Blancaneaux Lodge, a Mr & Mrs Smith Property in Belize [In-Depth Hotel Review]

Imagine a luxury hotel with thatched huts in a relaxing jungle setting, then add movie props from the hotel’s famous owner, Francis Ford Coppola. Now, mix in fantastic service, more complimentary activities than you can possibly fit in during your stay, run the hotel on clean energy, and grow fruits and vegetables for the 3 restaurants right in the on-site gardens. You’ve got a heck of a hotel.

If you want to visit that place, there’s even better news: You can book it with points, and its name is Blancaneaux Lodge.

From start to finish, this hotel is impressive. Whether it’s the setting, the fact they have a brick pizza oven in the middle of the jungle, horse stables and bird watching on the expansive grounds, the way the staff went all out for my wife’s birthday, or the adventures both kids and adults would love, I would recommend this hotel to anyone — yes, anyone. And I don’t say that about hotels often.

Here’s what our 3-night stay in early August 2024 was like.

Booking Blancaneaux Lodge

Blancaneaux Lodge is part of the Mr & Mrs Smith collection of luxury, independent hotels, which you may be familiar with from its partnership with World of Hyatt. After the Hyatt-Mr & Mrs Smith merger, you can book these properties using Hyatt points or cash, and you get a few extra benefits on these reservations.

During our stay, the rate for a standard room was $359 per night, though it climbed to an intense $445 after taxes and mandatory service charges (that amounted to 24% when combined). Rooms got more expensive as they got larger and closer to the river that formed the property’s rear boundary. The standard room was a Garden View Cabaña — a 1-bedroom thatched cabin that looked every bit of what you’d expect in a jungle setting.

The hotel also had 2-bedroom villas, family cabañas with a dining room, and even cottages in a more remote setting on a different part of this absolutely massive property.

If you want to redeem Hyatt points here, it’s worth considering. Rooms started at 34,000 points per night during our stay, providing a modest 1.31 cents per point. That’s below our average valuation of Hyatt points at 1.5 cents apiece, but considering the property’s 2-night minimum stay requirement, saving hundreds or thousands of dollars on your room rate can make sense. We booked with points.

Before you rush to book the Blancaneaux Lodge, it’s worth pointing out the onerous cancellation policy. This was the toughest cancellation policy I’ve ever seen. If you cancel more than 1 hour after booking, you start losing money.

Please be aware that cancellations made later than 1 hour after booking incur a charge of 5 percent. Please be aware that cancellations made less than 60 days before arrival will incur a charge of 45 percent. Please be aware that cancellations made less than 45 days before arrival will incur a charge in full. A charge of 2 nights (including tax) will be taken at the time of booking. The balance (including tax) will be taken 45 days before arrival.

-Blancaneaux Lodge cancellation policy

Which Credit Card To Pay With

If you’re paying cash at Blancaneaux Lodge — or any other Mr & Mrs Smith property — consider paying with The World of Hyatt Credit Card or World of Hyatt Business Credit Card. Either will award 9 points per $1 spent at these properties, plus any bonus points you may qualify for with World of Hyatt elite status.

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

The World of Hyatt Credit Card

The World of Hyatt card offers a fast track to Hyatt elite status, an annual free night, and up to 9x points per $1 on Hyatt stays.

Welcome Offer

Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, up to 30,000 more points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, up to $15,000 spent.

Up to 60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The World of Hyatt Credit Card makes your Hyatt stays more rewarding and helps you get coveted World of Hyatt elite status faster. This card is a must-have for any traveler who regularly stays at Hyatt hotels, or even for anyone who’s able to take advantage of the card’s annual free night certificate.

