Susanna and I took a water taxi from the mainland and arrived at one of the main docks of this lively island.
Belize's official language is English--much easier for an English-speaking tourist than other Latin American countries. Ambergris Caye (Caye is pronounced key) is an island off the coast of Belize, Central America which has the world's second largest barrier reef.
Susanna and I took a water taxi from the mainland and arrived at one of the main docks of this lively island. The waterfront was bustling with activities. There were dive shops, restaurants, gift shops, vendors selling crafts on the beach and people just enjoying the sun and the wonderful Caribbean ambiance.
Securing a golf cart, the main means of transportation on the island, we headed for Victoria House. The resort is just south of the island's only town, San Pedro. Arriving at the resort and seeing the beautifully landscaped grounds and being greeted with typical island smiles and hospitality, I knew that this was going to be a get away to remember.
Our accommodation was a luxury villa near the infinity pool, one of the several swimming pools on the resort. The villa was large with thatched roofs and very high ceilings. It was beautifully furnished, using furniture and details hand-crafted from local tropical hardwoods. The décor and art were very tasteful. With a full kitchen, large living and two bedrooms, the dwelling was luxuriously comfortable.
The landscaping of the resort was immaculate, greenery and flowers abounded. The long palm-lined stretch of white-sand beach was perfect for sunning, lounging in a hammock or swimming and had a complete dive shop at one end. Also, near the beach was the Admiral Nelson's Bar which, in addition to a great selection of drinks, had a very fine food menu. One of the resort's spa options was having a massage on the beach.
Of the 42 luxury guest rooms, some were of the tropical, thatched-roof design, such as our villa, and others were English colonial style—as Belize was an English Colony up to a few decades back.
Our meals were taken during the day at Admiral Nelson's and in the evening, with candlelight and a deliciously cool tropical breeze, outside at the resort's main eatery Palmilla Restaurant. All of the food was tastefully prepared, beautifully presented and definitely gourmet.
We also took excursions in our golf cart into San Pedro to shop at the fine crafts stores and to try the excellent restaurants available. A couple eateries of note were Kelly McDermott's Caliente—try the Mango Chicken, delicious—and, close by, Chef Amy Knox's Wild Mango. Both were located on the beach with the special Caribbean ambiance.
According to the longtime (16 years) managers of Victoria House, Janet Woollan and Brent Kirkman, “It’s the staff that makes it (the resort) special.” They have a staff of 85, some of which have worked many years at the resort, including the dive shop which has had members of the same family employed since its opening. The staff and Janet and Brent make this resort one of the finest on the island and have created a true ambiance of “barefoot” luxury. It is a perfect place for weddings and honeymoons (one year hosting 52 weddings) or for a romantic getaway.
Next time we return to Ambergris, I hope we find the same barefoot luxury awaiting us.
Paradise lost: The couple who were renewing their vows at the resort were humiliated by employees during the ceremony
The video, uploaded by a hotel employee as a joke, concludes with a voice repeatedly urging the ‘celebrant’ to make the couple ‘suck mouths, suck mouths’ – an expression used by Maldivians to denigrate the act of kissing.
Although the woman speaks English in reply to the ‘officials’, she is believed to be Swiss.