“Beautiful Setting, Incredible Food & Warm Hospitality”

Kbuhrman South Central PA
Visit Date June 2009

After reading all the reviews about the Eco-Village, I was very excited to stay here. They are definitely rated #1 for a reason. We were greeted by Christine, who was one of the kindest, most considerate B&B owners I have met. It's not every day that the owner brings you a flashlight and umbrella, "just in case you need it." There was also a beautiful bouquet of fresh tropical flowers waiting for us in our room (including birds of paradise, which are my favorite). While I only met her husband, Jason, briefly, he was very helpful and prompt to respond to all my questions (which there were many!) prior to booking our reservation. They both really want to make sure you are completely happy at the Eco-Village.

The idea of the Eco-Village is amazing and all they have to done to make the lodge as green and environmentally friendly as possible. It truly is like walking around in the jungle (be sure you wear bug spray!) with an array of tropical trees, flowers and plants. It is also educational because many of the trees have signs and you also receive a tour of the grounds and the on-site museum, which houses beautiful nature art....such as carved azalea/wood sculptures and natural rock formations.

The rooms are large. They are fairly basic but clean. There are also 2 recreations rooms, 1 w/ a ping pong table and a pool table. The other room has a large TV and computer w/ WIFI. They were nice bonuses but the grounds and the restaurant are truly the reason why you should stay here. Ahh...the food...this portion of the review may take a while :-)

The restaurant and banquet rooms are so beautiful. You really get to experience Belizean mahogany at its best in a very peaceful tropical setting. We ate at many different restaurants on our vacation and our meals at the Eco Village were some of the best, if not the best. We even extended our stay, so we could have an additional meal. We had fresh juice at every meal....hibiscus lime juice, orange (they wait to squeeze the oranges until you are seated) and blueberry juice. You get at least 3 courses with every meal as well. Christine is a culinary wizard with many types of cuisine so she asks your preference for what you would like to try...Belizean, Chinese, French, American, etc. We had wonderful homemade bread, amazing fresh fried fish, soup, rice & beans, and a fabulous chocolate cake. Plus, the Belizean eggs I fell in love with since our arrival to the country and they shared the secret of what makes the eggs melt in your mouth - coconut oil!

The Eco-Village also offers many day trips and extended stays. Their prices are definitely some of the best in Belize. While I decided to travel from place to place, if I had booked through a travel service, I would have chosen the Eco Village.

Before we left, Christine wanted to make sure she said goodbye and even gave us a hug. Many thanks to Jason & Christine for a wonderful stay.

The Place To Be

Anyta Canada
Date of stay: February 2009

Well, how do you explain the overall experience you will have at the Orchid Garden Eco-Village ? I really don't think I could never do it justice, because you really have to 'feel' it for yourself. Yes, 'feel' it.

Location & Accommodations:
I think it best to pick a more central location and take day or overnight trips to see Belize. We went to a couple of resort who claim to be the best spot to see all of Belize from and we were greatly disappointed. If we had centered ourselves at the Orchid Garden Eco- Village Hotel, we would have saved time and money. Centrally located with more than everything you need, Orchid Garden is a perfect home base. Accommodations are spotless, VERY roomy and private, ideal for families or honeymooners alike. With each room nestled amongst local flora and the grounds teaming with birds and other awesome dwellers who's habitats are encouraged by the hotel, you feel like you are at a friend's cottage out of the city hustle.

Tour Guides:
Rich culture, nature, beaches and history... Belize is a 'must see' place and you greatly benefit with an experienced tour guide. We had several Tour Guide, but the guides at Orchid Garden cannot be beat. They were patient with our last minute changes and ensured that we got the most of our experiences. Orchid Garden offers small tours and you don't pay any extra for it. With this kind of individualized attention, you see what you want to see and experience more than what would be possible in a large group. Your Guide from the Orchid Garden will show you things on the way to your destination, explaining Belize culture and even sharing personal stories the entire way. The chat to your destination can be as good as the destination itself! At a different resort, we suffered through a bumpy 3 hour ride with Guide who obviously hated his job... another one told us we only had an hour for the market because he had to meet his wife for lunch, but he parked 20 minutes away from it... yet another tour Guide asked us of we wanted to stop at a shop, then when we got back in the van only a 1/2 hour later, he wouldn't let us see the Pelicans because we had taken too long. By the end of our short stay at the Orchid Garden, I had a feeling we wouldn't meet a Guide as wonderful as here and I knew I would miss them all. They will give you a great holiday.

