Hello:) Looking for referrals for "less expensive" but comfortable lodging in Belize City for one month Mar. 2003. Would rather spend the money on the INCREDIBLE diving Belize has to offer!! Thank you in advance, Steve

Recommend the Grant Residence Bed and Breakfast. Very nice B&B with great hosts; on the waterfront in Belize City and near town, shopping, casino. E-mail at gspartners@btl.net. You'll enjoy it and the diving! Happy trip.

You may want to look into Chateau Carribean. I've had breakfast there, but didnt' stay there. It's right on the water, near "embassy row" and right near the harbor. It has an old-world, slightly British/Caribbean air to it. Very charming. Got a very good vibe from it. Apparently when movies have been made in the area ("Mosquito Coast" with Harrison Ford among them), the crew often stays at this place. I'm not sure of price range. Check out "Rough Guide to Belize" for info.

My top choices would be Colton House, across from the Radisson in a safe area and close to good restaurants -- beautiful 1920 West Indies-style house with five B&B-style rooms (though you don't get breakfast). Alan and Ondina Colton are great people, and they have an excellent library of Belize books and tapes. Around US$60-$70 double. Also, Villa Boscardi, in the upscale Buttonwood Bay area between the international airport and downtown. Beautiful B&B. Breakfast included and they have a free shuttle to and from the airport. US$65 double.

Grand Residence also looks nice although I haven't stayed there myself.

--Lan Sluder
www.belizefirst.com