Hard to Belize?  Phoenix in Belize?  Well, there is The Phoenix Resort in Belize and it’s better than Phoenix!

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Located centrally in the heart of charming San Pedro, The Phoenix is located on the historic site of The Paradise Resort Hotel, the second hotel built on Ambergris Caye and one of Belize’s most popular vacation destinations for over forty years.  This luxurious beachfront resort is right on the beach with expansive Caribbean views.  The resort offers 30 beautifully-finished and spacious condominium suites including 1-2-3 bedroom options with floor plans ranging up to 1,835 sq. ft.  The property has two eco friendly pools – a lap pool and a two-tiered leisure pool with infinity waterfall overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  The pools are surrounded by palm shaded or sun bathed chaise lounges with soft towels, and a pool bar is just feet away so you can order your tropical frozen pina colada, chips with guacamole & salsa within seconds.  The resort offers an on-site restaurant, spa, fitness center, business center, complimentary yoga, full concierge services and more!

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The building’s modern architecture and beautifully designed landscape and pool, are set right on the beach.  The Phoenix offers spacious, spotless clean, air-conditioned rooms with amazing ocean and resort views.

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From the second you arrive at The Phoenix, you feel like you’re a welcomed guest.  We were greeted with a smile, a cold washcloth & some local punch.  When we entered our villa, there was a platter of homemade coconut-lime bars on the kitchen counter, along with complimentary rum cocktails and drink recipe suggestions compliments of The Phoenix Resort family of businesses – Red Ginger, Blue Water Grill, Caliente, and Wine de Vine.

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The villa is decorated with local art, and the entire condominium immaculate.  In fact this resort is one of the most well-kept, maintained properties we’ve ever stayed at.  There is plenty of room throughout!  The kitchen was equipped with stainless steel appliances, the living room furniture is comfortable, and the large bathrooms stocked with Aveda products to use in a giant Jacuzzi tub.  Complimentary high speed Wi-Fi, and wired internet access, telephones, iPod docking stations, and in-room safes are available.  With central air-conditioning and ceiling fans, 100% cotton linens and down duvets, plush pillow top mattresses, monogrammed robes, iron and ironing boards, washer and dryer, and daily housekeeping service – all of our comforts were taken care of!  The Phoenix staff shows a lot of care and attention to detail and they even place fresh hibiscus flowers on the beds and in the baths after daily housekeeping service, with sweet bedside notes.

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We even had our own private large breezy veranda with beautiful ocean views!

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The Phoenix knew we were jetlagged and the best way to ease us into our Belize bliss was to check us into their Sol Spa, www.BelizeSolSpa.com for a Mayan Massage.  Carrie Tengler Stuart, Owner of Sol Spa, is a graduate from Utah College of Massage Therapy and has extensive massage therapy training.  She has studied Maya Abdominal Therapy with founder Dr. Rosita Arvigo, and is a yoga instructor too!

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We knew we were in “good hands” and relaxed into our massages.  The Sol Spa provides a healing environment and they use the Mayan influence with indigenous ingredients to create body treatments that restore and rejuvenate, giving you a sense of being one with nature.  This is a great way to start a vacation!   Call to make an appt – #501 226-2410.

View the resort property and suite options at:   www.thephoenixbelize.com and call #877 822-5512 or email: info@thephoenixbelize.com to make your reservations.

The Phoenix implements environmental practices and is committed to conserving the natural resources on Ambergris Caye and Belize.  They have a list of their conservation practices that help us to remember to turn off devices when not in use, not run water when brushing teeth, etc.

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The Phoenix Restaurants:

Red Ginger – located at The Phoenix Resort, the Red Ginger Restaurant offers delicious breakfasts, lunches, and gourmet dinners in an air-conditioned dining room, or you can choose to dine on the outdoor garden patio, poolside, or in your suite – www.redgingerbelize.com.  We enjoyed the Belizean breakfast, and in the evening a multi-course dinner.  Red Ginger features dishes popular across the Americas and an extensive wine list.  Some of our favorites from their menus include the local chicken salbutes – puffed corn turnover topped with shredded stewed chicken, cabbage, and jalapenos, and the grilled snook with a guava tamarind glaze and zesty mango salsa, served with coconut rice and grilled calabazitas or try the blackened snapper fillet with chipotle plantain coulis, mango rice, and local vegetables.  If you are there on Wednesdays or Sundays, enjoy the Tapas selection and the Live Music.

Blue Water Grill – if you want to enjoy lunch or dinner on the beach, Blue Water Grill offers a variety of choices.  Recommended by Fodor’s, Frommer’s, Rough Guide, and USA Today, this casual beachfront restaurant serves island cuisines with local fresh seafood.  We had the fish tacos and mojitos and caught up on email using their free Wi-Fi.  If you find yourself there in June, order some of the lobster dishes!  www.bluewatergrillbelize.com

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Caliente – This casual restaurant offers a combination of Mexican and Belizean Cuisines and is famous for the “Chicken Drop” which takes place every Thursday night.  We didn’t have time to get to this restaurant but check out the Travel Channel where the “Chicken Drop” has been featured. 

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Wine de Vine stop by Wine de Vine on Coconut Drive in San Pedro and find a nice selection of fine wines and cheeses.  www.winedevine.com

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Activities:  The friendly staff at The Phoenix is ready to plan your activities, make reservations and find ways to get to your destinations.  Pamela, Front Desk Manager, and her team, Rose, Gabriela, Daniel, and Theodore, are happy to help you have a great time on Ambergris Caye.  The former sleepy town fishing town of San Pedro now has many shops, art galleries, restaurants, grocery and specialty food stores, and other places of interest, but there is still a charming island feeling.

During our stay at The Phoenix, we went diving and snorkeling with their partner Dive Shop – Chuck & Robbie’s, and owner Robert Gonzalez set us up with a 1/2 day at the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Alley. Hol Chan is the #1 attraction in Belize, and just a short boat ride from The Phoenix.

You can find an abundance of coral with tropical fish – jacks, snappers, groupers, sergeant majors, blue tangs!  And eels, sea turtles in the shallow bottom chomping away on sea grass, sting rays burrowed in the sand, or nurse sharks looking for their next meal.

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 Global Adventuress thanks The Phoenix for hosting us during our stay!