1 | SimoneR said on April 12th, 2012 at 6:40 pm

“Perfect”

This resort was perfect for us. If you are looking for the perfect combination of unbothered peace right at the water’s edge, and adventure, but still a fairly short boat ride from town, this is it. Great service, great food, excellent staff. The dive master, Roberto, was very good and took us on three wonderful dives. And you can take the kayak out to Mexico Rocks and snorkel at your own pace. Or just lie in the beach chairs and enjoy the incredible views as the sea laps at your feet…sigh. We want to go back!

Stayed March 2012, traveled as a couple

2 | Dan Heimbrock said on April 12th, 2012 at 3:45 pm

“Luxury & Privacy on Gorgeous Beachfront”

Portofino Resort in north Ambergris Caye is a fine example of a beach resort that really caters to their guests. The rooms are large and very well appointed…we stayed in the “Mansion” which is a two-story building on the left side of the property facing the Caribbean Sea. Huge space for a family or 3 couples, even if they brought kids along. Nice kitchen, cool walk in shower, and everything you need to enjoy your stay. Each morning my daughter and I would wake up early to watch the sun rise over the water — simply spectacular and I am not even a morning person!

The resort itself has a really nice elevated pool with lots of space for lounge chairs, you can even put one right in the shallow part of the pool itself. Shady palm trees and other places to sit and view the sea are all over the place and they have a pair of hammocks out over the water, very nice. The restaurant and bar were great, super friendly people and everything we ate and drank was perfect. I really liked the Belizean breakfast I had on 2 days…so yummy and looked to be quite healthy too with fresh fruits and tasty fry jacks on the side.

Jan and Sandra, the couple that run the resort are raising two beautiful children at their home on resort grounds, are just delightfully friendly people who work hard to make every guest happy and telling all their friends about this amazing resort called PORTOFINO.

I recommend the hotel completely and believe anyone seeking a exotic, upscale tropical vacation will find Portofino hard to beat.

Room Tip: If you are looking for a big place for a larger group, ask about the Mansion House….its perfect.

3 | Mike R said on April 12th, 2012 at 8:57 am

“A perfect vacation”

We returned from our 5 days at Portofino on the 28th and we still can’t stop thinking about it. It was PERFECT. We have been telling people we just can’t think of even the smallest little bad thing or problem. The room #1 beachfront was comfortable, the restaurant and bar were nice, the food was superb, and the staff was absolutely the best. Rafael made great drinks, Alex and Ivan and Flora were the BEST wait staff, Lorraine was great company, and the diving crew Sayeed and especially Roberto were wonderful. The dives were incredible! And it was really nice to just take the kayak out to Mexico Rocks and snorkel at our own pace. And just to sit in the beach chairs and soak up the peace and quiet and beautiful views! Your place is the perfect mixture of unmolested relaxation and adventure we were looking for. Nice to meet you also, Sandra and Jan (the wonderful owners) and get the lowdown on our impromptu idea to buy some beachfront and move to Ambergris Key. Your k
ids are super-cute, too. We want to come back soon! Oh, and we left with one of the keys to #1, so we’ll mail it to you. Thanks for everything!

Love, Mike and Simone R
Colorado Springs, CO

4 | Martin O said on April 2nd, 2012 at 11:55 am

“Great Staff”

The great staff at Portofino is what makes the stay there most memorable. It’s a speedboat ride from town (the only way to get there) but not secluded. Quite tranquil though. The restaurant served (as a special) the best potato-encrusted snapper I’ve ever had, and the breakfasts were delicious. Terrific service (thanks Flor and Alex!). A nice pool, relaxing areas on the beach to sun and read (but not swim — this isn’t a sandy-bottom area). Raphael will bring you drinks to keep you cool and happy. The desk personnel are very helpful (Lorraine and David in particular). Fantastic snorkel and dive excursions leave every day staffed with friendly experts from the dive shop on the premises — swim with the sharks and stingrays. Or you can kayak out to the reef with snorkel gear free of charge and take it in yourself as well.

Mo takes several trips in the speedboat to town daily (no charge) — if you need some hustle and bustle you will find it there, or perhaps you just want provisions for the mini-fridge in your room.

Wi-Fi works great in the lobby, a bit sporadic in my room, which was comfortable and spacious and had a veranda with a nice view of the beach.

There are bigger and newer-looking properties in the area, but I can’t envision any of them having a better staff.

Stayed March 2012, traveled as a couple

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8 | DallasPhotog said on March 8th, 2012 at 4:08 pm

“Over the top accommodations and experience!”

A 15 minute boat ride from Fido’s in San Pedro, we were greeted at Fido’s by the Portofino boat capt. Once we arrived at Portofino, a staff member greated us and walked us to the bar for a welcome drink and eucalyptus accented warm cloth to wash our face wile our luggage was taken to our room. The bartender had Caribbean white and dark rum options standing by for our drinks. The room was breathtaking. The view spectacular. The staff went above and beyond. I can tell they really enjoy working there. I stayed at three resorts in Belize and Portofino is by far the best experience. They literally have everything under control!!

9 | Sheila W said on January 19th, 2012 at 10:04 am

“I think we found Paradise!”

We stayed at Portofino mid January for 7 wonderful days. We felt so welcomed as we got off the boat that brought us from San Pedro to the resort (captained by Mo), met by Raphael at the door of the office with complimentary drinks (he makes an excellent Pina Colada!!), waited on in the restaurant by Flor, John, and Ivan, and had our tours to the Mayan ruins, cave tubing and jungle ziplining, AND a day of snorkeling, fishing, and a beach barbecue all booked by David and Lorraine! What an absolutely warm, helpful, and pleasant staff! The entire resort is gorgeous; we stayed in the beautiful VIP suite, with the immaculate pool just steps away from our front door, and the beach just steps beyond. The food at the restaurant was excellent; we did eat some meals at some other local places, but Portofino’s restaurant was our favorite. We highly recommend Portofino Resort, and we will be going back!

