The Placencia Resort — Hotel in Stann Creek District

I want to preface my review with this is the first time I have ever posted on Trip Advisor or any other review website. I generally keep my opinions to myself, however I feel compelled to say something now. Our stay was generally good, but after our Placencia Resort stay, we stayed at their former sister resort and some stark differences in how we were treated made the Placencia stay just ok and we wouldn't go back. I booked the beach and jungle package and excursions by emailing the Placencia Resort; the booking person was very helpful and worked with the jungle resort for booking and payment. I was notified in March ownership had changed but the email said they were commited to a smooth transition. When we sent credit card authorizations for the final payment for both resorts through the same methods as used previously, only the Placencia payment went through. When we called, the woman that answered was very unhelpful, if not hostile. We were left to contact the other resort to finish paying for what had prevoiusly been advertised as a package vacation. All of the transfers between the airport and resorts went smoothly with knowledgeable and friendly drivers. Check in went fairly smooth, but they did not have a schedule for when our pre-booked private island snorkel excursion would be. The concierge wasn't there so we didn't know until late that night we wouldn't have to be ready by 8 AM the next morning. The grounds of the resort are beautiful, the pool was fun and the beach was nice for sunning, but not playing in the water. Because of the break water, the ocean water was shallow and full of sea weed and slimy mud, not sand. If you want to be able to play in the ocean, take a shuttle into town. Our room was nice and clean, but because of the flexible layout for making 1, 2, and 3 bedrooom suites, neighbors are potentially just a locked door away and sound definitely travels. The shower in our bath needed repair for broken tiles, like there has to be some mold growing up in there. Since we were there during the shoulder season, the restaurant on the dock was closed for remodeling (which we knew when we booked), and the cabana by the pool was closed (surprise!) after we were there for a couple days for re-thatching the roof, making the main restaurant the only food option. The food was good, however portions were small, so much so that we had to order extra sides so our tween and teen wouldn't go hungry. We had arranged for an all-inclusive meal plan (only exclusion identified was some of the alcohol, no big deal, we aren't big drinkers anyway), but were told by the server that certain items on the menu weren't included (not just certain alcohol, but the steak and some other food items), making the limited dinner options even fewer; come to find out when I settled room charges at checkout all the food was included (we had ordered items that had been identified as not included). We were only there for a few days, but had exhausted the dinner options and were given the side eye when one of my kids asked to get an item off the lunch menu for dinner. As for the staff, the front desk people were nice, the valet has nice taking our bags to the room (we had to haul them back to the parking lot when we were picked up), the shuttle driver was great and had good recommendations for in town, and the maids were great at keeping the rooms tidy. The servers in the restaurant were very cold and standoffish and were mis-informed on the meal plan options and made dining rather awkward. And finally, what has prompted me to post a review: our snorkel excursion was cancelled due to weather and couldn't be recheduled because we were leaving- super disappointing but ok, we didn't book enough days. I was told and shown a paper at checkout that showed we were being refunded the fees for the excursion. I started reviewing credit card statements in July- we hadn't been refunded. My husband has been calling the front desk via the 1-800 number on the website asking for the manager to address this (multiple times, days in a row even, following a knee surgery with nothing else to do but sit on hold) and has emailed the address on the website multiple times for assistance. The manager is always in a meeting so my husband leaves a message and gets no call back and his emails go unanswered. We have basically been screwed out of $500. So I don't recommend staying at the...

