Almond Beach Resort at Jaguar Reef

Wonderful hotel but the staff are what make it the best. Captain Larry, Felix, Edgar, Michael, Captain Alex and Chris made this a truly incredible stay in addition to all the staff at the restaurant. Highly recommend the island hopping excursion which takes you to two different islands each unique and special. Chris guided us on this tour and showed us how to open a coconut, which was very fun. Snorkeling was top notch and we saw dolphins, sea turtles, sting rays and a nurse shark. Rooms were beautiful (I staying in two different ones because of a canceled flight and extended stay). The bartenders Felix and Edgar were top notch, cranking out the best drinks with unique flourishes. It is clear they care and pay attention to each detail. We ate at each spot and the food was consistently solid, but again the servers were what took this from great to cannot miss. Housekeeping was also just the sweetest and the rooms were spotless. They even have staff comb the beach.

My husband and I recently stayed here for our honeymoon and had a fantastic experience! As someone who works in the property management field, I have high expectations and they were definitely met! Right off the bat we were checked in by Julio and Haite and felt right at home and welcomed. While someone took our bags we were given complimentary drinks, were met by the property manager, Stephanie, and given a tour of the grounds which made stepping into a new environment much less overwhelming. The other property manager, Chris, though we didn't get to see him as much, was also super friendly and very personable. There was a little bit of a mix-up the next day when it came to the tours we had planned. Greg from the concierge office was supposed to meet us, confirm our tours, and explain a few things when we arrived but that never happened and so our tour that day had been canceled. Thankfully Elisha helped us straighten that all out and made sure that we were able to do all of our tours. Our tour guides, Victor and Chris, did a great job leading them and sharing their knowledge giving us a great experience! Our transport drivers Sippy and Geraldo also shared a lot of their knowledge as well, giving us insight into the history and culture of Belize. Last but not least we can't forget about Larry! From my understanding, he was the beach captain in charge of taking care of the grounds and we could always count on a positive attitude and a hello from him no matter the day! Overall the staff did a great job running the resort, being personable and interacting with us, while still giving us space to relax. There were a couple of instances where we were around guests who just wanted to complain and be overdemanding, but the staff member dealing with them always responded with kindness and patience. (This is your reminder not to be THAT guest, it takes a lot of work to run these kinds of places!) Everything was very clean (something I am very picky about!) and well-maintained. I also appreciated that the bars closed at a certain time. That allowed for a quiet relaxed evening unhindered by drinking and partying. We are walking away from this vacation feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and with new friends! Would definitely come back! My tip to you would be to utilize the free bikes and/or golf cart rentals they have available and explore the town of Hopkins! Personally, I liked the local restaurants much better than the resort's. The food was better, with much bigger portions (the Paddlehouse has very small portions), and the price was much cheaper not having the resort tax and whatnot. Same goes with anything else you need (bug spray, after sun, etc.) - get it from a local shop instead! Oh, and definitely visit the spa right next door!

We stayed at Almond Beach in a 1-bed suite with private pool during the second leg of our short but sweet honeymoon. What a beautiful resort and town filled with wonderful people. From watching the sunrise, jumping off the big dock into the sea, watching the fish and birds, and greeting the moon as it shone so bright, each day was better than the last. There were so many activities to try and pack in, I only wish we had more time! We loved our room - it was kept well and fresh towels every day if requested. The pool and heated jacuzzi are beautifully situated right on the beach so you can have a dip whilst taking in the views. We had some great meals at the restaurant, including a private beach dinner on the last night, and enjoyed the Jaguar Juice cocktail on arrival. It is a little pricey but you get quality food and fantastic service. Thank you to the attentive serving staff who made every meal go off without a hitch. Thank you to Julio at the front desk who brightened up the day whenever we spoke with him. Thank you to Larry who is an absolute gem with hilarious stories and a great voice - remember us (James Bond and Gigi) when you're famous ok! Thank you to Chris who gave us really good recommendations of local spots and taught us a bit about Garifuna culture and food. Thank you to all the staff in and around the resort who make you feel at home by saying hello every time you walk past them - I miss you and can't wait to come back!