I just got back from a fabulous two day jaunt to the Cayo District, my old hometown.

If in Cayo, you must check out Ka'ana. Amazing, a real oasis of comfort and tranquility in the foothills of the Maya Mountains.

Thanks Ian and Eva.

www.kaanabelize.com

Chris

Nice place, though for a roadside hotel way overpriced!

Like US$400 plus 19% tax and service for a casita double room in-season, and US$20 per person plus 10% tax and 15 to 20% tip for a standard breakfast.

I also stayed there in its previous incarnation when it was a tourist-class hotel focusing on tour groups from Guatemala, before it went bankrupt.

--Lan Sluder

So worth it though! Manolo Castillo, E.C., from the Coppola resorts presents some amazing food, some of the best I've enjoyed in Belize recently. The wine cellar is well stocked and the spa is very unique.

I take it you haven't stayed there Lan, hence you negative unwarranted reply.

A high end boutique hotel is finally in Cayo. I believe a Ka'ana Placencia is also in the works.

Chris

Yes, I did stay there, in February.

I also had stayed there earlier, a few years ago, when it was Mayaland Villas.

As it happened, I paid a press rate for the room but full rate for meals.

For San Ignacio, I still think it's overpriced. With tax and tip, close to US$500 per night for room only? For a unique, top tier jungle lodge or upscale beach resort, I can see those kinds of rates, but not for a roadside hotel.

At US$175 a night, it would be great, and a heck of a lot busier.

The BNE folks did a nice job renovating and upgrading the property, though.

What I can't figure out, and what the manager at the time couldn't explain, was why the swimming pool there, 75 miles from the sea, is salt water!

--Lan Sluder

I haven't stayed there yet but will in July. But a client stayed there and had this to say:

Stayed a couple of days longer and went up to Ka' Naa west of San Ingicio, stayed for two days and visited ruins. Best hotel I stayed in (Victoria House nice but room much smaller). This one was redone by the Irish guys who backed the oil drilling and is at least 4 star. ReOpened in April 07. Met them all so it was fun. It is very neat with on premises spa but only 15 rooms/buildings. Irish guys about ready to announce multiyear 5 star hotel and villas in Placencia. Met construction mgt firm while at Ka'Naa also.

I'm glad the rates are high then. Less people, more money.

I really haven't let comments on this board irritate me much anymore, so forgive me, but Lan you really should feel ashamed of yourself, especially if you purport to be an objective "travel writer".

Clearly any sensible adult can differentiate between a roadside hotel (posted twice for emphasis) and a boutique resort. So I'm not even going to go there. ??

The owners of Ka'ana and the development team have worked really hard to transform this property into something very special. Your condescending remarks, which are usually ignored by most, are a bit upsetting and should be reworded.

Chris Burkey SIN

Totally overpriced and empty-expensive bar and average food -other places in cayo far better value-although imo none of the food in any of the resorts there is that good

We stayed there last year. Rooms are beautiful, staff is very nice. But from our room all we could see and hear was the highway. Lost some of its charm there for us. Hopefully they will have some serious landscaping in place to block out the road.

Now I'm definitely staying there.

I don't recall any road noise myself. I stayed in one of the cabin rooms or maybe they call it villa rooms -- though it is just a room, not a suite -- below the pool. These are a good ways off from the road. There are some rooms in what used to be the main building that are closer to the road.

When I was there in February, I think there was just one other unit occupied, and at dinner I believe there was one other couple in the restaurant.

Again, all very nice. The value issue is what struck me, and I think would be an issue for at least some travelers, comparing it to other options in the San Ignacio area and also to upmarket jungle lodges such as Chaa Creek, Blancaneaux and Chan Chich. But Belize is moving resolutely more and more upscale, so perhaps US$475 a night (double room, tax, service) isn't that big a deal.

--Lan Sluder

Geez, a room below the pool. No wonder you didn't hear much road noise.