La Isla Resort — Hotel in South Caye Caulker

The service was simply terrific. From the first young lady who checked is in to each and every staff member who greet with a cheerful "good morning" to Ken, the ever-cheerful (and even more helpful) manager, there was nothing wanting in terms of service. Absolutely on point in every way. As I write this, the staff are dutifully cleaning every surface included the wood chairs outside. Not a single one of them look unhappy in their tasks.

There is no fault for service.

The hotel itself has some rough edges, and I don't want my five star review to give the impression this is a perfect place. It has to be taken with consideration for value and the location. Caye Caulker probably has some true 4 or 5 star resorts... I wouldn't know, as that's not why I'm here. I imagine this to be a 2.5 or 3 star (please look that up if you care). I stayed in room 20, which I gather is one of their larger rooms. It is very spacious and looks very nice The beds are VERY firm and I did not get a good sleep the first night, but I quickly adjusted and had no problems after that (in fact, by night 3 I fear having a softer bed in my next place!). The A/C is effective, but a bit noisy. The generous-sized shower pressure is adequate, but on the low side. The toilet and sink are perfectly functional. I had no interest in TV, but it is oddly placed with no obvious place to watch it from (both queen sized beds face away from it). There is a small fridge but no other kitchen type items. I understand there are units with kitchenettes though.

As I sit here in one of the shaded hammocks, a staff member came to clean a room beside me and it appears there are very small rooms as well. I overheard a guest say they paid only US$10 less per night than I was, so I would definately say the larger room is worth it!

The grounds and amenities are very nice for a hotel of this price. The pool is a bit small, perhaps, but they clean it multiple times a day and it is very refreshing. They have a lovely fire pit going every night. There is a rooftop restaurant that has been closed, but the view is amazing. I understand it opens up again tonight, but we have other plans and this is my last night so I can't comment on the food. I suspect it is good though.

The wifi is very good. I did have some problems after a storm knocked out one of the routers, but Ken was on it quickly and restored service to my room. Faster and more reliable connections are available at the hammocks though... not a bad thing :)

They offer tours as well, and the prices were the same as the ones I had pre-booked elsewhere, so enjoy the convenience of going through them without a premium! There are already a few kayaks and paddle boards for guest use, which I didn't make time for.

If you find yourself coming to Caye Caulker, I do highly recommend this place, at least with current management. I would recommend asking for a room in the building with the restaurant, as the others are quite a bit smaller from what I've observed.

Go...

This place is terrible.. The staff are rude, confrontational and abusive. The Spanish receptionist was racist towards black people. I had made arrangements for my wife and the kids to go there for easter, as I am still in Ukraine. I had contacted them by email given them wifes name and the kids names also made arrangements for them to bill my card. The room was in my name but they knew who would be staying. This was last month. My wife arrived and told the Spanish woman, you have a reservation from my husband for me and my two kids and told her the names. She then said "I need ID,s for you and the kids". My said I didn't bring my ID or the kids. So then she said they can't stay. My wife called me 3am in the morning my time and I spoke to the receptionist on Whats app video. She said who am I? I told her I who I was and I booked the room for my wife an kids, That you already have their names and the booking is already pre paid. I said look up the email. She said I don't need to do that. She said my wife, needs to have a ID. I said, there is no law that says a Belizean needs to carry a ID in Belize. I please let me speak to the manager." She's not here", I said well please let her call me on Whats app. but you have to let my wife and kids into the room I have paid for and pre arranged. "well the room isn't ready until 2.00pm" this was 10 am. So she checked them in with serious attitude problems She made them wait until 2.00pm on the dot but the room was ready from 1.30am Candy was sat waiting and saw the housekeeping come out and asked the lady, if it was done and was told yes. Went to reception, but the receptionist said no its not ready. That evening around 5pm, the Manager came to the room and in the doorway started berating my wife like a child. My receptionist said you don't have ID, you have to have a ID. shouting for all to hear. You will need to get a ID or leave. It was obvious she had not even bother to check the booking. My wife got her number and i called her. I told her my name and she oh I know you I used to work for Jim Scott at the Radisson. So I told who do you think you are to talk to my wife like that in public. Check your emails I told her what I had told the receptionist. I told her she needed to go and apologize to my wife or she is leaving and then I will complain to BTB and the hotel association. She said no she hadn't been told the truth by the receptionist and she was always treating guests badly. I said if you can't manage your staff thats your problem. She went and apologized and my wife stayed, but the condition of the room was terrible, mould, roaches running around. Here are the videos...

First of all, the photos of the property you see really are true. The property is as clean and modern as the photos show--this is a reflection of the hotel's dedicated management and staff, particularly Ken (the manager) and Leroy, who were both attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, accommodating and professional.

It all depends on the type of traveler you are or how you travel. I stayed there for 10 days and worked remotely while my daughter visited family. I was so, so pleased with my stay. Everything down to the swimming pool was exactly what we needed! The rooftop bar and restaurant had a great view and it was my favorite place on the caye for proper cocktails and good cheffing! If you want a nice michelada find “Dijon” at the bar--if you want a nice margarita that’s not overly sweet like everywhere else, Marshal (with one “l” haha) is your bar tender! The chef is awesome. I ordered the shrimp skewers with grilled veggies – it was grilled to perfection. Trust me, eat there and you’ll taste the difference. The plates are around $35-40 BZ, which is pretty pricey, but you’re going to spend that much at another restaurant anyway, might as well have a really good meal.

I stayed in 2 different rooms. Both were great and spacious. The beds were super comfy and they use really nice, high-thread sheets! The only feedback I’d have for the hotel is to make hanging your damp clothes possible in the rooms. Perhaps add a clothing rack and hangers or ladder. This is what adds value to the travel experience. (Like, “wow, they even thought of this!”)

They offer a lot of amenities including kayaks and a beach front for laying and chilling out. The pool looks small in the photos, and it is, but it is actually big enough for what it’s needed, especially when you have the reef as the focal point of the visit.

Tips for travelers: -Tip the staff, they deserve it, especially the groundskeepers. They make the biggest difference. -The wifi signal on the side of the 2-story building was stronger then what I got on the side of the taller tower. (I stayed in 17 and got spotty internet. Good enough for emailing, but not consistent enough for zoom calls, etc.) -Don’t be that obnoxious, loud traveler, even when you’re “just having fun.” The sound is easy to hear from the rooms and there’s nothing more annoying and rude to hear tourists act like they...