My husband and I spent a full week at Hidden Valley for our
honeymoon. We decided to spend our full Belize trip at Hidden Valley based on the great reviews and my prior great experiences in Costa Rica. We were looking for adventure, but as this was our honeymoon, also some pampering. We weren't disappointed. In short, the staff was wonderful, the food delicious (especially the beef), the pina coladas fantastic, the rooms (each with their own fireplace) comfortable, and the grounds beautiful. The only disappointments we had were the biting flies (i was covered in welts by the end of my stay, although they didn't bother my husband too much) and the broken mountain bikes. The resort just began new ownership as we arrived, and they seem poised to make it even more spectacular.

While one week may seem like a lot of time to spend at the resort, we didn't run out of activities. Our itinerary included:
day one -- arrived
day two -- ATM tour. Not to be missed and a highlight of our trip.
day three -- Caracol. Rick was a great guide and the site was never too crowded.
days four and five -- Sightseeing on the Hidden Valley property. Definitely build time in to hike the property. My favorites included the hike to Devils falls and following the stream to the source past Butterfly and Secret Falls. The whole trip will take the better part of the day and is a great workout, but you can arrange a pick up if you get tired.
day six -- horseback riding. great guide and trip. another chance to see mayan ruins and caves. had the opportunity to gallop across the property. seeing the crowded public resorts and falls made us really appreciate the seclusion of hidden valley.
day seven -- rented orchid falls. would certainly recommend this over secret falls, as it is more secluded and has more amenities. plus, if secret falls is not booked, you can visit without renting.

Some helpful things to keep in mind before going there:
1) Bring your own bugspray. Skin so soft only goes so far. Lightweight long sleeves and long pants are the best protection
2) If you are looking for a romantic honeymoon, try booking for the off-season. With only 12 cottages and a vast expanse of land, it never gets really crowded, but it was even better having the whole property to only 6 guest by the end. We went in early May which was perfect weather. Only one hour of rain the entire trip (don't trust the online forecasts before you go -- they're never correct)
3) Have a sense of adventure. If you're looking for a luxury resort with full amenities, this is not the place. Here you are well taken care of by the attentive staff, but firmly within nature.

This hotel is awesome! My husband said it right on our second day there - "this place is the best hotel we've ever stayed." While the rooms and lodge are all very nicely done it's the staff that really makes this place special. From the moment we arrived we received personalized attention. Each evening during dinner the staff talks with each couple about their day and upcoming adventures. We learned so much about the local people from the staff. They're all so friendly and knowledgeable.

While we were there we celebrated our anniversary. The staff decorated our dining table with lots of fresh flowers and used flower petals to spell Happy Anniversary on our bed. They also found a box and wrapped a gift my husband bought for me in the gift shop.

The food was terrific - definitely exceeded our expectations. The meals were so good we never ate anywhere else. And it's very reasonably priced.

Orchid Falls is a must. It was our favorite day there - so relaxing and peaceful.

Our only negative about this place is the "dirt" road. My husband says "dirt" must be Belizean for "rocks and crags." It was rough going but so worth it when we got there. The good news is that they are opening an air strip on property so no more traveling there via dirt road.

I'd recommend this place to any couple looking for a romantic or adventurous get away. I only wish we had stayed longer.

Hidden Valley Inn is simply amazing! Other reviewers hit the nail on the head with the description, so I won't repeat it. Other than to say there are new managers, Flavien and his wife Beverly. They were very delightful as is the ENTIRE staff! Rick has so much knowledge to share with each vistor and was fun to go on tours with. Food was very good. If you stay here you MUST go to Orchid Falls. There is no other place like it. Even though it rained the day we went, we still enjoyed our time there. You won't be disappointed if you book with Hidden Valley Inn, they truly aim to please.

We only stayed 3 nights and then went to Ambergris Caye, but I'm glad we went. Would we return? You betcha!!!

If you are looking for a small inn for a romatic getaway in the forests and hills of inner Belize, this is the place to go!

Hidden Valley is a small inn (only 12 bungalows, 24 people) that is nestled in the waterfall region outside of San Ignacio. The staff here (from the GM Karen and the mgr Misael to the wait staff and bar tenders) are superb: fun and funny, attentive without being cloying, and excellent at their jobs.

The bungalows are sizable, clean (not a bug in sight inside), and comfortable (albeit not air conditioned, but there's a great mountain breeze at night).

There's a nice pool for afternoon dips and a hot tub (which was nice and hot, but the blower was broken) to soothe away any aching muscles from a day hiking the innumerable trails.

There are a number of spectacular waterfalls to visit (on foot or they'll take you). But the very best is doing the private waterfalls lunch at Orchid Falls. For this, they take you for a jeep ride for 20 minutes or so along a single lane dirt road. Ten minutes into the ride you encounter a gate which is unlocked and driven through. You finally arrive at this mountain stream, along which you walk for 507 mnutes or so until you turn a corner and see a gorgeous waterfall. At the base of the pool is another bungalow...which is all yours (and only yours) for the day. The drivers then leave you, drive out, and lock the gate behind them so that no one (and I mean no one!) will visit, disturb, or peek at you ;-)

Upon entering the bungalow, you find white linen table-clothed tables, iced champagng (that was delivered just ahead of your arrival), a huge cooler full of an incredibly tasty lunch, and a hammock. When you step outside the other end of the bungalow, you find a nice deck for sunning, with steps that lead down into the water for a swin in the stream and up to the falls (so make sure to bring your bathing suit...or don't ;-)

The hours fly by at Orchid Falls as you while away the day floating in inner tubes, hiking up the falls, or just sleeping in the hammock. It's a home run! (so much so that we decided to cancel a day of exploring ruins and went back to Orchid Falls again!).

We also spent a day on a horseback ride through the jungles and mountains, including a visit down into an old Mayan cave (which was really cool!). The owner of the ride/cave, Joe and his dogs Princess and Champion, take great care of you and you end up at yet another spectacular waterfall for lunch!

If you're looking for a true Belizean experience (not just beach), good food, great service, fun people, and good lodgings, I HIGHLY recommend visiting Hidden Valley!