Belize City Reader Updates

* Let me tell you about two very nice and fairly new lodging options in the northern “suburbs” of Belize City. D’NEST INN is a B&B run by Gaby and Oty Ake. Gaby is a retired Belize banker, and Oty is originally from Chetumal. The two-story, Caribbean-style house is on a canal 50 feet from the Belize River. It’s in an area called Belama Phase 2, a safe, middle-class section between the international airport and downtown. Oty’s gardens around the house are filled with hibiscus, roses, and other blossoming plants. The three guest rooms are furnished with antiques such as a hand-carved, four-poster bed, but they also have modcons like wireless internet, air-conditioning, and cable TV. With a private entrance and your own key, you come and go as you like. Rates are US$60 to $70 double and include a delicious full breakfast. I highly recommend it. 475 Cedar St. (from the Northern Hwy., turn west on Chetumal St., turn right at the police station, go 1 block and turn left, then turn right on Cedar St. ); tel. 501/223-5416; www.dnestinn.com .

If you have an early morning flight out or you’re overnighting en route somewhere else, the GLOBAL VILLAGE HOTEL (actually it’s more of a motel than a hotel) is a good new choice near the international airport. The 40 rooms are sparkling clean and modern and are only US$50 double. This Chinese-owned place is located just south of the turnoff to the international airport, and the hotel has a free shuttle to and from the airport. You can also arrange to leave your car in the hotel’s fenced parking lot with 24-hour security. Mile 8 1/2, Northern Hwy.; tel. 501/225-2555; www.globalhotel-bz.com.

Not too far away, on the way to Bermudian Landing via the Boom Road, BELIZE 'R US is an attractive, Belizean-owned restaurant and hotel on the Belize River.

--Lan Sluder, January 2006

* D'NEST INN, Belize City. Steve & I had the most terric stay at the D'Nest Inn while visiting Belize
in July 2004. We had only planned to stay one or two nights but found the accommodations so
clean, comfortable & beautiful we stayed for a week! The excellent attention to detail of the owners, Gaby & Oti, are outstanding & they are the
most accommodating hosts we have ever encountered on our travels! We enjoyed the freshly prepared meals, & the knowledgeable & interesting
conversations. We would highly recommend the D'Nest Inn.
Pat Lang & Steve Paulson. February 2005

* CONINGSBY INN
76 Regent Street, Belize City
Tel: 501-227-1566
Fax: 501-227-3276
E-mail: info@coningsbyinn.com
www.coninsbyinn.com
$US65 double
Modern rooms in an elegantly restored colonial building in a quiet part of the
city, just behind the Southern Foreshore and a block from the historic House
of Culture - formerly the British colonial governor's residence - and St.
John's Anglican Cathedral. A really comfortable and well-managed hotel, with a genteel, quiet ambience and highly recommended. There’s a good restaurant and bar (for guests only)and the helpful owners can arrange tours. Peter Eltringham, February 2003

* GRANT RESIDENCE
126 Barrack Road, Belize Ciy
Tel: 501-223-0926
Fax: 501-223-0885
E-mail: gspartners@btl.net
www.grantbedandbreakfast.com

Four very spacious and extremely comfortable bed and breakfast rooms in an impressively-maintained guest house on the sea front just north of the city centre. Each room has a different theme, e.g. Belizean Room, Indian Room and so on. TV, a well-stocked bookshelf and an immaculate private bathroom. All have sea views and two have a private balcony; smoking is allowed in the rooms. Air-conditioning is being installed but the fans and sea breezes keep the place cool. The owners, Ward and PJ Grant, are extremely helpful and informative and also offer massage and manicure service. PJ likes to cook and when she does guests are in for a treat. US$65 single/US$80 double, including a Continental breakfast and evening cocktail or beer. Excellent website. Peter Eltringham, February 2003

