Maruba Receives Top Boutique Resort Award

Belize City, Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - Susse Ellis, president of The Spa Experience has notified Belize’s most unique and innovative resort, Maruba, located two miles outside Maskall Village on the Old Northern Highway that it has been selected as the "Best Boutique Spa (25 Rooms or Fewer)" in their 2007 Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards.


Costa Maya contestants at Maruba

Ms. Ellis wrote, “Based on thousands of votes submitted by discerning spa-goers around the world, your award represents a true honor and achievement for your spa. With a surge in international voting and nearly twice as many votes overall this year versus a year ago, this year's awards are an especially meaningful validation of the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa spa experience.”

The award presentation ceremonies will take place during an invitation-only gala at New York's Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station on November 1st, 2007 from 6 - 8 pm, as part of The Spa Experience 2007, a public sampling of 60+ elite spas from around the globe.

The Readers’ Choice Awards over the five years of their existence has steadily grown in both popularity and prestige. Reader response and spa participation have made the Readers’ Choice the industry's premier award program. It is the spa world's answer to the Academy Awards.

Ms. Ellis concluded her notification letter by writing, “… let me extend our warmest congratulations from Pete, myself and everyone here at Spa Finder for your well-deserved award. The most experienced, sophisticated spa-goers in the world have named your spa one of the very favorites - and we couldn't agree more.”

With topnotch, classy resorts like Maruba, Belize is becoming a striking destination in the tourism industry internationally.

http://belizetimes.biz/content/view/509/9/

We have stayed there and love it! A very unique experience that we will do again.

Gets very mixed reviews.

Stayed there, loved it, didn't have one bug bite, food was amazing, the whole adventure was wonderful. Will do it again if the opportunity presents itself.

We did a day trip there a couple of years ago, my wife and the other ladies loved it.

Barbara is right - the reviews are very mixed. A friend and I went there as part of a day trip. It was probably the only inauthentic experience I've ever had in Belize. The food was slow in coming, expensive and horrible (nachos w/ salsa from a jar: US $18!!), the rooms and decor in general were kitschy, the swimming pool was growing green stuff and the mud used in our mud massage is imported from somewhere in the US. Guess it depends on what you're looking for.

Too bad you had such a crummy experience, Leah-Ann. You must not have been there on a good day. Our food was fantastic, the help was immediate. We rode horses, played with the monkeys, swam in a beautiful, clean, refreshing pool. Of course, being there with someone you love will make it a good experience, no matter what. We had a lovely room, a little bit wild, but very nice. They came in before we retired to light an incense that I'm sure helped in keeping the bugs away. It was a wonderful aroma that was relaxing and calming. Wonder if we just managed to get there on a "good" day? In any event, I'm glad we did it, and would jump at a chance to do it again.

Maruba's has a high customer satisfaction rate based upon customer insight cards, and the amount of repeat business. It was unfortunate your experience did not meet your expectations and that maybe due your to "whatever". a guide, a waiter, misperceptions in your part by statements pertaining to the cost of nacho's which is 15 belize plus tax not 18 u.s., mud used in spa which comes from a quarry on the maruba property, and most of the staff don't know where it comes from or how it is processed as part of the "trade secret"
If you can't say something nice, say it on the internet." even better yet in a customer based business let the management know. We welcome your input. For more info on Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, visit our website http://www.maruba-spa.com or come and visit the resort at 40 1/2 Miles Old Northern Highway, Maskall Village, Belize on an Altun Ha Tour.

We were there in September of '05. In all fairness it was slow season and I don't believe there were any guests at the property. But what I reported was what we experienced - and we DID speak to management. Perhaps the management has changed? As for the mud, when I inquired of the lovely young lady who did my treatment she laughed and told me that they were supposed to tell the customers that the mud was from Belize but it was really from the US. Don't know why she would make up a story like that.

Sun&Sand, how wonderful for you that you had a wonderful experience. And how thoughtful of you to suggest my experience might have been more of a "good experience" had I but gone with different company. Our tastes seem to be dissimilar in most areas, so perhaps we just look for different things.

Like everything else, people will have to judge for themselves whether Maruba is for them.

