungle lodge is still the exception rather than the rule, primarily because most jungle lodges are not on the grid, and must manufacture their own electricity. Fortunately, the jungle is most often fairly cool at night, so a/c is usually not needed (as long as you have a fan), especially from November through April, when a/c is usually not necessary at night anywhere in Belize - jungle or beach.  If you're very heat sensitive, though, and a/c is important, ask.  Swimming pools are also becoming more common at mid to upscale jungle lodges and beach resorts.  But, smaller places likely won't have swimming pools (very expensive to operate in Belize), and you're more likely to find swimming pools at the beach rather than in the jungle.
  
  
• Internet access:   Internet access is available at most moderate and upscale Belize jungle and beach hotels, although some hotels still charge for it.  If you absolutely must have Internet access during your vacation, don't assume, ask first.

We hope the above information is helpful, and that you'll let us help you select the best Belize hotel, resort, guesthouse or lodge for your Belize vacation. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Recommended Placencia Hotels/Resorts

Some of the resorts and hotels on the Placencia Peninsula that we recommend based on the quality of their services, facilities and amenities within their specific rate class and commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism include:

• Chabil Mar Villas:  Chabil Mar Villas is located just north of Casa del Sol Villas (still within Placencia Village proper) and includes 22 seafront, seaview and partial seaview villas with a mix of 1 and 2 bedroom villas, some with sleeping lofts.  Chabil Mar amenities include a private dock, beach bar, two infinity seafront swimming pools, restaurant, and 24-hour concierge.  All villas include a washer and dryer, cable television, private verandah and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet connection.  Daily maid service and complimentary use of bikes and kayas include
• Miramar Beach Apartments:  Located in a quiet location in Placencia Village just north of D'Tatch Beach Cafe, Miramar is within very easy walking distance to just about everything in Placencia Village.   One three bedroom/2 bath apartment is on the second floor of the 2-story seafront buildling with two seafront studio suites on the first floor.  Six 1-bedroom seaview apartments are just behind the front building, which is the converted beach house of a Belize City attorney and his family. All apartments have a full kitchen, a/c, private bath, hot and cold running water, verandah, Wi-Fi Internet access and cable television.  Daily maid service is provided and the apartments have a full-time on-site manager.
• Turtle Inn:  Turtle Inn, owned by Francis Ford Coppola, is a full service resort located north of Chabil Mar Villas and just outside of Placencia Villlage proper, so access to Placencia Village is most convenient by bike, taxi or golf cart, although the walk to Placencia from Turtle Inn is a very pleasant walk on the beach.  Lodging is in thatched cottages or two-bedroom/two-bath villas, both with screened seafront, seaview or gardenview verandahs.  No a/c, but a/c is not necessary except in May and July - November, and then only in the Gardenview Cottages and Villas. Resort amenities include two seafront infinity swimming pools, beach bar, 3 restaurants, dive shop and small marina, and Placencia Lagoon-side spa.  Very good service and staff.
  
• Naia Resort and Spa:  Located on a 200-acre environmental reserve spanning beach to lagoon, Naia offers excellent dining, skilled spa treatments, beginner- advanced yoga classes and attentive service. Lodging includes one to five bedroom cottages and houses, some with private pools.  Amenities include complimentary use of bikes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, spa, yoga and movement studio, and gym.

Recommended Hotels and Resorts: San Pedro (Ambergris Caye)

Some of the resorts and hotels on Ambergris Caye that we recommend based on the quality of their services, facilities and amenities, within their specific rate class, include:

Mata Chica, Ambergris Caye's stylish, color-saturated and hippest resort spot, where the beautiful people meet to eat and greet.

Saturated color, vibrancy and taste dominate both the resort and Mambo's, the house restaurant, with its eclectic and dramatic menu and interior design.

Amenities at this upscale Belize beach resort include a 142-foot catamaran, splash pool, swimming off the pier, air conditioning, attentive service and beachside mini-spa (featuring a special sea salt and sea clay body mask massage).

And, make sure to try the jerk seared sea scallops in plaintain guacamole over a citrus beurre-blanc sauce at Mambo's.  Luxury.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Mata Chica.

The Phoenix is a small (30 suite) luxury beachfront resort in the heart of San Pedro Town on Ambergris Caye.

