While the inimitable Francis Ford Coppola may be known for his films, he’s also directing behind the scenes at Turtle Inn. The director purchased the 25-room hotel in 2001 and made it a rustic-luxe beachfront escape. Located along Belize’s picturesque Caribbean Sea, the sweeping resort is replete with pools private and shared, restaurants and bars, grassy grounds and high-walled villas.
Turtle Inn’s magnificent thatched buildings and impeccable landscaped property make for a do-nothing tropical getaway or an adrenaline-filled adventure — thanks to the island’s intimate size, you can experience almost any attraction on a day trip.
Residing within easy biking or taxi distance of charming Placencia Village, located on the tip of Belize’s long and winding peninsula, Turtle Inn combines private hideaway accommodations with a hefty dash of culture. Feel free to stay and relish its extensive property or step out for dinner each night to the accompaniment of starry skies.
- The grounds are unbeatable.
Winding paths, orchid-strewn birdbaths, statuary and carefully tended trees
turn every cranny into a beauty seeker’s refuge.
- The beachfront and poolside
experiences are world-class. Friendly staff checks on you regularly, bringing essentials
like water and towels and fun quenchers like fresh watermelon juice and piña
coladas.
- Sightseeing couldn’t be easier. From
the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight to the north to Creole Placencia Village
in the south, with Mayan people and ruins nearby, you can’t help but immerse yourself
in Belize’s best experiences.
- The resort’s Sunset Spa is a
traditional, open-air Balinese rice house. Anyone who has visited Indonesia
will recognize the gorgeous murals, natural views and gentle massage
techniques.
- Turtle Inn boasts no less than
seven establishments for your drinking and dining pleasure, including the
beachfront Gauguin Grill, locally inspired Auntie Luba’s Kitchen and the casual
Kid’s Gelato Bar.
- Cottages are good for couples
enjoying honeymoons or well-deserved retreats, while villas are designed to
accommodate families or groups with both private and common spaces.
- Rooms don’t have air conditioners,
but they come with ceiling fans.
- Meals are served during limited hours at most of the
resorts’ dining venues. Be sure to check out the times before you make your
plans for the day.
- Many day trips leave first thing in
the morning and arrive in time for afternoon cocktails or siestas (or better
yet, both). An early bird schedule is the best way to enjoy the best of Belize
and Turtle Inn during one stay.
- Your stay comes with a continental
breakfast that includes coffee, juice, pastries, bread, jam, and fruit.
- Rooms in the boutique hotel range
from cozy one-bedroom cottages to villas that have maximum privacy and
serenity. For the ultimate in exclusivity, Turtle Inn even offers the
opportunity to stay on your own private island, just a 25-minute boat ride from
the property.
- Many of the rooms provide a
step-outside-to-the-beach experience, with hammocks and chairs mere feet from
the lapping waves.
- Furnishings break from tradition
with handcrafted Balinese statements rather than Belizean, bringing you the beauty
of both Eastern and Western hemispheres. You’ll find carved wooden details, jade-green
tilework in the bathrooms and traditionally inspired tapestries.
- Screened-in porches complement
inner rooms nested within, providing a breezy Caribbean experience.
- If you’re planning a family vacation,
Roman’s Lagoon Bungalow, Francis’ Family Pavilion and Sofia’s Beach House all have
multiple bedrooms, full kitchens and private pools for group getaways.
- While any of the dining spots are
worth visiting, Mare Restaurant is a must. Serving an Italian-influenced, seafood-focused
menu with Belizean flair, this spacious eatery is within an expansive thatched
space.
- The Wine Cellar turns a tropical vacation
into a sophisticated Napa-inspired experience with tasting packages accompanied
by a local cheese board set in the cozy wine garden. Sip from the resort’s collection
of more than 1,200 bottles from Coppola’s two California wineries, alongside a
selection of vintages from Chile, Argentina, Italy and France.
- Savor Belizean flavors right near
the beach at Gauguin Grill, where the day’s freshest catch is charcoal-grilled
and served up with your choice of local sauces and spices.
- For late-night fun, The Laughing
Fish Bar and Skip White Bar both stay open long after dinner, doling out pours
from Francis Ford Coppola Winery alongside Belizean-born brews and Caribbean
cocktails.
Bar
Beach
Outdoor pool
Pet friendly
Restaurants
Spa
