hi joe...
toronto, eh? that hardly qualifies for the "great white north"...i'm from manitoulin island...now living in rochester, ny...just a "fast ferry" ride from you...
stayed at banana beach which is right beside mata rocks...so location is the same for both in terms of getting to town...a nice walk along the beach...about 20 minutes.
banana beach is bigger...more "hotel" style...but the rooms are fabulous and if you get an oceanfront room with a balcony...the privacy and view are wonderful...can't beat it. the rooms at mata rocks wouldn't have quite the same view being set a bit back from the beach...but i loved the beach area there...small but a nice beach bar with lounging area in the sand.
highly recommend BB...great hospitality and all the services you need...great restaurant and travel/tour shop. have lots of pictures of the property if you are interested in looking.
can't tell you anything about tropica...same general locations and we passed it...looked interesting...maybe someone else stayed there...
ambergris caye...good choice!