Turtle Inn - A Francis Ford Coppola Hideaway — Hotel in Placencia

I have stayed at Turtle Inn four times now: 2012, 14, 22, and 2025. This time, we traveled with our two children, ages 6 and 8. It was a fantastic stay once again. Martin and the staff do a great job of perfecting "barefoot luxury." The resort offers an elegant setting without being overly stuffy or pretentious. All meals at Turtle Inn were fantastic. Kids camp was a great break for the kids, and it let them experience a few things they otherwise may not have at Turtle Inn.||It is difficult to describe the facility. Each villa or cottage is its own dwelling, creating the feeling of being on a secluded tropical beach that you just don't get with traditional multi-story buildings at other resorts. It feels as if someone built an open-air home and turned it into a place to relax for guests. However Turtle Inn came to be, they executed the quintessential secluded beach vacation perfectly.||Once again, my recommendation is that you stay ocean-front, as air-conditioned spaces are limited to a few of the garden-view villas. The pool is great, and so is the oceanfront bar. The staff has never disappointed, and the outdoor shower is one of the unique attributes that continues to bring us back.||Another unique aspect of Copolla Resorts is that they don't use plastic. Garbage bags are replaced with paper, water is in glass containers, to-go boxes are paper, straws are bamboo or metal, plastic container are woven baskets and so on. It's a nice touch that helps the planet and adds to the elegance the resort strives to achieve. ||Bugs are an issue depending on the time of year you visit. The closer you are to the rainy season, the worse they can be. Pricing at the restaurants and bars is comparable or cheaper to any run-of-the-mill restaurant in the States. It's not dirt cheap, but it's not expensive either. Be careful traveling into late May, The rainy season is fast approaching. That said, the rain is a great reprieve from the midday heat.||Placencia village. Much of the charm comes from the lack of modern amenities. Restaurants are all open-air and simple. Food is excellent, drinks are cold. It's a really neat...

Turtle inn review, a cautionary note February 2025 Because the compound and villas are especially nice, we elected to assemble this as a destination for our children and Grandchildren to gather for a winter break. This would be our second trip to the Turtle inn and we reserved three cabins. Everything started off well but by the evening of our second day, everyone of us had spent the night in the bathroom throwing up and worse. We assumed it was food poisoning but the clinic that saw the infant we had with us,informed us of an outbreak of Norovirus among the employee’s dormatory. For the next three days 8 of us were ill, unable to eat and not be far from a bathroom, needless to say it wasn’t the trip we planned. Since then the Management of the Turtle inn has confirmed in an email to me that it was Norovirus. What’s upsetting about this is that they knew that the Virus outbreak was happening and they took no action to protect the guests who invested in lodging, no warnings, no distancing, no masks -blatantly putting us and all Guests at risk. They could have at least gave us a little warning. The manager has in effect told me that they have no responcability because traveling comes with risks, thats the price we pay.. As someone who travels for sometimes 12 weeks a year I find that pretty insulting and contemptuous. Their lack of responsibility and taking precautions is reckless and shows that they are only interested in one thing. It appears that the Family Coppola resorts believes it has no need to take any responsibility for the health and well being of its guests but only putting on a show and charging as much as they can get away with. Since our intial trip what was the lovely sand beach has been replaced with a rock breakwall and clay base which leaches clay and mud into the water makeing it cloudy and very uninviting with only an inch or two of sand on top. As a returning customer I conclude that what was once a very well cared for and guest centric resort has transformed and become a corporate money maker. Its always unfortunate to see things like...

Our 10th wedding anniversary at Turtle Inn in Placencia, Belize, was nothing short of magical. We had saved for this special occasion, and the experience exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by Turtle Inn’s commitment to going above and beyond.

The establishment itself is the most gorgeous place I have ever stayed at, embodying what we call rustic luxury. Every detail is meticulously maintained, and the level of excellence is unparalleled. The staff treats everyone with the same kindness and genuine care, making us feel like royalty, or more specifically, like Coppola himself.

Alex was amazing, guiding us through various excursions and ensuring we had the best possible experience. His honesty about weather conditions for snorkeling saved us from disappointment, showing his true dedication to our enjoyment.

Mark is undeniably one of Turtle Inn’s most valuable assets. His passion for the archaeological sites was contagious, and his care when I wasn’t feeling well was deeply appreciated. He immersed us fully in the culture and history of Belize, making our trip even more enriching.

Silvano is a true treasure. His special drinks not only helped my stomach but also showcased his knack for anticipating guests' needs and going above and beyond. His kindness is something I will never forget.

Ronny, with the biggest heart, catered to our every desire with a smile and genuine interest in us as people, not just guests. We felt like a part of the family here, and leaving was harder than I imagined. If you need a laugh to go with your excellent service, Oscar is your guy! And Darvin, with his top-notch skills, is destined to run the place one day.

We can’t forget Chip and Salsa – they deserve a big hug from us. Turtle Inn has not only given us unforgettable memories but has also changed us for the better. It will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we can’t wait to return. Thank you, Turtle Inn, for an anniversary celebration we will...