Turtle Inn by Francis Ford Coppola

We loved our 4 night stay at the Turtle Inn. The location is beautiful, the staff very kind and welcoming and the hotel has a lot of charm. We stayed in a garden view cabana (with AC, which was a plus) and a beach front cabana which had an amazing view on the sea and fresh breeze at night. They were both very nicely decorated and the outdoor bathroom was really a pleasurable experience. The restaurants are all very good, the grill is a great dinner experience with your feet in the sand, the pizzeria really excellent and the laughing fish bar was our must go every night for a drink. Turtle Inn really makes you feel at home with caring people around.

Turtle Inn was once top dog. Not any more. Since other hotels have sprung up it needs to keep up with the times. Lovely property with so much potential, but it’s like they are stuck in their ways and don’t feel the need to improve. There’s a narrow beach you can’t swim from - better elsewhere - someone told me it’s one of the smallest beach areas! The Caribbean Sea tempts, but the way in is dodgy.. Food is actually terribly bland and boring - we only ate there when we had to opting to eat elsewhere as much as possible as a result. One would have thought it would serve Belizean, Honduran or Caribbean cuisine, but it’s mostly Italian - and not well made either, and poor presentation. Gordon Ramsey is needed to fix the kitchen for sure. Breakfast was lack lustre.. the ham was cooked so hard you could have used it for surfing! Coffee pot was weak. Fruit juices small and no evidence of freshly made. We stayed in a stuffy Casita that had no AC but extra noisy fans that kept us up at night. We ended up sleeping with all the doors open to try and get a breeze! And this was off peak when weather is less hot; heaven help you in peak heat weather because it will be unbearable. Other modern competitors have AC - and it’s needed. TheFront of the hotel is nice, until you reach the water area which smells like a swamp. Music? If there is any, because silence seems to be golden in this place as no music was played unless you actually sat at the bar.. this could be something to do with the 1970s and 80s white American songs that were on repeat. Much as I like Steely Dan, I want music to represent the place I’m in not some east coast USA middle class suburb. The staff are lovely and do their best; kindness is there for certain- but this guest couldn’t help but feel like the staff were treading water and putting on a brave face. Because it really does feel like a retirement home. You almost feel like you have to speak in whispers. Perhaps the management or those running Coppola hideaways should talk to them and ask them for input - because it’s needed. If I were a teacher grading a school paper, I would give this place C+. It’s nice for two or three nights, but find somewhere else to go because there are plenty of options that out do Turtle Inn in every way.

We just returned from a week at Turtle Inn with our two older teens and have nothing but raves about the place. The location, accommodations, food, and -- most especially -- the staff and service are all excellent. The best part was that the combination of facilities and activities made the week both interesting and relaxing. We set up several tours through the hotel concierge and everything was seamless and first rate, from our airport transfer to all-day snorkeling and the Monkey River cruise (both with Bertrand as captain) and a not-to-be-missed trip (although a very long day) to the ATM Cave (with Francis as our expert guide). Personal attention from all team members, but particularly including Darvin and Oscar who served us all week, was exemplary and impeccable. We enjoyed all of the dining options on property so much that we only ventured into town for one dinner. If you are there during lobster season, don't miss the grilled lobster at the hotel's Gauguin Grill and the pizza available all day from their wood-burning oven is outstanding. Thanks to GM Martin for making us feel so welcome and for leading a team that created such an amazing and memorable experience.

We had such an amazing vacation at Turtle Inn. Oscar was like another family member as he helped us with accommodations, meals, and activities. His Barbecue night was our favorite meal. He arranged a snorkeling trip that was perfect for everyone including a child in our group with a cast on her arm. He even used his magic to fulfill my dream of swimming with a sea turtle! Another hidden gem is Marvin in the garden. He introduced us to the baby chicks, the rabbits, and invited the kids to come back and help with the seedlings. The whole trip was perfectly magical!

The Turtle Inn is a romantic, well-appointed Baili-style hotel on the beach in Placencia, Belize. I had a very special sandwich for lunch in the restaurant with a cold Belikin with Martin, the inn manager, for 14 years. It was wonderful to meet him, and I promised myself I would stay for a weekend, including visiting the Turtle Inn resort on an island out in front reached only by boat. I give the Resort 5 thumbs up....Arnie

We had an amazing stay, the staff are so welcoming and friendly! It was the little details that made us feel at home such as the cookies on the table, welcome drinks for everyone! The cabins and the grounds are beautiful and relaxing. Loved it!!