Artisan beachfront hideaway
Arriving by boat to a quiet stretch of Caribbean shore, guests settle into brightly painted thatch palapas where hammock time replaces screen time.
Where it shines
Remarkable
Thatched palapas redesigned with Latin American artisan craft, custom botanical murals, and ceramic bathroom fixtures.
Notable
Unplugged thatch-roofed casitas outfitted with organic Coco-Mat bedding, private hammocks, and custom natural Haeckels bath products.
Notable
A secluded coastal compound offering complimentary sea kayaks, paddleboards, barrier reef snorkel outings, and private pier lounging.
What they say
One Michelin Key
Michelin
Set along a secluded white sand beach and reachable only by motorboat, this is an adults-only hotel that’s all about disconnecting from the outside world…
Tucked away
A place apart: the property is the destination.
Set five miles north of San Pedro Town, the coast offers quiet reef snorkeling and sea kayaking away from island traffic.
The rooms
Under open-beam ceilings, bedrooms feature botanical wall murals by Cécile Gariépy, all-natural Coco-Mat bedding, and bathrooms stocked with Haeckels amenities.
The pool
Bring a swimsuit.
A mosaic-tiled freshwater pool curves through the palm gardens beside the beach, with an integrated hot tub set among the loungers.
The spa
Jade Spa treatments draw on local ingredients, from Mayan coffee scrubs and raw chocolate wraps to sea clay body masks.
At the table
Mambo serves fresh seafood and organic produce from Gaïa Riverlodge. Danny's Tree Bar mixes rum cocktails under a broad tree canopy.
How it began
Canadian hotelier Daniel Lighter enlisted Montreal designers Byron and Dexter Peart to revamp the beachfront retreat around handcrafted details and sustainable natural textures.
Good to know
Stay here
Matachica Resort & Spa
See rooms and prices on Expedia or Booking.com.
Add dates to see the price for your stay.
We may earn a commission when you book through Expedia or Booking.com. It never decides which hotels we include or how we rate them.
Ambergris Caye
More like this
Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection
“Suspended-pool reef resort”
Victoria House Resort & Spa
“Reefside plantation estate”
Las Terrazas Resort & Residences
“Secluded beachfront villas”
The app
Like this one? There are so many more.
Swipe any city’s hotels and heart the ones you love. The app gets your taste.
Our shorthand
How we rate hotels.
The medals
Gold
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Silver
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
Bronze
They did this well. You’ll notice.
Listed
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Design
Built around a vision. Even the door handles have a designer.
Luxe
Cared for at every turn. The bath is drawn before you ask.
Local
It could only be here. You wake up knowing where you are.
Social
Where the city goes out. The bar is full and the night is young.
Heritage
A building with a story. Once a palace, a monastery, a station.
Wellness
You leave feeling new. Rest, sweat, soak and sleep like a stone.
Classic
The city grew up with it. Same rituals, same regulars, same bar.
Resort
A world of its own. Something to do from breakfast to nightcap.
The scene
Lively
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Central
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Quiet
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
Secluded
A place apart: the property is the destination.