Pros

  • A 10-minute drive to the restaurants and shops in Placencia
  • Clean, naturally landscaped beach with an intimate feel
  • Lovely, freeform pool steps from the Caribbean Sea
  • Cozy, open-air Quarterdeck Restaurant has lovely sea views
  • Rooms feature mini-fridges, air-conditioning, and water-view balconies with hammocks
  • Suites have full kitchens, hot tubs, and vaulted ceilings
  • Fast, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
  • Golf carts are available for rent
  • Free off-street parking
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Cons

  • Depending on the season, sand flies can be an issue
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Bottom Line

Located just north of downtown Placencia, Laru Beya Resort & Villas offers a solid list of resort-like amenities in a pint-size, three-pearl package. The open-air, sea-view restaurant, freshwater pool, and lovely beach are among its most noteworthy features, and all are nice to have. Each of the 30 rooms features water-view balconies, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges or full kitchens. While there are few attractions within walking distance, free bikes are convenient for exploring the restaurants, shops, and marinas of nearby Placencia. Golf carts can also be rented. Depending on the season, sand flies can be bothersome; however, for the price, it’s hard to imagine finding much else to fuss over. Although a bit less polished, Maya Beach Hotel offers similar amenities for less money.

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Amenities

  • Internet
  • Pool
  • Spa

Oyster Hotel Review

Laru Beya Resort & Villas

Scene

Modern mid-range hotel with a relaxed atmosphere and a touch of polish

For a small, unpretentious property, Laru Beya manages to incorporate subtle doses of both modern design and sophistication. Colored wood lounge chairs, a sparkling freeform pool, and palm leaf ceiling fans elevate the design above comparable area hotels. The result is a property that feels a bit more like a Miami Beach boutique hotel than a basic, three-pearl inn. The combined pool and beach are spacious relative to the hotel’s size and serve as its de facto social space, though everything here stays quiet and low-key throughout the year. With rooms and suites that target couples and families alike, the guest list is typically a mix of both.

See More Scene

Location

Right on the beach, a 10-minute drive from the center of Placencia

The adjacent beachfront road that connects much of Placencia is dotted with guest houses and small hotels, so the immediate area stays quiet day and night. A few restaurants are within a moderate walk of the property. However, guests seeking more will need to drive (or rent a golf cart) to reach the center of Placencia -- 10 minutes away by car. The tiny, eclectic town offers dozens of artisanal shops, local restaurants, and cafes. Its marinas also serve as the ideal starting point for travelers looking to explore Belize’s stunning islands and reefs, which are a 30- to 40-minute boat ride from shore.

At more than three hours away, Philip Goldson International (BZE) is the nearest international airport. Many guests opt to spend the extra money on a puddle jumper directly into Placencia’s tiny municipal airport less than five minutes away. Taxi and bus service can prove expensive throughout the country. Renting a car is often the most convenient and affordable way to get around. Given the dearth of services/attractions within walking distance of the hotel, guests may find a car all but necessary.

See More Location

Rooms

Clean, homey rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, sea-view balconies, and mini-fridges or full kitchens

Room decor is clean and homey, with subtly modern tropical accents. Pastel blue walls, Spanish tile flooring, and ripple-pattern curtains provide just enough beachy atmosphere. Furniture in entry-level rooms feels ordinary and “safe,” with nightstands, bed frames, and shelving akin to those found in mid-range chain hotels. However, upgraded Suites step up to lovely local wall decor, Silestone countertops, and ornately carved wood furnishings.

The hotel’s entry-level Ocean View Rooms feature tight, one-room floor plans with less square footage than most typical three-pearl rooms. A modest, furnished balcony provides additional living space, plus open views to the pool and sea. One-Bedroom Suites feature typical suite-style layouts with a separate bedroom, living area, and full kitchen (including a microwave, refrigerator, and oven). A large, private balcony is situated directly on the beach with excellent views of the Caribbean Sea. Flagship Two-Bedroom and Three-Bedroom Suites offer similar amenities, but with additional bedrooms that each have en-suite bathrooms, plus upgraded furnishings and decor. Every room category includes modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen cable TVs. All bathrooms are likewise traditional, with dark wood, modern fixtures, and tile-and-glass shower stalls.

See More Rooms

Features

A lovely beach and a freeform pool, plus a traditional Belizean restaurant

The property’s beach is small but well-manicured, with palm trees and tropical bushes creating a sense of intimacy and privacy. A dozen basic lounge and beach chairs line the sand. While there are no umbrellas or palapas, the surrounding vegetation provides sufficient shade. Sea kayaks and Hobie Cats are provided to guests free of charge. The sea can be fickle in coastal Belize -- choppy and unswimmable in the morning, but calm the afternoon -- and this resort’s beach is no different.

The freeform, freshwater pool is clean and well-maintained with more than enough space given the hotel’s capacity. The open-concept design allows the pool terrace to flow seamlessly into the beach, and the entire space is steps from the Caribbean Sea. A dozen lounge chairs provide adequate seating, however, the space is exposed to the sun without any umbrellas.