* Here is my impression of the International Living trip and conference in Belize. First, Belize is a great
place an we are thing of retiring there. We visited Corozal by bus spend a day there. The International living
conference was OK. They introduced us to realtors,bank officials, tourism people and some investment advice.
My impression was that this is a promotion for their travel agency to make money on the participants. We
decided after cross checking prices and travel cost that we were better to do it on our own. Example we
were able to stay at the RADISSON FORT GEORGE HOTEL for six days at the same price that Agora Travel International Living travel agent would charge us for three days. They also have a nine day tour and we were able to put together a fourteen day tour of most of the same places for less. I pointed this out to them and they made excuses about costs. They gave the impression that by using them they would give up better
information about investment and introduce us to people who would help us get the best information. I
also found this to be false. I was lucky I met someone from the US who help us much more that they did. This
was for free which doesn't seem to be in there vocabulary. My impression is that International Living
is good if you just go to there conference for introduction to a new place don't go on there tour
package. The best thing about the conference is that the people you will meet that are there for the same
reason you are. We made some nice aquainces. If you want a more in depth report about the conference let
me know. We went to these places in Belize they were Corozal,Ambergris Caye,Belize City and Placencia each
place we stayed min 4 to 6 days. Also went to Tikal for a day it was great! Thank for your book online -- Belize Book of Lists. Gary Cushing, February 2001

* Thanks for your excellent and accurate reporting in Belize First-Guide To Mainland Belize. We have been going to Belize Since March 1988 and as a consequence stayed in many different places. Our trip this past Dec./ Jan. (three weeks) we tried four new places. Two of the four places that we stayed at were selected as a result of your comments in the aforementioned Guide and we were definitely pleased with the accommodations. The two were, VILLA BOSCARDI in Belize City and MAYALAND VILLA in San Ignacio. Vour appraisal was right on. The third place we stayed at (in spite of a not too favorable rating in your book) was a disappointment -- the EMBASSY HOTEL at the international airport. The owners are nice people but the room was really basic and small with a terrible bathroom. It was our last night in Belize before returning home and it was a real letdown... Our first week was spent at SMUGGLERS DEN in Consejo, a place familiar to us but we had not stayed there before, ( our mistake) Clean and bug free with everything needed to do our own cooking. Ray and Rosa have three nice little units that I would recommend to anyone. We definitely plan on staying there again. Food at their restaurant, in our opinion, was excellent and inexpensive. Speaking of food we can't say enough for the restaurant and staff at Mayaland Villas. There also, the food was very good and reasonably priced. The owners, Sandra and Eduardo Aguilar are great people and real professionals. We rate their place right up there with the best. (Excellent workmanship went into their units) ... Your four star rating of Green Hills Butterfly Farm was also right on, we definitely enjoyed that visit. The dirt (well graded) road from Corozal to Consejo was in good condition, at least this trip. ..... Our past two trips we rented our car from the GOMEZ brothers out of Orange Walk. (Freddy and Wilfredo) Wilfredo is an excellent mechanic and has a repair shop in town. They may only have a car or two to rent but their rates can't be beat, e.g., $35US a day. both times we had good cars with A/C and radio. Ford Crown Victorias solid and in good repair. They will meet you at the airport and pick the car up at the airport, no extra charge. If you have trouble (we didn't) just call them and one will come with another car. Paper work? There is none. Deposit? None required. They hand you the keys and give you their phone number. Really nice people. Their number, 03-22037. I continue to be amazed at the amount of (accurate) detailed information you are able to publish. Don't know how you do it but we certainly appreciate it; Makes traveling to and around Belize a piece of cake. George Forrest, Delray Beach, Florida, January 2001

* We got into Belize City mid-morning and Kevin Lewis of LEWIS AUTO RENT showed us around Belize City and some of the improvements which have been made on both sides of the bridges. Lots of clean up and painting after the hurricane and a change of attitude of the citizens have cleaned up the town considerably.
There has been quite a bit of construction along the waterfront and the PALACE HOTEL AND CASINO entertainment complex and casino is quite impressive. We had a delightful buffet lunch in the large waterfront dining room of the Palace and took a look at the theater area, the bowling alleys and casino. This complex has
spawned several more construction projects which are underway in the area. Rick Paine, Florida, June 2001

* RADISSON FORT GEORGE. Contact: 2 Marine Parade, P.O. Box 32, Belize City, tel. 501-2-77400, fax 2-73820, in the U.S. 800-333-3333; racks rates US$159 to $179 double Dec. 1-May 15, US$149 to $169 rest of year, plus hotel tax, discounts often available. This is Belize's best effort at an "international standard" hotel, and by all reports it does a good job. Reception and all the staff I met this trip were very friendly and helpful. I looked at the rooms in the main building, and while they have good views and a comfortable cross- breeze, I prefer the rooms in the Club Tower (sold out when I was there) or in the Colonial wing across the street. My Colonial wing room was recently refurbished and had a good view of the Fort George lighthouse. My 14-year-old son rates the cable TV at the Radisson as the best of any hotel where he's stayed. There are two pools. Emory King has offices on the Radisson grounds across the traffic circle, and if you have breakfast at the hotel you'll likely run into him. I recently bought a video of the 1981 adventure film, The Dogs of War. Emory King makes a brief appearance in it, as he has in virtually every TV program or movie filmed in Belize. The Belize City scenes, meant to be a stand-in for a fictional African capital, are unsurpassed, although strangely Belize does not get location credits. Lan Sluder, BELIZE FIRST, July 1998

