West Bay Lodge and Spa

West Bay Lodge opened in 2006 on a hillside across from West Bay Beach. While there aren’t ocean views, the hotel’s lush grounds are full of blossoming flowers and trees fragrant with ripe bananas, papayas, and mangos. The rooms face the small, but gorgeous, freshwater pool, which is surrounded by a travertine tile deck and lots of lounger chairs. The friendly owners love animals and -- for better or worse -- the lodge seems to double as an animal rescue. There are turtles, parrots, rabbits, and tons of cats. In fact, there are so many cats that the main office -- which, during our fall 2016 visit was being moved to a new area -- smelled a bit like a litter box. Even so, the low-key, homey vibe here proves perennially popular. Families do pass through, but guests are mostly couples from the U.S. and Canada, though the crowd skews a bit older.

West Bay Lodge is located on a lush hillside along West Bay’s main road. It’s a three-minute walk from the hotel to the beach, and it's about the same distance to two mini-marts, an ATM, chocolate shop, and a small casino. There are multiple bars and restaurants serving sushi, Italian, Honduran, and international cuisines within five minutes from the hotel on foot. West End, Roatan's nightlife center, is a 10-minute drive away. It’s also reachable via a 10-minute water taxi that leaves from nearby. Activities farther afield include swimming or snorkeling with dolphins and a botanical garden with naturalist tours -- both a 15-minute drive from the lodge. It's an 10-minute drive to the dock for ferries to Utila, followed a 40-minute ferry to the island. For La Ceiba, on the Honduran mainland, the ferry terminal is a 35-minute drive from the lodge followed by a 75-minute ferry ride. Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport is a 30 minutes from the hotel by car when traffic is light.

The air-conditioned rooms at West Bay Lodge are all standalone bungalows with private balconies, hammocks, and outdoor seating for taking in the lush surroundings. All are spacious, though the interiors are a bit dated, with turquoise or aqua hues, rattan furniture, and paintings of underwater sea life. Ceilings are vaulted and aquatic-themed curtains cover the slatted wood windows. Rooms have either king or queen beds and fish-pattern comforters and throw pillows. End tables are also painted with even more underwater scenes. Rooms have 32-inch flat screen TVs with premium cable channels and DVD players, and all but the Honeymoon Suite have granite-countered kitchens (or kitchenettes) with gas ovens and ranges, refrigerators, and coffeemakers with free coffee. Kitchens can be stocked for no additional fees beyond the cost of groceries. Five-gallon jugs of purified water are standard in all rooms, as are irons, robes, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have granite-countered vanities, beautiful Venetian glass sinks, and stall showers. Amenities include shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, and body wash in full-size bottles (one of the hotel's environmentally-conscious initiatives). Hairdryers and beauty mirrors are also provided. 

The pool at West Bay Lodge is definitely one of its best features. It’s surrounded by lush gardens, a travertine tile deck, and has lots of cushioned lounge chairs. Celeste’s Island Restaurant has a tropical vibe with even more fish-inspired art and signs with sayings like, ”No shirt, no shoes, no problem.” The menu is a mix of tasty Honduran and international cuisine, and the baleadas -- traditional Honduran breakfast tacos -- are served with eggs from hotel’s organic free-range chickens. Breakfast is included with all rates, and the restaurant also has a great wine list. Serenity Day Spa has ceilings painted with beautiful blue sky scenes, and offers standard spa services. In the lobby, visitors can borrow beach and rain umbrellas, beach towels, DVDs, and board games. The hotel can arrange tours, babysitters, and has its own snorkel tour that’s cheaper than similar area outfitters. For stays longer than five days, guests receive free airport or jetty transfers and free laundry services (one load). Wi-Fi and parking area also free, and there's also a generator for seamless 24-hour power.