When you factor in all the benefits the World of Hyatt card offers, it’s easy to see why it is one of the best co-branded hotel credit cards on the market.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2x points per $1 at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airline, local transit, rideshares, and fitness clubs/gym memberships
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn up to 60,000 Bonus Points. Earn 30,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening. Plus, up to 30,000 More Bonus Points by earning 2 Bonus Points total per $1 spent in the first 6 months from account opening on purchases that normally earn 1 Bonus Point, on up to $15,000 spent.
• Enjoy complimentary World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open.
• Get 1 free night each year after your Cardmember anniversary at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel or resort
• Receive 5 tier qualifying night credits towards status after account opening, and each year after that for as long as your account is open
• Earn an extra free night at any Category 1-4 Hyatt hotel if you spend $15,000 in a calendar year
• Earn 2 qualifying night credits towards tier status every time you spend $5,000 on your card
• Earn up to 9 points total for Hyatt stays – 4 Bonus Points per $1 spent on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• Earn 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent at restaurants, on airline tickets purchased directly from the airlines, on local transit and commuting and on fitness club and gym memberships
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

World of Hyatt Business Credit Card

The World of Hyatt Business card provides a solid option for business travelers that are looking to put their expenses on a small business card.

Welcome Offer

60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 bonus points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$199

APR

20.99% - 27.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

Hyatt loyalists who do their fair share of business travel have been clamoring for the addition of a co-branded Hyatt business credit card for quite some time — and now it’s finally here.

The World of Hyatt Business Credit Card is now available. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about it!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Up to 9x points total for Hyatt stays and experiences: 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels. Plus, up to 5 Base points from Hyatt per eligible $1 spent just for being a World of Hyatt member.
• 2x points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter. Eligible categories include: Dining, Shipping, Airline tickets when purchased directly with the airline, Local transit & Commuting, Social Media & Search Engine Advertising, Car Rental Agencies, Gas stations and Internet, Cable & Phone Services.
• 2x points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships.

Cons

• $199 annual fee
• Bonus categories and benefits are very similar to the personal card

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• 60,000 Bonus Points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
• Up to 9 points total per $1 spent at Hyatt - 4 Bonus Points per $1 on qualified purchases at Hyatt hotels & up to 5 Base Points per $1 from Hyatt as a World of Hyatt member
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent in your top three spend categories each quarter.
• 2 Bonus Points per $1 spent on fitness club and gym memberships
• 1 Bonus Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• Up to $100 in Hyatt statement credits - spend $50 or more at any Hyatt property and earn $50 statement credits up to two times each anniversary year.
• 5 Tier-Qualifying night credits toward status and Milestone rewards for every $10,000 you spend in a calendar year.
• World of Hyatt Discoverist status for as long as your account is open. Plus, Discoverist status to up to five employees
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.99% - 27.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

World of Hyatt

Location of Blancaneaux Lodge

The closest city to the Blancaneaux Lodge is San Ignacio, in western Belize’s Cayo District. From the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Belize City (BZE) or the Belize City port (for ferries to Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye), it takes about 2 hours by car to reach Blancaneaux Lodge.

It’s not possible to reach the hotel by public transportation, and you can either arrange travel through the hotel or find a myriad of options online to prebook. Alternatively, you can find a taxi at the airport or port to take you to the hotel. For reference, we paid $150 each way for our transportation, and that was much cheaper than the hotel’s price of $255.

The Blancaneaux Lodge sits in a remote, protected setting in western Belize, and it is possible to reach San Ignacio by public transportation. From there, you can get a taxi or arrange a shuttle to the property. This method of getting to the resort could be cheaper than hiring a car there directly from the airport. A car ride from San Ignacio to the hotel takes about 45 minutes.

Checking In

After about 90 minutes in the van with our driver, we turned off the main road and onto a side road into the jungle, passing a police checkpoint and multiple signs about wildlife crossing.

“This section of the road wasn’t paved 6 months ago,” the driver informed us.

That was good news, as the last 15 minutes of the drive was brutally bumpy after the pavement ended, and I couldn’t imagine an extra 30 minutes of that.

The Blancaneaux Lodge was set near 2 other hotels in this wooded reserve, and a clear sign indicated the entrance. We also found a smiling employee with a clipboard here who quickly found our names on the registration list and then indicated that we could follow the signs to reception. Given that he picked up a radio as soon as we drove away, we expected an employee to meet us there.

