AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Where to stay?

My brother's family of 4, sisters family of 3 and my family (3) are planning a trip to Ambergris Caye over Christmas week. I've searched the web for resorts, condo's, hotels, etc until I'm cross-eyed! I'm looking for something in the $125-$150/nite range. We've narrowed it down to Banana Beach Resort or Royal Palm REsort. Has anyone stayed at these 2 resorts? Which one would you recommend as far as friendliness of staff, cleanliness, size of rooms, service, etc.? Thanks for your help.

JAM,
I have stayed at Banana Beach,3 times. The place is excellent.

The staff becomes like family,seeing as though I was very sick the last time I was there and they helped me like a was a long lost family member.

As far as service goes, all you have to do is ask, if it is not on hand it will be available shortly.

The rooms and the grounds are spotless.The suites are very large, the livingroom/kitchen area and the bedrooms,plenty of room for all.

There are two large swimming pools, an onsite travel/gift shop and one of the best restaurants that I have ever eaten at.

I cannot compare the two, for I have never stayed at Royal Palm. So this is MY Banana Beach input.

Contact Sam at Exotic Caye, they have private condos for that kind of money.

Have stayed at both. They are close to each other. I prefer Royal Palm because of the quiet and larger pool and larger condo. Banana beach has more rooms and just more people around and all though we stayed in a suit there it was small and looked out on an enclosed court yard. They do have rooms facing the sea, don't know about suits on sea side. The plus side of Banana Beach is they do have a bar and good resturant and their staff is helpful. It has more of a resort feel. Depends on what you like. I like quiet and a good view, and if I want to get up in the middle of the night it is nice to be able to watch TV with out wakeing my husband. Royal palm has been giving deeply discounted prices of late.
Hope this helps you.

Thanks for the responses!!

hands down, caribe island resort!!! i just got back from my second stay there, and they have condos (air, tv, kitchen, etc) for 1-9 people. their 2 floor suites are amazing!! on their link, you can actually see what each room looks like. last year i was in #4, this year #19. check it out:

www.caribeislandresort.com

and these are my personal pics i took 2 weeks ago:http://www.pbase.com/sweetjane/caribe_2003

I must agree with SweetJane, look into the Caribe, you can't go wrong.

All of these said resorts are great. Although they want you to spend all your time at their resort. With exotic caye you will have more freedom.

HUH ?

wworld, you are WAY off base. caribe island will encourage you to go out & find fun, and even recommend restaurants (cafe picasso, mmmmm) or other dive shops. i dont know where u came up with that???

i felt like that at journeys end, tho, it was so north of the cut i felt like i was trapped up there.