* Our first night in Belize City was spent at the CHATEAU CARIBBEAN. Though the food served in their restaurant was okay we did find the rooms left much to be desired and not worth the US$79 per couple. The louvered windows could not be closed because they were broken. Therefore, air conditioning was only a wishful event. Ants were sharing the bathroom with us but their numbers far exceeded ours. Except for the restaurant and bar, we found the staff to be, let's say, "distant." Upon our return to Belize City following a seven-day sailing charter, we selected the RADISSON FORT GEORGE where a negotiated rate of US $75 put us in a most recently refurbished room far superior, cleaner and more comfortable than that experienced at Chateau Caribbean. Though the dinner menu was quite tempting we elected to try THE SMOKEY MERMAID at the Great House across the street. Opened just a few days earlier, service was slow but the ambience and food were quite good. It is, however, pricey as food and wine for six totaled US$200 (and three of the group had only a salad or similar dishes). Gordon Fenner, Edenton, North Carolina, July 1998

* Just back from 10 days in Belize and we planned our entire trip based on message boards and the BELIZE FIRST Web site- thanks for being a great source of accurate information! We would highly recommend Belize as a travel destination for anyone! Spent one night in Belize City at the GREAT HOUSE -- US$145 (for 2 adults, 2 teens). Beautiful huge room, very clean, nicely decorated. Ate dinner and breakfast at the SMOKEY MERMAID in the Great House and had two good meals. Fresh fruit daqueris at their bar are perfect! Cindy Marsh, Woolwich, Maine, February 1999

* I traveled to Belize with a party of five other business associates on a business/pleasure trip. This trip lasted for 13 days. We all stayed in the RADISSON FORT GEORGE. The rooms were spacious and had two double beds. There was a nice piece of furniture in the room which held a fairly large television and a small refrigerator. The refrigerator was fully stocked with sodas, beer, rum, and candy. Just to let you know, the candy bars are US$2 each. The room was air conditioned and had a ceiling fan. It cost approximately US$60 per night, but I believe they gave us a better rate because we stayed so long and there were so many in our party. The only problem I had with the hotel during our stay was the power went out one night and for several nights the cable TV was not working properly. We ate breakfast in the hotel's restaurant. They usually had a breakfast buffet , which cost approximately US$11. The other meals served at this hotel restaurant were very good. I had several of their entrees during my visit and they were all exceptional. Most of them were under US$15 and were very healthy portions. I recommend the cheesecake with blueberry or cherry topping for dessert. Directly next to the Radisson in the Great House is the THE SMOKEY MERMAID. The food here was also exceptional and reasonably priced. They offered a shrimp cocktail that was delicious. There is also a nice series of little shops at this location where you can buy anything from trinkets to cigars.As far as the city of Belize is concerned it is a very busy bustling place. The traffic is fairly heavy and stop signs are really only suggestions for you to slow down and look both ways before you blow through the intersection. There are people on bicycles and small motorized bikes everywhere and some of them don't seem to realize the danger they presented themselves by assuming the car I was in was going to avoid them when they got in our path. Fortunately we hit no one. I noticed there were open drainage canals all over town. There were also many street vendors selling everything from rice and beans to hotdogs. The city itself called out for a good cleaning. It seemed as though the walls on every building were dirty or needed a new coat of fresh paint very badly. We passed by a small river that was full of trash and floating debris. The people of Belize were the nicest thing about the country -- 90% of Belize's people took great pride in their appearance. They are probably the nicest people I have ever met. Strangers would wave and smile if you waved and smiled on first eye contact. They seemed as interested in me as I was in them. People were very willing to speak to me about nearly any subject. My work caused me to have occasion to visit the Hattieville Prison. I was a bit unnerved by the fact that prison trustees were allowed to cut grass with machetes, but other than that their prison looked to me to be very well run. There was no air conditioning, but I saw a basketball net, a wood working shop, garden, and fishing area. I was warned not to drink the water or eat peeled fruit for all the known reasons and I didn't for a couple days until I noticed that my compatriots were doing this without any ill effects. Just to be safe I bought bottled water from a supermarket in town by the gallon. I had a liter bottle I kept in my hotel refrigerator that I took with me on outings and refilled each night. If you are not use to tropical temperatures, and you visit when we did then I strongly suggest you carry a small towel to wipe away a bunch of perspiration, plan on showering two or three times a day, and have plenty of airy light clothing. Gasoline is about US$2.50 a gallon and it cost us about US$100 to rent an Isuzu Trooper for a day. I can also suggest SARA'S restaurant caddy corner from the Queen Street Police Station for excellent stewed chicken with rice and beans. It is air conditioned, too. There is also another restaurant called MARGO'S, down the street from the American Embassy that serves a grouper sandwich that is out of this world. You can eat in both places for around US$6. Bill Durkin, Anna, Texas, August 1998

