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They charge a premium price, yet it's not a premium property. Visited: August 2009 |
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| Posted by akrohnat | |
| If all you need is diving and fishing, this is not a bad choice. The dive master and captain are excellent. The fishermen didn't catch a lot that week, but enjoyed the fishing and the locations. The property is basic for the cost. I was surprised about the recommend $720 in tips for the three of us. The air conditioning in the rooms did not turn back on until after 4:30 PM. The thermostat changes after you fall asleep. One of the two ceiling fans was too noisy to use at night. The bathroom was basic. It had a small shower, plus a multitude of little crawling insects that showed up each morning. The meals were small and limited. Each guest was given a plate with an entrée and vegetable: no seconds. My son and I are not picky eaters. My wife, on the other hand, is a better cook and didn't rave about the food. There is no need to worry about gaining weight on this trip. We were out of customs by 11:00 am, but we didn't leave the airport until after noon. Not a problem though, the boat to the property didn't leave until after 4:30 pm If you can choose your flights, find one in the afternoon. The four-hour wait at the dock was not an enjoyable start to our vacation. The location was remote. Next time, I'll stay at one of the larger islands. At each site, we saw dive boats from all the surrounding islands. The staff was nice. And though the diving was great, I didn't get what I paid for. I suggest you research your other options thoroughly. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
This is a great place with great people! Visited: September 2009 |
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| Posted by sldelaga83 | |
| Our stay with Sheila and Rusty felt like a home away from home. They treated us like family. They have a lovely lodge and went out of their way many times to make sure we were accommodated and happy. Sheila is a great cook, and we were fed well the whole time. The grounds were wonderful to walk around on in the morning and evening, and Rusty was always there to point out the birds and creatures. The A/C blew cold and the water ran hot. The bed was very comfy and the room was always clean. We didn't want to leave. I was actually surprised at how few bugs there were and didn't have a problem with any while there. We'll be back for sure and highly recommend you stay, too! This couple knows how to run a business! |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
Tranqulity found! Visited: June 2009 |
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| Posted by lisbeyss | |
| This place lived up to its name, it was tranquil indeed - very relaxing. We came here for our wedding anniversary and really enjoyed it. It was peaceful, and the rooms were very comfortable. The hosts, Sheila and Rusty were great. This is a great place to get away from it all. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
I love this resort. Visited: January 2009 |
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| Posted by rbenjami99 | |
| This place is the best place in Belize. The owners are Americans, so you get the great service and accommodations from this really sweet retired couple. It has all the cool stuff most resorts offer (including the restaurant where the food is awesome), but it also has that tiny little bed and breakfast feel. I will send some friends, and I am going back in December myself. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
Beware of Belize Diving Adventures. |
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| Posted by wyomingmike | |
| Divers beware! We went out with these folks on the Turneffe Island trip. They had our gear laying on the boat floor, in the salt water with the dust cap off my regulator. To top off the trip, they lost the weight pocket of my wife's new BCD. This is not a safe operation! |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
Beware of this Lodge. Visited: May 2009 |
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| Posted by sherlock94 | |
| I traveled here May 23rd from the UK. I was a single angler for a week of guided saltwater fly fishing. My trip was booked nine months in advance. I chose this destination because of the reputation and claims made by the owner, Craig Hayes, on their web site. On day one I was introduced to my guide "Smokey". I asked him how long he had been a guide there. His reply was "Long enough". We left the dock by flats boat at 9 am; yet I did not cast to my first fish until 1:15 pm. At this point I was concerned, as Smokey did not seem to know the fishing area and was being very uncommunicative. As a 52-year-old I rely on reading glasses. My guide saw this, and offered to tie on my bonefish flies. That afternoon I lost three bonefish while flats wading. They did not slip the hook or break the line, the knots failed and I lost the flies as well, all had been tied on by Smokey. On day two, while being poled, I spotted some tailing bonefish, I pointed them out to Smokey and he completely overran them with the boat. By the end of day two, I was disgusted with the situation. That evening I complained to the lodge manager. My complaint was listened to and acted upon. Somehow, I was persuaded