At these authentic resorts, you can enjoy both nature and nurture for less
This summer, try something different. Head for the rainforests and waters of Central America, where a collection of unique eco-themed lodges puts guests in touch with nature and active adventure, while at the same time delivering the civilized comforts of good food, fine dining and relaxation. As an added incentive, each of these five premier properties is offering special rates on summer and fall stays.
The Lodge at Chaa Creek, Belize
Guests can stay rustic or go eco-luxe at Chaa Creek, with choices ranging from the off-grid seclusion of the Macal River Camp to comfortable thatch- roofed bungalows and the resort’s latest addition, the Ix Chel Villas. These stunning hillside residences sit on a forested bank overlooking the Macal River Valley, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls and doors that offer spectacular views of the surrounding jungle. Upscale touches include private verandas enclosing personal plunge pools, Jacuzzis, al fresco showers and the services of a personal butler. The resort’s Mariposa restaurant features farm-to-table cuisine sourced from an on-site organic farm, and guests enjoy spa services and a wide range of daily adventures and indulgences. This summer, travelers can experience Chaa Creek for less with special rates for stays between June and August 2017. This $139 nightly rate provides luxury cottage accommodations and access to all of the resort’s amenities and activities. www.chaacreek.com
The Macal Cottage at Chaa Creek blends stylish simplicity and elegant furnishings that bring in the rainforest backdrop. Outdoor terraces provide a private Jacuzzi and views of the Macal River. Photo: Chaa Creek
Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize
Once the personal family retreat of film director Francis Ford Coppola, this 20-room luxury lodge sits on the banks of a jungle stream deep in Belize’s Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve. Each of the resort’s upscale cabanas is nestled into a garden-like setting where bird songs mingle with the sounds of waterfalls. Vaulted thatch roofs set the tone in guest rooms decorated with unique native art, regional antiques and local textiles. Upscale options include two luxury cabanas with plunge pools and outdoor showers, and the two-bedroom Coppola Villa, which showcases the family’s personal art and antiques and includes an open-air deck overlooking the tumbling waterfalls and deep rock pools of Privassion Creek. Fine dining is a hallmark of Blancaneaux Lodge, and the Montagna Ristorante features classic Italian cuisine based on Coppola family recipes. More indulgences await at the Waterfall Spa, and daily adventures can include everything from horseback rides, mountain bike tours and jungle hikes to cultural activities and tours of Mayan ruins. To encourage guests to linger and enjoy more of the lodge’s pleasures, every fourth night is free for any stay before December 16, 2017. www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/blancaneaux-lodge
Native materials and rustic design create a relaxing atmosphere within a riverfront villa at Blancaneaux Lodge, where the sounds of a rushing creek carry into the rooms. Photo: Gundolfo Pfotenhauer/Blancaneaux
Indura Beach & Golf Resort, Honduras
If you like your eco-consciousness with an extra helping of luxury, Indura is the place to go. This new $133 million, 1,800 acre resort is located within a national park on the coast of Bahia de Tela, on the unspoiled northern coast of Honduras. Suite-style accommodations at the development’s 60-room hotel embrace sustainable materials, including bamboo floors, walls made of local pine, and decorative accents of Guanacaste wood. Footpaths lead through the garden-like grounds to a pristine beach, and the Meso- American Barrier Reef lies just offshore. In addition to beach time and water sports, there’s hiking, kayaking and birding to enjoy in nearby forests, or day trips to nearby Pico Bonito National Park. But Indura is also a five-star property that is home to the premier Maina Spa and a championship Gary- Player-designed golf course. To get the word out on this landmark new property, Indura is now offering special rates that begin at just $165 per room. www.induraresort.com
Guest suites at Indura Beach & Golf Resort are set in 15 buildings inspired by indigenous designs, spread across landscaped grounds facing Honduras’ Bahia de Tela. Photo: Craig Ambrosio/Indura Beach
La Lancha, Guatemala
Many have commented that they feel more like family friends than hotel guests when they stay at La Lancha. That’s understandable, because almost every detail of this intimate lodge was personally selected by the Coppola family, from the hand-made furniture and Guatemalan fabrics to the locally made carvings that adorn each room. A total of just 10 individual casitas perch on a wooded hillside above Guatemala’s Lake Petén Itza. Sleeping and sitting areas open to covered decks offering hammocks and lake views. Guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation can experience an authentic temazcal sweat lodge, indulge in spa treatments or spend quiet time at a waterfront palapa. Just across the lake are the cobblestone streets of the colonial-era town of Flores, which is home to lively open-air markets, galleries and cafes. More adventurous pursuits include lake excursions, jungle walks, horseback tours and trips to the ancient Mayan city of Tikal. With so much to see and do, there’s reason enough to stay longer, and to encourage this, La Lancha is offering a special promotion that provides each third night free for stays before December 16, 2017. www.thefamilycoppola.com
The open-air restaurant at La Lancha features authentic Guatemalan cuisine. After dinner, guests can take in lake views from a new rooftop bar located just above the dining room. Photo: La Lancha
Turtle Inn, Belize
This intimate beachfront retreat epitomizes the phrase “going tropical.” You can step barefoot from the verandah of your thatch-room bungalow onto a white sand beach lined with swaying palms, and then wade into azure waters that stretch to the horizon. Set on a barrier island in southern Belize, the Turtle Inn combines rustic charm with indulgent luxury. The resort’s 25 native-style wood-and-thatch cottages blend seamlessly into the garden-like grounds, but surprises await inside, where hand-carved doors open to spaces with soaring ceilings and warm-toned Balinese furnishings. Guests can savor fresh seafood dishes with at Italian flair at the open-air dining room of Mare, or sample authentic regional fare at Auntie Luba’s Kitchen. Days can be filled with paddling, snorkeling, diving, fishing or exploring the forests of the Maya Mountains, all followed by spa time and a visit to the resort’s 1,200-bottle wine cellar. All this can be had for a bit less for guests who visit before December 16, 2017, thanks to a special offer that gives the sixth night of a stay for free. www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/turtle-inn
Guests at Belize’s Turtle Inn can relax by a pool set in a tropical garden, while the beach, coral reefs and Caribbean waters are just steps away. Photo: Gundolfo Pfotenhauer/Turtle Inn
