My Overnight & A Lavish Dinner at Alaia Resort on Ambergris Caye

Last month, I was excited to be invited to eat and stay at one of the newest, most expansive, and truly a one-of-a-kind spot on Ambergris Caye: Alaia Belize Resort. Part of the Marriott Autograph Collection. It’s one of the first international-branded hotels in Belize, and…it’s seriously like no other we have here. The size, the height, the pools, the diverse on-site options – you can even choose an all-inclusive package for your stay.

See my complete guide to Ambergris Caye here.

It’s a very different feel and experience for our island and for the country.

With lots of dining spots and options, a sprawling pool area with so many different types of seating (in and out of the pool, some requiring an additional fee), the bars, the amenities, the 24-hour front desk coverage and room service from 7am to 11pm (!!!)…just the cool, modern feel and the impressive scale, this resort kinda blew my mind.

The clean, modern aesthetic may be more universal, but it provides a cool experience for those who want to explore Ambergris Caye and/or relax by the pool, eat at the resort’s restaurants and cafes, and enjoy the “resort life.”

And every corner of the property seems staged for Instagram…it all had me browsing the internet for some lounge wear a bit nicer than my boring shorts and a tee 😉

I had a lovely 24 hours – and before I get into my pics, a HUGE shout out to the amazing staff. So many smiling faces from Elvis, who insisted on carrying my one small bag (more of a large purse) to my room, and Benny, my waiter, for my grand dining experience.

Elvis made my year by exclaiming the next morning, as I was about to check out, “I didn’t know YOU WERE SANPEDROSCOOP! I saw your post on Instagram and was like: I helped her check in!”

So let me show you my photos. You step thru the front gate into another world.

I was meeting the chefs (and the mixologists) for an early dinner. It’s a gorgeous dining room.

Really beautiful outside seating as well. The main pool looks AMAZING at night.

I had a seat…and spoke with the lovely chefs – both with pretty incredible international resume (note: go to Dubai to eat one day)

And then the mixologist, an assistant and a cart filled items that looked ready for a chemistry experiment arrived.

My meal was one performance after another. I loved talking to the chefs and asking about the ingredients.

Even, the bread course was interactive and…delicious. Rolls made at the resort, nutty-grainy breads made at a bakery in Belize City and flown in every day and three types of butter.

All please.

Course after course. My favorite was the lamb….which is on their everyday menu. (See the many restaurant options here – from rooftop sushi to Chef’s Table experiences here – there’s even a “wine cave”!)

Imported from the US…I love lamb and this was perfectly cooked and just delicious. I bet they do a MEAN steak if you are craving one.

Such a special treat – I literally stumbled back to my room. It was just past 7 and the pool bar and the pool were lively.

Here’s a look at my room (in the daylight)

I fell into a deep sleep – the pillows and bed are crazy comfortable. And woke up, as if by magic, for sunrise.

I went up to the pool – saying hi to the front desk workers who were preparing coffee for everyone – up the the 5th floor.

You can see the posh villas, the huge pool, the dock, the hundreds and hundreds of feet of beach (currently under construction for expansion)…

In a few hours, the pool would be hopping. I may have snuck back for another hour or so of sleep.

And then headed down to a SUPER impressive breakfast. Want pancakes? Fresh fruit? Cold cereal? Hot oatmeal? Baked goods? Freshly cooked eggs. Cheeses and meats. They have it all.

I’ll stop with the breakfast – but it’s hard…I’ve never seen this kind of selection here!

Check out was easy and fast and I waved good-bye to the staff I’d met. And walked around this guy – a green page moth. I’ve noticed lots of them migrating (?) over the last month or so.

I was very glad to check out Alaia from the inside. I visited during the construction stage and again when they were first opening, but it’s cool to see it “in action.” They are surprisingly busy for this time of year, and I know they are full during much of the busiest tourism times in Belize.

It was a great chance to see how so many folks visiting our island are viewing Belize for the first time. I hope they are saving their appetites for this huge breakfast!

Thanks Alaia and staff.