to give Smokey one more chance, I was told that he had been spoken to and had admitted the problem. Day three was an improvement, but largely due to the fact that I was coaching Smokey as to what to do (i.e. tell me when and where he sighted fish and when to stop the boat). I refused to fish with Smokey after that day and I was put with a guide named Michael. The difference was night and day. Michael was everything I expected in a guide. The remaining three days of fishing were excellent. On returning home I wrote a letter of complaint to Craig Hayes. Craig Hayes offered me the "cost package" rate upon my return trip. I declined because I would need to take a week off work, pay the cost of flights there, among other reasons. I have corresponded with Craig Hayes back and forth with some 16 emails. Future guests should be informed. I would hate for anyone to go through what I went through. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 3 found this review unhelpful. | |
It was an amazing getaway in the midst of the jungle. Visited: August 2008 |
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| Posted by shoefly | |
| We stayed here for a wedding. The staff was more than accommodating. The lodge boasted beautiful jungle views. The food was delicious! It was also centrally located for activities. I would stay here again. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
I had an awesome stay at Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge. Visited: June 2009 |
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| Posted by schuyler75 | |
| Wow! This place was pretty much three Cs - cool, calm, and content. The food was excellent, as were the cabanas. The hospitality I received from Ron and Al was impressive. The river was cold but refreshing. If you visit Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge, be sure to ask for Talula. She's a beautiful Toucan that is on the property. Overall, the place is just "unbelizable"! |
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| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
We enjoyed this paradise. Visited: May 2009 |
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| Posted by lesandcori | |
| I'm sad to say we waited until the last few days of our stay in Belize to go to McCaw. The place had great service with very friendly staff. It was a retreat away from all of the hub-bub of the fast pace we live in. Also, the food was great. This was a place where we could either enjoy the peace of the jungle or head out to do other tours. Either way, we always had a warm and friendly staff greet us upon our return. The price is right, as it will not cost you an arm and leg to enjoy a brief but pleasant moment in Paradise. Thanks to our hosts Ron and Al. You did a wonderful job. |
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| 3 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
This is a charming inn with great staff and in a great location. Visited: May 2009 |
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| Posted by kristin712 | |
| We stay at Blue Tang Inn during our dive vacation to Belize every year. We love this 14-room inn, because of its cozy size and great location to walk to things in San Pedro and is close to dive sites. It also has a full kitchen in each unit and the helpful staff. Fanny and Allan are here every year and completely take care of us. The third floor suites have the best views. We're looking forward to our next visit. |
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| 0 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
It was simply Paradise. Visited: April 2009 |
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| Posted by kmaldona95 | |
| I had no idea what we were in for on our way to Belize. I arrived at Coco Beach, and it was like a dream! This place was amazing! It was the best resort hands down - on San Pedro or in Belize city. If you don't stay here, you are missing out. I would also recommend Taxi Dave. He was the most reliable taxi service to get anywhere you need to go. The Upper Lever restaurant was very good, too. I would give this place ten stars! |
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| 9 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
It was not good....not good at all. Visited: August 2008 |
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| Posted by bjonas91 | |
| This place charged $10 a day for a TV. It was not clean. Also, the customer service consisted of two smarmy front desk clerks that looked at me like I was crazy when I asked them for help. If you like snd fleas, boat fumes, seagrass, and sting rays - you will love the beach! Don't bother with the tub - I mean pool. |
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| 1 users found this review helpful. 2 found this review unhelpful. | |
I give it a solid three-star rating. Visited: February 2009 |
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| Posted by hannibellemo | |
| It was clean, clean, clean! It was not fancy, but the air conditioning worked. The water was hot, and the bed was comfortable. The staff was incredibly helpful and honest. The Sandbar, the bar and grill next to the pool, had great food (we're food fanatics) and Dion, Eddie Murphy look alike, was a fantastic bartender. If you want all the luxuries of home, go to Victoria House or Capt. Morgan. However, if you'd rather have money to spend snorkeling, touring, etc. give the RCR a try. |
