Location:

Hotel: Mayan Princess (run by Henry Morgan)

Date Visited: March 1-15, 2010 (Two week stay)

Price Paid: $2,155.00 plus $130.00 tax per person

Room#: 221   Good location; overlook the pool, very spacious suites with full kitchen and sitting room.  Bottled water provided daily.

Weather Conditions: Weather was very good.

Snorkeling: My rating: 4 star.  There is actually better snorkeling down the beach.

Beach: The beach sitting area was a little crowded and area narrow at this Hotel.   No swim shoes required.  On cruise ship days the beach was very busy.  You can take long walks either way along the beach.

Food: Only buffet food is available at this resort.  Some days it was great, and other days only reasonable.  This was the first year this hotel/condo had been offered as an all inclusive destination, and they seemed to be still working out the kinks for the buffet.  The food and selection did get better towards the end of our vacation.

Opinions/Tips: Took the small (3 seater) plane ride around the island.  Well worth it!  Free internet located at the Real Estate office on the premise.

Would I return: Yes.

Location:

Honduras

Hotel: Paradise Beach Club (run by Henry Morgan)

Date Visited: March 6-20, 2009 (Two week stay)

Price Paid: $1929 + tax (booked 3 months ahead and it did go down in price before March departure)

Room#: 106 Good location; close to pool, restaurant and beach (total hotel rooms – 38 plus villas). No hairdryers or face clothes provided.

Weather Conditions: Weather was incredible. Hot and sunny!

Snorkeling: My rating: 5 star. Excellent just to the left of the resort as well as at the Black Rock, 5 minute walk to the south of the hotel.

Beach: The beach was 5 star as far as swimming went. No swim shoes required. On cruise ship days the beach was very crowded.

Food: Only buffet food is available at this resort. One beach bar only available which closes at 11:00 p.m. Limited drinks provided. Beer excellent.

Opinions/Tips: Staff very friendly. Security was excellent.

Would I return: Yes.

Location: Roatan, Honduras

Dive Shop: Bananarama Dive & Beach Resort

Dive Site: Pablos Place

Dive Date: March 11, 2009

Depths: 15-180 feet

Observations: Water conditions had 3 foot swells with approximately 70 feet of visibility.  Massive schools of large Blue Tang as well as many other types, as far as you could see in both directions!  Plenty of huge Black Groupers … and when their are Groupers there are always Moray eels close by.  These green eels were between 3-4 feet in length.

Would I dive this site again: Yes definitely, this was one of my favourite locations.

Dive Shop: Bananarama   Dive boats tied off to floats instead of using anchors to avoid damage to ocean reefs.  This dive shop pays a fee to the National Marine Park to utilize the dive sites.Dive Site: The Lighthouse Reef, located in West End

Dive Date: March 9, 2009

Depths: 30-50 feet

Observations: Smooth surface with great visibility down to 50 plus feet.  Witnessed lobsters, large schools of various fish, plus a sea turtle.  Coral was colourful and in good shape.

Would I dive this site again: YES

Night Dive at Lighthouse Reef

Caribbean Creamery

A real treat to visit this delightful establishment that specializes in homemade ice cream and baked goods.  They offer superb local coffee and a free refill is available with each cup purchased!

Located just off the beach at the Banarama Resort and Dive Centre in West Bay.