San Ignacio Resort Hotel — Hotel in San Ignacio & Santa Elena

There are lots of options of really nice places to stay in San Ignacio, however most of them are kind of on the outskirts or further away from the center of town. We chose the San Ignacio Resort Hotel based on a friend's recommendation and its proximity to town.

It's a beautiful hotel with a warm and welcoming staff. We were greeted and offered a welcome drink as our room was prepared. The mediterranean open style was pleasant especially considering the heat outside!

Our room was spectacular, the regal room. Though it didn't have much to offer in the way of a view, mostly jungle, it was lined with windows and very spacious. There was not bathtub, but that was fine. Each night turn-down service left some kind of flower on our beds and a nice tasty treat. The hotel is just gorgeous as well as the pool that includes a cascading waterfall.

Of course don't miss the tour at the Green Iguana Preserve that is on sight. It's a memorable experience that many people visiting the city will come to the hotel to do. We also took advantage of the early morning bird watching tour and had such a good time! We are youngish- 30-somethings who enjoy all things adventurous and physical, but would recommend this tour to anyone! We saw so many kinds of birds it's difficult to remember them all. We even saw four toucans! -- two of which from the restaurant area where we enjoyed coffee and cookies before being supplied with binoculars and off to the tour.

We wanted to take advantage of the medicine plant - walk through the grounds but were disappointed that each time we tired to book it, the person had either gone home early or it wasn't happening. That was a bummer.

The restaurant on site is quite good. We ate there a few times, and their staff there is oustanding as well.

One of the best parts about this place, as I said before, is the location. It is well within walking distance (though up a hill) from most of "downtown" including some wonderful restaurants, the local weekend farmer's market, the historic bridge, and the chocolate-making experience and AJA. In the other direction you can walk to Cahal Pech, some of the oldest known Mayan ruins.

All around, this is an outstanding stay and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. I would absolutely return here and am recommending it to all of my friends and family considering a trip to...

A Tranquil Oasis with Heartfelt Hospitality and Delicious Cuisine at San Ignacio Resort Hotel

My recent stay at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I arrived, I was enveloped in a sense of peace and tranquility. The resort lives up to its reputation as a haven, where the gentle chirping of birds provides a soothing soundtrack to the day, and each sunrise and sunset paints the sky in breathtaking hues.

What truly sets this resort apart is its incredible staff. The kindness and genuine care shown by everyone I encountered truly made me feel like a valued guest. I especially want to thank Carmensita, Ramiro, Aneisa, Carlos, and O’Neil for their warm smiles and helpfulness throughout my stay. They went above and beyond by arranging a car seat for my 5-year-old, which was a huge relief and meant I didn't have to check and travel with one myself. Communication was seamless, whether I was speaking with the team in person or corresponding via email prior to my arrival. I also extend my sincere gratitude to anyone else who assisted during my visit and contributed to such a positive experience.

Beyond the exceptional service and serene atmosphere, the food at San Ignacio Resort Hotel was truly delicious, with a wonderful variety of choices to satisfy every palate. And let me tell you, the Cayo lime pie is simply chef's kiss – an absolute must-try!

The convenience of arranging round trip transportation directly from Philip Goldson International Airport and also for trips into town was a significant plus, making my travel stress-free.

Leaving San Ignacio Resort Hotel felt like saying goodbye to old friends. I am already looking forward to my next visit to this peaceful paradise and seeing Carmensita, Ramiro, Aneisa, Carlos, and O’Neil again, along with everyone else who made my stay so memorable. If you're seeking a serene escape with outstanding service, attention to detail (like providing a car seat for a young child!), and delectable food, look no further than the San Ignacio...

Even though the hotel looks very nice, our experience with it was rather unpleasant. I booked two of their tours for more than US$100 for two, and they turned out to be nothing like what was promised.

The Iguana "tour" can hardly be called a tour. You simply go see four iguanas in a cage. The guide was knowledgeable and gave a good explanation, and it was fun to hold the animals, but the whole thing was over before it even started.

The real bummer, however, was the night walk. We were promised a 2-hour walk through gardens "packed with animals," with a 100% chance of seeing opossums, owls, and tarantulas, and a 50% chance of snakes, plus “many more.” In reality, we saw one big spider, a scorpion, and some other insects. The guide himself was friendly and clearly knew his stuff, but obviously he can’t conjure animals out of thin air.

The issue is how the hotel sells this:

They advertise it as a “must-see,” when in fact there was almost nothing to see. They quoted the price as $28 per person but failed to mention it was in USD instead of Belize dollars. They promised 2 hours, but it lasted only 1h20. No water or refreshments offered, even though it was 34°C.

None of that alone would have pushed me to write a negative review. What really ruined the evening was what happened afterwards. Disappointed and overheated, we asked at reception — very politely — if we could at least take a quick dip in the pool to cool off. We had our swimming suit in the car and in the hotel was hardly anybody being low season. The receptionist flatly refused, citing “hotel policy", guests only. Not even for 15 minutes! That lack of hospitality was a real bummer and left a...