I thought my meal was good. The lobby bar area was very cool. The services I received were way over-rated and over-priced. The pool needed cleaning but it was pretty. I was completely bug bit but then I'd forgotten my spray.

There won't be a high 'return' customer rating from me.

You are right, Leah-Ann. I think we disagree on most things. I can't say that I'm sorry. It is these differences that make us direct opposites, and keep the "spunkiness" in our communications.
I wish you had had a better experience there. It really was a great time. And, I don't mean to suggest that you weren't in the right company to have a good time there. I was just saying that my impression could have been slanted, since I was there with someone I love.

I gotta say Sun&Sand, for someone I generally disagree with most of the time, you are one of the most good natured people I've ever encountered!

Viva la difference!!!!!

This is what Sharon Matola, founder of Belize Zoo, said about Maruba on another forum.

Posted by Sharon Matola (Member # 17109) on 02-15-2007, 11:29 AM:

It is unfortunate that the Maruba Lodge continues to exploit Belizean wildlife for the sole purpose of their own financial gain.

Maruba openly admits and boasts (http.//www.mojohd.com/shows/threesheets/photos/) that they place live snakes and scorpions into bottles of rum.

These animals die and become "wildlife curios" aimed to be sold to the guests at the Maruba "eco lodge".

This practice violates the Wildlife Protection Act of 1981 which clearly states that it is "illegal to collect and sell species of wildlife"

Furthermore, Maruba employees are known to pay nearby villagers for the collecting of snakes - any species of snake, for their illegal tourist-targeted rum enterprise.

The ecological role which snakes and Maruba's other "viper rum victims", scorpions, play in the Belizean environment matters zero to Maruba Lodge.

What does matter to Maruba is that they undertake a perverse activityand create their own illegal tourist side-show, purely to try and attract some extra tourist dollars.

This issue has been brought to the attention of officials at the Forest Department within the Ministry of Natural Resources. To their credit, Wildlife Officers acted in proper manner and brought the actions of Maruba Lodge to appropriate legal reprimand.

When The Belize Zoo inquired as to what the final outcome was, it was indicated that a high-ranking government official dismissed the charges against the Maruba Lodge. Justice prevailing? Hardly. Political favour?

The Maruba Lodge cointinues to disregard the laws of Belize. They show no respect for the efforts being made by many here, aimed at conserving, not degrading this nation's natural resources.

BE PROACTIVE ABOUT THIS ISSUE

1. Urge anyone you know who is considering a visit to Belize to AVOID The Maruba Lodge due to their continued irresponsible behaviour.

2. Express your concern and opposition to the selling of "Viper Rum" directly to Maruba Lodge: maruba@btl.net.

There should be a concerted and unified effort in Belize to preserve this country's unique natural resources - a HUGE Thumbs down to The Maruba Lodge for their low class performance.

http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=26;t=000197

Well, that settles it. I had no idea that these things were going on, and I will never set foot there again, at least, until these things stop. This is very irresponsible on their part, and for a place that is so beautiful to totally disregard the laws and the environment in order to gain from it, disgusts me. So, that being said, we won't go back, until convinced that this stuff has ended.

This is old news. Dates back to before chirst. The serpants represent healing. Maruba has generations of medical doctors. Viper could mass market but we don't believe in wasting. We won't get personal.

However, you are't denying it. What gives?

The topic isn't viper rum. The topic is Maruba Receives Top Boutique Resort Award

Belize City, Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - Susse Ellis, president of The Spa Experience has notified Belize’s most unique and innovative resort, Maruba, located two miles outside Maskall Village on the Old Northern Highway that it has been selected as the "Best Boutique Spa (25 Rooms or Fewer)" in their 2007 Spa Finder Readers' Choice Awards.


Costa Maya contestants at Maruba

Ms. Ellis wrote, “Based on thousands of votes submitted by discerning spa-goers around the world, your award represents a true honor and achievement for your spa. With a surge in international voting and nearly twice as many votes overall this year versus a year ago, this year's awards are an especially meaningful validation of the Maruba Resort Jungle Spa spa experience.”

The award presentation ceremonies will take place during an invitation-only gala at New York's Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Station on November 1st, 2007 from 6 - 8 pm, as part of The Spa Experience 2007, a public sampling of 60+ elite spas from around the globe.