We followed the main drive to the end. It definitely gave off tropical vibes with its palm tree-lined setting.

When the roadway ended in a small loop, we found a sign for reception and a friendly employee waiting for us.

“Right this way, please. Ignore the luggage,” he said, beaming.

Our first impressions of the property were fantastic.

We turned right, as the sign indicated, and passed under this beautiful archway on the stone path that led to reception, the main pool, the guest cabañas, and 2 of the hotel’s 3 restaurants.

Reception was in the main building, atop 15 stone steps.

Out of habit, I approached the main reception desk before realizing the employee escorting us was pointing us toward a pair of sofas to take a seat.

“It’s more comfortable if you sit down,” he said. “We’ll bring the paperwork to you.”

Fantastic.

While checking in, we received welcome drinks with freshly squeezed juice, made from fruits picked on the property that very morning.

When he returned, the employee had several papers in hand. The most important was the map. There was a lot to cover, as we had no idea — until this point — how large the property was. The map indicated the locations of the Garden Spot restaurant (inside the expansive gardens), horse stables, guest cabañas, 2 pools, 3 restaurants, spa, and hiking trails.

Then, he began an impressive list of the hotel’s activities and amenities. Complimentary activities included river tubing and sunrise bird-watching, which we expressed interest in. The bird-watching was only available every other day, so he signed us up for the next morning’s session.

The paid activities were endless, and he told us that we had a list of these in our room.

Moreover, he told us about complimentary bicycles for guest use and complimentary parking before explaining that the Garden Spot, in the middle of the herb and vegetable gardens, required reservations. However, it was at full capacity for that night, so he recommended we reserve for the next evening if we were interested. We signed up before concluding check-in.

Lastly, he confirmed that staff had emailed us a week before arrival to confirm whether we had any allergies and said he saw the note that we didn’t have any allergies but that we were both vegans. He assured us this wouldn’t be an issue during our stay and that chefs would provide vegan options at every meal.

Lastly, we were told that reception was open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and then got a short tour of the property that showed us the shop, bar, main restaurant, pool, Guatemalan restaurant, and our cabaña, as well as a few of its features.

The tour included “down these steps, you’ll find …” at several points. We realized quite quickly that this hotel wasn’t a good fit for anyone who has difficulty with steps, and it definitely wasn’t wheelchair accessible. For those who were able, the natural setting was lovely, and the guided orientation was helpful for our stay.

Elite Benefits

Since I’m a World of Hyatt Globalist (the top status tier), several perks were added to our reservation. However, not all of the Hyatt elite benefits I was used to were included with this Mr & Mrs Smith booking, so we were glad the employee clearly outlined what was included with our stay.

We received daily breakfast for 2 in the hotel’s main restaurant, in the same building as reception. We also received an upgrade from a Garden View Cabaña to a Riverfront Cabaña, which normally costs an extra $80 per night (before taxes and service charges).

As the Smith Extra that comes with all Mr & Mrs Smith bookings, we had our choice of several types of massages at the hotel’s spa. We asked if we could book them together, and this turned into a great couple’s massage on the second day of our stay.

Riverfront Cabaña

Each freestanding cabaña had a rustic look, including a thatched roof, wooden construction, and a wraparound porch overlooking the river.

The wooden door had a simple room number on the door, and there was a potted plant, umbrella, and fire extinguisher nearby.

While the cabañas weren’t large, they didn’t feel cramped. And we enjoyed the artwork in local indigenous styles, such as this mask immediately inside the door.

On the half of the cabaña furthest from the river, we found the bedroom area and bathroom beyond. The queen-size bed was firm, but the pillows were much better than your average (read: mostly useless) hotel pillow. As we’d arrived on my wife’s birthday, we had a special message on the bed and towels built into the shape of a birthday cake.

Each side of the bed had a nightstand with a lamp, and the side furthest from the door also had a handcarved wooden statue.

Space in the cabaña was maximized quite well, with the bathroom beyond the bed and a closet along the wall near the main door. A rod with curtains provided a way to “close” the closet without taking up space.

