Luxury and unspoiled beauty on a white-sand beach. Francis and Eleanor Coppola acquired this beachside hideaway in 2001 and created an idyllic refuge for those seeking a relaxing or adventure-filled getaway to Belize. This 25-room seafront escape 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.

POOLSIDE GARDEN VIEW COTTAGE – Nestled in our 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. Our luxury hotel resort in Belize also offers tranquil Seaview Cottages, with partial views of the Caribbean Sea.

GARDEN VIEW COTTAGE – Nestled in our 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. If you prefer to be closer to water, be sure to check out our Belize luxury villas and Poolside Seaview Cottages at Turtle Inn, offering partial views of the Caribbean Sea.

POOLSIDE SEAVIEW COTTAGE – Each Poolside Cottage has a private screened porch, spacious bathroom with a Japanese bath, and a private walled garden with an outdoor shower. All our luxury Belize hideaway dwellings feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor. All rooms feature Balinese hand-carved doors and décor, and ceiling fans.

SEAVIEW COTTAGES – With a partial view of the Caribbean Sea, each Seaview Cottage at our luxury hotel hideaway in Belize 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. If you prefer Belize hideaway dwellings that look out onto the Caribbean Sea, be sure to check out our luxury Seafront Cottages at Turtle Inn, just steps away from a beautiful stretch of beach.

SEAFRONT COTTAGES – Just steps from a beautiful stretch of beach and the Caribbean Sea, the Seafront Cottages at Turtle Inn are our 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. For a more spacious and secluded accommodation, our Belize luxury beach hideaway also offers two-bedroom Garden View Villas, nestled in our lush gardens and only a few steps from the Caribbean Sea.

GARDEN VIEW VILLAS – Nestled in our 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 at our Belize luxury beach hideaway 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. Also, be sure to check out our spacious 2-bedroom Seafront Villas at Turtle Inn which provide luxurious proportions just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea.

SEAFRONT VILLAS – The most desirable villas at our Belize luxury 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. Turtle Inn prides itself on being one of the leading family hideaways in Belize, even offering a large Balinese-inspired Family Pavilion large enough for the whole family to enjoy.

STARFISH COTTAGE – 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 at our luxury beach hideaway in Belize is 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.

ROMAN’S LAGOON BUNGALOW – Roman’s Lagoon Bungalow features a full kitchen, an expansive living room and bedroom, and a private pool and large deck offering spectacular sunset views. The house is cleverly designed with a mirror and wall which open up on either side of the bedroom for an open-plan feeling (but can be closed for privacy). Should the creative spirit move you during your getaway, there is a very spacious deck with plenty of room for a writing project or an afternoon of watercolor painting. There are many areas inside and out to curl up with a book–and when you are ready for a change of scenery you can wander across the street to the two resort pools and beach.  The Lagoon Bungalow is best suited for 2 adults and 2 children, as the second small bedroom features bunk beds. Continental breakfast is included in the nightly rate. A portable A/C unit is available for the bedroom upon request.

FRANCIS FAMILY PAVILION – 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 our 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 a call using a walkie-talkie radio system.

SOFIA’S BEACH HOUSE – 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 hideaway 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 a private bathroom and adjacent children’s bedroom (with bunk beds suitable for children up to age 14). The Beach House also provides bicycles, a private butler, a private entrance, a private pool, and an outdoor barbeque. The two guest houses each feature one king bed, en-suite bathrooms, and decks.

CORAL CAYE – Your Own Private Island

Imagine slowing downtime and inhabiting an intimate island where your only neighbors will be your traveling companions, exotic birds, and attentive caretakers to prepare your meal, pour your wine or chop a fresh coconut. 

Your trip to Belize and Turtle Inn will be an even more exquisite memory when you add on a few nights on our two-acre, isolated, private island, just a 25 minute (8 miles) boat ride from the resort. 

