Escape to Paradise: The Watermark Hotel, San Pedro Belize
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to dive headfirst into the turquoise dream that is Escape to Paradise: The Watermark Hotel in San Pedro, Belize. Forget those sterile, cookie-cutter reviews – this is gonna be raw, real, and probably a little chaotic, just like a good vacation should be.
First things first: Accessibility. Okay, let's be honest, Belize isn't exactly known as a wheelchair-friendly paradise everywhere you go. The Watermark? They try. They have Facilities for disabled guests, and an Elevator (thank GOD!). (No more climbing those crazy Mayan steps, whew!) Now, I didn’t personally test this out with a wheelchair, but the information is out there. They also have Exterior corridors, which could be good or bad depending on your preference. So, they’re making an honest attempt, but definitely, call ahead and confirm your specific needs are met. Don't assume, because assumptions are the devil, right?
Now, the real meat of the matter: Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and the Spa Situation. This is where the Watermark really shines, or at least attempts to shine with all its might.
Swimming Pool? Swimming Pool [Outdoor]? Pool with a View? Yes, yes, and YES. The pool is gorgeous. Picture this: turquoise water reflecting the sun, a gentle breeze rustling the palm trees, a cocktail in hand… Oh man, let's just pause right here and savour that image. This is why we travel, people!
Spa/Sauna, Steamroom, Massage, Body Scrub, Body Wrap, Foot Bath: Okay, so here's where the details get a little "Belizean," and by that I mean, things might not be exactly what you expect. I didn't personally get the scrub or wrap, but the promise is there. The Massage? Amazing. Seriously, I got a deep tissue, and the masseuse knew her stuff. Worth every shimmering Belizean dollar.
- Anecdote Time: I was having a really rough week before the trip – missed deadlines, cranky clients, the whole shebang. On my first day at the Watermark, I went straight for a massage. As the masseuse started working on my back, I literally felt all the tension melt away. I actually groaned with pleasure. It was the kind of groan that says, "Yes! Finally! I made it! I'm on vacation!" I might've even snored a little. Don't tell anyone.
Fitness Center/Gym/Fitness: Yeah, they got one. I glanced in. Seemed to have the usual machines and free weights. I’m a “Netflix and walk” type of fitness enthusiast. So I am not your gym expert. You do you.
Cleanliness and Safety: COVID-19 Style
Alright, let's get serious for a second. Post-pandemic travel requires some serious consideration. Here’s what The Watermark's doing:
- Anti-viral cleaning products? Check.
- Daily disinfection in common areas? Check.
- Rooms sanitized between stays? Double check.
- Staff trained in safety protocols? Sounds good.
- Hand sanitizer everywhere? Yup.
- Safe dining setup? We'll get to that in a sec.
The Watermark is trying to do their best, and that’s what I appreciate. I still brought my own sanitizing wipes, though. Just saying… trust but verify, right?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking – The Food Game
The Watermark offers a whole buffet of options. Let's break it down:
- Restaurants: plural!
- Poolside Bar? OH YES. The Bloody Marys were a religious experience.
- Breakfast? Breakfast service, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast in room and Breakfast takeaway service, depending on how lazy you are. (I usually went for the buffet. Who am I kidding? Always.)
- Asian Breakfast/Cuisine? Yep.
- Coffee/Tea in restaurant/Coffee shop? You betcha. Essential for dragging yourself out of that glorious bed.
- Bars? Yesssssssssssss.
- Goodies: a Desserts in restaurant, Happy hour, Snack Bar, Salad in restaurant, and Soup in restaurant.
The food was generally good. Not Michelin-star level, but solid and satisfying. The service was Belizean-relaxed, which means sometimes a little slow but always friendly. Don't go there if you're in a rush; go there to unwind.
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter
Okay, so the Watermark has all the usual suspects:
- 24-hour Front Desk? Yup. Handy for late-night cocktail cravings.