The wooden closet had numerous shelves to hold a small safe, a Nespresso machine, and a traditional bathrobe.

We also had robes made in a traditional Guatemalan style, as well as freshly sanitized yoga mats.

Coffee and tea supplies were on another shelf.

And a minifridge below had beer, Gatorade, sodas, and chips. These were not complimentary, though.

To the right of the entrance, a large wooden desk divided the bedroom from the sitting area. This desk held a book with information about the hotel, offering details about wake-up calls, laundry service, complimentary amenities on the property, and Wi-Fi, among other things.

We also had a small jar of dried fruits and a note welcoming us to the hotel. I loved that the hotel had asked for the names of everyone in our party before arrival and that my wife’s name was included on all of our check-in documents — in contrast to most hotels, where plus-ones are typically ignored.

We had a Smalody Bluetooth speaker on the desk also, which was a nice touch.

The desk also had a wooden triangle on a rope, which served as the “do not disturb” sign, but the most interesting item on the desk, by far, was the shell phone. Flipping a switch opened a line to the reception desk, which was the only call you could make. We were shown how to use this during our check-in tour.

Across from the door, there was a luggage rack. We found our belongings here when we finally arrived in our cabaña after checking in.

The sitting area had a small sofa and a wooden coffee table, both adorned with traditional textiles.

On the coffee table, we found flowers, cards, a Jenga-like game, and a Zoetrope: All-Story magazine.

Along a wall, there was a wooden armchair, a wooden carving of a jaguar, and a rolled-up hammock.

The other wall also had a wooden armchair, and the cushion had beautiful handmade bird designs.

We also had a wooden bench with another carving on it, and this was a great place to sit to take our shoes off and put them on.

The half of the cabaña nearest the river had a screened-in setting to let air in while keeping bugs out, and there were heavy curtains we could roll up or let down to gain privacy and keep the sun out.

Even with these closed, the cabaña still got light enough to wake us up before 8 a.m.

To keep bugs and lizards from entering through the thatched roof, there was a layer of wire mesh.

Bathroom

Beyond the bed and closet, at the rear of the cabaña, we had a well-appointed bathroom that maximized space in a way that made it feel bigger than it really was. It used wood and bamboo trim to match the green tiles and off-white paint.

Immediately in front of the door, there was a wooden counter with a baby blue sink. There was a fair amount of counter space, and we found drinking glasses, a makeup towel, a handmade bar of soap, and 2 pump bottles with printed labels. These held hand lotion and sanitizer.

There also was a small sign about conservation here, indicating how to get clean towels or let housekeeping know you wanted to keep using your towels.

Moving to the right, at the far end, there was a shower-tub combination that had enough space to turn around comfortably during a shower. We weren’t fans of the wood slats here, as we weren’t sure if the people entering and exiting the cabaña next door could see us through them, so we would dart into the opposite corner if someone passed during shower time. However, the shower heated up quickly and had good pressure.

Shampoo and conditioner were held in wooden bottles. The shampoo was really thin and runny, so pouring it onto our heads was much better than trying to pour it into our hands without losing it.

We also had spare washcloths, hand towels, and a bath mat on a stand next to a towel rack.

Behind the bathroom door, we found a sturdy wooden dresser. Half of the drawers were obstructed by the bathroom door, so we found it a bit impractical. On top, we had tissues and a wooden box holding the hair dryer.

Balcony

Each cabaña had a balcony, and our L-shaped outdoor space had access from both the main entrance (directly from the path) and a screen door from the sitting area.

The balcony had 2 wooden reclining chairs and a small table.

The balcony provided great views through the trees toward the river and also was a great place to hang wet swimsuits to dry.

Amenities

Blancaneaux Lodge Sustainability Efforts

The hotel had a zero-waste policy. There were no single-use plastics, and all box lunches for activities were packed in recycled materials. Moreover, the hotel used composting from the restaurants to create fertilizer for the produce garden. A pipe running to a nearby waterfall also created hydropower.

Riverfront

Google calls it Privassion Creek, but the hotel calls it a river. I tend to agree more with the “creek” label, but it provided a beautiful natural boundary for the property. There were also multiple paths and walkways along the waterfront.

Lounge chairs were available near the water’s edge in several locations, providing a relaxing spot to catch some sun.

Near the spa and heated pool, there also was a small, covered space with a pair of chairs and a table near the water’s edge.

The premium cabins were closest to the water, including 2-bedroom structures.

Activities

In our room, we found a book with an extensive list of activities and their prices. Options included visits to Mayan ruins, a butterfly farm, a zip line, chocolate-making lessons, waterfall hikes, Tikal just across the border in Guatemala, or the popular Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave (colloquially, the ATM cave), which houses a former place of human sacrifice.

However, there also were complimentary activities like this ladder golf game on the lawn or exploring the river.

River Tubing

Complimentary, guided tubing was available twice per day.

We notified the front desk what time and day we wanted to participate, and a guide met us with tubes before we walked 15 to 20 minutes up the river to ride back down.

How extreme was it? I’ll give it a 2 out of 10. The water was pretty low, and we even got stuck on the creek bed twice. That said, it was still fun, and the guide recounted numerous details about Belize, local culture, and the hotel’s history.

Hiking

Past the riverfront cabañas, there was a trailhead for Big Rock Trail. After an hour, the trail ended at a waterfall. The degree of difficulty was moderate. Staff didn’t recommend taking this hike late in the day, due to a lack of shade. Starting early in the morning was preferable.

Bird-Watching Tours

The hotel offered complimentary sunrise bird-watching tours every other day. These were done on the property, departing from the reception area and walking across much of the property. A knowledgeable guide had binoculars for us to use, and he could recognize birds by their calls.

We spotted parrots, parakeets, hummingbirds, and numerous local species like this red-legged honeycreeper.

Birds weren’t the only animals we saw during the 1-hour tour, as we also saw several brown basilisks — a reptile native to Belize.

Main Pool

Blancaneaux Lodge had 2 pools. The larger was off the path between reception and the main drive to the property. This square-shaped pool wasn’t heated but also wasn’t cold, given the amount of sun on it all day during our summer visit.

Each morning, employees placed a handful of rafts in the pool, and a dozen lounge chairs were spread around the pool. Each group of chairs also had an umbrella for shade.

One corner had a small stand with cold water and cups, towels, and bug spray for guests.

Heated Pool

A smaller, heated pool sat along the path to the spa and riverfront cabañas. Neither pool was deep, and the quiet atmosphere at this pool felt incredible.

The pool had a U-shape that bent around some trees in the middle, meaning people sitting at each end of the pool could have privacy away from those at the opposite end.

Spa

A small building along the river held the spa. It offered numerous services, from massages to facials and even meditation. We had a 30-minute Thai massage as our Smith Extra on the second day, and getting the massages together from the team of masseuses was a great treat.

The employees were friendly before, during, and after the treatment, and they also smiled when we passed by walking around the property at other times during our visit.

Horseback Riding

The hotel had indoor and outdoor stables, housing about 20 horses and ponies that guests could ride. Taking a horse-drawn carriage ride also was an option.

The bird-watching tour also passed the stables in the morning since neither we nor the other guests on the tour had been out there, so we detoured for a quick introduction to the horses and thoroughly enjoyed it.

As we expected with horses accustomed to people, they were sweet during the few moments we spent petting them.

The stables were easy to find and involved following a sign off the main drive that later split toward either the horses or the garden.

Internet

The Wi-Fi signal worked better the closer you got to the main building. In our cabaña, the signal was inconsistent at times, despite it being among those closest to the reception area. Speeds in our room averaged just over 16 Mbps for downloads.

Laundry

Laundry service was available for guests daily, and if you dropped off your clean clothes by 9 a.m., they promised to return them by 6 p.m.

Bicycles

Guests could use bicycles to ride around the property, and these were available near the main drive and the parking area. Additionally, paid mountain biking excursions were available if guests wanted more adventure.