Stayed January 2012, traveled as a couple

10 | TheFlyingNurse said on January 15th, 2012 at 6:02 pm

“Beautiful, private, quiet-we will return!”

We travel several times a year and to many international locations. Rarely repeat any, but will repeat this location. ??Location: Looking for quiet, private, lacking noisy children (only 17 suites) and away from town PERFECT. 6 miles north from San Pedro so walking to town for mayhem is not easy. Water taxi is $ 11 o/w however the resort has a boat which goes to town 2-3x a day which you can hop on. If you wish to hang in town, then stay closer to town. For us, San Pedro can be seen in a few hours. We looked at all the resorts during our beach bike cruise and defiinitely chose the RIGHT option.?Staff: Superb! Personable and will adjust what they offer to meet YOUR needs.?Restaurant: Steps to the water with great views. I was thrilled to see they also had a vegetarian selection menu. Complimentary continental breakfast-fresh fruits and homemade bread. Dinner menu $17-30 but well worth it. Exceptional sauces and flavors. We did not travel to any other rest location as this was perfect for us. Also play smooth jazz which was perfect with the caribbean trades gently blowing at the elevated dining area. Small and quaint.?Rooms: Side by side thatched cabanas that have caribbean views but the pool sits in front of the view. We booked last minute and stayed in the suite below the Honeymoon Suite. Closest to the water without a pool view. We were concerned over noise but knew the location would be ideal. 20yrds to toes in the water but be aware, the structure is simple frame and thatched roofs. You will hear others. Location with large glass double doors facing the caribbean was gorgeous. We lived in Hawaii for 20 years and really enjoyed this spot.?Dive Shop: at end of pier. VERY accomodating with whatever you desired. With lower number of guests, they can afford to be.??If you want true island feel and the total sense of relaxation, do not hesitate. If you want party and town, stay near town. Taking the water taxi is very enjoyable. We rented beach bikes from town and you can ride along the shoreline. The dirt road to town would not be recommended. Big pot holes would make a golf cart uncomfortable. Also, as soon as we got close to the road/marsh, the mosquitoes had a feast. No problems with mosquitos at the resort at all. They spray and we had stiff trade winds.?Owner lives on premise (Dutchman) and he is lovely to talk with. ?My only recommendation (and I would usually have many suggestions) is to put a mattress pad on the bed. Only to have a sheet against the actual mattress was not very hygenic in my opinion.?We are considering at the end of this year. The country is planning end of Mayan Calendar festivities. What a great place to be to experience what will be.

11 | CaseyAndMolly said on January 14th, 2012 at 5:49 pm

“What a fantastic place”

Portofino Beach Resort is a wonderful place to stay on Ambergris Caye. We chose this resort to have a destination wedding and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The resort was very clean and comfortable, and we spent 7 perfect days in paradise. The staff was absolutely marvelous, patient, and helpful and they treat everyone like old friends making you feel like there’s nowhere else you’d rather be. They covered all the aspects of our wedding and even despite a torrential downpour immediately before we were supposed to begin (it was a beach wedding), completely soaked they still pulled off a more perfect ceremony than either of us could have ever hoped for. Even if you’re not getting married there is more than enough to do. Any activities you would like to do they can arrange for you, from tours to Mayan ruins to scuba diving, cave tubing, zip lines, the list goes on and on. They also offer kayaks and snorkel gear free of charge which you can grab and paddle right off the beach and out to some of the best snorkeling in the world. If you’re not looking for adventure or just want to have a lazy day, there are plenty of chairs and lounges around the pool and on the beach to stretch out and relax in, all just a few steps from your door. Additionally, we loved the location of Portofino, not right in the middle of all the crowds but still just a short water taxi ride away San Pedro and all the attractions it has to offer. We were very sad to have to go as watching the sun rise and set over the Caribbean is an amazing sight of which we will never tire, and as we left we felt as if we were leaving good friends behind.

12 | Hensleys said on December 21st, 2011 at 4:04 pm

We stayed in November of 2011. Portofino is the perfect beach getaway if you just want to relax and don’t like being in town. Its isolated from town, peaceful, and on the beach with lounge chairs to lay on and a hammock outside your cabana. Picturesque views everywhere. The cabanas have the pool in front and then the beach so its a partial ocean view from the room. The staff memebers are very friendly. We had Lorain and David help us plan our week out. I hope David learns how to swim soon! You can catch a ride into town with Moe the boat driver for free but it changes every day so you have to plan your day on his timing if you want to go in town and is subject to change which was fine for us on a lazy day. The activities are all great we did the Blue hole dive, sunset cruise, and caye caulker sailing which were all excellent. They provide purified water in your cabanas and clean it daily which is nice. Small fridge but no microwave. I bought a papaya and they cut it up for me since we weren’t given kitchenware in the cabana which was nice. The room we stayed in for our Honeymoon package cabana was kinda small to us at first but that’s all you need bc you spend most of your time outside. The food at the restaurant was quite expensive for us but still good so we went in town to eat a lot because it was more affordable plus I’m on a strict diet for my medical condition so in town was easier to eat at rather than the limited menu at portofino. The owners are very nice as well they bought us a drink in town because there was a delay from our ride in town to Portofino. If we could afford it and have the time I’d definitely come back and visit! I wanted to stay longer but who wouldn’t.

