My family is planning to spend 2 weeks on Ambergris in late Feb. early March. Can anyone tell me if a resort with a pool is necessary? We were thinking about renting a house for the first week and then maybe staying at Xanadu for the 2nd week. My kids are 14 and 16. Do you think Xanadu is a good choice for us or does anyone have any other recommendations?

It is absolutely necessary for my wife and I. The Xanadu has an excellent pool. In fact it was excellent in every respect. I can email you some pictures if you'd like.

I agree.
I think a pool is very important and would not stay at a hotel/resort that didn't have a pool.
I stayed at the Xanadu for 2 weeks last summer and we thought it was perfect in every way. You won't be disappointed.

I agree, pool a must.
Exotic Caye Beach Resort also has a pool and is closer to town. It is a very easy walk to town by way of the beach. This resort also has a dive shop on site with a new pier that is now longer.
The Miniture Golf course is about 1 block away and the Health Center with big beautiful pool is about 2- block and also has exercise equipment. Pepperoni's Pizza Place is just behind the resort on Coconut Drive and has excellant Pizza.
No matter where you choose to stay, I am sure you will have a great trip. My first trip was in 1991 and we took 3 of our kids the next spring break. My step-daughter got certified to dive and did her first open water dive there. My daughter has been down many times and they took teir honeymoon on the island in our condo at Exotic Caye Beach Resort. Since then I have also taken our grandson down 2 years ago when he was 4 years old and now wants to go everytime I even mention Belize.
Have a great trip.
Kat

I agree w/ above - a pool was quite refreshing and cleaner than the sea grass. Banana Beach has two pools - one with a great view of the beach - and we almost always had one to ourselves!

Thank you everyone...we almost went against our better judgement and rented a house without a pool. I don't care about eel grass in the water, but it would be nice to take a swim at night without the worry of "big guys in gray". Also appreciate the input on Xanadu Resort. While my husband and I like out of the way private spots, the kids go out of their minds after a couple of days of "quiet quality family time"!

Depends on yourself and your family. I never use the pool but my kids sometimes do.

One word of caution, Heatherack. You reminded me of a shortcoming at Xanadu. There was one. Their pool is closed after dark. No night swimming. I wasn't happy about it, either.

I have to put a kink in your keester on this one with a differing opinion. We have not had a pool where we have stayed, the few times we have been to AC, and never missed it. But we DO have a pool at home and we DON'T have kids.

We don't consider a pool to be necessary. We love the Belizean Reef, last time we were there, it was darn hot, and we wished there was a pool. But, for our next trip, we'll be back at the Belizean Reef, because I love the place. The dock at Ramon's is really, really close. I would possibly have a different opinion if I traveled with teens. Jean