Francis Ford Coppola and his wife Eleanor acquired this beachside resort in 2001 and created an idyllic refuge for those seeking a relaxing or adventure-filled getaway to Belize. This 25-room seafront hideaway delights guests with individual thatched cottages, decorated with handcrafted Balinese furnishings, naturally cooled by the ever-present sea breezes. Just steps beyond your private deck, the white-sand beach dissolves into the clear Caribbean Sea. In addition to offering an ideal location to experience the sea, Turtle Inn is located a short bicycle ride or walk from the charming sea-front fishing village of Placencia, where local artisan shops and dining spots can be enjoyed.
Turtle Inn is located between the Garifuna settlement of Seine Bight and the charming Creole fishing village of Placencia, at the tip of a narrow 26-mile long sandy peninsula. To the east, the Caribbean Sea is studded by a patchwork of coral cayes and the Belize Barrier Reef UNESCO World Heritage site.
Directly behind Turtle Inn to the west lie the calm waters of the Placencia Lagoon and spectacular views of the Maya Mountains and Victoria Peak. South of the Placencia Peninsula is the Monkey River, formed from the Swasey and Bladen rivers that flow from the jungle-clad peaks of the Maya Mountains.
ACTIVITIES
Scuba Diving
The Caribbean's largest barrier reef lies just offshore from Turtle Inn, offering divers a magnificent diversity of coral and marine life to explore. In addition, a number of easily accessible cayes (tiny islands) have their own reefs and underwater ecosystems, cementing Belize's reputation as one of the world's great scuba destinations. The resort is dedicated to provide you with the best diving experience possible, regardless of skill level. In addition to the&n...
Just steps from the resort's luxurious infinity pool, a towering thatch roof provides a shady retreat to enjoy a wide selection of drinks. Bar stools sit directly on the golden-sand beach, offering panoramic views over the sea to the offshore cayes (tiny islands). You may even catch your bartender preparing your cocktail in a coconut, picked from the palms above.
Named after the charismatic original owner of Turtle Inn, the Skip White Bar displays antique microscopes used by Skip and his marine biology students. This open-air bar offers an excellent selection of drink options throughout the day and into the evening, and is an ideal place to chat about the day’s adventures over a glass of wine from Francis Ford Coppola Winery or a Belize-brewed beer.
Neatly tucked to the side of the Skip White Bar hangs a sign ‘Gelato Bar – No Adults Allowed.’ Superb local gelato that changes seasonally makes this a favorite hangout for children of all ages.
Fresh seafood and traditional Italian cooking come together at Turtle Inn's flagship restaurant. Local fish is brought in daily from the fertile reefs just offshore and fresh vegetables are delivered from the resort's organic garden.
The changing daily menu offers such dishes as ceviche and gazpacho, fish cooked in a sea-salt crust, and a selection of pizzas made to order in the wood-burning oven. On Monday and Thursday evenings a traditional Dutch Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner is served (as pictured above). The...
This beachfront restaurant features fresh, charcoal-grilled seafood including lobster, jumbo shrimp, and snapper all served on woven plates accompanied by a choice of Balinese-inspired sauces and spices. Tables are set just a few feet from the sea, affording fantastic views of the offshore cayes (tiny islands) and starry night sky. The sandy-floored bar and lounge also offers an excellent selection of Belize-brewed beer, wine, and cocktails.
The resort's own authentic Belizean diner, Auntie Luba’s, overlooks the calm, shallow waters of Placencia Lagoon. The menu of this rustic-style restaurant is filled with regional fare like curry chicken, coconut shrimp, seasonal conch fritter, beef stew, and the best home-baked key lime pie. The atmosphere is casual yet festive and a memorable event may include finishing the evening with s’mores made over the firepit and sending off wish lanterns over the lagoon.
Set in an open-air Balinese Rice House featuring hand-painted murals inspired by ancient art, the Sunset Spa relaxes those who’ve spent a full day touring, swimming, snorkeling, and diving. All treatments use locally-sourced organic ingredients. At the request of the Coppolas, this Belize spa resort specializes in traditional Thai massage, practiced by a professional staff that has studied these ancient techniques at the Sacred Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.