Sheltered behind the world-famous Belize Barrier Reef, Coral Caye is a completely private island that can be yours alone for a romantic, restorative or adventurous getaway. You and your lucky travel companions will feel like you are castaways with all the comforts needed to leave all of your cares behind. 

The island features a small coral sand beach and fascinating mangrove ecology.  Once used as a commercial fishing camp, it has now been enhanced for travelers who want a once-in-a-lifetime experience, while still preserving the natural, local flavor.

Your dwelling will be a comfortable, rustic cottage that suits the untouched nature of your surroundings. A true sanctuary that is eco-conscious in every way and allows the soothing sounds of the Caribbean sea to lull you to sleep or beckon you to spend your afternoon snorkeling directly from the island. 

Do as much or as little as you please in complete privacy and solitude among your loved ones. Your meals will be prepared daily by the island caretakers whether that be a morning coffee, fresh fruit or egg breakfast, a refreshingly light salad or sandwich lunch, and a fresh-caught seafood dinner – BBQ Creole style. 

Robinson Crusoe would be challenged to find a more exquisite retreat and we’ve added all the extra touches so that you may truly unwind. We can also customize your experience with add-on items (at extra charge) such as al-fresco massages, a private chef and private attendant for a more elaborate meal, a guided fishing tour, pre-ordered specific grocery items, a cake, or a special treat to celebrate an occasion. The options are only as limited as your imagination. 

The coastal decor consists of airy fabrics, open space, seaside-inspired colors, beachy accents, sturdy woods to withstand sandy feet and salty air, and tones to reflect the sea and sky. Two dwellings and a great house are the only buildings on the island and can accommodate from two to ten guests. The Coral Cottage, our newly built dwelling, is ideal for a couple or family with young children. It has a king bed and a sleeper sofa in the cozy living area, front porch, hammocks, and a full bathroom with an indoor and outdoor shower. The Seahorse Cottage, ideal for extended family or additional friends, is situated near Mangrove Cove where one can find many seahorses. It features two queen beds, two twin beds, and an in-cottage bathroom plus an outdoor shower. The Great House is a charming sand floor indoor/outdoor living room space with amenities including a full bar, music system, half bathroom, kitchen, dining table, board games, dartboard, and more this space for a celebration or family meals. Additionally, there is a full-size day bed for napping or an optional additional overnight stay accommodation.

DINING

MARE RESTAURANT – 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 our organic garden.  Our 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 our wood-burning oven. On Monday and Thursday evenings a traditional Dutch Indonesian Rijsttafel dinner is served (as pictured above). The Mare offers a relaxed dining experience beneath the towering vaulted thatch roof, with incredible views out to sea.

WINE CELLAR – Turtle Inn now offers an exciting new wine tasting package in our brand new “wine aquarium,” designed by Laurent Deroo and built by local Belizean builder & architect Margarito M. Ortiz. The “wine aquarium,” which features a wall-to-wall glass-encased wine cellar, holds more than 1200 bottles of award-winning selections from Francis Ford Coppola’s two wineries in Sonoma County (Francis Ford Coppola Winery and Virginia Dare Winery) as well as his Inglenook estate in Napa County, along with many other vintages from Chili, Argentina, Italy, France, and the US.

GAUGUIN GRILL – Our 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 the starry night sky. The sandy-floored bar and lounge also offer an excellent selection of Belize-brewed beer, wine, and cocktails.

AUNTIE LUBA’S KITCHEN – Our own authentic Belizean diner, Auntie Luba’s, overlooks the calm, shallow waters of Placencia Lagoon. The menu of our rustic-style restaurant is filled with regional fares 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.

THE LAUGHING FISH BAR – Just steps from our 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.

SKIP WHITE BAR – 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.

KID’S GELATO BAR – 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.

SUNSET SPA

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, our Belize spa hideaway specializes in traditional Thai massage, practiced by a professional staff that has studied these ancient techniques at the Sacred Wat Pho Temple in Bangkok.