Turtle Inn

Luxury rustic cottages from film director Francis Ford Coppola, perched on a sugar-white Caribbean beach.

Inspired by Bali yet in harmony with the equally idyllic Belizean setting, stylish Turtle inn offers a secluded escape on the shores of the Caribbean sea. Each of the individual thatched cottages, an immaculate blend of rustic and luxurious, is just steps away from the ocean.

The dining area is a vast, thatch-roofed space with hardwood floors and bamboo finishes. Beyond, the 18 luxury cottages, each with its own secluded garden and open-air shower, are dotted around a deep, central pool. All are designed with obvious attention to detail: hand-carved Balinese hardwood furnishings, plush armchairs and sofas to sink into, huge ornate doors and grand comfy beds complete a picture of comfort and luxury. Bathrooms are large, each with a twin sink, wooden floors and a huge tiled shower.

Kayaks and bikes are available for hire for a trip up to nearby Placencia, and there is a dive shop offering scuba diving and snorkelling. A variety of excursions are also available at extra cost.

Turtle Inn is one of Francis Ford Coppola's three hotel ventures in Central America, along with Blancaneaux Lodge in Belize's Mountain Pine Ridge Forest and La Lancha near Tikal in Guatemala. You can also splash out on a unique experience with an exclusive stay on Coral Caye, a tiny sunlit island just off the coast with transfers from Turtle Inn.