Shop

Off the lobby, a small store was open during reception hours and sold handicrafts like traditional masks, blankets, scarves, clothing, and statues.

Parking

Guests were offered complimentary parking in a small lot off the main drive, just next to the bicycle hut.

Private Airfield

Prop planes and helicopters can land at a small airfield near the main road just before turning into the drive for Blancaneaux Lodge. Flights from Belize City should take about 15 minutes if you’re willing to shell out for these. When we asked about pricing, our taxi driver told us to expect to pay “several hundred dollars each.”

Garden

The hotel grows roughly 90% of its fruits, vegetables, and herbs in a 3.5-acre garden on the property. The garden started in the 1990s and there are now 6 full-time gardeners on staff.

According to the tour guide, the local soil wasn’t good enough for growing crops, so they had to import much of it to sustain their plan to produce everything the hotel’s restaurants needed.

Other initiatives included growing crops in multiple different areas, ensuring that not all of the tomatoes would be lost, for example, if there were crop failures or infestations.

A chicken coop also had more than 20 chickens, and all eggs used on the property came from these hens.

Food and Beverages

Guatemaltecqua Restaurant

The Guatemaltecqua Restaurant had its entrance behind the main pool. In a large, open building with a thatched roof, this restaurant served traditional Guatemalan food for dinner.

The menu at Guatemaltecqua rotated daily based on what was available from the garden that day. The menu was available at the reception desk for guests to peruse and potentially make a reservation.

Montagna Ristorante

The hotel’s main restaurant was Montagna Ristorante, in the central complex with the store, bar, and reception. It was open for 3 meals a day, starting at 7 a.m. for breakfast. The restaurant served Italian food, with a special focus on Coppola family recipes. There was even a brick oven for pizza.

Specials were always written on a chalkboard as you entered, and inside seating always went to those who arrived last.

That’s because the restaurant’s patio was much more popular, though check-in staff advised wearing bug spray during meals.

Continental breakfast was included with all reservations, though you could also order from an à la carte menu for hash browns, bacon, eggs, and more. The continental breakfast was very filling, however. It included fresh fruits from the garden, coffee, juice, and a bread basket.

Getting just-picked fresh fruit each morning was a treasure.

After we passed on the croissants the first morning, our waiter clearly said something to the chef. On the second morning, the chef told us he could whip up vegan pancakes, and we were in heaven.

At lunchtime, the menu focused on light bites, offering salads, bruschetta, ceviche, and soups, but there was also pizza and pasta.

We sampled a few small plates each day just to have variety, and everything was both delicious and fresh. The bruschetta was a definite favorite.

The dinner menu leaned heavily on Sicilian fare, and the staff created a vegan menu for us that provided an unparalleled level of service.

My wife loved this vegetable curry with rice on the first night, which was a surprising find at an Italian restaurant.

The penne puttanesca had just the right amount of spice and was fantastic. If I hadn’t committed to trying different items at every meal, I easily would’ve eaten this again.

Garden Spot

The true gem among Blancaneaux Lodge’s dining offerings was the Garden Spot, open only for dinner. As it was set in the middle of the gardens, you wouldn’t think this vegetarian restaurant with a 3-course communal dining setup would do well, but it was the most popular food outlet on the property. Reservations were required, and we were told to arrive at 5 p.m.

As we arrived, a friendly employee offered a range of mixed drinks. We requested nonalcoholic mojitos, and he actually went to pick the mint fresh from the vine. Simply incredible.

Drinks in hand, we departed for a tour of the gardens with the other guests dining at Garden Spot that night.

Turns out, dining at Garden Spot was more than just a meal but also an experience. We learned about the care taken to protect the gardens, how the idea originated, and saw the various produce grown on site.

We also learned about efforts to prevent catastrophes, such as crop diversification and spreading out the crops to grow them in different areas to ensure all of a particular plant isn’t lost at once.

Back at the reception area, we replenished our drinks while the staff lit a fire. They told us that the right half of the restaurant didn’t exist a year prior; due to the overwhelming demand for dining reservations here, capacity was tripled.

