An Unforgettable Stay at Naia Resort and Spa
I recently planned a mini-girls getaway with my best friend to Naia Resort and Spa, perfectly timed with the 2024 Lobster Festival. Despite the looming threat of Hurricane Beryl, we decided to proceed with our plans, thanks to the exceptional communication and updates from the resort’s General Manager. Her proactive approach ensured we were well-informed about the weather and official updates from the Belizean government, allowing us to confidently keep our reservation. This decision led to one of the most incredible vacations we’ve ever experienced.
Upon landing in Belize City, Naia had seamlessly arranged our connecting flight to Placencia. We were warmly welcomed at Placencia Airport by a driver who provided us with cold water bottles and refreshing, ice-cold towels infused with essential oils—a much-appreciated touch after our journey.
Arriving at the breathtaking Naia Resort and Spa, we were greeted by the friendly front desk team and treated to a delicious welcome cocktail. The check-in process was smooth and efficient, followed by a brief orientation of the property before being escorted to our 2-Bedroom TreeTop Unit.
Our accommodation was stunning. The first level featured a private entrance leading to a beautifully appointed bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Ascending to the second floor, we found a spacious living area complete with a living room, kitchen, dining space, and a veranda. This floor also housed a full bathroom with a shower. The top floor boasted a large bedroom with a super-comfy king mattress, ample space, and a second veranda offering splendid views.
The unit was equipped with everything we needed for a comfortable stay. The resort offers two delightful dining options: a relaxed beachside restaurant and a more formal, air-conditioned venue. Every meal we enjoyed was nothing short of spectacular, from breakfast to dinner. The variety and quality of cocktails were also impressive, adding to our delightful dining experiences.
A highlight of our stay was the 90-minute massages at the spa. The serene ambiance and exceptional service made us feel rejuvenated and pampered from the moment we arrived. The spa, much like the rest of the resort, is meticulously maintained, showcasing the resort's dedication to detail.
The resort’s grounds are immaculate, with comfortable lounge chairs covered in terrycloth and beach towels, adding to the overall sense of luxury. The staff’s efforts to keep mosquitoes at bay through regular fogging were highly effective, allowing us to enjoy the outdoors comfortably.
Speaking of the staff, their warmth and attentiveness were remarkable. When my friend was stung by a stingray, the immediate care and concern shown by the team were incredibly comforting. Special mentions go to Anne (the General Manager), Manuel (our hero), Brian, Juan, Joseph, Alejandro, Sandee (who kindly made me a fabulous hair oil when I left mine at home), Salvadore, Sophie and Arlene for their exceptional service and kindness.
I know I missed a few names, too, because the entire team was...
Read moreMy husband and I booked this resort after reading about it in Travel + Leisure magazine. We booked the one bedroom with the plunge pool. By far, this is the best resort we have ever stayed in. The rooms are beautiful, clean, and spacious. The outdoor shower is phenomenal and the private plunge pool was perfect. This resort was so incredibly quiet, which is exactly what we were looking for. We relaxed in the plunge pool and could hear only the sound of the ocean and the birds. The free shuttle will take you into town with arranged drop off and pick up times. Honestly, we only went a couple times because everything on the resort was what we were looking for in our vacation. The food was incredible and the drinks were so good here.
The resort is beautiful with its ocean front location, fantastic pool, delicious food, and relaxing rooms, but where this resort really shines is in its people. The staff is AMAZING here!! From the moment we were picked up at the airport by Gustavo (who showed us various points of interest along the way and provided insight into the culture) to the moment we arrived and were warmly greeted by Carlos and Manny, to the cheerful greetings from Rahim at dinner every night, the staff made us feel so welcome and comfortable here. We were greeted by name everywhere we went and learned the names of most of the staff. Everyone was so kind and willing to go out of their way to make our stay perfect. The front desk staff was always attentive and Carlos was incredibly helpful to us during our stay here. He arranged all of our excursions, spa treatments, and was able to fulfill every request we had. Everyone was exceptional, from the restaurant staff, to the front desk and concierge, to the shuttle drivers, to the housekeeping staff, to the people that got up early every morning to clean the beaches and everyone behind the scenes that worked so hard to keep this property in pristine condition.
We did arrange a couple of excursions through the hotel. We recommend the Monkey River and the Xunantunich tours. Our guides were great, we saw some incredible wildlife, and learned a lot about the area and its history. We also booked a couples massage, and it was unbelievable!! We have never felt so relaxed and I would highly recommend the Deep Treasure massage.
Overall, I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a quiet stay that is looking to relax and enjoy being pampered by the remarkable staff here. We will never forget this amazing place and the kindness...
Read moreKenny and the concierge team were a dream to work with as I planned my husband’s 50th birthday get away. Their communication was remarkably timely and seamless. I had several email inquiries regarding local eating options, driving to the location, activities, and hopes for making this birthday special. Each response was kind, clear, and comprehensive. We literally did at least 80% of what was recommended and with a couple more days we may have done everything! Further, from the birthday flowers to the special kayak request (thanks, Angel) all of the little details made the visit perfect!|Once we got to Naia, the comprehensive, calm and kind welcome from Juan let us know that it was time to chill. He reminded us (through actions not words) that the pace that we were used to in the states could be put on pause - Naia was a place for ease…and we eventually got into it:) |Nigel provided great restaurant service and insights about the local community - so much so that when we encountered the celebration day @ Sienbight we had a sense of where we were. We really appreciate his willingness to share food recommendations, but especially his insights about the culture. In general, we always enjoyed the fun and thoughtful interactions with the 1981 staff. Karen, I hope you find “Before I let you go” (book).|The SPA! Vee’s tolerance for my back and forth as I worked to get the spa birthday experience right is so appreciated! Service provided by the Dynamics Duo (Sheena and Yadiera) surpassed our expectations. We loved all of it! The bonus was that by having same providers across 4 different spa experiences we feel like we got to know them and hopefully vice versa! I loved the way Yadiera worked those hot stones! These ladies were KNOWLEDGE and SKILLED professionals - clearly an asset to the NAIA team! I loved the services and the laughs we shared.|Minor opportunities for improvement:Baskets on bikes Remind us of local excursion opportunities, on site, when we first arrive. For example, I totally forgot that we could kayak to local snorkeling at False Island- thanks for the reminder @ Angel! |**I tend to think that there are always opportunities for improvements, but, this is literally all I...
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