We stayed at Xaman Ek and realy enjoyed it, Wonderful location, great staff. The rooms were quite large, and had everything we could have ever needed. Great lunch and breakfast mini menu, not huge, but at least a dozen items that were delicious.

Snorkeling with kayaks right from shore, we also took a catamaran sail on El Gato that was quite fun.

The spa treatments were exquisite. Tiffany did work on both my wife and I, I play soccer a lot and am always banged up and her massage was the best of my life, andi get a lot of them!!!! My wife had a facial, a massage, and a pedicure and was in heaven.

Quiet, relaxing, yet adventures available at our request!!! I would highly recommend Xaman Ek, and will be returning myself very soon.

We had an extremely relaxing time at Xaman Ek in February. If you like peace and quiet this is the place to stay. We felt that closer to the town was too built up and touristy. Xaman Ek's location is much more unspoilt and has much better beaches. There is a spa on the beachfront and although there is no restaurant there are several good ones in neigbouring resorts. The owners are friendly and helpful and you can use the hotel's kayaks to go out to the reef.

What makes this place so special? The people, the location and the spa, in that order. Owners Vicki and Mike are awesome - laid back, friendly, they treat you like family!! This attitude carries over to the rest of the staff at the hotel and spa. Whatever activities you came to Belize for, they will advise you and hook you up with the best folks they can find. My husband, 16 year old son and I spent 9 nights there and did not want to leave. We all got certified for scuba diving with "Scuba Steve", who takes Xaman Ek guests snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking in the lagoon. Steve was truly special, patient and careful with us new divers, helping us relax and enjoy some spectacular dives. Between the three of us, we had many massages and other treatments at the spa - all great. The spa is right next to the water, and the sea breezes and sounds make you even more relaxed. New at the hotel is a mini restaurant that serves a small but delicious and fresh menu for breakfast and lunch.

As for the location - unless you really want to be with a lot of people or right next to bars and nightlife, the North part of Ambergris Caye is the way to go! It is quiet and beautiful, with many natural wonders to enjoy. The Barrier Reef is really close - easy to kayak out and snorkel right from the hotel. The grounds are pretty and there was an osprey that hung out eating fish on the dock every day. There are three good restaurants 5 to 10 minutes walk on the beach from the hotel, and it is easy to catch the water "ferry" into town or to other restaurants.

As my husband said on a day when the weather was iffy, if the worst it gets is that we have to hang out on hammocks, enjoy the view and have spa treatments, well, that is pretty awesome! It's a small hotel and not "fancy", but very comfortable. We left rejuvenated in every way.

In reading the other reviews on Xaman Ek, there is not need to go any further other than to say, what a great facility and property to unwind and relax. Mike, Vicki and their terrific staff will ensure that.

If you are looking for a quiet, tranquil and laid back vacation, you need to look no further. The combination of property size (6 rooms) and being somewhat isolated (6+ miles to San Pedro) will ensure that. If crowds, activities and nite life are a priority, this is not the place for you. Those things are available, just not on site, which was just fine with me.

The website photos of Xaman Ek pretty much tell the story. If you are looking for a little piece of paradise just outside your door on the Caribean, with a caring personal staff to look after your needs and requests, I would highly recommend it.

J.Arling