I'm leaning heavily towards Ambergris Caye, but had questions about a few places in Placencia. Some of them look very primitive, yet quite cool. I just don't want too primitive, you know (don't want my girlfriend to get scared. she has good taste).

anyway, i would welcome any info about the following places: Serenity Resort (never saw many detailed pictures), Nautical Inn (can't tell much) Mayan Breeze Inn (which looks very quaint and primitive, but also kinda cool and would really give the flavor. very curious about this one), Hamanasi Resort (treehouses look really cool) and Green Parrot Beach Houses (which has a great rate, just not sure which building gets it).

sorry for so many. again, i would appreciate anyone's input on whether or not each of these places is worth serious consideration.

thanks

My opinions:

Serenity -- sort of been sliding for a couple of years. Probably wouldn't recommend at this time.

Hamanasi -- beautiful place, but it's not in Placencia. It's in Hopkins, an hour north by car.

Nautical Inn -- comfortable rooms in octagonal units imported from North Carolina, nice pool.

Green Parrot -- most of the units are Mennonite prefab cottages, two level, with a couple of newer cabanas. Pleasant beach.

Maya Breeze -- variety of units including apartments, cabins, rooms. None is "primitive" and indeed really no place on the Peninsula but a few basic places in Placencia village would be considered primitive.

All of these places I've stayed at and like (Serenity's current situation excepted). Hamanasi is a big step up from the others, but again it's in Hopkins.

The Placencia peninsula is quite different from Ambergris Caye, and I think the main decision is which place you would prefer. The peninsula is 16 miles long and some of these places such as Maya Breeze and Green Parrot are away from things. There are not nearly as many restaurants, clubs or shops in Placencia, and of course parts of the peninsula, mainly Placencia and Seine Bight villages, are still struggling to recover from Iris. Also, off season even in a regular year Placencia is MUCH slower than Ambergris Caye, and later in the summer a few hotels and restaurants close completely.

--Lan Sluder
Belize books and publications by Lan Sluder:
Belize First Magazine (http://www.belizefirst.com)
Fodor's Belize & Guatemala Guide (new 4th edition coming this summer)
Adapter Kit: Belize (the first and only comprehensive guide to living, retiring, working and investing in Belize -- a best-seller on Amazon.com)
San Pedro Cool (the first and only visitor guide to Ambergris Caye)
Belize First Guide to Mainland Belize
UpClose Central America
Belize Book of Lists

Thanks so much for your input. Yes, I realized that one hotel was not actually in Placencia, but I was looking at that southern area in general.

I do appreciate info from someone who has stayed at all these places. I'm kind of torn -- I like the seclusion of this area but still want to surprise my girlfriend with something that is really nice, you know?

MY HUSBAND AND I WILL GET TO PLACENCIA MAY 21-1ST TRIP. I BOOKED 2 DAYS AT THE MARIPOSA. FROM THERE WE WING IT. LOVE TO FISH, SNORKLE, DRINK AND LAZE--OH YEH AND EAT!!! WE THOUGHT ABOUT TOBACCO CAYE FOR A FEW DAYS-- ANY THOUGHTS?