13 | FrankBeverly said on December 19th, 2011 at 1:47 pm

“Beautiful resort – Excellent service”

A little vacatiion break for my husband and I before the holidays led us to Portofino on Ambergris Caye in Belize. The reservation process for our stay at Portofino was seamless: their staff (thanks, Lorraine and David!) booked our flight from Belize City to San Pedro, and then sent a taxi to pick us up at the San Pedro Airport which took us to the waiting water taxi (thanks, Mo!). After a short 10 minute boat ride. we arrived at this great resort where we were greeted with a cool towel and a refreshing glass of punch. ??We were not disappointed with our choice — the resort is beautiful and the service was outstanding! Portofino boasts a beautiful, clean pool and grounds. We stayed in the Barracuda suite which was heavenly. ??Addiitionally, the food in the restaurant on property (Le Bistro) is very good. We learned that many people come from other resorts to dine here! In fact while we were guests, a Belizean company held their Christmas party for 18 people at Le Bistro. As the saying goes, “Dine where the locals dine, and you’ll find the best food!”??Snorkelers have easy access to “Mexico Rocks” and scuba divers will love the onsite dive shop. In fact my husband was lucky enough to join the resort for their ‘Santa Dive’!??We will definitely return to Portofino — we can hardly wait!

14 | gogogogoVirginia said on November 28th, 2011 at 2:19 pm

Perfect romantic escape

We stayed at Portofino in mid-November and had a lovely time. The tree top suite is worth the extra money. The view from the private balcony and the overall privacy this room allowed for, was perfect. Staff were very friendly, accommodating and helpful. We took the kayak to Mexico Rocks for some fantastic snorkeling. I also recommend the day trip to the Lamanai ruins. If you decide to take the boat to San Pedro for dinner, Warugumas is a wonderful, small restaurant on Middle Street that was a nice alternative to the more fancy meals at Portofino.

15 | jeanne0206 said on November 17th, 2011 at 5:24 pm

7th heaven

Our first visit to Portofino Beach Resort in San Pedro, Belize, was in March 2002, just months after they opened. We found paradise from the moment we were met by Moh, the boat captain, for the private 20 minute ride to Portofino. Having researched places on the internet, we found exactly what we were looking for. Secluded, intimate, and steps from the beach. At that time, there was not a pool. We have visited in February, March and October for a total of 7 visits in 10 years time. Our recent visit was in October (2011), and we were again greeted by Moh with a great smile and hugs. Upon our arrival at the Portofino dock, we were greeted by David and escorted to the main lobby where were offered damp towels to refresh ourselfs, as well as a welcome tropical drink (alcohol added as desired) by Rafael, one of the bartenders that we have known for 8 years of visits. The restaurant has amazing food and presentation. They do have a vegetarian menu, and you may also ask for some subsitutions. The wait staff is friendly, the rooms were always well maintained and cleaned, and the bartendars (Raffael and Orville) are extremely kind, and provided poolside service, as well as dock service. And last, but not least, the owners Jan and Sandra, are like old friends. We certainly have come to feel quite welcome and comfortable at Portofino, and have had the pleasure of watching their family grow. I would recommend Portofino as a great place to stay. A place to enjoy the beauty of Belize, but also to be away from the commercialization, and be truly relaxed in paradise.

Room Tip: Any of the rooms are wonderful. For more spacious, ask for the larger rooms. We have stayed in the side by side cabanas, as well as the single size cabanas (twice the size of the others). Each cabana has a nice porce with chair(s) and hammock.

16 | LolasSanPedro said on November 15th, 2011 at 2:17 pm

Does it get any better i dont think so…

my boyfriend and i stayed at portofino early september for a week in the honeymoon suite, one word AMAZING!!! our own hot tub in the room,walk in shower and the view was to die for..this was my second time staying here and the last time i thought it coulndt get any better but it did..it was slow season there so town was pretty slow, not much reason for us to spend to much time in town.. so we spend most of our time at the resort, their restaurant is outstanding and so is their roomservice the bartender can fix you up with some great cocktails and jan and sandra are great hosts.. everybody that works there is very helpfull and their main goal is to make sure that u have everything you need for a great vacation.
we look forward to our next stay at portofino.

17 | Dorothy N said on November 15th, 2011 at 10:23 am

Excellent Dinner

We only had dinner at this resort, but let me tell you it was amazing! My husband and I are foodies from San Francisco and the meal was delicious. Not to mention the views were breathtaking and the staff were extremely friendly! If you’re in San Pedro I suggest taking the ride to dine at this restaurant.

18 | NigelCoimbra said on November 2nd, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Stunning Resort, Stunning Location, Excellent Staff

I visited Portofino Beach Resort last week as part of a tour of Belize. I was lucky enough to visit some of the best hotels on Ambergris Caye and also in Placencia.
I can safely say that Portofino gets my vote!
The rooms are beautifully presented, extremely comfortable and show real attention to detail.
The restaurant is located above the bar area giving spectacular views out to the ocean. And the food? I do not think that I have eaten such well presented, well prepared food ANYWHERE! Seriously, the food is of a standard that any 5* hotel anywhere in the world, New York, London, Paris, would be proud to provide clients.
The bar area is clean, friendly and very welcoming. You are assured of a warm welcome and great smile when you pop in for a your dinner drink. Raffe makes the BEST Margaritas in the WORLD!
A great indicator to any resort is the guests who are staying there. Friendly, smiling, happy and eager to share experiences. They are the ONLY guests you find at Portofino. As I was there alone I was befriended by two couples, one on their honeymoon, and we shared a great time together talking of our travel experiences, and the occasional beer.
From the moment you pull up dockside and welcomed by a member of staff, often the lovely Lorraine, and the welcome cocktail to the sad moment you depart you will feel as though you are part of the ‘Portofino Family’.
A special mention to Sandra and Jan, the owners of Portofino, who made my stay pleasurable, memorable and most of all, to want me to return as soon as possible to this beach paradise and spend a little longer there! And of course, we cannot forget darling Lorraine. If ever there was someone you wanted working for you, representing you, providing total commitment to your business ethics then she is the one!