Steps from the pool, Quarterdeck Restaurant is a casual dining space situated in a three-tier building with a tall, thatched roof. The open-air concept affords east-facing views -- excellent for watching the sunrise over breakfast -- toward the beach. The space is awash in rough, exposed wood and dark, mahogany and teak furniture creating a cozy, beachy vibe. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served a la carte. Each menu features an even blend of Western and traditional Belizean fare (the latter is often seafood-heavy).

Bikes are free for guest use and rental golf carts are available for guests looking to explore even further. A large lot affords ample off-street parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Laru Beya Resort & Villas

Scene

Modern mid-range hotel with a relaxed atmosphere and a touch of polish

For a small, unpretentious property, Laru Beya manages to incorporate subtle doses of both modern design and sophistication. Colored wood lounge chairs, a sparkling freeform pool, and palm leaf ceiling fans elevate the design above comparable area hotels. The result is a property that feels a bit more like a Miami Beach boutique hotel than a basic, three-pearl inn. The combined pool and beach are spacious relative to the hotel’s size and serve as its de facto social space, though everything here stays quiet and low-key throughout the year. With rooms and suites that target couples and families alike, the guest list is typically a mix of both.

See More Scene

Location

Right on the beach, a 10-minute drive from the center of Placencia

The adjacent beachfront road that connects much of Placencia is dotted with guest houses and small hotels, so the immediate area stays quiet day and night. A few restaurants are within a moderate walk of the property. However, guests seeking more will need to drive (or rent a golf cart) to reach the center of Placencia -- 10 minutes away by car. The tiny, eclectic town offers dozens of artisanal shops, local restaurants, and cafes. Its marinas also serve as the ideal starting point for travelers looking to explore Belize’s stunning islands and reefs, which are a 30- to 40-minute boat ride from shore.

At more than three hours away, Philip Goldson International (BZE) is the nearest international airport. Many guests opt to spend the extra money on a puddle jumper directly into Placencia’s tiny municipal airport less than five minutes away. Taxi and bus service can prove expensive throughout the country. Renting a car is often the most convenient and affordable way to get around. Given the dearth of services/attractions within walking distance of the hotel, guests may find a car all but necessary.

See More Location

Rooms

Clean, homey rooms and suites with free Wi-Fi, sea-view balconies, and mini-fridges or full kitchens

Room decor is clean and homey, with subtly modern tropical accents. Pastel blue walls, Spanish tile flooring, and ripple-pattern curtains provide just enough beachy atmosphere. Furniture in entry-level rooms feels ordinary and “safe,” with nightstands, bed frames, and shelving akin to those found in mid-range chain hotels. However, upgraded Suites step up to lovely local wall decor, Silestone countertops, and ornately carved wood furnishings.

The hotel’s entry-level Ocean View Rooms feature tight, one-room floor plans with less square footage than most typical three-pearl rooms. A modest, furnished balcony provides additional living space, plus open views to the pool and sea. One-Bedroom Suites feature typical suite-style layouts with a separate bedroom, living area, and full kitchen (including a microwave, refrigerator, and oven). A large, private balcony is situated directly on the beach with excellent views of the Caribbean Sea. Flagship Two-Bedroom and Three-Bedroom Suites offer similar amenities, but with additional bedrooms that each have en-suite bathrooms, plus upgraded furnishings and decor. Every room category includes modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and flat-screen cable TVs. All bathrooms are likewise traditional, with dark wood, modern fixtures, and tile-and-glass shower stalls.

See More Rooms

Features

A lovely beach and a freeform pool, plus a traditional Belizean restaurant

The property’s beach is small but well-manicured, with palm trees and tropical bushes creating a sense of intimacy and privacy. A dozen basic lounge and beach chairs line the sand. While there are no umbrellas or palapas, the surrounding vegetation provides sufficient shade. Sea kayaks and Hobie Cats are provided to guests free of charge. The sea can be fickle in coastal Belize -- choppy and unswimmable in the morning, but calm the afternoon -- and this resort’s beach is no different.

The freeform, freshwater pool is clean and well-maintained with more than enough space given the hotel’s capacity. The open-concept design allows the pool terrace to flow seamlessly into the beach, and the entire space is steps from the Caribbean Sea. A dozen lounge chairs provide adequate seating, however, the space is exposed to the sun without any umbrellas.

Steps from the pool, Quarterdeck Restaurant is a casual dining space situated in a three-tier building with a tall, thatched roof. The open-air concept affords east-facing views -- excellent for watching the sunrise over breakfast -- toward the beach. The space is awash in rough, exposed wood and dark, mahogany and teak furniture creating a cozy, beachy vibe. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all served a la carte. Each menu features an even blend of Western and traditional Belizean fare (the latter is often seafood-heavy).

Bikes are free for guest use and rental golf carts are available for guests looking to explore even further. A large lot affords ample off-street parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Babysitting Services

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Basic Television

  • Beach

  • Beauty / Hair Salon

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Full Kitchen

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Meeting / Conference Rooms

  • Pool

  • Room Service

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

  • Spa

  • Supervised Kids Activities

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.