- Concierge, Doorman? Check and check.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service? They’ve got you covered.
- Cash withdrawal? Surprisingly, yes!
- Currency Exchange? Another yes!
- Gift/Souvenir Shop? Yep, because you will want a t-shirt that says "I survived Belize."
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Business facilities They can handle your boring office needs as well.
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! This is HUGE. And it actually works!
- Luggage storage? Of course.
- Wake-up service? Yup, though honestly between the sun and the cocktails, I rarely needed it.
- Car park [free of charge] Free parking!
For the Kids & Other People's Issues
- Babysitting Service? They provide it.
- Family/child friendly? Seems to be, but I'm not a kid person.
- Pets Allowed? Nope, "Pets allowed unavailable" so your furry friend is out.
Now, The Rooms!
Okay, let's talk about the sweet, sweet sanctuary of your room:
- Air Conditioning? Essential. Thank GOD.
- Free Wi-Fi? YASSSSS.
- Balcony? Maybe! Depends which room you get; ask for one!
- Air conditioning in public area? Also yes.
- Alarm Clock? Always a good thing.
- Bathtub? Some have bathtubs, yay!
- Blackout Curtains? Yes. Read more: (Blackout Curtains). Sleep time.
- Coffee/tea maker? I'd be sad without it.
- Complimentary tea,
- Daily housekeeping,
- Desk,
- Free bottled water,
- Hair dryer,
- In-room safe box,
- Ironing facilities,
- Laptop workspace,
- Linens,
- Mini bar,
- Private bathroom,
- Refrigerator,
- Shower, Separate shower/bathtub
- Slippers,
- Soundproofing,
- Telephone,
- Toiletries,
- Towels,
- Wake-up service,
- Window that opens.
The rooms are generally comfortable, clean, and well-equipped. No real complaints.
Getting Around
- Airport transfer? Definitely a lifesaver, ask about it!
- Taxi service? Available.
- Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]
The Quirks and Imperfections
Okay, time for some real talk. No place is perfect.
- The "Belizean time" thing can be frustrating if you're used to lightning-fast service. Be patient. Smile. You're on vacation!
- The beach directly in front of the hotel wasn't the BEST beach I've ever seen. But, I rented a golf cart (a MUST-DO in San Pedro!) and zipped around to other beaches. Worth it.
- Sometimes, the music from the poolside bar would go on a little later than I wanted, but I'm a light sleeper so it might not bother you.
Final Verdict & The "Escape to Paradise" Offer
So, is Escape to Paradise: The Watermark Hotel a dream come true? Well, yes. It's a solid choice for a relaxing getaway in San Pedro. It's not perfect, but the good definitely outweighs the minor annoyances.
Here's the deal. Use my review as your guide. Do your homework. Check the accessibility information. And most importantly, go with an open mind and a sense of adventure. Belize is a beautiful country, and the Watermark is a great place to call home while you explore it.
**My Offer for
Escape to Paradise: Thien Hai Hotel's Quy Nhon Luxury Awaits!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, 'cause we're diving headfirst into the gloriously haphazard adventure I'm calling… "Finding Paradise (or at least a decent margarita) in San Pedro, Belize." This ain't your textbook itinerary, trust me. This is life unfolding, one questionable decision and sunburned lobster at a time. And we're starting at the Watermark Hotel, which, thank god, is the one thing I'm actually prepared for. Mostly.
Day 1: Arrival and the Great Luggage Debacle (and other potential disasters)
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in San Pedro. (Fingers crossed. My carry-on is basically a small, highly-organized black hole. Let's hope TSA didn't confiscate my emergency chocolate.)
- Rant-Rant-Rant… Okay, so the flight was smooth, mostly. Until the guy next to me decided his armrest was his personal drum set for the entire descent. Seriously, dude? I swear, I contemplated fashioning a tiny paper airplane just to sail it into his ear. But! We made it alive, so, victory. Next time I'm booking the window seat and leaving the window open for peace.