The Readers’ Choice Awards over the five years of their existence has steadily grown in both popularity and prestige. Reader response and spa participation have made the Readers’ Choice the industry's premier award program. It is the spa world's answer to the Academy Awards.

Ms. Ellis concluded her notification letter by writing, “… let me extend our warmest congratulations from Pete, myself and everyone here at Spa Finder for your well-deserved award. The most experienced, sophisticated spa-goers in the world have named your spa one of the very favorites - and we couldn't agree more.”

With topnotch, classy resorts like Maruba, Belize is becoming a striking destination in the tourism industry internationally.


See for yourself what all the talk is about. For more info on Maruba Resort Jungle Spa, visit our website, http://www.maruba-spa.com or come and visit the resort at 40 1/2 Miles Old Northern Highway, Maskall Village, Belize.

i did not stay there - we had lunch there on the altun ha trip this past feb. i thought the place looked very pretty.

the rest, we disliked very much.

we'd been walking and driving for hours, and didnt even hardly get on the grounds when we were hit up for treatments. personally, that is NOT what i go to bz for. we declined in lieu of a swim and lunch.

leahAnn - we're with you - the ceviche was tiny and terrible, and we ordered a $20 fish combo, and got a plate of rubbery fried jack sticks with fries. we actually SENT OUR FOOD BACK!! we had NEVER done that ANYWHERE. very over-priced and just terrible! we ended up with stew chicken & rice, which was just okay.

then we were offered viper rum (lighter fluid!!), which we tried, not knowing the facts until afterward.

we ended up chatting with the owner's husband, who was proud to tell us of their plans to build more high priced condos on north AC.

i love belize, and i love jungle lodges. but i will never stay at maruba.

when one signs up for altun ha, you MUST stop at Maruba. i suppose they have a deal with the tour companies. you also must stop in Bomba and look at wood carvings (which encourages cutting of mahogany trees). i think it would be a better idea to supply the people of Bomba with chickens/fish, and let them bbq them up with rice for the tourists. this could fund that tiny village better than wood carvings. any leftover food could help feed the poor villagers. this would be a more authentic experience. all we wanted to do was see the ruins, not fund those already more well off than ourselves and the locals. just a thought.

as always, just my opinion.

Leah-Ann, I think Sun & Sand is a real politician. She has a way with words

Aw, shucks, you guys. I appreciate the kudos, but certainly don't deserve them. Just don't feel passionate enough about some things to allow my BP to elevate.
I do feel passionate about the environment, animals, and individual rights. These things I will fight for, and will boycott establishments who fail to do right by these issues. I am sure my measley efforts will go unoticed by most, but I feel better doing it, so will continue. I still haven't heard a denial from Maruba, and therefore, won't go back until I'm satisfied that they are as environmentally concious as they want us to believe. I'm reading fluff, but not getting any closer to the truth.

Ah, yes, Loansum, the politician: despised only slightly less than the attorney...not sure that was a kudo, there, sun&sand

I would note that maruba might qualify for the politician designation - why answer a direct question when you can simply change the subject!

I guess that's the difference between us, LeahAnn. I see things in a positive, you don't. Guess we'll always have that difference, ya think? I think I'll continue to pick my battles, not try to bait others into one.

LOL....and besides, by your own admission, a politician is better liked than an attorney....so, I guess there is still hope.

Sun&Sand, you sure have me pegged - I'm sure I must be one of the most negative people you've never met!

(damn, I miss that rolleyes emoticon!)

No, I have married the most negative person I've ever met, but still love him dearly.
Negativity isn't really a flaw, just you see things differently than I do. I suppose your occupation has something to with how you see things, as mine does with how I look at things. Neither is wrong, just different.
If I have pegged you wrong, I apologize. I think the way you seize the opportunity to ping me, says a lot about how you look at things. Either that, or you just don't like me, and thats OK, too.

Zing? I've heard it said that perception is everything.

and you misread - I said I'm sure I must be one of the most negative people you've never met!)

Not to worry, Sun&Sand, you're one of the more fun people to spar with.

I enjoy a good spar with you as well. Worried, not a bit. Life is way too short to pretend things matter when they don't.