Activities:
Well, unlike any other place in Belize, the Orchid Garden will offer you well organized tours and other services with flexibility, honesty, grace, uttermost kindness... and all at a good rate. They even set up plane tickets for us, cheaper than we could have gotten ourselves, with NO fee for their services! Putting our trust in another resort left us running around between airlines with tons of luggage. After much frustration and even some tears because our day was passing us by, they hadn't booked anything at all. The Orchid Garden has a games room, beautiful gardens and wildlife preservations, fascinating museums, a library, an eco friendly swimming pool and the list goes on. You can see you dinner before you eat it, very cool. They have reliable internet access... but if you kill the computer like I did, they even invite you into their private quarters!

Food:
Glorious dining quarters with part of the jungle right there in the middle of the room!! You will eat atop top some of the most amazing hardwood you've ever seen (that is a story in itself), while you are served by some of the most pleasant people you've ever met. Some staff may ask to join you... they won't be offended if you want your privacy, but may I recommend you invite them. We are not very social people and were surprised an this made us nervous the first time, but starting your day off with a perfect conversation with such passionate people just set our day off in the right direction. I am still trying to be a more inviting person because of this experience. A thick, almost fluorescent green soup. Well, we didn't want to be rude... tried it... EXCELLENT! I love my soup and this was a fine soup. All their food is made fresh, right down to your beverages. You taste the difference and it is obvious that a LOT of hard work goes into every dish. I almost hate to say how healthy it is, for all us junk food eaters our there, but it really did feel like I was doing my body a favour and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Staff:
Being an avid traveller and a business owner where staffing is always the biggest hurdle, I have met many staff! The staff at the Orchid Garden are at the top of my list. They make a point meeting your 'needs'. They are not invasive or pushy. They are efficient, friendly, honest and just lovely to spend time with. Our waitress even brought umbrella's to our room when it started to rain before dinner! The owners were sure to check on our satisfaction, not only with their resort, but with Belize in general. The fabulous people who run the resort made a point of making you feel like welcomed guests when you first arrive and won't let you leave until you feel more like friends. They take your cues and only want you to be happy while you are guests in their home. I actually went home thinking that I would be a better friend to those I love from here on in!!! We would spend time again at the Orchid Garden just to be with the people... our friends in Belize.

　

Date:23/12/2008

Keith & Teresa Patterson  Country: USA

Comments: We had wonderful time in Belize and Guatemala. The staffs took wonderful care of us here at Eco-Village and elsewhere. Glad we had all arrangement made through you. What a relief to have private transportation in an unfamiliar place.

Suggestion: Detailed itineraries would be nice. we were not really sure what was on the schedule until a few hours before. That＊s it. All else was great!       

Date: 20/12/2008

Jennifer & Jay Houghton Country: UK

Comments: A wonderful place full of wonderful people and great memories-we loved

It and recommend it to everyone.

Suggestion: Keep Smiling

Date: 18/12/08

Adam Levoe & Roya Miller  Country: USA

Comments: Thanks you guys so much, we had a great time. Alfredo, Amy and Robin as well everyone else are great.

Suggestion: Less light bulbs in the rooms more efficient light bulbs compost pile

Date: 12/17/2008

Dorothy & William  Country: USA

Comments: : Not enough time! The birds are wonderful, so a flocks of parrots!

Tows of birds-wonderful food.

Karin Have  Country:USA

Comments: Very nice large clean room beautiful garden. need coffee in the TV room

Very friendly staffs. Once a week clean rooms towels to save water, nice pool, delicious food. Chrisitne your are a wonderful hostess.

Date: Nov 16, 2008

Jess Robel, Joci Stauffer and Heather Parsons

Country: USA (Philadelphia, PA)

Comments:

Grounds/Facility:

**************

Quiet, secure and eco-friendly with closeness to nature - both plant and animal. Convenient location for touring Belize and Guatemala. The cabin was large, the beds were comfy and surroundings were well maintained. We thoroughly enjoyed the geckos. The museum and gift shop were a plus. Suggestion: the showers could be easier to use and provide slightly hotter water.

 

The Tours:

***********

All tours were well每timed and well-chosen and we appreciated the personal attention and small tour size. We also liked the flexibility of scheduling due to weather; and for best viewing options. Lamanai should be seen before Tikal if you are seeing both. We like the driving to all destinations to see the maximum amount of the countries.

Suggestion: Give thorough and accurate descriptions of the cave experience so guests can choose if they are up to the challenge of ATM- lots of water, sharp rocks, hiking, climbing, etc.

 

The Staff and Service:

*********************

All staff were welcoming and courteous. The food was good and there was a great variety - and a good sampling - of local dishes.  Alfredo made our trip - he was very knowledgeable about the plants, surroundings and culture and was with us throughout our tours. We especially were grateful for Pedro＊s help at ATM too. Without our guides we wouldn＊t have seen nor understood nearly as much. No suggestions - keep it up!  Everything about our trip far exceeded our expectations 每 THANK YOU!

