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Reviews of Gaia Riverlodge

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, San Ignacio, Belize

#5 of 27 hotels in San Ignacio

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 73 hotel reviews

9.4

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    9.6

  • Comfort

    9.7

  • Location

    9.4

  • Facilities

    9.4

  • Staff

    9.7

  • Value for money

    8.7

  • Free WiFi

    8.8

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 7 April 2024

    8.0
    Lovely space and view.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 1 night

    Gaia is very expensive (by far the most expensive place we stayed) and all the food and drink has tax and service added too. The food and drink is expensive, particularly for Belize standards.

    The rooms are great - fantastic view from the veranda, comfy bed and fans provided. The resort is walking distance to Big Rock falls and there's a little tram to the one at the bottom of the resort.

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 31 March 2024

    9.0
    Great place to stay to visit the mountain area of Belize with superb staff and comfort.
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 6 nights

    The last bit of road is a bumpy and during the rainy season it may become impassable. Serenity during breakfast and annoying music during dinner. Menu has limited options due to property size but definitely is overpriced. Avoid the tour to Tikal (unless you stay overnight in the park), that place is overrun with tourists and the drive is 3 hours; despite the poor roads Caracol is a better choice and the guides are much better, too. Bring ear plus in case the river is too loud for you at night. The light pollution at night is too high.

    Excellent staff, always helpful and friendly. Beautiful property in pretty setting close to river with natural pools and small waterfalls. Very tidy. Restaurant food was delicious, and the special dinner with local food selections and narration was very nice. Many tours are available with excellent guides. Nice place to do bird watching, a small nature walk is nearby. Inclined lift to river available. You can reach Big Rock Falls on foot within 30 minutes or with a short bike ride (bikes available).

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 10 March 2024

    10
    Perfect.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing - just want to note that we were originally worried about lack of A/C but at night the temperature is perfect for sleeping and it is not needed at all! (March visitors)

    The food was absolutely delicious and the best we had during our whole visit in Belize. The views and experienced are unmatched!

    Stayed in March 2024

  • Reviewed: 25 February 2024

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 6 nights

    It's remote and off-grid. No AC. We didn't have a problem with that, but some might so be warned.

    Great food, great people, great service. The setting is beautiful, almost unspoiled. Lots of nice local tours to check out.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 12 February 2024

    9.0
    Beautiful and Relaxing
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    The road to the property is almost fully paved and fantastic (apparently this occurred in the past couple years). The last 2-3 miles is dirt and is currently great, I hear it can be tough in the rain, but honestly I suspect its fine even without a high clearance car 95% of the time. Its just a bit of a distance from town, but if you plan to chill at the resort - its not an issue. Although overall customer service was great, there were just a couple issues. One was my friend canceled her excursion and they would not issue a refund. I can understand both parties arguments as to why it should/shouldn't be refunded, my issue was that the staff treated her differently afterwards - not making eye contact, only addressing me, etc. I totally understand the customer is not always right, but you have to move forward and continue to give them a good experience. Second was when we went for breakfast at 7 in the morning we told them our bags were outside the room to be taken to the car and that we would check out after breakfast but we were not done in the room and still had the keys. Upon returning to the room they had completely cleared out the room and moved all our items to the car including items we had not packed in the room just piling them up in the car. Super frustrating. It felt as though they had someone coming in early and they were trying to turn over the room before we even check out. Which again was well before the 10 am check out. Last thing, although their excursions are great, its way cheaper to just book on your own unless you don't have your own car.

    Gorgeous place to stay situated above a beautiful waterfall. Rooms all over the waterfall and have great white noise of running water. Funicular to the beach near waterfall, but also can take the stairs (as the funicular is slow its actually faster to walk). 5 sisters restaurant is good, not amazing, but the view makes it worth it. Think California prices (~100 USD for full dinner with drinks). Same with the restaurant at the Blancaneaux (although actually less pricey food/drinks) which is down the road and can be arranged if you speak to concierge. Can walk to Big rock falls which is also lovely. Good excursions (just quite pricey compared to what you can book on trip advisor or viator). Coco the resort dog is such a well behaved pup! Loved getting greeted by her daily.

    Stayed in February 2024

  • Reviewed: 16 January 2024

    10
    Luxury in a beautiful natural setting
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excellent restaurant. Spectacular setting. Courteous staff. Remote natural area.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 3 January 2024

    10
    Hidden Jungle Retreat
    • Leisure trip
    • Family with young children
    • King Suite with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    This amazing jungle/river lodge exceeded our expectations. The view is simply spectacular and food is delicious and fresh from farm to table. The waterfalls, river and natural pool to swim in is a real treat. When you look up at the lodges on the side of the hill (from the waterfalls), you can’t stop marvel at how beautifully designed this place is.

    Stayed in January 2024

  • Reviewed: 18 December 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Bungalow
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The property was amazing, the staff was even better. I wish we would have allowed ourselves more time there.

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 December 2023

    10
    Absolutely recommended for a stay in the Belize Rainforest.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The signage to get there. Need more signs off the paved road.