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| 1 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
We loved this place! Visited: December 2008 |
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| Posted by jessica1973 | |
| The staff was great! They took care of us and our three girls - ages 18 months to 19 years. Everyone was so nice. The food was wonderful, the views were breathtaking, and the accommodations were perfect! We stayed in a two-bedroom villa with kitchen. We also had a loft bed and beautiful ocean view. It was not five stars by American standards, but it was clean and absolutely what we needed. None of us wanted to leave. We took a jungle tour to the Mayan ruins, and had a wonderful time. I do recommend lighweight hoodies for evenings, boat rides, and bug spray for when the wind dies down. Aside from that, you will love this remote and beautiful location. It was perfect! |
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| 7 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
We had the best vacation! Visited: December 2008 |
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| Posted by marilyn | |
| We all loved every minute of our stay here. Belizean Dreams (though a dumb name) was very, very nice. We had our own home, practically, as you probably saw in their photos. All the walls facing the ocean were floor to ceiling wooden sliding doors. The ocean breeze fluttered the curtains, and created the perfect temperature. The rooms were nicely furnished and very spacious. We were glad we ended up here. It was the lap of luxury, and not the other way around. Dave and the girls snorkeled with a guide one day, and I just laid around and swam in the pool and read, read, read. The next day, Dave and Holly went fishing with a guide and brought back lots of fish which the kitchen cooked for us along with side dishes. It was our favorite meal. The town of Hopkins Village was literally nothing but tiny, crumbling buildings and pitted dirt roads. The restaurants recommended by Fodors were part of someone's home or porch, and were a bit off-putting at first. The little shops were just the porch of homes, too. As we were finishing our delicious meal at Innie's the first night, the girls said that no family they knew - or for that matter any family in Glenview (not true) - would have walked into the place. They liked that we were interested in trying the unusual, I guess. I do think the snorkeling options were probably better farther north near Ambergris Caye, but the remote location of Hopkins was worth it. The staff here was exceptionally friendly and helpful. All the guides were knowledgable and very personable. Thank you so so much for such a pleasant stay. |
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| 7 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. | |
Captain Morgan's Retreat was great. Visited: October 2008 |
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| Posted by kkpuma | |
| It is really hard to believe some of the negative reviews. I think they are from competitors. To say that the staff is rude is far from the truth. We have been here twice, and the staff is one of the main reasons we will go back. The food is also very good. The rooms are nice, too. If there are any issues, the staff is very attentive to them. The spa/massages are unbelievable, and the whole atmosphere is very relaxing. |
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| 6 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. | |
I had a terrific holiday here. Visited: August 2008 |
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| Posted by divebandit68 | |
| My stay at Turneffe was most enjoyable. The accommodations were unsurpassed, and the detailed service was constant. The food, diving, grounds and staff were all top notch. I will definitely return in the future. |
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| 4 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. | |
They offer "supposed" relaxation. Visited: October 2008 |
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| Posted by dolsul | |
| It was advertised as being relaxing. Not if you make the unknown mistake we, and 15 other guests, did. One of the owners invited freinds and family for a birthday party for his wife. He hired a DJ to set up in the restaurant and bar in middle of common area. It sounded okay to us. Then we were told we were not allowed to use the bar, restaurant, or pool from 6 pm on. Resort employees actually walked perimeter of party to keep out party crashers. Other guests were told to basically order room service and stay in villa. The party went on at full volume with people thrown in the pool (screaming), and the DJ at full blast until 3:38 am. Guests who requested to have party toned down were honored for about five minutes. Then, music and yelling were back on. Resort employees answered " sorry he is an owner". Three nights later, the bar house music was cranked way up and people were being thrown in pool again unil after midnight. We got no consolation offer from resort. Neither did any of the other guests I talked to. This is not always a relaxing resort. Beware! |
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| 11 users found this review helpful. 5 found this review unhelpful. | |