The Beach House

The Beach House is a quiet, laid-back boutique hotel that’s beachy and unpretentious. The wooden, three-floored hotel is painted bright canary yellow and feels like a tropical Cape-Cod style home, with its gabled roof and an ocean-view patio that stretches the hotel’s entire length. The Beach House has been around for a while, but the current owners took over in 2013 and renovated many of the rooms and shared spaces in 2016. The lobby’s built around the hulking trunk of an indio desnuda tree that passes through portholes in the roof and surrounded by a semi-circle, wooden bench. There’s a teardrop-shaped rattan chair hanging from the tree, but the hotel has better places to relax. At the end of the hotel pier, there’s a restaurant with lounge chairs, chairs, and tables. It’s the perfect spot for a sunset. Most hotel guests are from Europe and Latin America, and while couples are common, quite a few families are are drawn to The Beach House.

The Beach House is located in the heart of West End, Roatan’s hub for bars, clubs, restaurants, and nightlife. The hotel’s just past all the hustle and bustle, and is quieter than the hotels on the strip, but everything is still walkable. It’s on the beach and a seven-minute swim to a thriving reef. Within a minute walk from the hotel are restaurants serving Honduran, international, Argentinian, and Italian dishes. There’s a Thai restaurant, laundry shop, and an ATM a five-minute walk away. There’s also a mini-mart, scooter rental shop, and many dive shops a one-minute walk from the hotel. Other actives include swimming and experiencing dolphins at nearby Anthony’s Key, and a botanical garden with naturalist-led hikes, both of which are an eight-minute drive from the hotel. Coxen Hole, the island’s commercial center, has supermarkets, restaurants, shops, and banks, and is a 20-minute drive from The Beach House. The Utila ferry dock is only a two-minute walk from the hotel, followed by a 40-minute ferry ride. The ferry to La Ceiba on the Honduran mainland is a 30-minute drive followed by an hour and 15-minute ferry. Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport is a 25-minute drive from the hotel.

Ocean views from The Beach House’s air-conditioned rooms are gorgeous, especially from the private patios or balconies. That's not the only highlight, though, as rooms are also big and bright, with exposed-beam ceilings and whitewashed walls. Some have splashes of baby-blue that contrast the beautiful hardwood floors and ceilings. Bed sizes vary by room, but expect either king or queen (and maybe an additional full or twin). The Hemingway Suite is the most recently renovated room and is definitely the most sophisticated offering. It includes rustic hardwood headboards and furniture, artsy panels of live-edge wood tiles on the walls, and ocean views from the bed. 

Flat-screen TVs with cable channels are standard in all rooms as are ceiling fans, safes, and love seats. All also have at least a mini-fridge and microwave, and many have kitchenettes or full kitchens with two-burner electric ranges, blenders, coffeemakers, toasters, mini-fridges, and stunning wooden counters. All bathrooms are modern, but the Daydream Suite stands out with its fabulous outdoor shower. Otherwise, bathrooms are a mixed bag, with stand-up showers, toiletries, and hairdryers. All rooms also have free Wi-Fi.  

There’s no doubt that The Beach House’s top draw is its beautiful beachfront, though the hotel is sadly lacking a pool. The sand on the beach is soft and there are lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas. There’s also a dock that's perfect for jumping into the turquoise water. At the end of the hotel’s dock, Sunset Dock Bar Grill has a menu specializing in burgers, seafood, and fresh fish. They also offer drink and happy-hour specials and live music. The Landing Restaurant is an open-air eatery with ocean views of Half Moon Bay on the hotel’s second floor that serves local and international cuisines. It’s also where the free breakfasts included with all stays are served. The hotel can assist in arranging tours, taxis, and airport-transportation. In the lobby, there’s a book exchange, board games to borrow, and a small shop selling bug spray, sunscreen, sun hats, and bikinis. Hotel freebies include free printing, purified water, coffee, and parking, although the parking is limited and on the street. Importantly, the hotel has a generator for uninterrupted power. Laundry service is available and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel.