Itz'ana Resort

Itz'ana Resort, Placencia, Belize: A Michelin Key Selected Oasis of "Barefoot Chic"

Itz'ana Resort in Placencia, Belize, stands out as a highly acclaimed, Michelin Guide selected property, consistently praised for its stunning design, exceptional service, and prime beachfront location. Guests frequently describe their stays as "heaven" and highlight the resort's ability to offer both relaxing tranquility and easy access to adventurous excursions.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for Itz'ana Resort is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently using terms like "excellent," "stunning property," and "loved our stay". Verified guest reviews often rate the resort highly for comfort (9.3), cleanliness (9.1), and staff (8.7). While generally seen as a luxurious and relaxing escape, minor inconsistencies in restaurant service and concierge organization have been noted by some.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several aspects of Itz'ana Resort:

• Design & Ambiance: The property is celebrated for its "beautiful decor" and a "contemporary, but not modern" style that thoughtfully blends retro furnishings and jungle-themed prints, avoiding tropical-kitsch clichés. The colonial-style decor, lush greenery, and peaceful vibe contribute to a relaxing atmosphere.
• Location & Beachfront: Situated directly on a sugar-sand beach, the resort offers immediate access to the Caribbean Sea. Its positioning on the Placencia peninsula provides both a perfect white sand beach and a mangrove-dotted bay and lagoon, ideal for various activities.
• Amenities: The resort boasts beautiful pools, including a 360-degree pool, and provides unique touches like morning coffee served on the beach at sunrise. Complimentary resort bikes are available for exploring the area, and yoga classes are offered several mornings a week. It also serves as a gateway to diverse adventures such as diving, kayaking, hiking, sailing, and deep-sea fishing.
• Service: The staff consistently receives high praise for being "amazing," "excellent," "friendly," "kind," "attentive," and "caring".

3. Room Quality

Itz'ana Resort offers a variety of accommodations, from deluxe rooms to spacious one-bedroom beachfront lofts and multi-bedroom beach villas. Rooms are described as bright, clean, and spacious, featuring huge beds and large balconies, providing a welcome haven for guests. All accommodations prioritize privacy with wraparound terraces and airy indoor living spaces. They are well-equipped with luxurious creature comforts, including large smart TVs, French press coffee makers, electric tea kettles, minibars, and effective blackout curtains. Bathrooms are noted for dimmable lights, two sinks, and rain showers, with quality Gilchrist and Soames toiletries provided in refillable pump containers. Higher-category rooms and villas often include outdoor bathtubs, private plunge pools, full kitchens, and outdoor dining courtyards.

4. Dining Experience

Limilia Restaurant is the resort's main dining establishment, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in both formal indoor settings and ultra-casual outdoor spaces with soothing views of the pool and beach. The menu emphasizes fresh seafood, often line-caught by the resort's own fishermen, and incorporates local ingredients, including vegetables and herbs from their organic gardens. Dishes are influenced by traditional Garifuna cuisine. Guests have enjoyed "delicious food" and specific dishes like short ribs and snapper cakes. A continental breakfast is included in the rates. For casual dining, a poolside wood-fired oven serves pizzas, calzones, and nachos. The Biblio Bar offers an extensive craft cocktail menu, wines, beers, and bar bites, along with a "secret rum room" hidden within the library. While food quality is generally very good, one guest mentioned it wasn't as creative as a sister resort, and occasional order mistakes have occurred.

5. Service & Staff

The service and staff at Itz'ana are a consistent highlight. Guests frequently commend the staff for being "absolutely amazing from beginning to end," "friendly and kind," and "extremely attentive, friendly and caring". Individuals like Mr. Bob have been specifically praised for being "fantastic, informative about Belize, super nice and helpful." Drivers are also noted for being friendly and polite. The concierge is generally helpful in arranging activities, though one review noted some disorganization.

6. Location & Accessibility

Itz'ana Resort is located at Mile 20 Placencia Road, on the Caribbean coast of Belize. This position on the peninsula makes it ideal for enjoying both the beach and the nearby lagoon. It's approximately a 10-minute drive from Placencia village, which guests can access via a complimentary shuttle or resort bikes. The location provides excellent access to a wide range of land and sea excursions, including exploring national parks, barrier reefs, diving, kayaking, and fishing.

7. Value & Pricing

Itz'ana Resort is considered a luxury boutique hotel. While specific price ranges vary, the resort is generally viewed as offering good value for money, with a guest rating of 8.3 in this category.

8. Common Complaints

While guest experiences are largely positive, a few recurring criticisms or issues have been mentioned:

• Dining Service Inconsistencies: Some guests experienced mistakes with restaurant orders and felt pressured to order expensive drinks.
• Concierge Disorganization: One review highlighted that the concierge service was "a little disorganised."
• Beach Conditions: Strong waves and seaweed on the beach have been reported by some guests, though this is acknowledged as a natural occurrence beyond the hotel's control.
• Past Construction Noise: A review from February 2022 mentioned ongoing construction in the garden area and room remodeling, which caused noise during the day. Guests planning a stay might want to inquire about current construction status and request rooms away from any potential noise sources.
• Breakfast Billing: One guest reported being charged for breakfast despite their booking indicating it was included, suggesting a need for clarity on included services.

Sources

1. michelin.com
2. booking.com
3. booking.com
4. slh.com
5. booking.com
6. luxurylatinamerica.com
7. itzanabelize.com
8. itzanabelize.com
9. themeghanjones.com
10. viamichelin.com
11. reddit.com