Pros

  • Wonderful seaside location surrounded by a golf course and tropical forests
  • Modern, spacious, and well-equipped rooms and villas
  • Friendly, courteous staff
  • All villas have their own infinity-edge swimming pool
  • Beautiful Mediterranean architecture
  • World-class golf course on-site and plenty of activities on land and off
  • Fitness center and tennis courts
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Cons

  • Somewhat remote location on the island’s north shore
  • Expensive food and drink prices
  • Beach and pool areas infested with sand flies (no-see-ums)
See More Cons

Bottom Line

This sprawling beachside resort is encompassed by Roatan’s sole golf course, designed by Pete Dye. The comfortable villas and rooms provide a level of luxury and comfort previously not offered on the island. Its restaurant and bars are refreshingly casual in style and dining options. Activities include lounging by the huge, lagoon-like swimming pools, diving, stand-up paddling, tennis and of course, golf. Perhaps the only drawback is the presence of bugs, including sand flies, which descend upon beachgoers and poolside loungers with incredible voraciousness.

See More Bottom Line

Amenities

  • Cribs
  • Fitness Center
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Pristine Bay Resort

Scene

A world-class golf resort with first-rate facilities and a phenomenal seaside location on Roatan’s north shore

The size of this resort complex is revealed by the ten-minute drive from the front gate to the resort and residence complex on the opposite shore, which passes through jungle areas and the golf course along the way. The Beach Club, which is adjacent to the main hotel complex, is built in Mediterranean style and houses the front desk, lobby, and Aqua restaurant. The lobby opens on to a balcony from which there are lovely views of the huge swimming pool and ocean beyond. Aqua restaurant & Bar is modern and serves a good array of casual dining fare that includes paninis, pasta and seafood.

From the lobby balcony, stairs lead down to an attractive lounge area, complete with fire pits. One level down is the first (and larger) of the two swimming pools, surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs, cabanas, tables and a poolside bar. Another flight of stairs leads to a smaller, kidney-shaped swimming pool. The beach is found along a path just beyond the pool cabanas flanking the pool deck.

The beach is clean, with white sands and aquamarine water lapping ashore. The location is still very pristine, as its name implies, and reminiscent of pioneering Costa Rican beach resorts in the early 1990s. There are myriad beach and ocean activities, including stand-up paddling, kayaking, beach volleyball, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Beach chairs are set up daily. If you’re swimming in these waters, pay special attention where you step as sting rays can be found here. An adjacent mangrove swamp has been left undisturbed, which may explain the presence of some very pesky sand flies. Bug spray is of limited efficacy against these critters.

Adjacent to the Beach Club are two tennis courts and a soccer field. The golf course lies just beyond the villas. The latter are built on a hillside overlooking the Beach Club complex. Most of the villas' owners are foreign residents and Pristine Bay is largely the haunt of wealthy Guatemalans who travel to the resort on weekends aboard their private planes.

Renowned course architect Pete Dye designed the 18-hole, 7,200-yard golf course. It begins near the ocean and rises into surrounding hillsides before ending near the Beach Club.

See More Scene

Location

On a hillside by the sea in central Roatan, about 25 minutes from the airport

Pristine Bay Resort lies in the middle of Roatan on the somewhat more remote north shore. The island’s main highway passes by the resort’s doorstep, but it’s still a ten-minute drive to the main resort and villa complex from the front gate.

  • 10-minute drive to Megaplaza mall
  • 12-minute drive to French Harbor
  • 20-minute drive to Carl O. McNab Maritime Terminal
  • 25-minute drive to Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB)
  • 45-minute drive to West End
See More Location

Rooms

A modern take on colonial architecture, with private infinity-edge plunge pools and tropical landscaping

The villas are a mix of Mediterranean and Spanish styles, with stucco facades and tile roofs. Inside, they feature high, wood-beam ceilings, accent lights, and tile floors. Air-conditioning keeps the tropical island heat at bay. Spacious covered patios feature a grill (in most homes), lounge chairs, and plunge pool. Beds and linens are luxurious. Floor plans include two or three bedrooms.

  • All villas have private patios with plunge pool
  • Air-conditioning and ceiling fans
  • Extremely comfortable beds and soft linens
  • Spacious closets
  • Walk-in glass showers in bathrooms
  • L’Occitane bath products
  • Large flat-screen cable TVs
  • In-room coffeemakers
See More Rooms

Pool

A huge infinity-edge swimming pool at the Beach Club, plus a kids’ pool

  • Large infinity-edge swimming pool with lounge chairs and poolside drink service
  • Kids’ pool
See More Pool

All-Inclusive / Food

Aqua Restaurant & Bar, overlooking the sea, features a decent menu of casual resort fare

  • Aqua Restaurant & Bar open for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Indoor or outdoor patio dining at Aqua overlooking pools and ocean
  • Poolside drink and food service with a covered patio and tables/chairs
  • Megaplaza Mall, just outside the resort’s main entrance, features fast food and casual dining options such as Wendy’s and Applebees
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Golf

