Las Terrazas Resort & Residences — Restaurant in San Pedro Town

I depend heavily upon Trip Advisor reviews so I thought I would share my recent experience at Las Terrazas resort in San Pedro, Belize. I probably went into too much detail but I really wanted to present a reasonable picture of what to expect, Some general comments to start:|First trip to Belize. Just my wife and myself. Found a direct flight with American Airlines. Getting through immigration and customs was surprisingly simple. Don't know if we were just lucky. We arrived on a Monday afternoon. Quickly processed thru immigration (Make sure you complete the arrival and departure forms online found at the Belize immigration site). Customs was just as easy. They did NOT check our luggage or carry on.|We were going to Ambergris Caye so we either had to take the ferry or a short air trip.|We opted for the ferry to save some $$$. We used San Pedro Belize Express (there are only two choices.) We purchased our tickets there as opposed to making a reservation (65$ USD) for two. As advised by other reviews we got in line about 30 min prior to departure. Chose seats on the port side in the middle on the aisle next to the door. They turned out to be good choice. Ride was not very bumpy.|Left on time. First stop was Caye Caulker which took about an hour. Unfortunately they had to unload a bunch of freight in addition to getting the passengers off which added about 20 min to the trip. Once we arrived in San Pedro took about another 20 min to get our luggage. Definitely a long ride. If $$$ is not an issue take the flight.|Taxi to Las Terrazas which was only about 20 min away was $30 USD.|Belize is definitely NOT cheap.|We rented a golf cart for the 5 days that we were there which I would strongly recommend unless you plan on never leaving the resort. We used Isla Bonita Golf Cart. They delivered the cart and picked it up the night before we left. Cart worked fine. Cost around $216USD.|We opted to fly back from Ambergris Caye and used TropicAir (Cessna 208) for the short trip (around 20 min). More expensive than the ferry but sooooo much easier.|We checked in at the Belize airport 3 hours prior to departure. Not much to do there. Benches were not the most comfortable but things went smoothly and we departed on time.|We used credit card as much as we could (most places accepted VISA). Tried to remember to tip all the time (these folks do NOT earn a lot) at least 20%.|Bring a bunch of cash (nothing larger than$20) as some places still do NOT use credit cards.|Weather was perfect!!! Sun is strong but there was usually an offsetting breeze.|We did go to Secret Beach and several smaller restaurants (La Sol, Tipsy Lobster, Truck Stop, Aji, Rum Dog) close to our hotel (separate reviews for all of these).|OK-So now Las Terrazas.|Arrived around 7 PM. Check-in was easy and the folks at the front desk were very helpful and very friendly. We had a discounted single room ("early bird special") which was definitely "entry level."|View was not great facing the parking lot and resort entrance and main road (traffic noise is there but not awful) but we did not come for the view from the room-Just a place for us to shower and sleep.|There was a very comfortable King bed with large pillows. There was a small bench which was kind of old and had some stains on the cushion. Then there was this really weird appearing uncomfortable chair that just did not fit the rest of the decor. Seemed like someone realized they needed a chair and threw this one in! Not a big deal though. No desk or place to use a computer.|There was a great walk-in closet with lots of cubbies and places to hang clothes. There was a very small safe.|Next was the bathroom with a single sink. Just fine,. There was a walk-in shower with a glass door. The floor of the shower was kind of old and a little on the dirty side but not horrible. Rain shower head which was nice. Good water pressure and PLENTY of hot water. Commode is in same place as shower and sink FYI. |Just beyond the bathroom was a great little kitchen area. There was a large counter with a coffee maker, microwave, and small frig (which was definitely in need of defrosting!) but kept our drinks cold. Coffee packets, creamer, sugar provided.|Two bottles of water in frig (would advise going to the grocery store down the road and getting a couple of gallon jugs of water).|So the room was adequate but definitely NOT luxury (as others have noted definite signs of wear) but it was clean.|The Las Terrazas grounds were clean but not nearly as colorful as I have seen at other resorts (if that is important to you-not critical for us).|Pool was gorgeous and is probably the high point of the overall appearance of the grounds. Water was just the right temperature to actually cool off without freezing.