19 | BelizeStar said on October 5th, 2011 at 2:09 pm

An amazing experience!!

My boyfriend and I recently went to Portofino Resort and had the most magical moments of our lives. The “honeymoon” suite is exquisite with an enormous panoramic view of the beach with the worlds largest “living reef” right in front of our eyes. The suite was majestic with very high ceilings made out of a thatch roof that is called a palapa. The floors were hard wood and the bathroom and small soaking tub as well as shower were hand done in mosaic tiles. The bed was so comfortable and there was a table and chairs for room service dining whether you wanted to eat inside your suite or have your meals outside on the long vertical balcony that overlooked everything in sight. The windows were all glass so it felt like you were right outside even while inside watching TV on the flat screen or just relaxing and reading a book.??The restaurant and bar was lovely and you could see the beautiful pool in the day or night since at night it is lit up with soft lighting that made you feel as if you were in heaven in Paradise.??The owners are the warmest, kindest couple that are beautiful inside and out and could not do enough to ensure our wonderful stay, from booking our tours or renting a golfcart. The staff is incredibly kind, polite and helpful and it felt like I was with “family” being there.??The landscaping with all the tropical flowers and foliage was breathtaking.??This has got to be one of my most memorable experiences where one feels alive and at peace.??A must see and a must go. Please do…. so you too can share memorable moments be it with family, friends or just on your own.
Room Tip: We saw all the rooms and they were beautiful. I loved the honeymoon suite and the mansion was also something to be remembered, but all of their suites or villas were unique and perfect.

20 | escort bayan said on June 18th, 2011 at 6:28 am

Reality, Reality, and had a great holiday thank you

21 | Kathleen H said on April 29th, 2011 at 12:50 pm

Thank you for a wonderful vacation. My family ( Son Mike, daughter-in-law Julie, grandkids Britt and Sean, son John and friend Mary Kim) enjoyed Portofino and all that it offered. The picturesque setting, the friendly and courteous staff and of course the fabulous weather. I am sure there will be a return visit. Kathleen H

22 | escort bayan said on April 20th, 2011 at 10:37 pm

This has been an amazing trip ( honeymoon), and Portofino has made it the best!! You have all been so kind and thoughtful, and have truly made us feel welcome! We will miss you all, and wish you all the very best!

23 | Kathleen H. said on April 12th, 2011 at 1:55 pm

Thank you for a wonderful vacation. My family ( Son Mike, daughter-in-law Julie, grandkids Britt and Sean, son John and friend Mary Kim) enjoyed Portofino and all that it offered. The picturesque setting, the friendly and courteous staff and of course the fabulous weather.
I am sure there will be a return visit. Kathleen H.

24 | air max 2009 said on March 24th, 2011 at 10:06 pm

IF I recall correctly, Sandra calls it barefoot elegance and I think that is a very fair description.

25 | nike ari max said on March 24th, 2011 at 10:05 pm

Amazing staff and owners!! We now feel we have a new family at Portofino. I definitely recommend this resort to everyone. At first we thought it was a honeymooners resort but families, divers or just friends are all welcome.

26 | Carol & Scott said on February 26th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Dear Willa,
We miss you all.  Really badly.  This is what we came home to instead of your pretty water and warm breezes.
Each one of your staff contributed to an excellent vacation for us.  On the way home on the plane, we discussed why we enjoyed our stay at Portofino so much.  We both decided that it was not just the beautiful resort or pretty waters, but rather the outstanding staff at Portofino.  You all just made us feel so welcome.  Portofino itself is lovely, the room was beautiful and clean, the food was excellent, the facilities just perfect.  But your friendly staff blew us away with their friendly manners.  A great big thanks to everyone.
Thanks to you, Willa, and to Lorraine before you,  for all the arrangements prior to our arrival.
Thanks to Mo for being such a great greeter at the airport, and for hunting down our missing bag.
Thanks to David and Roberto, who anticipated our every need and who tried so hard to keep us straight.
Thanks to Fior with the happy laugh, who feed us so lovingly, remembered our tea each morning, and brightened our every meal.
And to Alex, who, although not as pretty as Fior, brought us more outstanding treats and tempted us with all those specials of the day.
Thanks to Orvil, with the pretty wife and gorgeous daughter, who could prepare the very best end-of-the-day goodies.  And to Rafael, who took good care of us when Orvil was absent.
 
We can’t thank you all enough.
 
And now to the pictures we took.  Our brightest ones were taken Valentines Day with all the cheerful balloons and pinwheels.  I’ve attached 6 for you to share with everyone.  I’ll send  some more in another e-mail.  I only regret that I didn’t get pictures of you all since you were the best of Portofino.
 
May God bless you all this year.  And thanks for your loving care.

27 | C&HK said on December 12th, 2010 at 1:38 pm

This has been an amazing trip ( honeymoon), and Portofino has made it the best! You have all been so kind and thoughtful, and have truly made us feel welcome. We will miss you all, and wish you all the very best!