- 1:30 PM: Finding the Watermark Hotel. (Praying the taxi driver understands "Watermark Hotel". My Spanish is… let's just say it's limited to "cerveza, por favor" and "where's the bathroom?")
- Observation: *The air here is *thick*, you know? Like, you could almost *chew* on it. It's the kind of air that makes you immediately want to shed every layer of clothing you own. So, that's what I did, right after the taxi dropped me off at what seemed like the wrong island. Whoops.*
- 2:00 PM: Check-in, unpacking (at least the essentials). Unpacking, a process which typically involves flailing, muttering, and a desperate search for my phone charger. Then, a major crisis.
- Emotionally Charged Anecdote: *So, I get to the room at The Watermark, which, THANK THE HEAVENS, actually *exists*, and decide to unpack. And. It. Isn't. There. My suitcase! Somewhere between the airport and my hotel room my luggage has somehow ended up MIA. Panic sets in. My favourite t-shirt. My travel journal. *My sunscreen. I’m now running round in a panic, like a headless chicken. Great start!
- 3:00 PM: Attempting to remedy the luggage situation. (Probably involve me yelling at a nice local who can hopefully point me to help. I hope the bartender is patient.)
- Perspective Shift: *Okay, deep breaths. This is an *experience, right? A story? You know, like a really really bad story. I'm in Belize! My luggage… can be replaced. My sanity? Well… maybe not.
- 4:00 PM: First Margarita – research purposes. (Essential. Absolutely critical. Gotta assess the local drink quality immediately).
- Quirky Observation: *Found the bar. Found the bartender. He looks like he's seen a few things. Good. I need a professional opinion on whether I should even bother continuing the vacation. The margarita, when it arrives, is… liquid gold. Maybe paradise *is* reachable after all.*
- 5:00 PM: Strolling along the beach. (Taking stock of potential sunset viewing spots. And avoiding the aggressive sand fleas.)
- Emotional Reaction: The beach. The ocean. Beautiful. Seriously. But. WHERE IS MY SUITCASE?!?! Okay, deep breaths… Just focusing on the waves. They are very soothing. The sun? Very hot.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner – Trying a local restaurant. (Probably something involving seafood, which I'm slightly terrified of, but YOLO.)
- Messy Rambling: Okay, so I ordered the ceviche. It arrived looking, well, like… a pile of fish. A really beautifully presented pile, but still… a pile of fish. I ate it, though. It wasn't horrible! I had a conversation with a very tan man, who I'm certain was a fisherman. He kept saying things I didn't understand. I loved it. I realized how disconnected from the real world I had been. Belize already felt like home.
- 9:00 PM: Pass out in bed. (Hopefully with a functioning mosquito net. And prayers for my suitcase.)
Day 2: Boat Trip and the Snorkel of Doom (Maybe Paradise, But Not Without Its Demons)
- 9:00 AM: Waking up and finding out the suitcase is still in the ether.
- Opinionated Language: Seriously, this is a conspiracy. I swear, my luggage is vacationing in Buenos Aires or something. Whatever.
- 10:00 AM: Boat trip to the reef. (Snorkelling! I am NOT a water person, this is a problem, but duty calls. And hopefully, the boat has a bar.)
- *Anecdote: I'd paid my dues. I'd arrived. I'd lost all my luggage. It was time. I headed straight onto the deck of the boat and was given a beer by a friendly tourist. Immediately, a sense of calm fell over me. It was time to snorkel. If only I knew the carnage that was about to befall me.
- 10:30 AM (ish): The Snorkelling itself.
- Doubling Down on the experience: *I fall over. I get my mask wrong. I spend far too long trying to navigate my giant flippers. Eventually, I get in. The water is beautiful. The fish are… well, they are. I am terrified. I see a turtle! I also swallow half the ocean. I surface, spitting and spluttering like a dying walrus. The snorkel fills with water. I panic, and the mask slips down my face. I flail. I wave my hands frantically. The boat captain laughs. I swear, he's been doing this for years. I'm a nightmare of a tourist, but the man just grins and laughs, before helping me back onto the boat.