Turtle Inn has two infinity swimming pools. The oval-shaped infinity pool is highlighted by views of the sea and is enjoyed by all of the guests, while the triangular infinity pool is available to adults only.
Nestled in the lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, each Poolside Garden View Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All Belize dwellings feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, and ceiling fans.
Nestled in the lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, each Garden Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, and ceiling fans.
Each Poolside Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All this luxury Belize resort dwellings feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor as well as ceiling fans.
With a partial view of the Caribbean Sea, each Seaview Cottage has a screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, ceiling fans, and thatched roofs that naturally cool the cottages.
Just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, the Seafront Cottages at Turtle Inn are the most desirable dwellings for couples or individuals. Each includes a private garden with an outdoor shower, screened porch, and a bathroom with a Japanese bath. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, ceiling fans, and thatched roofs that naturally cool the cottages.
Nestled in the lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, these 2-bedroom/2 en-suite bath villas provide luxurious proportions with a living room, separated seating areas, and an extended screened porch. Each villa is surrounded by a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, ceiling fans, and thatched roofs that naturally cool the villas. These dwellings are most suitable for families or couples traveling together.
The most desirable villas at this hotel are just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea. These Balinese themed 2-bedroom/2-en-suite bathroom villas provide luxurious proportions with a living room, separate sitting rooms, and an extended screened porch surrounded by a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. Ceiling fans and thatched roofs naturally cool the villas, as do the sea breezes.
Feel as if you are staying in your own private seafront home, fully equipped with a kitchen, living room, full bathroom on the main floor, and two air-conditioned bedrooms. Each bedroom has a queen-size bed, and there's a shared bathroom on the second floor. The Starfish Cottage s ideal for families or two couples traveling together. The cottage also features a private deck and swimming pool. Special additions can be added such as a private butler to attend to your every need, a golf cart for drives into Placencia, or even a private yoga class on your deck.
This exclusive Balinese-inspired pavilion, located at the southern edge of the property and surrounded on three sides by a high walled garden, is designed to maximize privacy. There are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a third loft bedroom accessed by a ladder. Francis' Family Pavilion features antique hand-carved wooden doorways and detailing, stone sculptures, and artwork selected by Francis and Eleanor Coppola. The two spacious bathrooms feature indoor showers and beyond the airy bathrooms are private walled gardens with outdoor showers. The two bedrooms flank a living area and screened porch with comfortable sofas, writing desk, and wet bar area with an espresso machine and refrigerator.
Overlooking the pool is an open air, thatch-roofed dining terrace with a spectacular view over the beach to the Caribbean Sea. Below the dining terrace is the private pool crafted with original tile art and surrounded by a tropical walled garden.
Guests at Francis' Family Pavilion also enjoy luxurious bathrobes, locally produced organic bath products, goose down or hypo-allergenic pillows, an iPod docking station, Wi-Fi Internet access, and a Shellphone intercom system linked to the resort’s front desk. Francis' Family Pavilion also has a full-time butler to anticipate your every need. The butler is on call using a walkie-talkie radio system.
Sofia's Beach House is a one-of-a-kind modernist-tropical hideaway just steps from the Caribbean Sea, and shares a beach and all the luxury amenities of Turtle Inn. Designed by architect Laurent Deroo as a stylish and soothing getaway, comprised of an open-plan main house and two guest bungalows, the Beach House opens to the ever-present sea breezes while connecting to the romantic, Balinese-styled resort it adjoins.
Special features of Sofia's Beach House include a full kitchen, an open-air living and dining room perfect for a few couples or a family’s enjoyment, a seafront media room ideal for a late night movie or board game playing, and a full bathroom on the main floor. The second floor master bedroom has a king bed with private bathroom and adjacent children’s bedroom (with bunk beds suitable for children up to age 14). The Beach House also provides bicycles, private butler, private entrance, a private pool, and outdoor barbeque. The two guest houses each feature one king bed, en-suite bathrooms, and decks.
Stays of three nights or more include a private golf cart to use for trips into Placencia.
The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is T7077. We are a member of the Travel Trust Association U1373. Please see our booking conditions for more information. Hurlingham Travel® Hurlingham Travel Services® are registered trade marks of Hurlingham Travel Services Limited.
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