* I stayed at the RADISSON FORT GEORGE. The staff of this hotel have totally spoiled me, and I always enjoy coming back here. I know Belize City gets a lot of bad press, and most tourists never set foot here, which is unfortunate. There are a lot of old colonial buildings, historic sites and churches, the Swing Bridge, etc., and an open-air bus now offers daily tours. There are nice restaurants and some great night life. (Check out LINDBERG'S LANDING for karaoke nights.) In addition, the people here are genuinely friendly. I come to Belize City about twice a year and have never had any real problems. I had timed this visit to be able to attend the September Carnival. Carnival Day was another scorcher, it must have been in the high 90s with no real shade along the parade route. However, most of the people in the parade were still dancing even after three hours when they reached the end of the route where I was situated. From what I heard this event is growing more popular each year. The parade ended in the National Stadium on Princess Margaret Drive, where the Carnival continued into the evening. However, by that point, we were pretty much out of energy and headed back for the hotel. The rest of my visit was spend in and around the Belize City area. Special thanks to BELIZE FIRST. I ordered Emory King's 1998 Drivers Guide to Beautiful Belize thru BELIZE FIRST, and it was very helpful. For anyone thinking of driving around Belize, I would highly recommend it. Pat Marshall, Houston, Texas, August 1998

* GREAT HOUSE. Contact: 13 Cork St., Belize City, tel 501-2-33400, fax 2-33444, e-mail greathouse@btl.net. Steve Maestre's efforts at renovating and restoring a 1920s-vintage house across the street from the Radisson appears to be paying off. When I was in town, the six rooms were all fully booked. I peeked in one and found the decor very pleasing. Rates are US$105 double high season, US$95 May through October, plus hotel tax. Singles are US$10 less. There's a busy restaurant, THE SMOKEY MERMAID, and several shops on the street level; the lobby is on the second floor. The Fort George area, thanks to high-profile patrolling by tourist police, is making a comeback as a picturesque, unstressful visitor area. Besides the Great House and the Radisson, there's the charming COLTON HOUSE and the atmospheric FOUR FORT STREET GUESTHOUSE and restaurant, and the FIESTA INN, CHATEAU CARIBBEAN and other hotels aren't far away. Lan Sluder, BELIZE FIRST, July 1998

* FIESTA INN: (Editor's note: Following financial problems, Fiesta Inn is now operating as Princess International.) Clean, excellent showers (pressure, temp control), breakfast and dinner buffets were ok, but not exceptional. CALYPSO RESTAURANT (only open weekends) had MUCH better food and a more fun atmosphere. Our tour group especially enjoyed Sat. night which is karaoke night! It gave us a real opportunity to mix with the locals doing duets, group sings, etc. MELMISH TOURS receive my highest recommendation. Our favorite guides: Ed (general), Walter (Tikal). Favorite bus driver from Batty's: Rudy!He was a gracious nature guide for my family even though it wasn't his job. He stayed with us one night at the LOG CAB-INNS in San Ignacio and took us on a night hike. His ability to identify birds was especially staggering! MACY'S deserves it's good reputation. Nothing unusual the evening we went (chicken, fish), but everything was GOOD! SIGNATURE VACATIONS (out of Canada) did a great job with the arrangements. Communication is not a high point with them, though. Our only complaint with them was that CANADA 3000, the charter airline they use, felt more like a sardine can than an airplane with service to match. In fact, it was so tight we couldn't have placed our heads on our laps in the case of an emergency landing because the seats in front of us were too close (seriously!). April Grunspan, Rochester, New York, February 1998