28 | Lovebug07 said on November 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am

WE LOVED THE PORTOFINO!!!!
Portofino Beach Resort was the most perfect place to spend our honeymoon! We stayed there for 7 nights in the Jasmine Suite ( as the Honeymoon Suite was already booked.. the most popular one )… What a great view!!! Every morning we went for coffee which is complimentary, back to our suite and just sit in the porch and enjoy a beautiful view of the clear water.
Most of the days we just enjoyed the resort and the beach but I must say the days we went out on excursions which were booked by the resort went pretty well. You just have to say what you want and they will take care of the rest!!!
The resort is located north of the main town which was cool as it is very private however easy access to get in town, it took us approximately 15 minutes in their complimentary boat transfer.
Amazing staff and owners!! We now feel we have a new family at Portofino. I definitely recommend this resort to everyone. At first we thought it was a honeymooners resort but families, divers or just friends are all welcome.
We miss you guys and we will be back soon!!

29 | nwpass said on November 25th, 2010 at 10:25 am

Well….what to say about the Portofino! We loved it! My husband and I spent our 20th wedding anniversary there. The people there are lovely and the resort is lovely. I have traveled a lot and the resort was perfect for us. The people just can not do enough for you. Sandra and Yan are fun and really want you to enjoy your stay. Roberto will find what you need no matter what. The continental breakfast was just what we wanted everyday. (coffee, juice, fresh fruit and toast and jam/peanut butter.) If you want something else they have a full breakfast menu. The restaurant is open for breakfast,lunch and dinner. There were a few times that we were in after the restaurant had closed and they still made us something which was really great.
They have the BEST ceviche I had ever had.!!! We tried a few around the island that was our favorite. The food was always good. Not always exactly the same as the name would get you in the states but you are in a different country so things can be different. we never had anything we didn’t like. They have the best Margaritas.

We snorkeled off the end of the peer. It was surprised at the number of fish we saw. They have equipment for you to use. We brought our own snorkel and mask. We did use the fins and they worked great. We used the kayaks and enjoyed them.
We had a couple night when we drank in the bar. Layed back but very fun.

Location: may or may not be what you want. We loved it but it is a bit remote from the little town so if you want to be in the town. This resort isn’t. They have a boat that goes into town a couple of time a day. That usually didn’t work for us. We took the water taxi. It was not too expensive and ran frequently. Just let Roberto know what you want to do and he will figure it out for you. Just check the times in town so you know when to catch your return boat.

If you want to do anything on the island, they will hook you up. We found that the companies that they worked with were very good and they will bill for you so you just pay them at the end of you trip. I didn’t find it to be any more expensive when booked through the resort and they seem to work with very professional knowledgeable companies. One day we wanted massages and the place they usually work with was closed so Roberto found us another place and booked it for us. It was wonderful. We had to pay directly because the resort didn’t have a billing relationship with that spa.
It was wonderful and Roberto made sure we got it done when we wanted it.
We also booked a private reef fishing and snorkeling trip on our last day. We really enjoyed that and when got back to the resort they cooked up our catch for us and we had an amazing lunch.
The cabanas are lovely. They are a bit on the rustic side.,. They have a hammock on your porch, which both my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed. They have a small fridge and a smal TV. No phone in the rooms. they do have WIFI and I had cell service. I haven’t gotten the bill yet so I don’t know how much I was paying for those calls and texts that I was sending. They have a really nice beach that they keep very clean. Lots of chairs and tables for relaxing.

What they don’t have….which we didn’t miss. work out room. spa on site, hot tub. I didn’t see a lot of hot tubs at the other resorts either. They don’t have a swim up bar. So if you have to have those things or if you want to be able to walk to the night life. This might not be the place for you. If you love to stay on the beach, and want GREAT service, this is probably the place for you. We went out one night and did the bars and dancing and San Pedro.
It was fun but one night was plenty of that. It is easy enough to get to town if you want to you just have the cost of the water taxi. We looked at other places when we were there and we really liked Portofino best.
There are other nice places like Victoria house and the Phoenix but they definitely had a different vibe. They were not what we were looking for on this trip.
IF I recall correctly, Sandra calls it barefoot elegance and I think that is a very fair description.

30 | Roy Smock and Lynn Todd said on October 25th, 2010 at 2:47 pm

Where do I begin? From moment one I was in awe of this place, and really don’t know if I have adequate words to describe it.
The rooms combine rustic with simple elegance that is so comforting. Flowers sprinkled around your room every day was so nice.
The atmosphere was whatever you wanted it to be. There were lovely people there to be social with if you so desired, or at times you could feel like you were the only person there. It was so quite and relaxing. The grounds were groomed everyday. You were allowed to go bare foot any where anytime. You never really saw many of the quests as most just go their own way or hang out on the beach.
I cannot wait to go back. The water transportation everywhere is great. Don’t worry about a thing coming or going. Moe takes care of everybody. The staff were the loveliest people. They know what you need before you do. Nothing is too much trouble. They help you with everything. The bartenders Orville, and Raphael were always ready to mix a drink or bring a snack down to you. Lorraine, David, and Roberto helped you plan anything. Last but not least my darling Flor who brought my hot tea with honey and lemon coming when I had a little congestion. Bye the time we left I felt like I was leaving my own family. Its hard to describe, but it was just wonder. It might be a little tame for those who wish to party all night, but if its peace, quiet, relaxing, and feeling special is what you need this is the place
Lorraine, I will spread the word about this place as best I can. If anyone does book I will tell them to mention our name.

Hugs and Kisses for everybody,

Roy Smock and Lynn Todd

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32 | CHK said on September 8th, 2010 at 1:46 pm

This has been an amazing trip ( honeymoon), and Portofino has made it the best!! You have all been so kind and thoughtful, and have truly made us feel welcome! We will miss you all, and wish you all the very best!

33 | LJ said on June 6th, 2010 at 4:00 pm

We had a fabulous time in a glorious place, unforgettable.We had a beautiful honeymoon , and your staff and your staff helped make it so.
” till next time”

34 | FG said on June 3rd, 2010 at 1:44 pm

From our warm welcome to our good bye – Thank you for everything. My six month pregnant belly and I loved our four day stay here!
It was my first time getting comfortable around sand – and that alone was memorable.

