Maya Beach Hotel - Belize

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It was absolutely superb! Visited: February 2007 Posted by ttp My partner and I enjoyed three weeks in Belize, our final week was spent at the Aqua Villa at Maya Beach Hotel and it was the perfect end to our trip. Jon and Ellen were great hosts, and the attention to detail was obvious, from the availability of free books and dvds to the offer of getting a lift into Placencia if someone was heading in that direction. If you're in search of kicking your heels up every night, it may not be the place for you. However, for a relaxing, welcoming and well fed time this is the place to be. We didn't go on any of the many organized guided trips from the hotel as we had done these the previous fortnight. However, we took full advantage of the kayak, and went snorkeling at False Caye. The infinity pool at Aqua Villa was difficult to leave, as we could sit in the sun, photograph the pelicans, and wave at the odd passer by as sipping a homemade cocktail. Bliss! Any review of the Maya Beach Hotel would not be complete without mentioning the quality and value of the food at the bistro. We were lucky enough to book for the seven course Valentines Day dinner. It included specially chosen wines to complement each dish, and the Beach Wellington was worth another visit the evening after as well. But for those of you not here in February, the bacon wrapped shrimp and the cocoa pork have to be tried. Jon and Ellen did not try underhanded sales techniques, they promoted other venues that provided good meals and drinks. However, we chose to stick to the Bistro except on the day it was closed when we went to the Hungry Gekko a short walk from the hotel. To sum up - if you are lucky enough to be able to stay here, then do! You won't be disappointed. 11 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? Maya Beach offers a great beach, fantastic food and dolphins! Visited: February 2007 Posted by garyamp;amp;kathyfle The first day we were at the Maya Beach Hotel, my wife and I used one of the hotel's kayaks to go snorkeling at False Cay, a small cay about a mile off shore. As we were nearing the cay, we spotted two fins over toward the cay. When we paddled over to check them out, they dove below the surface. We kept paddling toward where we had last seen the fins when suddenly two bottlenose dolphins surfaced two feet from our kayak. They swam around the boat several times and then headed for open water. I looked at my wife's face and she said "If nothing else happens on this trip, I am so glad we came here." Needless to say that was not the end of the fun. We went scuba diving, cave swimming (something that I had never done before), exploring Monkey River (where we saw howler monkeys) and visiting Mayan ruins. In each instance, the guides that Ellen and John set us up with were enthusiastic, knowledgeable and friendly. They all went our of their way to ensure we had a great adventure. So far I have not even mentioned the great dining at the hotel. We have been to Placencia a couple of times and never found a better place to eat. I gave this hotel five stars because it was a five star value. If you are looking for a very formal $500 a room five star hotel, you may want to look at other places. If you are looking for pretty, quaint and comfortable beachfront rooms in a hotel with a staff and owners who make you feel right at home, Maya Beach Hotel is the place for you. We wouldn't stay anywhere else. 10 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? We keep coming back! Visited: January 2007 Posted by callabuddy My husband and I stayed at the Maya Beach Hotel for the third time this year. Another couple came with us this time. They were tired of hearing all our wonderful stories, and wanted to check it out for themselves! They were not disappointed. Our favorite room is the Coconut Room -- it's on the second floor and overlooks the beach. Our friends stayed at the Dreamsicle House and loved it. John and Ellen are wonderful hosts. They are very accommodating and have always gone the extra mile to make us feel welcome. Their loyal and helpful staff are testament to their charming personalities. We have many favorite things about the hotel, but at the top of our list has to be the food. We've tried several places in Placencia, but Maya Beach Hotel has, by far, the best food and libations! Ellen mixed up a special pomegranate margarita which we toted to the beach each day. The fish sandwich, fish stack, and cocoa pork are not to be missed! Ellen has made several activity arrangements for us. We've been diving (Glover's Reef is awesome for seeing big sealife), taken the Monkey River Tour (up close with howler monkeys) and in-room massage (incredible). If you're looking for a laid-back getaway, this is the place for you. Maya Beach Hotel boasts great food, great hosts, and a great beach. We definitely plan to return next year! 4 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This was our best holiday ever. Visited: December 2006 Posted by sandrapg We had a terrific family holiday Dec.23/06 to Jan.1/07 while staying at the Aqua Villa House, managed by John and Ellen Lee at the Maya Beach Hotel. We booked directly over the Internet, and found both the owners and their staff very prompt and helpful. They arranged our flights from Belize City and our tours to Laughing Bird Caye for snorkeling and diving, boating up the Monkey River to see birds and monkeys, and to the Maya Ruins at Xunantunich—all of which I highly recommend. With three teenage boys and four adults, we had space and privacy when we wanted it. The large patio and infinity pool overlooking the sandy beach provided a focal point where we could all relax and play together. Also, I found the décor lovely and the beds comfortable. We shopped in Placencia, and enjoyed cooking on the outdoor barbecue and dining on the patio. We also savored many delicious meals (and drinks) at the Maya Beach Hotel - a short walk down the beach. Everything went on a tab, which was very handy. We also enjoyed free use of the hotel library of books and videos, as well as their kayaks (great outing to snorkel at False Caye a mile offshore). The staff came by daily to clean and inquire if everything was to our liking. There was a safe for valuables on site, and the atmosphere was very friendly and safe. In addition, we enjoyed long walks along the beach, as well as watching the passing parade of tropical birds at sunrise. Overall, this is a very relaxing location, with lots to do and see a short boat or taxi ride away. It was like staying with very accommodating friends who knew Belize very well. 6 users found this review helpful. 0 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful? This is the sweet spot on Placencia! Visited: November 2006 Posted by eduardo I have become a regular guest at the Maya Beach Hotel over the last two winters, as I am building a house on Placencia and making frequent trips down there. I first came here to stay because I had discovered on a previous trip that their Bistro is the best restaurant on the peninsula. I keep going back because I am treated so well here that it has become a home away from home. John and Ellen are excellent hosts, and the staff go out of their way to make me feel welcome. You can also get to know people who live in the area as the bar and restaurant are a gathering place for Maya Beach. MBH is an ideal spot for anyone who wants a laid back, barefoot kind of holiday with no walls or any other barriers between you and the funky, end-of-the-road kind of place that is Placencia. You can walk the beach for miles, watch the pelicans fly by in flawless formations from the pier, paddle out to False Caye for snorkeling, or just sink into a hammock under a coconut palm. There are also lots of day trips to choose from if you want to explore the nearby reefs and tropical forests. The rooms are not luxurious, more basic beach, but they are clean and comfortable. There is air conditioning, but I never use it because there was always a cool breeze coming off the water in the afternoon and evening in the winter months that I go down there. I have recommended MBH to many people because I have been lucky enough to discover the sweet spot on Placencia. 7 users found this review helpful. 1 found this review unhelpful. Did you find this helpful?

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