While waiting for the dinner part of the evening to begin, we were offered Coppola wines.

While we were snapping pictures of the Garden Spot and the gardens, the appetizers arrived. By the time we returned to check them out, they had mostly disappeared. They included hummus-stuffed cucumber bites, mini tacos, and chips and salsa.

Staff offered another round of drinks at this point, and the chef came out to explain the menu for the evening. He also reminded us that dinner would be served family style, so we could sit down, make friends, and be kind enough to pass dishes to others when they asked. The open-air dining area was accessed via 3 steps.

The main course included jasmine rice and a coconut curry with vegetables. It was so-so — the appetizers had actually been better.

Dessert was bananas Foster. Without a doubt, this was a 10/10.

Hot Tip:

This experience wasn’t cheap, to be clear. Dinner at the Garden Spot was $75 per adult, plus tax and tip. That covers a unique meal experience, 3 courses, and multiple welcome drinks, as well as the tour through the gardens.

Jaguar Bar

In the same building as reception, the Italian restaurant, and the store, the Jaguar Bar was the hotel’s main bar. It stayed open “until the last guest leaves,” according to staff.

Along with barstools and a bench along the wall, there also were chairs and tables in a patio setting. Unlike Montagna Ristorante, there were screens here.

To justify its name, there were pictures of jaguars taken with camera traps not far from the hotels.

The bar offered numerous types of whisky, liquor, beer, wine, and more, including mixed drinks.

We also enjoyed the stone table in the center of the room, including traditional etchings that provided a unique flair.

Jaguar Bar offered more than just drinks. Its limited menu had a handful of snacks like cheese trays, veggies, and ceviche.

Service

The service at Blancaneaux Lodge was incredible. There was only 1 minor incident, but we had numerous positives. I’ll share highlights.

First, the staff did a great job communicating with us prearrival to ensure we knew how to reach the hotel, ask about our estimated arrival time, and find out the name of the second person who would be staying in the room. We loved that my wife was included by name in these communications.

Housekeeping staff also provided a nightly turndown service and always left candles and a small snack in the room. These were a sugar-and-peanut concoction that we always fought over because of how good they were.

Given our flight time when leaving Belize, we had to depart at 6 a.m. on the final morning. Without us asking them to, staff offered to prepare takeaway breakfast for our final day and were at the reception desk an hour early to ensure someone was present to answer our questions and give us our food rather than sending us off empty-handed.

However, the real highlight was what the employees did for my wife’s birthday, which was the day we arrived. Aside from the decorations on the bed in our room, employees sectioned off a small part of Montagna Ristorante and hung decorations to create a fun atmosphere at dinner.

The chef also made a vegan cake, and employees brought it out while singing “Happy Birthday” and wearing party hats. This was far more than I’d expected when I emailed to ask if they could simply make a cake. They made a cake … and then went far beyond to offer memories we’ll never forget.

And since we couldn’t eat all of the cake in a single sitting, our waiter kept it in the fridge, and we could request a piece whenever we wanted throughout our stay. That was an impressively nice gesture.

The 1 negative aspect of service had to do with confusion about our bill. Since we were leaving early on the final morning, I went to the reception desk to settle our bill after dinner on the final night. The employee at the desk said that they weren’t sure what our room rate was, given that the information wasn’t clearly communicated from Hyatt to the hotel. Thus, they could charge me for the food and drinks we’d purchased, but they didn’t know what our rate was — and weren’t aware we’d booked with points.

I returned to the room to wait for a call on the shell phone, then I went back to reception to pay once they’d contacted the reservations office to get clarity. That was a bit odd, but the employees were friendly and apologetic during the process.

Final Thoughts

There are so many good things we remember about our 3 nights at Blancaneaux Lodge. This hotel is truly more than the sum of its parts. Growing its own produce made all of our meals taste incredibly fresh. The setting was heavenly. Staff members were fantastic throughout our stay. The cherry on top was their red carpet service for my wife’s birthday, of course.

Would I stay here again? Definitely. I’d go back tomorrow.