  • Golf pro shop
  • World-class golf course with sea views
See More Golf

Physical Activities

  • Well-equipped fitness center
  • Dive center
  • Tennis courts
  • Beach activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and beach volleyball
See More Physical Activities

Oyster Hotel Review

Pristine Bay Resort

Scene

A world-class golf resort with first-rate facilities and a phenomenal seaside location on Roatan’s north shore

The size of this resort complex is revealed by the ten-minute drive from the front gate to the resort and residence complex on the opposite shore, which passes through jungle areas and the golf course along the way. The Beach Club, which is adjacent to the main hotel complex, is built in Mediterranean style and houses the front desk, lobby, and Aqua restaurant. The lobby opens on to a balcony from which there are lovely views of the huge swimming pool and ocean beyond. Aqua restaurant & Bar is modern and serves a good array of casual dining fare that includes paninis, pasta and seafood.

From the lobby balcony, stairs lead down to an attractive lounge area, complete with fire pits. One level down is the first (and larger) of the two swimming pools, surrounded by comfortable lounge chairs, cabanas, tables and a poolside bar. Another flight of stairs leads to a smaller, kidney-shaped swimming pool. The beach is found along a path just beyond the pool cabanas flanking the pool deck.

The beach is clean, with white sands and aquamarine water lapping ashore. The location is still very pristine, as its name implies, and reminiscent of pioneering Costa Rican beach resorts in the early 1990s. There are myriad beach and ocean activities, including stand-up paddling, kayaking, beach volleyball, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Beach chairs are set up daily. If you’re swimming in these waters, pay special attention where you step as sting rays can be found here. An adjacent mangrove swamp has been left undisturbed, which may explain the presence of some very pesky sand flies. Bug spray is of limited efficacy against these critters.

Adjacent to the Beach Club are two tennis courts and a soccer field. The golf course lies just beyond the villas. The latter are built on a hillside overlooking the Beach Club complex. Most of the villas' owners are foreign residents and Pristine Bay is largely the haunt of wealthy Guatemalans who travel to the resort on weekends aboard their private planes.

Renowned course architect Pete Dye designed the 18-hole, 7,200-yard golf course. It begins near the ocean and rises into surrounding hillsides before ending near the Beach Club.

See More Scene

Location

On a hillside by the sea in central Roatan, about 25 minutes from the airport

Pristine Bay Resort lies in the middle of Roatan on the somewhat more remote north shore. The island’s main highway passes by the resort’s doorstep, but it’s still a ten-minute drive to the main resort and villa complex from the front gate.

  • 10-minute drive to Megaplaza mall
  • 12-minute drive to French Harbor
  • 20-minute drive to Carl O. McNab Maritime Terminal
  • 25-minute drive to Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport (RTB)
  • 45-minute drive to West End
See More Location

Rooms

A modern take on colonial architecture, with private infinity-edge plunge pools and tropical landscaping

The villas are a mix of Mediterranean and Spanish styles, with stucco facades and tile roofs. Inside, they feature high, wood-beam ceilings, accent lights, and tile floors. Air-conditioning keeps the tropical island heat at bay. Spacious covered patios feature a grill (in most homes), lounge chairs, and plunge pool. Beds and linens are luxurious. Floor plans include two or three bedrooms.

  • All villas have private patios with plunge pool
  • Air-conditioning and ceiling fans
  • Extremely comfortable beds and soft linens
  • Spacious closets
  • Walk-in glass showers in bathrooms
  • L’Occitane bath products
  • Large flat-screen cable TVs
  • In-room coffeemakers
See More Rooms

Pool

A huge infinity-edge swimming pool at the Beach Club, plus a kids’ pool

  • Large infinity-edge swimming pool with lounge chairs and poolside drink service
  • Kids’ pool
See More Pool

All-Inclusive / Food

Aqua Restaurant & Bar, overlooking the sea, features a decent menu of casual resort fare

  • Aqua Restaurant & Bar open for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Indoor or outdoor patio dining at Aqua overlooking pools and ocean
  • Poolside drink and food service with a covered patio and tables/chairs
  • Megaplaza Mall, just outside the resort’s main entrance, features fast food and casual dining options such as Wendy’s and Applebees
See More All-Inclusive / Food

Golf

  • Golf pro shop
  • World-class golf course with sea views
See More Golf

Physical Activities

  • Well-equipped fitness center
  • Dive center
  • Tennis courts
  • Beach activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, and beach volleyball
See More Physical Activities

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Beach

  • Cabanas

  • Cable

  • Children's Pool

  • Concierge

  • Cribs

  • Fitness Center

  • Full Kitchen

  • Golf Course

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Poolside Drink Service

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

  • Swim-Up Bar

  • Tennis Court

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.