I want to preface my review with this is the first time I have ever posted on Trip Advisor or any other review website. I generally keep my opinions to myself, however I feel compelled to say something now. Our stay was generally good, but after our Placencia Resort stay, we stayed at their former sister resort and some stark differences in how we were treated made the Placencia stay just ok and we wouldn't go back. I booked the beach and jungle package and excursions by emailing the Placencia Resort; the booking person was very helpful and worked with the jungle resort for booking and payment. I was notified in March ownership had changed but the email said they were commited to a smooth transition. When we sent credit card authorizations for the final payment for both resorts through the same methods as used previously, only the Placencia payment went through. When we called, the woman that answered was very unhelpful, if not hostile. We were left to contact the other resort to finish paying for what had prevoiusly been advertised as a package vacation. All of the transfers between the airport and resorts went smoothly with knowledgeable and friendly drivers. Check in went fairly smooth, but they did not have a schedule for when our pre-booked private island snorkel excursion would be. The concierge wasn't there so we didn't know until late that night we wouldn't have to be ready by 8 AM the next morning. The grounds of the resort are beautiful, the pool was fun and the beach was nice for sunning, but not playing in the water. Because of the break water, the ocean water was shallow and full of sea weed and slimy mud, not sand. If you want to be able to play in the ocean, take a shuttle into town. Our room was nice and clean, but because of the flexible layout for making 1, 2, and 3 bedrooom suites, neighbors are potentially just a locked door away and sound definitely travels. The shower in our bath needed repair for broken tiles, like there has to be some mold growing up in there. Since we were there during the shoulder season, the restaurant on the dock was closed for remodeling (which we knew when we booked), and the cabana by the pool was closed (surprise!) after we were there for a couple days for re-thatching the roof, making the main restaurant the only food option. The food was good, however portions were small, so much so that we had to order extra sides so our tween and teen wouldn't go hungry. We had arranged for an all-inclusive meal plan (only exclusion identified was some of the alcohol, no big deal, we aren't big drinkers anyway), but were told by the server that certain items on the menu weren't included (not just certain alcohol, but the steak and some other food items), making the limited dinner options even fewer; come to find out when I settled room charges at checkout all the food was included (we had ordered items that had been identified as not included). We were only there for a few days, but had exhausted the dinner options and were given the side eye when one of my kids asked to get an item off the lunch menu for dinner. As for the staff, the front desk people were nice, the valet has nice taking our bags to the room (we had to haul them back to the parking lot when we were picked up), the shuttle driver was great and had good recommendations for in town, and the maids were great at keeping the rooms tidy. The servers in the restaurant were very cold and standoffish and were mis-informed on the meal plan options and made dining rather awkward. And finally, what has prompted me to post a review: our snorkel excursion was cancelled due to weather and couldn't be recheduled because we were leaving- super disappointing but ok, we didn't book enough days. I was told and shown a paper at checkout that showed we were being refunded the fees for the excursion. I started reviewing credit card statements in July- we hadn't been refunded. My husband has been calling the front desk via the 1-800 number on the website asking for the manager to address this (multiple times, days in a row even, following a knee surgery with nothing else to do but sit on hold) and has emailed the address on the website multiple times for assistance. The manager is always in a meeting so my husband leaves a message and gets no call back and his emails go unanswered. We have basically been screwed out of $500. So I don't recommend staying at the...

We had the best time ever here. The Placencia is a wonderful, relaxing, comfortable place. The pool is the best, the food is fantastic, the beach and grounds are nice for walking and checking out the local iguanas, turtles and other wildlife. Where it really shines though is in the people that help you enjoy your stay, these folks are unmatched in their ability to make you feel like you are carefree, and truly in paradise.

The pool is outstanding, allowing you to swim at length, have a meal and beverage at the swim-up Azure Pool Bar, or lay down in the shallow area with you head up and snooze. Ask Junior for for an Irish cream frozen 'colada', and get some holy guacamole as a snack.

We ate many meals at the resort, most frequently Dennis was taking care of us at the Capriccio Restaurant. We had items directly from the menu, and chose to have the specials at night very frequently. When we mentioned a dish we liked that we had in town, they made their own excellent version of it for us. We had a special dinner on the beach for our 30th anniversary, and asked the kitchen to make "something classically Belizean". They fixed us a dish with fish, local fruits and vegetables that was just fantastic. Sandy took very good care of us that evening.

We went on several adventures to see jaguars, float down fivers and caves, and ride horses. These trips were stress free because the staff did an outstanding job of making sure we knew when and where to be, and what to take with us. Our guide for many of these outings, Pablo, is not only knowledgeable, but attentive, entertaining and obviously very excited by the job he is doing. The day we visited the ancient Maya archaeological site Xunantunich, Pablo was excited to find the lead Archeologist Dr. Jaime Awe was there. He Introduced us, and we were able to chat with Dr Awe about a new, unique excavation he was working on. Pablo's excitement was obvious, and infectious.

On several evenings, we went out to the Pier Lounge at the end of the day. We would watch the sun set and get a drink or eat dinner. Miguel, Michelle and Ellison took care of us most nights at the pier. They helped us unwind from busy days, and would chat with us like they had known us for years.

Even before we left for the trip, the staff made sure that our travel from Belize city to the resort were arranged, and we were prepared for all the COVID requirements that were in place for arrival, as well as for our departure.

I am surely missing many positive things to say about our stay, but there are too many to mention. Belize in general, and The Placencia specifically is a vacation that we will never forget. Thanks to all the incredible people we met. Until we meet...