Belize Ocean Club

No-frills guesthouses and small hotels dot the beachfront road just north of Placencia, making this property a real standout. Belize Ocean Club is one of the area’s few proper Caribbean resorts in the area, and it handles that honor with style. The property tastefully blends Belizean design elements like thatched-roof buildings with a modern aesthetic that includes handsome art, reserved upscale-home decor, and the restrained use of tropical details like jute and hardwood. While it lacks any notable kid-centric amenities, the property is family-friendly overall. The result is a mixed clientele of families and adult couples, and an atmosphere that’s lively but never rowdy. Sunset and lagoon-side suites are situated away from the action, while guests looking to be at the center of the resort's hubbub should opt for the sea side. The latter -- where the beach, pool, swim-up bar, and waterfront restaurant/bar are located -- serves as the hotel’s social hub.

The resort is located 15 minutes by car from the center of Placencia Village. There are few attractions or services within walking distance, and those who want to explore will either need their own rental car or will have to utilize the hotel's free shuttle, which runs to the town’s restaurants, shops, and marina. The latter is a great place to organize tours of the nearby islands and Belize’s stunning barrier reef (the world’s second largest). For those with their own car, the coastal area around Placencia is a magnificent place to explore.The nearest international airport is Philip Goldson International (BZE), more than three-and-a-half hours away in Belize City. Many travelers opt to catch a puddle jumper into Placencia’s tiny airport, which is less than 10 minutes from the property. The hotel can alternatively arrange for bus transportation, however, the service predictably carries a hefty premium.

Every room is adorned with chic, modern decor that sidesteps almost all of the tropical trappings often found in hotels in this part of Belize. Instead, everything has a polished finish, helped in part by attractive photography of seascapes on the walls. Wicker seating, dark wood furnishings, marble tile floors, and a monochromatic color palate in varying shades of brown all contribute to the altogether upscale-home vibe of the units here. Sparingly used contemporary patterns in the soft furnishings, plus accents like white and blue complete the coastal look.Suites are available in two main categories -- Premium and Penthouse. Both feature identical, 1,100-square-foot (102-square-meter) floor plans with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a full kitchen. Penthouse rooms upgrade to cathedral ceilings and are located on the hotel’s third floor with the best sea views. All feature a wide, private, furnished balcony with views to either the Caribbean Sea or lagoon on the opposite side of the street. Guests can also opt for a one-bedroom configuration which involves the hotel locking one bedroom and bath from use. Tech amenities in every room include large, flat-screen TVs with satellite service and free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, we found the in-room internet service to be unreliable at best. Given the large size of each room, the bathrooms are tiny, bordering on cramped. The decor is modern and fit and finish excellent, including glass vessel sinks and travertine walls and floors. Master bathrooms also offer a shower with a jetted tub, plus premium bath amenities.

The resort’s large, clean pool is situated steps from the sea. The surrounding terrace is ringed by dozens of lounge chairs and umbrellas to provide plenty of shaded seating. A swim-up pool bar serves a full liquor menu -- including beer, wine, and tropical drinks -- from mid-morning until well after dark.The beautiful beach offers a dozen lounge chairs, palapas, and beach beds with sufficient seating given the hotel’s capacity. All Belizean beaches are open to the public, however, the large size of Placencia’s beachfront all but guarantees that resort guests will never feel crowded. The condition of the Caribbean Sea is highly dependent on the weather and time of year. During our summer visit, the water was choppy and unswimmable in the morning, yet calm the same afternoon. Free use of kayaks and paddleboards are provided to all guests.Two restaurants service the hotel -- Beach Club Bar & Grill on the sea side and Shore House Restaurant on the lagoon side. The former is spread among three, small, open-air buildings situated directly on the sand. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served a la carte (meal plans are also available) with a mix of Western and traditional Belizean dishes. The latter restaurant occasionally closes based on season and occupancy. Room service is also available from either restaurant for an additional fee. However, the menu is extremely limited and often changed without notice during our visit. Guest opinions of the food are largely positive.Like many area hotels, Belize Ocean Club offers few wellness amenities. A quaint, two-room spa on the lagoon side of the property is situated directly on the water. While it offers a limited menu of services, typical treatments such as deep tissue, hot stone, and pregnancy massage are all available, along with manicures and pedicures. Also on the lagoon side, a tiny, open-air fitness area provides a few basic cardio machines and free weights. The hotel's beach and pool are also highlights. The beach is lovely and set with a few lounge chairs along with kayaks for guests to use. Sea grass can be an issue on occasion, and sometimes the water is a little murky, though both problems aren't uncommon in this part of Belize. As an alternative, the pool is lovely and large, especially given this hotel's size. There are plenty of lounge chairs for relaxing as well as a swim-up bar. The hotel runs a free shuttle into Placencia throughout the day, and parking and spotty Wi-Fi are both free as well. All manner of excursions can be arranged through the hotel, including snorkeling and diving and there's a PADI dive shop on-site.