Where to Stay in Belize: 4 Luxury Hotels that offer a Unique Experience

When I travel, I typically choose hotels that are highly rated and offer a “luxe” hotel experience. But when deciding on hotels for my Belize trip, I also wanted to choose hotels that offered “unique” experiences. Here are the 4 luxury hotels I stayed at, each offering unique experiences in three parts of Belize, San Pedro, San Ignacio and Hopkins.

1. Alaia Belize, San Pedro Belize

Alaia Belize is a 5 star luxury beach resort located on Ambergris Caye, Belize. This hotel is the first and only Marriott property in Belize. It is situated right on the beach, offering stunning views of the Caribbean Sea, and combines luxury, sustainability, and cultural immersion.

• Accommodations: The hotel has 155 guest rooms and suites, all of which are designed to reflect the local culture and environment. The rooms are spacious and feature modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and high-speed internet.
• Dining: The hotel has several dining options, including a beachfront restaurant that serves local and international cuisine, a poolside bar, and a rooftop lounge.
• Amenities: Alaia Belize has a range of amenities, including a large outdoor pool, a fitness center, a spa, and a beach club. The rooftop has an adults only pool, bar and sushi restaurant/lounge. The hotel also offers a range of water sports and activities, such as kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. They also rent golf cart rentals to explore the area.
• Sustainability: The hotel is committed to sustainability and has implemented several eco-friendly initiatives, such as using solar power, reducing water usage, and using locally sourced materials.
• Nearby attractions: Ambergris Caye is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. Guests can explore the island’s many attractions, such as the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Secret Beach, and the Great Blue Hole.
• Cost: Rooms start at $200 USD per night

What’s Unique about it?

Alaia offers a unique suspended rooftop infinity pool that has circular glass bottom holes, so you can see people swimming from the lobby area down at the ground level. These holes represent the Great Blue Hole in Belize, which is a giant marine sinkhole that you can visit by water or from the air (either by helicopter or airplane).

Alaia has One Bedroom Oceanview Suites that are up to 1400 square feet and include a living room, fully equipped kitchens featuring stone countertops and a large waterfall island, and huge outdoor terraces with stunning ocean views. I loved watching the sunrise from the terrace, and having some meals out at the outdoor dining table. It is truly a luxurious indoor/outdoor living hotel room experience!

2. Sweet Song Jungle Lodge, San Ignacio Belize

Sweet Song Jungle Lodge is a nature retreat located in the beautiful rainforest of San Ignacio, Belize. The lodge is situated in the Maya Mountains and offers guests a unique opportunity to experience the pristine beauty of the Belizean jungle while enjoying modern amenities.

• Accommodation at Sweet Song Jungle Lodge are designed to blend in with the natural surroundings. The lodge also features a beautiful infinity pool, and a restaurant serving delicious farm-to-table meals.
• Activities at Sweet Song Jungle Lodge include bird watching, jungle hikes, caving, and river tubing. The lodge also offers cultural tours to nearby Maya ruins and local communities, as well as opportunities to learn about traditional Maya healing practices.
• Sweet Song Jungle Lodge is committed to sustainable tourism practices and works closely with local communities to protect the natural environment and support local livelihoods. The lodge also supports various conservation initiatives.
• Sweet Song Jungle Lodge is a perfect choice for travelers seeking a peaceful and authentic jungle experience in Belize. Rooms start at $190 USD per night.

What’s Unique about it?

Sweet Song Jungle Lodge offers unique accommodations: you get to sleep in a treehouse, immersed in the jungle! Recently they created new “Premier Treehouses”, which are luxurious, private adult only rooms, perfectly located for the best jungle views. You’ll feel like a kid again when you step onto the suspension bridge taking you to the entrance of your treehouse! The Premier Treehouses have amazing outdoor amenities, including a suspended outdoor day bed and an outdoor bathtub so you can relax and listen to the sounds of the jungle. The interior has a king bed, hardwood floors, a full private bathroom with indoor shower, and air-conditioning.

This hotel has complimentary tubing and canoeing at their private beach on the Macal River and there is an incredible infinity pool over the jungle! You can have a swim and hear the howler monkeys and even spot an iguana up in a tree. But my favourite unique experience was defiantly feeding a banana to a wild Kinkajou that came right out of the jungle at the restaurant during dinner!

3. The Lodge at Chaa Creek, San Ignacio Belize

The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a luxury eco-resort located in the rainforest of Belize, near the town of San Ignacio.

• Accommodations at The Lodge at Chaa Creek include a variety of options, such as cottage rooms, suites, villas, and even a treetop canopy suite. Each room is beautifully decorated with local art and furnishings, and features modern amenities such as air conditioning, hot water, and Wi-Fi.
• In addition to its luxury accommodations and activities, The Lodge at Chaa Creek is also committed to sustainability and conservation. The resort has implemented a number of environmentally friendly practices, such as using renewable energy, composting, and preserving the surrounding rainforest.
• The Lodge at Chaa Creek is a great choice for travellers who want to experience the beauty and adventure of Belize while also enjoying luxurious accommodations and eco-friendly amenities.
• Rooms here start at 200$ USD per night.

What’s Unique about it?

The Lodge at Chaa Cheek is situated on a 400-acre private nature reserve and offers guests a unique and immersive experience in nature. The resort offers a wide range of activities for guests to enjoy, including guided nature walks, birdwatching, horseback riding, canoeing, and more. There is also a spa on site, where guests can indulge in a variety of treatments using locally sourced ingredients. My favourite unique experience here was visiting their Blue Morpho butterfly farm, which is free of charge for all guests.

4. The Lodge at Jaguar Reef/Belize Collection, Hopkins, Belize

The Lodge at Jaguar Reef/Belize Collection is a group of three beachfront resorts located in the town of Hopkins, Belize. The resorts are situated along the Caribbean Sea and offer guests a range of accommodations and amenities.

• The first resort in the collection is Jaguar Reef Lodge, which features 18 beachfront cabanas and suites, each with its own private veranda or balcony. The cabanas are built in the traditional thatched-roof style and are decorated with local art and furnishings.
• The second resort is Almond Beach Resort, which features 88 rooms and suites, including beachfront rooms, garden view rooms, and suites with private balconies. The resort also has two restaurants, two swimming pools, and a spa.
• The third resort is Villa Margarita, a luxurious beachfront villa that can accommodate up to 10 guests. The villa features four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private swimming pool, and a large veranda overlooking the Caribbean Sea.
• All three resorts offer a range of activities and amenities, including snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and fishing. The resorts also have restaurants and bars serving local and international cuisine, as well as spa services and fitness facilities.
• Overall, the Lodge at Jaguar Reef/Belize Collection is a great choice for travelers looking for a luxurious beachfront experience in Belize, with a range of accommodations and activities to suit different preferences and budgets.
• Rooms start at 260$ USD.

What’s Unique about it?

The Big Dock Bar is a unique two storey over-the-water bar located at Jaguar Reef. It offers stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and incredible sunset views. It also has a ceviche bar on the bottom and on the upper level has hammock nets that you can relax in right over the water with a tropical cocktail in hand. I loved relaxing here at sunset; it was a great vibe!

The rooms at Almond Beach resort feature local artwork on the walls, and some of the room categories have private inner courtyards complete with a plunge pool and a brightly decorated outdoor sitting area.

With so many great luxury hotels in Belize, it is really hard to choose! I must say I enjoyed all 4 of these hotels that each offered some unique experiences and features and I recommend all of them to anyone thinking of traveling to Belize!

For more information about things to do, where to eat and how to get around in Belize, check out my Belize Travel Guide!