- Emotional Reaction: *Exhausted. Terrified. Slightly traumatized. But… also exhilarated. The reef was gorgeous. The fish were, like, rainbows! I am a terrible snorkeller, I know. But I *did* it. And I’m alive! Back to the bar*
- 1:00 PM: Lunch on the boat. (Relief! And more sun. And more beer, I guess… It's research.)
- Quirky Observation: So, I’m starting to realize that everyone here is just… chill. Like, "island time" is an actual thing. And it's glorious. And it's probably why my luggage is still missing, but who cares!
- 3:00 PM: Back to the hotel, finally. (Attempting to shower and get the chlorine and salt water out of my hair – good luck!)
- Messy Rambling: (Long shower/sob session. Contemplating buying all new clothes because I have nothing. Briefly considering just giving up and living in a swimsuit for the rest of the trip.)
- 4:00 PM: Poolside relaxation (hopefully). (Maybe finally get to finish that book I brought. Emphasis on "maybe.")
- Perspective Shift: I need a nap. And a massive dose of sunscreen. The pool is calling my name…
- 7:00 PM: Dinner – Trying a local restaurant again and trying to avoid all the fish.
- Emotionally Charged Anecdote: Today I felt like I was on the island. I'd swum, even if I'd nearly drowned. I'd met the locals. I'd tried new food. I'd laughed. I'd cried. And when the restaurant came again, and I sat, they knew me. They knew I was missing my luggage. They even seemed amused by my antics. They had the perfect amount of humor and the perfect amount of care. I love them.
- 9:00 PM: Bed (again. This vacation is exhausting, in the best possible way).
Day 3: Exploring and… Finding My Suitcase?! (Please, God!)
- 9:00 AM: Checking for that miracle suitcase. (Fingers crossed. Mega fingers crossed.)
- Opinionated Language: *If my bag is here, I'm buying everyone a drink. If not… well, someone's getting a very strongly worded email. *
- 10:00 AM: Exploring San Pedro town. (Exploring. Buying more sunscreen. Getting hopelessly lost. Probably.)
- Quirky Observation: *I found the local market. Amazing colours, amazing smells. I bought every kind of
Escape to Paradise: The Watermark Hotel - The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the (Slightly Sunburned) Truth
So, is it ACTUALLY paradise? Because, you know, marketing...
Alright, alright, let's get this out of the way. Paradise, in my book, is a very *personal* thing. And yes, The Watermark Hotel? It gets darn close. The water? Unreal. Turquoise. Transparent. Enough to make you weep (happy tears, hopefully). The vibe? Laid-back. Barefoot, rum-punch-in-hand, "what day is it anyway?" kind of laid-back. But... and there's always a "but," isn't there? – it’s not *perfect*. More on THAT later. But yeah, pretty dreamy. Think of it as paradise with *character*. And that character, my friends, is usually wearing flip-flops.
What's the deal with the rooms? Are they luxurious? (I need my creature comforts.)
Okay, luxury… define luxury. If you’re expecting marble floors and a butler named Jeeves, *maybe* adjust those expectations. The rooms are comfortable, clean, and well-appointed. Think: breezy Caribbean chic. The beds? Heavenly. I swear, I slept like a log EVERY night. My particular room? Slightly… let’s say "rustic charm." The shower pressure wasn't exactly volcanic, and one day, a tiny gecko decided to make a home in my bathroom. I named him Kevin. Didn't bother me in the slightest, though, TBH. It was a conversation starter! You'll get stunning views from your balcony, and the air conditioning, thank the travel gods, WORKS. So, yeah, luxurious *enough*.
The food! Tell me about the food! (I’m a hungry traveler!)
