As part of a bloggers’ press trip to Belize earlier this month, I spent two nights at the Inn at Robert’s Grove on the Placencia Peninsula, which is on the country’s south-central coast. Upon arrival at the resort — via a 14-seater plane from Belize City, which landed at the tiny Placencia airstrip just a five-minute drive away — I was struck by the incredible lush foliage that envelopes the two-story, hacienda-style accommodations. Towering palm trees, flowering hibiscus bushes and other native plants create pretty landscaping among the eight buildings set on the resort’s 22-acre property. But it’s the hotel’s prime beachfront location that appealed to me, having just arrived from landlocked Colorado. From the pool, the spa, the roof-top Jacuzzis and the restaurant, I appreciated the views of the pretty blue Caribbean Sea.

Accommodations at Robert’s Grove range from standard beachview rooms to “Grand Villa Suites.” My second-floor room (#8, whose balcony you can see in the photo above) was set back from the beach a bit, but I could still see the ocean. Decorated with colorful Mexican-style tiles, vibrant artwork and canary-yellow walls, the room had an upbeat feel — spacious, too, with vaulted ceilings, a large armoire and sitting area, and bigger-than-typical walk-in shower.
If I had one complaint about my accommodations at Robert’s Grove it would be the loud air-conditioning. Unfortunately, non-techy me had a hard time figuring out how to shut it off with the remote control the first night I was there, and it was difficult to sleep through the noise (even with earplugs); thankfully, the second night I got clued-in to the remote (thanks, Kevin!) and slept soundly to the quieter whirring sound of the ceiling fan.
Also, the towels in my bathroom smelled musty, and I wondered if they’d been hanging there for several weeks without use during the summer/fall season, when occupancy is low. My second round of towels provided the successive day smelled much fresher.

Because the resort was so quiet during my early November visit — the pool bars weren’t open and I don’t think I saw one guest lounging on the beach chairs — I’d recommend the Inn at Robert’s Grove to anyone who really wants to get away from it all during their vacation in Belize, but still enjoy all the on-site amenities. Services and amenities here include three pools (including one very pretty infinity pool overlooking the ocean), tennis courts, complimentary use of sailboats, kayaks and bikes, plus a small gym and thatch-roofed spa. The hotel also offers snorkeling, scuba diving and fishing excursions with its own boat and on-site PADI Dive Center, and can arrange other trips — river tubing in Cockscomb Basin, horseback riding and Maya ruin tours — with local outfitters.
For the ultimate in peace and quiet, visit when I did in the fall or in off-peak summer months. Better yet, consider booking one of the resort’s own private islands: Raguana Caye or Robert’s Caye. A stay at one of these small islands — a 30-minute or 60-minute boat ride from the Robert’s Grove Marina on Placencia Peninsula — sounds to me like the ultimate romantic getaway: no phones, no TV, nothing to do but be together and chill (and snorkel and kayak), with three meals prepared for just you every day of your stay. Accommodations appear more rustic than those available at the resort, and rates begin at $457 per person, per night.

I might consider booking a couple nights at one of the private islands and then a few nights on the mainland property for the best of both worlds, and to be able to enjoy a meal off the menu at the resort’s on-site restaurant. Dinner entrees focus on fresh seafood (naturally), and I can personally recommend the perfectly fried conch fritters to start, the savory-and-sweet curry shrimp (available during my visit as part of the “Seafood Trio” special), and creamy banana gelato. The included, daily continental breakfast features lots of fresh fruit (the watermelon was particularly good), pastries and toast; off the menu, my three-egg omelet with feta, peppers and mushrooms was filling.
I can heartily recommend this resort to couples and families who would like a quiet place to rest their heads at night during their vacation in Belize (though high-season Christmas week or other winter holiday times might bring crowds). It is important to note that potential guests should not book expecting the Ritz or Four Seasons, even though The Inn at Robert’s Grove bills itself as a “luxury hideaway.” I believe the term “luxury” might be pushing the envelope a little bit — especially since my successive accommodations in Belize were of higher overall quality (Ka’ana Boutique Resort and Phoenix Resort), offering decidedly more upscale, sophisticated and modern amenities and accommodations.

It’s also key to know that the Inn at Robert’s Grove is not within walking distance to Placencia Village, with its handful of shops, restaurants and services. Once you are at the resort, if you don’t have a car and unless you are taking an off-site outfitter excursion, you’re basically at the resort for good. That said, if your vacation is focused on relaxation and you can feel fully entertained with the on-site pools and spa, as well as the sailboats, catamarans and kayaks for guest use, by all means consider the Inn at Robert’s Grove.
Rack rates for a second-floor beachview room are $175 in the summer/fall, $209 in the winter/spring and $315 over Christmas week. Those rates include complimentary breakfast daily and transfer from the Placencia airstrip.
For more Belize trip-planning advice, check out the Belize Tourism Board’s website.
Photos by Kara Williams.