|Not that many shady spots so if the resort is busy you will need to get to the pool early to claim your spot. Pool towels were provided. Lounges showed signs of wear as did the cushions but were certainly comfortable. There were multiple tables around the pool if you wanted to have a meal there. Of course there were servers who would bring drinks to poolside.|The beach at Las Terrazas, in my opinion, is decent, although on the small side. The staff does a good job of raking and keeping the beach clean. Only a few cabanas for shade and no umbrellas. Lounges, again, showed signs of wear and a few were actually broken but they were OK to lie out in the sun. We were very lucky in that the beach was essentially empty for our entire stay so we never had a problem finding a spot. Not sure how things would be if you were there at a crowded time.|Big disappointment was at the water's edge (though not unexpected as others have commented on this). LOT of sea grass though the staff really tries hard to rake it up.|NOT the beautiful crystal clear blue-green water with a sandy bottom that I have experienced at other resorts in the Carribean. Of course this is NOT the fault of the resort. It is just how mother nature made it. We were there 5 days and other then sticking a toe in I never went in the water at the beach.|I would say the beach is fine to go and lay out and enjoy the breeze and the many palm trees there but NOT a great place to play in the water.|We did NOT eat at the restaurant at Las Terrazas nor did we have drinks at the resort so I cannot comment upon the quality of either. We chose to do our eating and drinking offsite.|A few additional random comments.|The staff was wonderful. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I got the feeling that they really tried hard to make a good impression.|Housekeeping was a mixed bag. They would make the bed, replace towels, and sometimes leave a few bottles of water. They omitted replacing some of the items such as coffee packets, shampoo, bath gel but if we asked for something, such as an extra blanket there was no issue.|My overall take is that Las Terrazas is a good concept but in need of a facelift.|There are just too many areas that show signs of wear (as others have noted) to elevate the property into the "luxury" category.|We liked the location as it was quieter and we liked the proximity of numerous places to eat and drink. We actually never went into San Pedro proper.|If you are seeking a clean, quiet, decent place to "rest your bones and recharge your batteries" than Las Terrazas will work but, at least IMHO this is NOT a "luxury" location.|Would I consider returning? If I could get another "deal," yes.|Would I recommend it to others? I would say yes with the understanding of the issues...

Before you come to Ambergris Caye you have to do some research to make sure the place is what you want. This is a coral island in the Caribbean. The part of the island looking out to the sea is not full of soft, sandy, white beaches. The beaches may be sandy, but the entry into the water is coral. Further, the Caribbean is suffering from an abundance of sea weed and it is smelly and collects on the shore line. There is nothing the hotel can do about the coral. They try very hard to keep the beach sea weed free but the entry into the water is not soft sand and the water does have sea weed. There is a long pier with a ladder at the end of it and a roped off swimming area so as long as you are a good swimmer, getting into and out of the water is a pleasure. If you do some reading, you will read that there are piers like this one all over the island specifically to enable swimmers to get into and out of the water without having to walk on coral or go through seaweed. Use the dock! We did walk on the beach and were sadly eaten alive by sand flies and their bites are vicious and ugly. Again, there is nothing the hotel can do about this. It’s a fact of life at the beach here. Just saying - if you are sensitive to bug bites, use bug spray or avoid the sand.||All that being said about things the hotel cannot control, let’s get to the hotel. It is perfectly nice. There are little birds and lizards hopping and running around. There are some fabulous bright green, and grey iguanas roaming around. There are some lovely flowering trees and bushes. The palms are pretty, the beach is pretty, the pool is pretty too. There is a shallow end to the pool and a deep end. It is long enough to do lengths at the times when it’s not busy (fair enough) and it is surrounded by sun loungers and tables/chairs under cover. The staff are attentive and friendly and the food is good. The soft furnishings (cushion covers, for example) are a bit faded and could use an update. Climate is hard on soft furnishings, I agree, but that’s all the reason to update them with cheerful colors (not brown) extremely regularly. They were a bit stained and faded.