Until next time.

35 | Nicole and Jameson Schroeder said on June 2nd, 2010 at 11:39 am

My husband and I just spent our belated honeymoon at Portofino, (late May 2010) and it was the most romantic, beautiful place either of us have ever been. The staff was truly amazing and really make you feel like you’re someone special. We can’t wait to go back and visit. We left feeling like we really made some lifelong friends, even just amongst the staff. Thank you Portofino staff for making our first vacation so wonderful and we can’t wait to visit you again!

Love,

Nicole and Jameson

36 | EA said on May 16th, 2010 at 3:53 pm

Thank you for your warm hospitality. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. The resort is friendly and intimate. Belize is gorgeous we were definitely recommending that our friends and family visit we will be back and maybe no definitely will have to be courageous enough to snorkel.We wish you all the best in the future.

37 | TR said on May 11th, 2010 at 11:42 am

To the family of Portofino:
Thank you all so much for the incredible vacation experience. Everyone was so wonderful and made us feel welcome and a part of our family. We enjoyed Marlin and his efficiency. We loved Beverly and Menelva they took great care of us. Raphael, James and Orvelle made sure our thirst was always quenched and Mo got us were we needed to be.Not to mention everyone else… thank you.

38 | LR said on April 8th, 2010 at 1:58 pm

What a beautiful place and wonderful people. Thank you for making our second stay just as special as our first. We’re sure to be back. Come see us in Kansas anytime.

39 | Mary and Michael Moore said on March 30th, 2010 at 6:02 pm

Mike and I just posted this on TripAdvisor; however, we wanted to also leave our comments here for those that may not see it on TripAdvisor.

SIMPLY PARADISE . . . It felt like we were welcomed home after a long trip!

My husband, Mike, and I just celebrated our 25th Anniversary at the Portofino Beach Resort for eight glorious days and 7 nights. I am struggling to find words powerful enough to describe the outstanding time that we had at the Portofino. We spent quite a bit of time searching for a location to celebrate our marriage before we settled on the Portofino. We were looking for a place that was not too big but quaint (where we did not feel like one of 500 guests . . . but more of one of 50 guests); a place not directly in the middle of the “city/nightlife” but close enough if we wanted to go party; a place that was clean; a place that had terrific food; and lastly a place that had a good contacts with the local/reputable tour companies. We found all of that and SO MUCH MORE at the Portofino!

We are extremely glad that we took the very few negative comments about Portofino with a grain of salt and did not let that deter us from going there. In fact when we re-read some of the negative comments after our stay, we are not sure that we were staying at the same resort as they described!

What did we like best about the Portofino . . . well like I mentioned above, it met all of the criteria that we were looking for. The rooms were very clean; the beds comfortable; and the property immaculate. Every morning, the staff was out cleaning up any debris that may have floated in from the sea or leaves that fell off the trees. The pool was a wonderful place to swim or just relax. We had read in some previous reviews that some guests had a problem with the water system at the Portofino – that it contained brine. Over the last year, they have upgraded their water system and we had no issues with not feeling clean after we took our showers. I would recommend that regardless of where you stay – and I hope you choose the Portofino – that you get yourself a good leave-in conditioner as the salt water can be tough on your hair.

We ate in town several times BUT we ended up eating for the remainder of our stay at the Portofino Restaurant – you just couldn’t beat the quality and the prices in town. The food there is five star and in fact nightly you would find guests from other resorts coming to the Portofino for dinner. My husband caught a barracuda and they cooked it up for us Creole style – YUM!!

We would recommend that when you are in San Pedro to try Mangos Restaurant and have an ice cream at Manelly’s Ice Cream (right next to Fidos). Our favorite stores in town were “Ambar” (located in Fidos courtyard). She carried beautiful jewelry. We also really liked “Graniel’s Dreamland” (located on Middle Street) for beautiful carved wood. AND if you want an outstanding massage and/or facial try “Sol Spa” in San Pedro! The best facial that I have ever had.

Back to the Portofino – they helped us to arrange several adventures during our stay and we were extremely pleased with the reputable groups that they hooked us up with. We went to Barton Creek and the Xunantunich Mayan site. While this was an all day trip – it was really worth it to see Belize and meet the locals! We also took two snorkeling trips – one to Mexico Rocks and the other to Hol Chan. We were able to see more wildlife at Hol Chan. Mike took an all day fishing trip with someone that he met at Fidos and NOT through Portofino. He was disappointed. While the price was somewhat cheaper than through the group referred to through Portofino – the boat was very small; they were not able to go outside of the reef area; and no lunch was provided. Next time he will go through the group recommended by Portofino.

And last but not least, our stay was made even more memorable by the owners and staff of Portofino! It felt like we had known them all of our lives – it felt like family! They did everything that they could to ensure that our stay was comfortable, memorable and enjoyable. I want to specifically mentioned Sandra (she and her husband own the Portofino); Roselie and Bertha (who worked in the office and managed logistics and trips); Mo (the Portofino Boat Captain); Orville and Rafael (the Bartenders and story tellers extraordinaire); Karla, Rachael and Marleini (who worked in the restaurant); Bella (one of the Chefs) and Carlos (who did our “wake-up knock knocks” so we didn’t miss our trips).

I think how a resort handles an “emergency” situation says a lot. While we were there, the ENTIRE COUNTRY OF BELIZE had a power outage! They ensured that all guests were present and accounted for; they had backup generators up and running in now time; there were a couple of rooms where the lights didn’t come on right away with the generator so they supplied candles and hurricane lamps. We were very, very impressed with how they handled this situation. We enjoyed some quiet time by candle light for about an hour until the power was restored.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH PORTOFINO for being a part of our 25th Anniversary. We will be back and miss you all already!