Back to the original topic: Maruba's "award." Did anyone ever hear the final outcome of that bizzare monkey bite thing, where some monkey kept by the resort bit a guest and there was a big debate over who was responsible?

I haven't heard any more about it. I hope the injured is OK, and the monkey's didn't get hurt in the process. They seemed so tame when we were there, but I guess you can't take the "wild" out of some animals.

I don't think she was ok - the reported injuries were pretty serious-sounding. Here's the thread link: http://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/231848/fpart/1

Sun&Sand, one of your comments was particularly interesting in view of your input on this thread....
"Please don't use Maruba as a model for the rest of Belize. There are so many positive experiences there, this is not the norm.."

Marty noted that Maruba said they had paid all medical expenses but the injured seemed to have a different slant.

I meant that their experience at Maruba and the incident with the monkey wasn't the norm, and to not infer that the monkey incident was a normal occurance in Belize. I never said, nor meant that Maruba wasn't a good experience. However, now with the new information concerning Maruba and the enviromnent, I will say that I am re-thinking my thoughts on the spa. I don't care if it wins more awards than any other place on the planet, if they don't act responsibly towards the environment and it's creatures, I can't support it, even with recommendations.
My husbands trouble with the horse wasn't any fault of Marubas, and they encouraged us to intermingle with the animals. Perhaps they could be more aware of the "attitudes" of the animals, and keep them away from their guests if they are subject to biting.
They are still wild animals...we shouldn't forget that.

Nothing put positive vibrations for me about Maruba. I did the Altun Ha trip and Maruba was the highlight of this tour. So much so, that one couple in the group that I traveled with decided to stay overnight. The food was great, the spa service I received was nice and the whole place was relaxing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the zoo is the pot calling the kettle black. A dead viper in a bottle/animals caged in a "zoo" (and no, this is not their "natural" environment). On that note, I enjoyed the zoo as well and would highly recommend both. If you don't like caged animals don't go to the zoo, if you don't like snakes in a bottle, don't order that drink. Good luck Maruba, you deserve that award.

When you said it before did you say it under a different name? Just curious as you registered about half an hour ago.

"deleted" LA........

LA
I've logged on as SANHAM or SANHAM1 in the past - haven't posted here in a quite a while so I registered again as I'm too too tired of Maruba getting beat up over a dead viper in a bottle and wanted to respond. Just my two cents.

Now there's a straightforward answer. Your two cents are worth as much as everyone else's!

For those who might be confused, I just wanted to explain that The Belize Zoo is not a conventional 'zoo' by any stretch of the imagination. It is a conservation, research and education centre. The animals there were either orphaned, injured in the wild and in need of rehabiliation, rescued or relocated from other zoological societies. They are all native to Belize and kept in large enclosures in a natural habitat. Don't be surpised if, when you visit, you find it difficult to see some of the animals as the Zoo is designed with the animals in mind. I highly recommend that anyone who visits Belize, takes the time to go to Belize Zoo. By doing so, they will be supporting important conservation work as well as getting the rare opportunity to see endangered species such as the Jaguar and Harpy Eagle up close.

Autour Du Rocher Far Side of the World Jimmy Buffett describes it well

the zoo? or maruba?

I went to Maruba and I found the place to be nice and relaxing. Each person will see Maruba differently. Some poeple that were there at the resort when I was there liked it and maybe 1 or 2 did not. You will only know if you like Maruba if you experience for yourself. I like being outdoors and like to visit different types of places not just the ordinary.

I for one am glad Maruba won this award and I can see why.

Wasn't Maruba for sale some time back?

Maybe it still is????

I had the pleasure of staying there either my first or second trip to Belize. I stayed 2 nights. I was met at the airport (I flew in from AC) and driven to the Resort. the driver had to make a stop - at the Belikin plant to pick up libations first. So I got a mini tour while there :-). My room was incredible - customized cd music. I had the best massage of my entire life in a huge room out in the jungle. the meals where excellent (yes I tried gibnut) and I signed up for the Altun Ha tour the next morning. Just one other guest and myself went, we were early so we literally had the place to ourselves.

Now I understand concerns about snakes and scorpions in bottles, etc. I was very happy with my experience.