Splash Inn Dive Resort

Splash Inn is a diver’s hotel that originally opened in 2009, so the priorities are no surprise here. The hotel changed hands in 2014, and while it’s still not a fancy place, the current owner’s improvements stand out. The hotel is divided into two sides -- one has a bulk of the rooms, the restaurant, and front desk, while across the street are the dive shop and additional rooms. The open-air restaurant has ocean views, though they're not the island’s best, as the oceanfront is lined with docks and boats. The hotel’s sandy grounds are full of plants and covered with a canopy of skinny tall palm trees. There’s no pool at Splash Inn, but guests don’t seem to mind, as they usually spend their days in the water, anyhow. The vibe is low-key, and most guests are out and about during the day, though it gets a little livelier at night -- we overheard lots of guests trading stories on what they saw what during the day’s dives over dinner. 

Situated in the West End -- Roatan’s touristy nightlife, diving, and restaurant hub -- the hotel sits next to the ocean, though the nearest beaches are a three-minute walk from the hotel along Half Moon Bay. Nearby dining options include Thai, Italian, international, and Honduran cuisines, all a minute -- or less -- walk away. There’s a small market nearby as well as a pharmacy, ATM, and laundry shop. West Bay, with its long, beautiful beach lined with resorts and bars and restaurants is a 12-minute drive. There’s also a three-minute water taxi to West Bay that leaves across the street from Splash Inn. Coxen Hole, the island’s commercial center, is a 20-minute drive from Splash Inn. Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel. For divers, a big perk of Splash Inn’s location (and all hotels in West End) is the proximity to great diving. Within a 15-minute boat ride are the top-rated Hole in the Wall and West End Wall dive sites. Cayo Cochinos is a small key with crystal clear water and great diving that’s an hour-and-a-half boat ride away. 

The air-conditioned rooms at Splash Inn are generally roomy, and have a quaint style that draws on local accents to give them some personality. The white-walled rooms have high ceilings and are decorated with shell-framed mirror and carved masks or photos of beachy scenes. A variety of bed configurations are available from kings to three twins to dorm-style rooms -- all with colorful bed runners and slatted, hardwood headboards. End tables and desks with whimsical floral carvings are standard, as are lamps with wicker or palm-tree frond metal bases. Tube TVs with cable channels are also standard, although most channels are in Spanish. Bathrooms are basic and include fully tiled stand-up showers, wicker-framed mirrors, towels, bar soap, and shampoo. It might be worth splurging on the Standard Plus Rooms that also include mini-fridges, safes, coffeemakers and free coffee. Wi-Fi is free in all guest rooms. Beware that given this resort's popularity with divers, it can be noisy early in the mornings when everyone is heading out with their gear.

Features are fairly limited and relatively specific, as the hotel caters specifically to divers. As such, the Splash Inn Dive Center is the hotel's beating heart. The full-service PADI dive shop has four dive boats and offers PADI certifications from Open Water to Dive Master, fun dives, night dives, and privately guided dives. Snorkeling equipment is also available to borrow for free. The hotel’s open-air restaurant, Splash Inn Restaurant, serves seafood and international cuisine and has themed dinners with nightly happy hour and drink specials. Breakfasts are free with dive packages, and are quite hearty. The hotel can arrange tours, taxis, babysitters, car rentals, drivers, and massages. There’s also laundry service (for a fee) and free purified water. The hotel generator ensures 24-hour uninterrupted power (a necessity on Roatan). Splash Inn also rents out dock space, and the only swimming option is a roped-off area at the end of the dock. Wi-Fi -- although slow -- is free throughout the hotel, though airport transfers are unfortunately not included in rates.