40 | TM said on March 12th, 2010 at 9:52 am

To the staff of Portofino we were so graciously treated, like if we were kings or queens. Our experience was great and made possible by everyone here. They have a great team. I will send as many friends to see you as possible.

41 | BILL AND SUSAN TICKHILL said on March 8th, 2010 at 3:34 pm

HIGHLY RECOMMENED, WE HAD THE BEST TIME STAYING WITH THE PORTOFINO FAMILY. SPECIAL HELLO TO THE GREAT STAFF, THEY DO AN AWESOME JOB MAKING YOU FEEL RIGHT AT HOME.

42 | Darryl Metcalf said on March 7th, 2010 at 3:59 am

This is our first time to your lodge and we are trying to figure out what the evening attire is at the hotel restaurant and bar.

REPLY from Portofino Beach Resort:
Dear Darryl, thank you very much for your email.
Bertha, our Reservation Manager will be in touch with you and is more than happy for giving you all the information.
Warm Regards,
Sandra van Noord

43 | SK said on January 12th, 2010 at 2:31 pm

To the Portofino Staff,

Many thanks for making our stay here in your beautiful country a memorable experience. Your friendliness and genuine concern for our comfort and happiness is very much appreciated. We will miss all of your happy faces!!

44 | Magaly Amores said on December 13th, 2009 at 10:40 pm

And I forgot to say that your food is delicious!! The grouper is extremely tasty, as well as other dishes. My husband, Russ, and I had to have the dishes more than once during our stay. Thanks again!

45 | Magaly Amores said on December 13th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

My husband and I had fun in Belize at Portofino. We were there from 12/5-12/12… amazing time. Thank you for the hospitality. You have a very good staff. Everyone there made it very enjoyable, BUT I have to say that Rafael, Marlene and Rachel were definitely GREAT! They always gave us great suggestions, especially on what to try and do in San Pedro. They were always sooo nice and fun to talk to! Please say hi to them! Our experience there was very nice and we will definitely go back!

46 | Forrest said on November 27th, 2009 at 4:18 pm

Thanksgiving greetings to Jan, Sondra, and the rest of the Portofino staff, including our gracious boat captain.
Many thanks for a superb Thanksgiving last night; the food, the service, the ambience, and the hospitality of all were totally wonderful and greatly appreciated.

Cheers to all! – Forrest

47 | BLM said on October 12th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

You guys are awesome!!!

We have been to other places in the Caribbean but this is the BEST!
Thanks so much for helping us and being a part of renewing our wedding vows. What a great way to celebrate our first twelve years!! We hope we can come back!
Thanks again.

48 | LTC said on September 14th, 2009 at 3:57 pm

Thank you for a wonderful second half honeymoon! You all have been incredibly hospitable, kind and fun!! You have made us feel very much at home, and cant wait for our next trip to lovely San Pedro.

Muchas Gracias

49 | Robert and Laurie said on September 12th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

We just returned from our honeymoon and stayed at Portofino. Words can’t describe how wonderful it was there. The resort was beautiful and very clean. Our room was spacious and with a great view of the beach and ocean. We ate at the resort often and really enjoyed the food. Portofino is a great place to go and relax, it is just a boat ride from town if you are looking for some more nightlife. The best thing about Portofino is the people that work there. Rosalie was so personable and down to earth. She organized so many wonderful trips for us and took the time to get to know us. She is amazing. Bertha was also wonderful. I wanted to go to the spa and she wasn’t getting an answer on the phone so she sent someone over to book an appointment for me. Raphael was enjoyable to talk to and we even got the chance to hang out with him in town. He is really funny and personable. Then there is Orville who we spent the most time with. He is the other bar tender at Portofino. He is an excellent source of information and a genuinely nice person. He is great to sit at the bar and talk to. I had gotten some sunburn and he cut some aloe off a plant for me. He also remembered that I like to take a coke light to my room when we went up for the night, and one night I had forgotten to order it. He knocked on our door and delivered it to me! My husband and I can’t say enough good things about Portofino itself but especially the people we got to know staying there. Customer service is beyond 5 stars. We are already talking about going back and our friends saw our pics and want to come too. Portofino is a quiet place to be able to hang out but there is so many activities you can plan from there and has great snorkeling too.

50 | Robb and Kirsten Hall said on August 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm

My wife and I went to Belize and stayed at Portofino to celebrate selling a house. We were met at the airport and ferried by golf cart and by boat to the resort. The room they gave us was magnificent with what I think of was the best view of the ocean, (room 1). We ate fine cuisine meals there for breakfast lunch and dinner. We only ate in town I think after we had exhausted the menu at Portofino! The staff helped make all the arrangements for trips and where-ever we were on the property, they were always there to help or offer a drink. We were treated as family; we felt welcome, safe and secure. Portofino is a quiet place, away from the hustle and bustle of town, a perfect place for a romantic get away. Our stay helped strengthen our marriage and we hope to go back to Portofino soon.

51 | Sarah Turner said on August 8th, 2009 at 11:05 am

My husband and I stayed at Portofino for our honeymoon last August (2008), it was my dream honeymoon! I fell in love with Belize and Portofino, I think about it everyday since I left and cannot wait to return! The staff was fantastic!! and the food even better! I miss you Portofino and can’t wait to meet again!

Sarah and Mark Turner
Wisconsin

52 | Bill Calvin said on July 20th, 2009 at 11:51 am

I’ve been there 3 times now… Happy to hear about the new additions but please keep it the sexist place on Ambergris

53 | Ernie Brannon said on July 15th, 2009 at 7:58 am

My favorite place to dine in San Pedro and visit with the wonderful people there. See you soon !

