"I have stayed at Serenade Hotel in the past and have always appreciated the warmth and hospitality of the permanent staff. The hotel is currently undergoing renovations, which I understand are necessary for improvement. However, my most recent experience during this transition was mixed. Manager Lulu continues to demonstrate professionalism and genuine care for guests. Sobo in maintenance and Sila in housekeeping are also consistently kind, considerate, and accommodating within their abilities. The core team clearly values the guest experience and works hard to maintain a welcoming environment despite the disruptions that renovations naturally bring. Unfortunately, my interaction with the renovation crew was disappointing. I was feeling unwell and simply asked how long they anticipated working directly outside my room so I could plan a short nap for recovery. I did not expect work to stop — only that the loud chatter and laughter be kept to a minimum since I was literally resting on the other side of the wall. The response I received felt dismissive and unnecessarily rude. I later overheard Manager Lulu respectfully addressing the matter, and it was disheartening to hear her concerns dismissed as well. Because of the way the situation was handled and the lack of respect shown to the manager on duty, I chose to elevate the concern to one of the property owners. The owner came and spoke to the renovation team calmly and professionally, explaining that the work itself was completely acceptable, but that it was inconsiderate to be directly outside a guest room talking and laughing loudly. At no point did the owner raise his voice, use profanity, or behave disrespectfully toward the temporary team. Renovations are understandable, but professionalism and courtesy toward both guests and hotel staff should remain consistent at all times. It was disappointing to witness members of the core team — who clearly care about their roles and the guest experience — being treated with disregard by a temporary repair crew. I sincerely hope that once renovations are complete, the respectful and peaceful atmosphere upheld by the permanent staff will be fully restored, as they truly deserve recognition for their dedication and care."

"On the plus, good location, near everthing and the beach. The owner was very nice and friendly. Accommodation was very basic. All the pots, pans, utensils etc. were definately second hand and cheap. The whole place needed a good clean. Continual damp musty smell, reminded me of camping."

"Avoid at all costs. The place is filthy: peeling paint, pillows stained with sweat and mold, broken air conditioning, a faulty bathroom, and dust everywhere. But the worst part? The owner. Invasive and oppressive, he spies on guests through cameras and shows up unannounced at 10:30 PM to watch our every move. His behavior is disrespectful and downright hostile. To top it off, he had the nerve to charge us for extra sheets and the additional guest, despite the terrible conditions. The only saving grace is the manager, who was kind and attentive, but that doesn’t make up for this disgraceful experience. An absolute nightmare."

"Small apt was clean, spacious and provided all we needed. Location is perfect to walk to the village. Staff attentive and helpful. You also have access to the Ocean Beach amenities (about a 10 min walk) which are lovely. Craig the owner is wonderful!"

"Captain Jak's is well situated in town and they have access to all the toys you need while there. We had an issue within our room and needed to leave. The staff did offer to change us to another room but we chose to leave the property. While they were initially hesitant to assist us further, they did decide that it was in our best interest and then worked hard to assist us. They were professional and polite throughout the process. Nobody likes to deal with issues but when they arise as they inevitably do, it shows the character of the person or company on how they resolve it. In the end, they did a good job and showed quality character. Both are appreciated."

"Driftwood Gardens was truly my hidden gem in Placencia. I stayed in one of the lovely one-bedroom accommodations over the weekends before and after my volunteer trip, and it was the perfect place to relax. The apartment was spotless, comfortable, and thoughtfully equipped with everything I needed. The beautiful pool and lush tropical gardens created a peaceful oasis where I could unwind after diving. What really sets Driftwood Gardens apart are the owners. They clearly take tremendous pride in their property and genuinely care about their guests. Their hospitality, attention to detail, and willingness to help made me feel right at home. If you’re looking for a quiet, charming place to stay in Placencia that feels personal rather than commercial, I can’t recommend Driftwood Gardens highly enough. It was my little diamond in the rough, and I would happily stay there again on my next trip to Belize."