Amenities at The Phoenix include an excellent on-site restaurant (Red Ginger), on-site fitness center, complimentary use of WiFi, iPads, Kindles and Wiis to guests (subject to availabilty), a lap pool and a main pool which features two levels, with one level including a waterfall and pool bar.

Accommodations are in 1-3 bedroom suites, each with a seaview, private veranda, a/c, ceiling vans, living/dining area, full kitchen, cable television, DVD player, flat screen TV, and a Jacuzzi tub and king bed in the master suite.

The Phoenix is within very easy walking distance from local restaurants, shops, banks, grocery stores and other services. Moderate-upper.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about The Phoenix.

Portofino Beach Resort is located on North Ambergris Caye, not far from Mata Chica.

Portofino features luxury suites, treehouses, seaview cabanas and even a beach mansion, on a lovely stretch of beach with a nice pool and an excellent staff.

In addition to the pool, resort amenities include a very good on-premises restaurant, plus complimentary use of water toys such as kayaks.

Good value, nice beach, comfortable and well-decorated cabanas and suite, plus a good restaurant and pool - what more can you ask?

Moderate-upper.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Portofino.

Ramon's Village has a great beach resort location and laid-back beachfront resort ambiance laced with genuine Belizean hospitality best describes Ramon's.

Ramon's is one of San Pedro's largest resorts, with a wide variety of lodging to meet most tastes and budgets.  Resort lodging ranges from thatched cabanas, to Honeymoon Suites, Presidential Suites, and garden rooms.

Pool at Ramon's Village, San Pedro, BelizeResort amenities include an 80-foot lagoon-style pool, Pro 42 dive boat, the Purple Parrot Bar (great barbecue) and on-premises restaurant.

A great place for everything from a secluded honeymoon to an easy-going family vacation.  Plus, Ramon's is close enough to "downtown" San Pedro for easy trips into town for lunch or dinner, but far enough away to retain its unique island charm.

Moderate-upper.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Ramon's Village.

Sunbreeze Hotel and Sunbreeze Suites. Sunbreeze Hotel is located at the southern end of San Pedro Town proper and Sunbreeze Suites is near the northern end of San Pedro Town proper.  Both are directly seafront.  

Amenities at Sunbreeze Hotel include a dive shop, excellent restaurant (Blue Water Grill) and large pool.  Premium rooms are seaview, deluxe rooms are partial seaview and standard rooms are gardenview.  All rooms include a/c, color television, private bath, exterior seating area/verandah.

Amenities at Sunbreeze Suites include pool and sundeck, patio bar, concierge services and private dock.  All suites are seafront with one bedroom, private seafront verandah, full kitchen, living/dining area with queen sized sofa bed, a/c, ceiling fans and cable television.  

Both Sunbreeze Hotel and Sunbreeze Suites are within very easy walking distance from local restaurants, shops, grocery stores, beach bars and other services.  Moderate.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Sunbreeze Hotel and Sunbreeze Suites.

Victoria House is the grande dame of San Pedro Belize beach resorts.

Casual elegance, stunning beach and excellent service keep Victoria House at the top of San Pedro's best beach resort options.

Lodging options range from Plantation Rooms to casitas to a 3-bedroom plantation house, with dining room, living room and kitchen, all opening onto oversized ocean front verandahs - and beautiful new Infinity Suites.

The secluded Rainforest Suite, just fifty feet away from the Caribbean, is a favorite of honeymooners featuring a wrap-around front verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and French doors.

Luxury.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Victoria House.

Xanadu Island Resort, one of our favorite moderately priced San Pedro, Belize beach resorts, is in a wonderful location just about a mile south of San Pedro Town, within easy walking distance of local restaurants, bars and other attractions, yet far enough away from San Pedro to be quiet and private.

Xanadu offers all-suite beach resort accommodations (studios to 3-bedroom/3 bath) that include full kitchens, private tiled baths, a/c, ceiling fans, cable tv, telephones with private line, unlimited satellite internet access, private safes for valuables, hair dryers, beach towels, and large shaded decks overlooking the pool and/or ocean.

Private pier with palapa and swim platform at the end and freshwater pool, plus complimentary hammocks and chaise lounges, bicycles, kayaks and a small private nature reserve on the grounds of the resort.

Moderate.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information about Xanadu Island Resort.