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Turtle Inn *

Destinations & Resorts

Location

Central & South America › Belize › Placencia

Type

Resorts
Private Resort Residences & Luxury Vacation Rentals

Location Details

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. 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.

General Information

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.

Photo Gallery

Private Resort Residence Amenities

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 private bathroom and adjacent children’s bedroom with bunk beds. The Beach House also provides bicycles, a private butler, private entrance, a private pool, and outdoor barbeque. The two guest houses each feature one king bed, in-suite bathrooms, and decks.
Coral Caye is sheltered behind the world famous Belize Barrier Reef, Coral Caye is a completely private island that is a 25 minute boat ride from the resort, where can be yours alone for a romantic, restorative or adventurous get away. 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. 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 beckons 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. 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, is ideal for a couple or family with young children and has a king bed and a sleeper sofa in the cozy living area, front porch, hammocks and full bathroom with indoor shower and an outdoor shower. The Seahorse cottage, ideal for extended family or additional friends is situated near the mangrove cove where one can find many seahorses, it features two queen beds, one additional twin bed and an adjacent bathroom with a cold shower. The Great House is your indoor/outdoor living room for your stay. With amenities including a full bar, music, bathroom, kitchen, dining table, board games, dart board and more this space for celebration or family meals can be converted in the evening to accommodate added guests with daybeds.

Room Details

Seaview Cottages offer a partial view of the Caribbean Sea. Each Seaview Cottage at this 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.
Seafront Cottages are 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.
Starfish Cottages make you 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 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.

Villa Description

Garden View Villas are nestled in the lush gardens and a few paces from the Caribbean Sea, these two bedroom, two in-suite bath villas provide luxurious proportions with a living room, separated seating areas, and an extended screened porch. Each villa at this 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.
Seafront Villas are the most desirable villas, just a few steps from the Caribbean Sea. These Balinese themed two bedroom, two in-suite bath 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.

Guest Services

Guests can enjoy amenities including Wi Fi access, alarm clock and iPod docking station, ceiling fan, Illy espresso machine, organic, locally sourced, and handmade toiletries, shellphone for communication with reception, laundry services, bathrobes, room service, safety deposit box, refrigerator stocked with water, wine, soft drinks, beer and local snacks, writing table and chair, sofa and coffee table, complimentary copy of Zoetrope: All Story magazine, yoga mats and a hairdryer.

Restaurants

Mare Restaurant is where 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 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 our wood-burning oven. The Mare offers a relaxed dining experience beneath the towering vaulted thatch roof, with incredible views out to sea.
Wine Cellar includes 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 as well as his Inglenook estate in Napa County, along with many other vintages from Chili, Argentina, Italy, France and the US.
Gauguin Grill is a beachfront restaurant that 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 and starry night sky.
Auntie Luba’s Kitchen is an authentic Belizean diner that 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 and much more. 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 is just steps from the 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. 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, this 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.
Kid’s Gelato Bar is neatly tucked to the side of the Skip White Bar where there hangs a sign ‘Gelato Bar – No Adults Allowed.’ Superb local gelato that changes seasonally makes this a favorite hangout for children of all ages.

Recreation

Guests can enjoy the Dive Shop, Gift Shop, two infinity pools including one that is adults only, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, swimming, yoga, sunset cruise, Placenia Village, bicycling, paddle boarding, zip linning and Organic Farm visits.

Beach

The sandy beaches of Placencia and calm waters create perfect conditions for swimming and snorkeling, as well as a host of other water-related adventures.

Spa

Sunset Spa is 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 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. Various massages, body treatments and facials are offered.

Nearby Attractions

Nim Li Punit Maya Site and Blue Creek Cave, Lubaantun Maya Site and Rio Blanco Waterfalls, Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary and Jaguar Preserve, and the Monkey River Wildlife Adventure are just a few of the local attractions offered.

Family Information

Children 11 years and younger stay complimentary with adults.

Land price is per person based on double occupancy (unless noted) for select travel dates shown. Air-inclusive vacations are for gateways noted. Rate quoted includes government-imposed fees and taxes and any necessary currency exchange rates. Rate is current when priced, at the time you purchase your vacation, rate may be higher. Rate does not include any applicable daily resort or facility fees (and in Europe, city tourist taxes) payable directly to the resort at check-out; such fees will be advised at the time of booking. Subject to availability and change; certain restrictions and black out dates may apply. Additional airline restrictions may apply, contact the airline directly with questions.