* My family and I stayed at the COLTON HOUSE. These accommodations were splendid. The room was comfortable and our hosts quite amiable. While there, we booked a tour to Mountain Pine Ridge. It was breathtaking. However, we discovered that much of this natural resource is privately owned. The forest should be preserved and set aside for all Belizeans to enjoy. Don't sell your birthright. The forest lands and natural falls are truly a world wonder. My son happily refreshed himself, after the arduous drive and relentless sun, in the amazingly cold waters. Vincent T. Johnson, Ph.D, New Orleans, Louisiana, Summer 1997

* We visited Belize for the first time in January, after doing a lot of research and reading the comments in BELIZE FIRST. We appreciated the comments made by so many people, and we followed up on a lot of the suggestions. For the most part, our experience was second to none. People everywhere were friendly and most willing to share their country with us. We only booked the first night in Belize City, and winged it from there. We took only one expensive tour through a guest house, and then quickly realized that it was very easy to "go local" and bus around for a fraction of the cost. Tour guides were excellent. SAM TILLETT, of Crooked Tree, and his partners sure know their birds -- the sanctuary was wonderful. Even Belize City was a pleasant surprise after many of the negatives we had heard. FORT STREET GUEST HOUSE was a nice place to eat - old and colonial and close to down town (a little pricey for the quality of the room) but the meals were good, and breakfast was included. COLTON HOUSE around the corner was also a beautiful West Indies-style home with an efficiency for US$85. All in all, an awesome country. We will go back one day! Ken and Carol Turner, Magnetawan, Ontario, Canada, January 1998

* SEASIDE GUEST HOUSE is a lot nicer than during our visit five years ago. It is more secure following a robbery. It is clean,and they now serve breakfast for a reasonable price. I actually thought that Belize City was more vibrant than before (if that is the word) and possibly a little less seedy. Only three or four panhandlers each afternoon. Ron Hay, Orient, Ohio, January 1998

* We stayed our first night in Belize at FOUR FORT STREET GUESTHOUSE. First time I've ever had a shared bath, but it worked okay. Prices were high for what you got, but food was above average. My companion had Death by Chocolate and love it. Richard L. Closson, Gordon, Wisconsin, January 1997

* I had another good week in Belize. I flew AMERICAN this time, which gets you there earlier than TACA. This gave me time to visit people in Belize City. Got to meet Kevin Geban and Eve Aird at UCB, and had a few beers with Shaun Finnerty at the RADISSON FORT GEORGE HOTEL. I had to agree with him that the references to his home town as "the slum port" are in fact not really true. There are some really nice homes going up. The road construction is coming along nicely in Belize City, although the detour to the Western Highway got me lost three times. Everyone I ask for directions was very helpful. I was dismayed to hear that after all the work the U.S. Army put in to build the road through Burrell Boom that the Belize government won't hold up its end of the deal and pave it. All that work will be for naught by the end of the rainy season. Terry Warburton, Oviedo, Florida, June 1997

* We stayed at the SEASIDE GUEST HOUSE (3 Prince St., tel. 501-2-78339) which is cleanly and efficiently run (lots of rules!) by The Society of Friends. It is well worth the rules. We are again reminded how spartan an existence we can tolerate...even enjoy. For US$12 we got a private room (bunks in the dorm would have been $4.50 each.) We each have a narrow, thin mattress on a wooden shelf but our window looks out on the ocean and lighthouse and a yard filled with orchids. We loved it. The bath is shared. STAN'S LAUNDRY (shown on the map given to us by the guesthouse) is a few blocks away. They charged us US$5 to do a full load of clothes, including soap and folding. We got a horrible hamburger at a dive on Albert Street and both got kind of icky stomachs...but recovered quickly. We went back to Seaside and got a fabulous piece of homemade key lime pie and lime punch. The Swing Bridge is a gas! There are four guys who work it. They chain it off to stop passengers, cars, bikes, etc. at 5:30 (Belize time is a lot like Latin time!) They let people, bikes, strollers and motorcycles through by lifting the chains for them for about 1/2 hour after they chain it off. As we wait, we noticed the river smells like...uh...feces. Cheryl Thomason, San Francisco, California, May 1996