||Our room (a three bedroom, two bathroom apartment with a huge kitchen and a small seating area, was clean and comfortable. There were three outdoor seating areas with chairs and loungers. There are some curious design choices (the main bedroom does not have a cupboard for hanging clothes and to get to the bathroom for the main bedroom you have to go out onto the terrace, that bathroom has no air conditioning and there is no real screening between you and the outside world when you are in the shower. Less a comment about bugs, more a comment about the fact that people could see you if they tried hard enough. Unlikely but it might disturb some people, some windows/doors had screens and others did not so it was impossible to get a through breeze because the screened doors were on one side and the non screened ones - which we did not open - were on the other). The other two bedrooms (one queen bed and one twin room) had ample storeage space and shared a big shower room. Beds all comfy, bedrooms and living room all had independent A/C and ceiling fan controls. Soft furnishings again a bit jaded and in need of a refresh. Net curtains had holes in them and curtains needed a good clean. Again, I get the fact that the strong sun is hard on fabric but that’s life living in the tropics and you have to adapt to it. Our room (Apt 227) faced the street on one side (but it was not noisy) and it faced the restaurant on the other. So, not a great view and the extractor fans from the restaurants were audible, as was the pool pump. Pick a different room. There is no free water int he room||The hotel is not close to anything so you will either have to take a very expensive taxi or rent a golf cart (USD 80 for 24 hours) to get anywhere. There are free bikes but the roads do get busy and fumes from all the golf carts are overwhelming and it’s hot...

Just returned from a weeklong family trip to Belize. I travelled with my wife and 3 kids (ages 13, 9, & 6)/ We stayed at Las Terrazas Resort, upon recommendation from a family friend, and our experience was nothing short of extraordinary. Every person we interacted with throughout our stay went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable and enjoying our stay.||The folks we that welcomed us at the front desk and throughout the trip were incredibly warm and helpful. Bairon, Raquel, and Beverly were who we primarily worked with, and each of them were amazing. They always greeted us by name and took the time to answer all our questions. They also coordinated all transportation on the ground, which was incredibly helpful.||They sent a boat to pick us up once we landed on the puddle jumper. Our boat rides to and from the resort were awesome. Stephen, along with his co-pilot “The Profit,” made the trip fun and memorable. They were fun and full of local knowledge, pointing out interesting things along the way.||Eating at the on-site restaurant, "O," was an equally wonderful experience. Every meal was excellent. The Supervisor, Stephen, arranged for a special family meal on our last evening, which was not on the menu. They prepared a traditional Belizean dinner of stewed chicken, rice and beans, slaw, and fried plantains. It was hands-down the best meal of the trip. I had to personally thank Chef Alex for making it. The care and attention the staff put into every detail was so appreciated. Miss Carla was also wonderful, always attentive and smiling.||I cannot recall his name, but the gentleman that attended the golf cart parking lot was another special person worth mentioning. Each day when left or returned to the resort, he was there to greet us. We talked about his family and ours and about his life in Belize. I wish I could remember his name. He was such a great guy. ||We were very pleased with how well-kept and beautiful the resort is. Our room was great. It was spacious and had all the comforts of home, which was helpful travelling with the kids. I prepared breakfast and dinner there. There are a couple of small grocery marts nearby where we got bread, eggs, milk, etc. ||The pool was the highlight. We all loved it and swam in it every afternoon/evening. Such a beautiful pool area and the restaurant staff will come out and serve you right there. We had drinks at happy hour and even a quick bit in one of the loungers. Their dock and beach is also great. Even though the sargassum was a problem the stiff breeze cut the smell back once you passed the shoreline. We watched the full moon rise on the dock one night. It was stunning. ||Las Terrazas exceeded our expectations in every way. We felt safe and well cared for throughout our stay. The staff truly made our experience unforgettable, and we can’t wait to return.||This was a 5-star experience all around, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for to book a...