this is the best hotel/lodge we have ever stayed in. The setting in the jungle is magnificent with views across the river; the tress are not as lush as they once were because they have been attacked by beetles but even so it is beautiful. The cabanas are fantastically designed so that when you lie in bed you look out t at the other end of the room through fine mesh netting stright into the trees; it really makes you feel like you are right in it. The design of the cabanas is lalso very good because you are not overlooked or indeed find it difficult to see anyoine else. The service was excellent without being too intrusive. It is expensive and easy to run up a bill - we spent £500 over the two days on food, which is very good whilst not 5* , trip to Barton Creek Caves ( do it on the morning run) and presents. Also, go to Great Rock Waterfalls and swim in the lovely waters - but do not take the mountain bikes unless you are prepared for the constant up incline on the way back. They do have an airstrip and if you can it would be worth looking into a hopper flight in as the road journey is very bumpy and long (we came from Tikal and it took 4 hours)

This hotel is trading on the Francis Ford Coppola name. It is horrifically expensive and stuck an hour's drive up one of the worst roads I've been on. You are therefore held captive regarding eating and drinking. The rooms were fine with some nice little touches like candles alight when you returned from supper but the service was erratic (requested early morning tea but it did not appear 2 days out of 3) and some of the restaurant staff seemed bored and disillusioned (so were we when we saw the prices!) The 'Italian' restaurant is a pale imitation (Marinara Pizza without any fish???).
Excursion costs ranged up to $400US for a day trip - out of our price range. Some very tiny bugs (too small to see) went on full attack before we had had a chance to apply insect repellent - you need to use it 24 hrs a day from the moment you arrive and I think the hotel should stress this. Four weeks later we still have the marks!
The setting on a river with small waterfalls is pretty but the pine forest itself is dead, both from some kind of destructive beetle and from fires. The feature we enjoyed most was the hot pool and there are many nice features but by and large we wished we had given it a miss. Their sister restaurant La Lancha, 2-3 hours drive away in Guatemala, is much nicer.

Our family was here for 4 days and rented 2 of the two-bedroom villas. Everything was really nice. Its pretty remote but I knew that going into it and was looking forward to the escape. The service was great with the exception of the restaurant which I found to be extremely slow, even when just ordering the complimentary continental breakfast which was a fruit plate and bread basket. But when the food did arrive it was very good. They have 2 options the main dining room is mainly Italian and a new small addition of Guatemalan which was very good. We rented SUVs to get there and was glad to have a car. We were able to do many self guided adventures which save a good amount for all. It was a great start to our vacation before heading to Ambergris caye.

We spent 4 perfect days at Blancaneaux before heading to Turtle Inn. The Lodge is marvelous - perfectly run; professional, caring service; good food and wine; great tour options (we went to Tikal, Caracol and Barton Creek Caves. The hike to Big Rock Falls is strenuous but worth the effort. I wish we'd had more time to just hang at the Lodge and spend more time is the gorgeous clean river. Next time. My only tiny snivel is that the rooms don't match up to those at Turtle Inn. We had Riverfront Cabana 6, which turned out to be the smallest one and while it was lovely it lacked an indoor seating area and desk or table. We were on our honeymoon and would have spent more time in the seclusion of our cabana if we'd had the space (such as a dinner in our room). Next time we will be sure to request something larger(Luxury Cabanas 11 and 12 are sweet). There were a few kids there -- and happily their parents managed them well, but I would not recommend this as a place for most families with kids. It's a quiet, romantic place with not a lot of space for kid-type activities. Probably fine for well-traveled kids who will go on lots of excursions like the group with TravelMommyof4 (who I beleive was there when we were and seemed very tuned in to keeping her kids well managed).