Oh, the food. Now we're talking. The Watermark's in-house restaurant, Blue Water Grill, is a *winner*. Honestly, I was nervous. Hotel restaurants can be… hit or miss. But this? Hit, *big time*. Fresh seafood, grilled to perfection. The conch fritters? You *have* to try them. The ceviche? Divine. I may or may not have ordered it for lunch *and* dinner on one particular day. Don’t judge me! And the cocktails… oh, the cocktails. They’re strong, they’re fruity, and they’re the perfect accompaniment to a breathtaking sunset. One minor hitch: breakfast service was sometimes a *little* slow. Nothing major, just… island time, you know? Just order an extra coffee and enjoy the view. It’s Belize. You *will* adjust.
What's there to DO besides, you know, existing in paradise?
Okay, listen, this is where The Watermark *really* shines. Snorkelling? Mind-blowing. The reef is practically on your doorstep. I literally spent a whole day (maybe two? Three? Time melted away) just floating in the ocean, mesmerized by the colours and the fish. And the staff? They can arrange EVERYTHING. Diving trips, fishing expeditions, even a boat ride to a deserted island. (I highly recommend the deserted island. Pack sunscreen. Seriously, I got burned… badly.) I went on a sunset cruise and almost bawled when I saw it… just pure, unadulterated beauty and the boat ride? Wonderful. You CAN rent a golf cart and tool around San Pedro. That’s a must-do - but, be warned, driving *is* a bit… chaotic. Pure joy, though, once you get the hang of it. And the bars? Oh, the bars! *So many* amazing bars. Explore! Get lost! Embrace the island vibes.
Annoying things! Don't sugarcoat it! What *sucked*? (Please, give me the REAL story!)
Alright, alright, I’ll spill the beans. No place is perfect, and The Watermark certainly has its quirks. Sometimes, and I mean *sometimes*, the service was a little… leisurely. Island time, remember? You'll get used to it. Also, the Wi-Fi wasn’t always the strongest. But who needs Wi-Fi when you're surrounded by this kind of beauty? The biggest “downside” (and it's a small one, tbh) is that the beach in front of the hotel isn’t the *best* for swimming *directly* out front… there's some sea grass. But, the hotel offers a dock to facilitate this, so it's a very manageable issue. And I did love the dock.
Okay, you mentioned something about a "specific" experience. Spill. Now!
Alright, fine. I'll tell you about the *thing*... the experience that elevated this from a great trip to something permanently seared into my memory. It's a bit embarrassing, actually. One afternoon, I booked a massage at the Watermark's spa. I was on the beach. I had a cocktail. I may or may not have taken a nap. (Judging by the blurry photos on my phone, I, in fact, *did*). The massage? Utter bliss. The masseuse was this wonderful woman named Maria, who had the hands of an angel. I nearly fell asleep. But just as I was drifting off, she said, "Look!"... and I opened my eyes just in time to see a *colossal* sea turtle, right there, swimming *past* the window of the spa. I mean, like, right there. Huge. Majestic. And then, it just kept going... serenely, gliding through the water. And then… a manta ray. I was speechless. I almost cried. It was one of those moments that makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. It was pure, unadulterated magic. And, even now, remembering it, I get a lump in my throat. So be on the lookout for sea creatures. You might just get the experience of a lifetime.
Is it worth the price? (Be honest!)
Okay, the million-dollar question. Is The Watermark worth the cost? Honestly? Yes. Absolutely, wholeheartedly, yes. It’s an investment in happiness, a chance to unplug, to breathe, to reconnect with yourself (and perhaps a few sea turtles). It’s not the cheapest place on the island, sure, but you're paying for an experience. You’re paying for memories that will last a lifetime. The stunning location, impeccable service, and genuinely kind and helpful staff, are worth every penny. My advice? Start saving. Book it. Go. You won't regret it. Just… remember the sunscreen.
Any insider tips? (I want to sound like a pro!)
Okay, listen up. My insider tipsBest Hotels Blog
