Belize Dive Haven Resort & Marina♡

APPALLING! Truly DANGEROUS - STAY AWAY!

1.0

This was the worst experience that we have ever had. We were ALONE for more than a week in this post-apocalyptic hotel that has no usable beach, no spa, no jacuzzi, no bar, no gym, no entertainment of any kind, it’s truly filthy and decaying. We were supposed to stay for 2 weeks, and we paid for 2 weeks - USD $6300 for 14 nights- 3-4x MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ANY OTHER HOTEL in Belize - but we couldn’t survive 2 weeks as the resort is NOT READY AT ALL FOR THE GUESTS. We are lucky that we survived, though, as they sent us back to Belize City in a 15m boat over 5-7m high waves, against the captain’s advice, with the probability of capsizing of 75-95% AND WITH NO LIFE JACKETS ONBOARD. Truly appalling. + The best part of our stay was diving. The reef is beautiful and unusual. There are not many large fishes (occasional eagle ray, grey reef sharks or a large barracuda). Some coral is bleached but large coral gardens are still intact. We didn’t see the Blue Hole, as the resort asked USD $1800 to bring us there (although it’s just a 35 minutes ride from the resort according to the owner). We have only seen the house reef as the resort was saving on the fuel for the boat. + The staff were very friendly and flexible. We had our meals when we wanted, rather than at any prescribed time. + The towels, bed and bedding were of a good quality. +WiFi and Netflix worked well at all times. + Since we left a week earlier than planned, the resort waived USD $1800 for our diving (we did pay USD $3150 in advance for that week that we didn’t stay).

− -The worst part of our stay is that we genuinely thought that we shall be in a nice hotel. We paid USD $6300 for 2 weeks (this was discounted from USD $7500 due to my status at the Booking.com) - a price 3-4x higher than what any hotel in Belize charges. The hotel is NOT LUXURIOUS at all; it is a 2* hotel that is not well maintained - in a post-apocalyptic state really. There is no spa, no gym, no jacuzzi, no pier with a bar, no music or any sort of entertainment. The advertising photos are from 5+ years ago and the HOTEL DOESN’T LOOK AT ALL AS PICTURED on the advertising photos. It is in a sad state - decaying, truly filthy and falling in disrepair. -There is NO MAINTAINED BEACH. The beach is full of dry seaweeds, decomposing plastic and rubbish. There are salty water CROCODILES living on 200m away from the beach (by the port dock) and there is no fence or any protection that would stop the crocodiles going over to the beach. The resort manager said that he would also not swim by the beach because the crocodiles can do that too. -We have paid for full board but the meals were really meagre and repetitive, with pasta bolognaise being one of the meals every second or third day. Vegetables were served in traces and fruits were served only in the morning and we always had to ask for more as we were getting 4 small pieces of fruit. Bacon was served one slice per plate, sausage was served 4 small slices per plate, etc. - really, really meagre and inappropriate when charging USD $300-350 per night PER PERSON (not per room). The last 3 days, meals were much better as we constantly complained. -The island is INFESTED WITH BUGS of all kinds including mosquitoes, noseeums, horse flies, wasps, bees, etc. We tried to spend an afternoon by the small swimming pool but were bitten so badly that almost every inch of our bodies was covered in bites. This was in spite of the max-strength insect-repellent spray that we were generously applying.