 

Date: Nov 11, 2008

Seema Thakor (a group with 7 persons)

Country: USA Tex.

Comments:

This was a great first experience into Belize 每 The hospitality was wonderful and all the excursions were planned perfectly according to our schedules. Each day Alfredo took us out and answered the  unending questions on Belize and Life in Belize from the guys in our group. He took us out and let everyone experience local food and cultures. He＊s a great added value to the Eco-Village.

The meals were wonderful.  As 1/2 our group was vegetarian 每 it was a delight to not be worried about finding a vegetarian meal to eat. Each day the staff prepared a 6 or 7 course meal for dinner and the hibiscus iced tea was great!  First time I had ever heard of it.  Christine was wonderful -always asking us about our meals and stay - and very accommodating. The living quarters were spotless 每 except for the few bugs and geckos which no one has control over. As it＊s an Eco-Village I would suggest you guys change your light bulbs to the energy efficient ones. In addition, improving the path lighting through the grounds would be helpful as some of us didn＊t carry a flash light at all times. From the outside the place look closed - suggest cutting the grass or planting some flowers outside- to give it the homely feel that＊s felt inside. 

Jason＊s concept is great and I hope he can fulfill his dreams as it＊s coming along.

Thanks to Robin and Amy for everything they＊ve coordinated and contributed. I will recommend this place to my friends.  Thank you from all 7 of us!

 

 Nov 29, 2007

 Gabriel    Mexico

Thanks a lot I have found peace and excellent meal. God Bless you!

 

 Gail Johnson  USA

 Great Spot

 

Nov 30, 2007

Carol & Don Loe USA

Peaceful, Pleasant, Excellent Food. We should come again soon.

 

Nov 22, 2007

Byron Evans & Ruby Dirks  U.S.A

More than a comfortable place to stay. You have a small paradise

Just off highway keep up ECO-SPIRIT. We loved dining to classical music.

Watching butterflies, Squirrels and a lizard enjoy their stay, too. Marvelous.

 

Magda, Alberto, Patricia and Sofia  Mexico

Muy rica la comida, muy agradable el luga y la atencion excelente. muchas gracias 

 

Nov 18, 2007/11/22

Dongjiang  Xu Yan & Ryan

New York USA

Dongjiarg, me and our 4 years son Ryan had a wonderful time in ECO-VILLAGE. The place is clean quiet in a nature setting. The tour is very personalized and my son is well take care. The food is delicious and we will miss it so much when we go back. Thanks so much and we will recommended it to all of our friends.

 

Mike & Stephanie Glassey  California USA

Relaxing, peaceful-well maintained and clean, very efficient staff. Enjoyed every minute. Without distractions of TV, phones, radios!! Looking forward

to a return visit. Thanks!

 

Nov 17, 2007

Douglas Melinda Moore   TX USA

Very beautiful and wonderful

 

Nov 9, 2007

 Joage Fearari  Honduras

Exelente Lugar, muy acogedor!!

 

Nov 11, 2007

Ben & Fie  San Jose USA

A beautiful place where we relaxed for two days. Nice atmosphere, friendly people and good food in a wonderful restaurant.

 

Oct 22, 2007

John & Emma Martin  UK

Beautiful surrounding, excellent service, wonderful food will definitely Be back.

 

Oct 21, 2007

Rhonda Acosta  Belize

Very exciting and beautiful.

 

Godfrey Smith & Valerie Woods  Belize

A wonderful oasis in the Belize district. The food was exquisite, especially the fried hibiscus and the hibiscus drink. Beautiful ECO-Gardens.

Very different!

 

Oct 14, 2007  Mrs. Set Belize

My family really enjoyed the food and atmosphere! The food is great. We will be back definitely.

 

Dr. Chris Bennett  Belize

Brought my brothers who are visiting from New York USA. Very impressive will gladly recommend to friends.

 

Oct 12, 2007

Eva Loucka  Czech Republic

The people like the place very much. And food was excellent thank you!

 

Fernando Madrid  Guatemala

Es un lindo lugar muy recommendable

 

Sep 29, 2007

Noel J. Codd  Belize

Very good Thank you. 

 

Olga Herrera  Belize

Ambiance is very pleasant and cool. Enjoy the food and the drinks Will certainly tell my friends.

 

Jack Greene USA

Very good Thank you.

 

E. Aldava Belize

Very good

 

Sept 13, 2007

Coustauce Goldberg  USA

Thank you very much for a most interesting and informative tour of the plants and other items of interesting. Your gracious manner and sharing of info

Your family and country of origin was matched by the delectable meal that was beautifully presented. Thanks a million and continued success.

 

Lorraine Trapp  USA

The food was very good tasty and seasoned just rite. I grade the food and service for Excellent.