Blancaneaux Lodge

The gorgeous property is an absolutely stunning destination. Set inside the Mountain Pine Ridge reserve, this hidden jewel is a nature lover and birder's paradise. Our stay was an absolute dream - the staff were incredibly attentive, and the guides were amazing. Food at the two restaurants is amazing. The Guatemalan restaurant is a real standout, and the garden vegetarian experience was a real highlight of our stay. The wildlife and birds were crazy! The lodge also helped us with transfers and made transportation a breeze.

Our family of five (two parents with three adult children) absolutely loved our stay at Blancaneaux Lodge. The only thing we'll do differently on our next visit is stay longer! We had a two bedroom villa and a river view cabana. We were all extremely comfortable in the spacious, open-air, rustic luxury accommodations. Waking up to the sounds of the jungle was one of my favorite parts. Such a peaceful place. Gorgeous grounds. Fantastic staff, food, and activities. Don't miss the tour to the Caracol Mayan Ruins! Bring a light jacket for cool mountain evenings. Highly recommend a stay at this lodge.

We were surprised at how serene the grounds were - an oasis in the pine forest. The entire staff was welcoming and vested in making our stay as memorable as possible. We stayed in a room that was close to the waterfall that some of the family needed earplugs to dampen the white noise. The beds were extremely comfortable and the room relaxing. It was well worth the drive to the resort location.

Blancaneaux Lodge is one of those instantly transformative places – where a sense of calm and serenity sets in within moments of arriving. The setting is beautiful, within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, on the bank of a river, enhanced by the conscientious landscaping at the lodge. The thatched roof cabanas are nestled discretely within the terrain, so too the hot pool, which almost seems like a natural landscape feature, rather than being constructed. In Blancaneaux one finds the right balance of nature and creature comforts. It’s a kind of unforced, almost low-key luxury (here not a contradiction in terms), working with nature, not against it. Blancaneaux does not pay lip service to its sustainable claims. The electricity at the lodge is generated by the river that runs through the property. There are noticeable efforts to conserve energy - lighting is kept dim and there is no air conditioning, or televisions in the cabanas. During my stay, I don’t think I saw a single throwaway piece of plastic. Eco-friendly shampoo, lotion etc were provided in small refillable wooden vessels that were filled, hand-made soaps placed on a ceramic dish, even the trash bin was lined with paper instead of plastic. A majority of the food served at Blancaneaux is grown on site. There are so many thoughtful and artistic details that give the property a distinctive ambiance – the indigenous textiles, wooden masks, and playful sculptures that serve as the art in the main lodge and in the individual cabanas. No benign corporate art here. The wonderful people who work at Blancaneaux are always warm and attentive – but without the feeling of being too fussed over. Someone always checks in each evening to see if you wish to arrange any activities or excursions and to confirm meals the next day. A little dessert is left each night in the cabin after dinner. During my visit, a cold front arrived – bedding was set appropriate to the temperature and extra blankets were left in various areas around the property. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how comfortable the bed was. At Blancaneaux you begin and end the day surrounding by beauty and comfort. Because Belize is a small country, almost everything inland commonly visited by tourists can be arranged as day trips from Blancaneaux - the ATM cave, and the Mayan archaeological site Caracol, for example; Barton Creek is minutes away. But just meandering around the grounds of the property has a lot to offer. There are trails on the property – a small one called the orchid trail – or you can walk all the way from Blancaneaux to Big Rock Falls. Definitely go on the gratis bird walk, organic garden tour and guiding river tubing. There are good mountain bikes available to use as you wish, and a ride around the general vicinity is worthwhile. I took the bike most of the way to Big Rock Falls and then walked the final 15 minutes or so to the falls. One of the highlights of my time at Blancaneaux was the organic garden/ farm. I have visited many organic gardens during my travels, as this is a particular interest of mine, and I must say, this is one of the most impressive I have ever seen. The tour and the vegetarian dinner that followed were superb. The diner was made with the greens, fruit and vegetables you just walked past. It’s funny to say that one the most memorable parts of my visit to Belize was eating a leaf salad at Blancaneaux, but it’s true. Thank you to Hector and all the clearly devoted gardeners and food preparators, who grow and prepare the food they offer to their guests with such great affection and skill. Blancaneaux Lodge was the perfect life affirming recharge for this weary (pre-trip) urbanite.

We spent 6 nights at Blancaneaux Lodge in the Francis Ford Coppola Villa with a group of 5, and the experience exceeded every expectation. The lodge is a one-of-a-kind property: a jungle retreat with incredible natural beauty, from waterfalls to river pools to lush hiking trails. The villa itself is world-class: private pool, open-air living space, and views that make you never want to leave. The standout of our entire stay was Osmani, our dedicated butler. From day one, he made it his mission to take care of every detail. He stocked our fridges with each person's preferred drinks. He organized a four-course catered lunch at Big Rock Falls that none of us will ever forget. Every night, he prepared custom dinners for our group, accommodating different dietary needs without missing a beat. He was attentive, thoughtful, and genuinely warm. Osmani is the gold standard for hospitality. He turned an already incredible trip into something truly special. I'd return to Blancaneaux just to be in his care again. Highest possible recommendation.