    Absolutely gorgeous

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 November 2023

    10
    Stupendous!!
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Best place ever ! Heaven on earth Thank you EVERYONE! Nigel Freddie and all !!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 25 November 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Nothing. Amazing experience.

    The place was amazing. The waterfalls of the lodge are beautiful and it is super closed to other amazing trails.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 19 November 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Bungalow
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The food and service was excellent, views where spectacular

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 November 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 3 nights

    I booked the Gaia lodge for March and my husband ended up having to get cancer treatments so we asked to reschedule our stay but were told no we could not change our reservations. I thought that was very poor customer service we were not asking for a refund just wanted to reschedule. So our whole group (6 of us) ended up paying for our rooms 2 times.

    The staff were amazing!!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 1 November 2023

    8.0
    Nice place. However - they try to make way too much money out of you with the restaurant. Bad price quality and unfair&#
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The way how they organised financials: - They didn’t tell us about the continental breakfast which was included. Instead we eat breakfast everyday at the restaurant for which we had to pay fully. - After they didn’t had the wine in-house that we ordered (a bottle of 70$) they came with two suggestions - after I asked how much those bottles would be - they told us they would be 120 and 250$. Very strange to recommend such an expensive bottle and not tell anything about it. - In general the prices for food were pretty bad in price/quality and there are no alternatives available in the near area and it’s not allowed to bring your own food.

    The amazing location and unique view.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 October 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Bungalow
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Very expensive but otherwise perfection.

    This is a spectacular property with the five sisters waterfall on site. The atmosphere is very peaceful and the staff are lovely - even helped us get some spare gas as there are no stations for about 35 miles from the hotel and we were on empty! Food was good but my friends food was overcooked and way too sweet so they removed the charge from the bill. I loved the plantain soup not too sweet and super flavorful. Be aware that prices are in US dollars not Belize dollars. Very pricey for Belize but comparable to a stay at a US spa/resort. Once you are there you will probably just be there for meals etc as nothing but waterfalls and pine forest around this area. Great for exploring Caracol and multiple waterfalls. Loved the rooms special accents and had the best drinks of our entire stay here! They also gave us a private magic show from Christopher who was totally amazing!

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 October 2023

    10
    Exceptional
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Food was way, way, way, over price to the point of driving 30 miles to closest town to get authentic beliziean food for a decent price and a real feal of belize.

    Staff was amazing! Riverside cliff walk and river pools were amazing..( wish there were staff down there year round to serve drinks. Waited a long time to get bar service to bring a drink down.)

    Stayed in September 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 September 2023

    10
    We felt like family from the moment we arrived.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Beautiful views of the mountains and the falls. Wonderful organic garden with guided tour…beautiful flowers and plants everywhere.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 3 September 2023

    8.0
    Minus the excursions, our stay was wonderful.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Suite with Balcony
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The dinner menu was too limited. Too many stairs and questionable excursions.

    Beautiful scenery.

    Stayed in August 2023

  • Reviewed: 28 April 2023

    10
    Breathtaking resort with spectular sounds of 5 Sisters Waterfall/River
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • King Suite with Balcony
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    slowest funicular ever

    lunch by waterfalls, sounds with screen open window plan, Sam the farm to table gardener, mosquito coils and netting, stunning design, comp coffee/tea service n/c, best bedding in Belize!

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 April 2023

    9.0
    beautiful setting, comfortable accommodations, friendly and helpful staff and amazing food
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage with Garden View
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Excellent! Lots of choices: fresh and tasty! Liked free continental breakfast so ordered 1 meal off menu that my husband and I shared. Excellent food…the location was very nice! Restaurant sits above falls..very peaceful and beautiful

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2023

    10
    we had the best stay at this eco lodge
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Standard Bungalow
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    it is in an eco reserve and so it is naturally remote - in case you are looking for a lot of action and sight seeing, there are some tours offered but overall it is a remote location for relaxing

    perfect to relax and unwind. staff is exceptionally friendly and creates a familiar atmosphere at this small luxury hotel. we will miss the delicious food, impeccable rooms, swimming by the waterfall and spa! until next time!

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2023

    10
    Highly recommend a stay at this dream hotel
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Deluxe Queen Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    it is a bit more pricey but well worth it

    We had an exceptional stay at Gaia and loved everything about this eco reserve. The facilities, staff and food are outstanding better than many 5 star hotels we have visited. The waterfall / lake and view are unique and beautiful.

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 8 April 2023

    10
    One of the best hotels I have been to
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Bungalow
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    nothing a quiet hotel to really relax, swim and enjoy nature

    where to start - incredible location (worth the drive into the remote eco reserve) + beautiful waterside - attentive, friendly staff who go out of their way to ensure a memorable stay - consistently delicious food

    Stayed in April 2023

  • Reviewed: 3 April 2023

    10
    wish we could have stayed longer.
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Cottage
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    not enough options in menu

    beautiful, quiet except for the wonderful sounds of birds in the morning.

    Stayed in March 2023

Showing 1 – 25

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