Blancaneaux Lodge

Mountain Pine Ridge, Cayo, Belize
17 rooms / 4 stars / $$$

Francis Ford Coppola himself stumbled upon this same enchanted retreat in the Mountain Pine Ridge reserve in 1981. "I''d been looking for some kind of tropical utopia," Coppola says. "This was the paradise hideaway I was looking for." The rest is history...

Coppola''s personal vision for Blancaneaux Lodge is one of rustic comfort in harmony with its surroundings. He invested in a private hydroelectric plant that harnesses the power of the Privassion River and gives the Lodge 24 hour electricity. 

The lodge consists of a limited number of cabanas (riverside and garden) and villas. In addition, the villa used by Francis Ford Coppola is also available in his absence.

Mexican architect, Manolo Mestre worked with Coppola on the expansion of the Lodge into a full-scale resort. The villas he created rise from the jungle on stilts and have soaring hardwood and hand-woven thatch ceilings. Francis and Eleanor Coppola chose the furnishings for each villa themselves from Mexico and Guatemala. The mahogany furniture on the decks and in the restaurant is hand-crafted in San Ignacio - the closest town to Blancaneaux - and the slate bar carved with ancient Mayan symbols was created by a local artisan.

There are bright splashes of tropical color - hand-woven bedspreads, carved animals and masks set against warm wood tones. Luxurious tiled Japanese baths come with a view of the jungle sky and local herbal soaps to wash away urban worries. The end result is both soothing and stimulating in its exoticism.

The food at Blancaneaux is as unique as the decor. Guests start their day with freshly squeezed orange juice, bread baked that morning and plates of fresh fruit. The restaurant boasts the only wood-burning pizza oven in the country, and Coppola imported both an espresso machine and coffee roaster.

The menu features many Coppola family recipes and proudly reflects his Italian heritage. Local chickens are home-smoked behind the restaurant, and virtually all the produce and fruit come from the large organic garden on the property. In addition to pizzas and pastas, there are a changing array of daily specials. Fresh fish from the coast also appears frequently on the menu. Coppola''s wines from his Napa Valley estate, Niebaum-Coppola, are exclusively available on the wine list.

Activities:
There are many activities and tours available during your stay:-

- Mayan Sites
- Caving
- Canoeing
- Horseback Riding
- National Parks
- Shopping
- Custom, mountain bikes