54 | Marc and Linda Reinbold said on July 11th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

We have been to your beautiful resort twice, once as our 20th anniversay-finally-honeymoon and the next with our college kids and cousins. Can’t say enough of how wonderful the service and accomodations are. The food and drinks were awesome. Thank you for being like family and keeping in touch through the years. We look forward to seeing you in March 2010.

55 | Jonathan Mullen said on July 11th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

Great to see all the new enhancements and love the new site. You were such great neighbors and have always treated my friends well too I’m told. Can’t wait to come up for dinner and see first hand soon all the enhancements. Gonna ask my friend David and his girlfriend to stay there when they come into town.

Thanks ……. I’m officially a Fan

56 | Britt Barrett said on July 11th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

The new site looks great guys! I’m sure you are happy to have it finished. We miss you all. Everytime I start to stress about life I close my eyes and imagine myself at Portofino with a ‘welcome Drink’ or ‘Red Fanta’ in my hand enjoying the sun, waves, beauty, and awesome staff & truly amazing owners. Awwww, now I can face another day knowing there is always a place I can go back to some day. I wish you all nothing but the best the world has to offer.

Love & Thanks Always,

Britt

57 | NM said on May 12th, 2009 at 4:05 pm

We had an amazing honeymoon here with you. The food was exceptional, a true culinary delight!! The hospitality was above and beyond our expectations!! It all has been beautiful and we have memories that we will never forget. Hopefully we will return soon!

58 | MR said on May 12th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

For the friends at Portofino:

I have always dreamt of coming to an island like this…thank you for helping my dream come true. You are all wonderful people & you always had a smile to share. Thank you so much for sharing your paradise! Also thanks for the “congrats Alice Cake”:) will see ya soon!

59 | KLMW said on February 10th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Thanks to all of you for a great experience. Our family loved our stay here at your resort and We appreciated all of the great hospitality by everyone.
We have traveled to some beautiful places- but this ranks #1. Take care root for the KU Jayhawks ( NCAA Basketball).

60 | BP said on October 10th, 2008 at 4:30 pm

Thank you for a wonderful honeymoon stay! We had a fantastic time and wish all the lovely people at Portofino is the best!

61 | MS said on September 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm

We had a wonderful time at this resort. We enjoyed and appreciated the warm welcome, the view, and the Cabana is so gorgeous and awesome.The staff are extremely friendly and made us feel like home!And a special thank you to Marlon and Orville, and Menel via them all made our stay here a blast!!

62 | KD said on July 3rd, 2008 at 10:09 am

Thank you so much for treating us like royalty – it was a very special time for us while we were here. Our honeymoon night will never be remembered as nothing short of perfect. The entire wedding party was glad i brought them here for dinner tonight, and to show off your wonderful resort.We will most definitely return here when we come back to Belize. Thanks again for making our perfect wedding dream come true.
We love you guys and this beautiful country.

63 | MC said on June 28th, 2008 at 4:18 pm

This place is absolutely gorgeous. We had so much fun. Everyone was so nice. We will definitely be coming back. We fell in love with the place and staff. Special friends were formed.We can’t say enough good things about Moe, Orville, James, Marlon,Julie, Minnie me and everyone else.

64 | CC said on June 28th, 2008 at 12:13 pm

You are the best. The food was ” wonderful”
the greatest time. ” Orville ” is the best bar waiter. Mo was a fun water taxi driver.

65 | AW said on June 23rd, 2008 at 4:10 pm

Totally Lovely!!

66 | SS said on June 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm

Thank you so much for an amazing honeymoon!
All the staff was so hospitable. Our stay was more than we would have dream of – what a beautiful room! We will be recommending you to all of our friends. Special thanks to Orville and James for keeping our fish well stocked and to Helda for showing us around town. ee you soon!

67 | CJ said on June 12th, 2008 at 8:26 am

This was such a fantastic place for a honeymoon.I have no words to describe how wonderful it was.I want to thank Moe, Marlon,Lucy, James, Oriville,Julie and the people who did our laundry. And anyone I didn’t mention who made my visit exceptional.
We both truly hope to return again. Stay happy and healthy till then.

68 | DG said on May 2nd, 2008 at 7:10 am

A wonderful holiday. All the staff are good and very helpful especially Rafael.( my brothers)the food excellent!!

At last I can get a word in. Everything was more than expected my thanks. To Ann the staff my only regrets is leaving 10lbs heavier than when i came. I am really envious for everyone that lives here.

69 | RM said on April 30th, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Just another day in paradise. We made the most of each day-kayaking & snorkeling to Mexico Rocks, sailing to Hole Chan, then a private fishing a snorkeling cruise to the north of the island.In between the big fun we tried to appreciate every moment. Weather we were waiting for our continental breakfast,or at the dock at 5:15 waiting for the 5:00 water taxi. Breath remember to turn off the Los Angeles brain and chill here island style with our new”brothers and sisters”. Hope you too are able to decompress and enjoy this wonderful gift.

70 | W family said on April 15th, 2008 at 2:48 pm

To all Portofino Staff,
Thank you for a fabulous vacation!
Everyone including the newest staff member Ted are extremely gracious.We couldn’t have chosen a better place to be married – it was beautifully or orchestrated, and very eventful. The only recommendation would be add meatballs to the menu ( and not the 3 day old ones that made it through customs!)

71 | RS said on April 6th, 2008 at 3:15 pm

We were spoiled here, the location, the rooms, the staff, ( Especial Rafael). Everything was nothing but the best, the only thing I would suggest is more choice on the dinner menu of things without fish in thanks for everything.
05/06/08