Blancaneaux Lodge

Overview

Description

In the early 1980s, Francis Ford Coppola visited Belize, immediately fell in love with the location, and purchased the abandoned Blancaneaux Lodge. For more than a decade, the resort was used as a family retreat before Francis opened his tropical paradise to the public in 1993.

Tucked away in a pocket of the Maya Mountains, Blancaneaux Lodge is a 20-room luxury resort where waterfalls tumble into turquoise pools above the jungle canopy. Its remote mountain setting makes it a perfect place to relax, rejuvenate, and enjoy life’s simple pleasures.

Rooms

Nestled in the hills above the Privassion Creek, the mountain retreat of Blancaneaux Lodge offers the comfort of spacious villas or cozy cabañas across from the spectacular Privassion Creek waterfall.

Making a Difference

Francis Ford and Eleanor Coppola see their role as that of conservators that preserve the pristine environment. They strongly support Belize’s commitment to ecotourism and continue to explore new technologies and practices that benefit the environment.

Design and construction of facilities:
We have created buildings that blend into the natural environment. We use low profile, environmentally-sound designs such as thatch, hardwoods, pine, and bamboo, along with regionally produced tiles. We use local and regional plants for landscaping that do not rely on intensive irrigation.

Energy and water efficiency:
We've designed our rooms so that air conditioning is not necessary. We use mulch to reduce transpiration from flower beds, landscaped areas, and the organic garden.

Flow control showerheads are used in the bathrooms at all properties. All swimming and plunge pools are sanitized with non-chlorine based treatments.

Sponsor/partnerships:
Francis Ford Coppola Resorts and our properties support several organizations and individuals in a continuing effort to preserve the biodiversity of Belize and Guatemala:

• Friends for Conservation and Development
• Belize Raptor Research Institute
• Jaguar Research Project

Purchasing policy:

• Laundry - we only use biodegradable detergents and automated washing machines that precisely measure the amount of detergents needed per load.
• Toiletries - we use locally-produced organic soaps and purchase hair care products in bulk from organic producer Forest Essentials, and transfer the shampoo and conditioner into individual ceramic and wood containers for guest use.
• Reservations office – we use LED light bulbs whenever possible and purchase only recycled paper for printing purposes.

Sustainability:
Blancaneaux Lodge and Turtle Inn have had their sustainable tourism practices and operations Verified by the Rainforest Alliance.

Responsibility:
We currently provide full academic scholarships to five local students. Scholarships include all tuition fees and books. All students, once accepted, must provide progress reports throughout the four-year scholarship.

We also contribute to the Cornerstone Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to the poor and needy, and the health clinic in Placencia to help assist in the cost of medicines and medical equipment. Additionally, we provide contributions throughout the year for the advancement of local sports in Placencia, as well as in San Ignacio.

Rates

$150 and up

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.coppolaresorts.com/blancaneaux/reservations (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Belize City (BZE)

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• Essential Travel UK - #1 Honeymoon Destination
• Travel + Leisure's World's Best 2009 & 2010- #1 Best Resort in Central & South America
• Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards - Top 15 Resort in Central & South America, 2007-2010
• Travel + Leisure - 500 Best Hotels in the World, 2007-11
• Forbes Traveler - Top 10 Jungle Resorts, 2008

Date This Information Was Provided

August 2012.

Photos courtesy of Blancaneaux Lodge, Belize, for SustainableTrip.org.