ALMOST AS GOOD AS BEING AT HOME, HOTEL MOPAN BELIZE CITY
Written: Aug 25 '03 (Updated May 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great friendly place.
Cons: Eventually I had to check out.
The Bottom Line: I'll stay there again, hopefully
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| JAMES23's Full Review: Hotel Mopan, Belize City |
The biggest thing I wanted, or needed was water pressure. Lots of water pressure. I was on the last bus heading east towards Belize City from the Guatemalan border and debating where I wanted to spend the night. It would be after dark when we hit town so I really didn't want to spend too much time hunting around for a place. I already knew that I'd missed the last water taxi out to Caye Caulker for the day, so spending the night at a beach hotel there was out.
I immediately dismissed staying at the same place I had when I'd arrive in town two weeks past. The Seaside Guest House was ok, but their plumbing arrangements left something to be desired. I was covered in dirt and mud from crawling around the Tikal earlier that day. It had been raining all morning, and well that cooled things down, it had a lovely effect on the ruins and the ground.
The night before had been spent trying to sleep curled up on the seat of an all night bus from Guatemala City, so I really needed a shower. To make matters worse the two nights before that had been spent in cheap back packer places in Guatemala City and Montericco, with no water hot water. Add to that the night before that and the night in the dive in El Salvador and I was craving a hot shower.
I considering saying the hell with it and grabbing a room at the Belize Best Western or another "modern" hotel out by the airport. I could afford it, well at least my plastic could. I was under budget any ways on this trip wasn't I. Well actually I wasn't, but at the time I hadn't added up all my expenses yet.
No, If I stayed out there, it would be hard and a expensive to go in and explore the city. I had two nights and a full day left and didn't envision spending them cooped up in some isolated bland motel lounging around the lobby bar or pool. I dragged out my battered guide book and flipped to the section of slightly better than rock bottom accommodations in Belize City.
The guide listed the Hotel Mopan as a bland drab place. However it was also listed as clean, moderately priced, downtown, and with hot water. It was similar to the now non existent Bellvue Hotel, which had been my original choice in my pre trip planning. Well it sounded ok, or at least better than another visit with the "ex Quaker shower head" from my first night. When the bus finally crawled into the "terminal," I grabbed a cab and told him to take me to the Mopan.
Well the guide book was wrong about the Hotel Mopan. Mind it had so many other inaccuracies in it, this didn't surprise me. It's a pleasant little place south of the swing bridge on regent Street near the water. Like so many other places it's a old two story clap board house with a large and inviting porch. From the outside the place looked well maintained. This was confirmed when I had a better look the next morning.
There was a room available and check in took the usually couple of seconds punctuated by the friendly little chit chat and pleasantries that I'm convinced is a mandatory business practice in Belize. The lobby is nothing to really look at, but it leads into the dining room and bar. This is a large room dominated by heavy old dark wood furniture. Massive solid dining room tables and chairs and a small but well stocked bar.
Carrying my bags from the cab had been tiring work, so a refreshing cold drink seemed in order. One cold Belikin later served in a frosted mug and I was ready to tackle the stairs to my second floor room. I told the bartender to set up another one for me. I'd be right back after a quick shower and change.
The Hotel Mopan has 15 rooms all with private baths. Single rates are $60.00 Belize/$30.00 US per night, $10.00 US more if you want one with air conditioning. I didn't bother wit A/C. The ceiling fan and small electric fan in my room were more than sufficient.
The room was spacious, especially in comparison to what I had become used to on this trip. Two beds, and a full bath (shower only) in a room with dimensions similar to those in a "north American" style hotel. The furniture, beds, dresser, table and chairs were like that in the dining room. Beautiful old dark wood. The beds were covered in colourful blankets or spreads.
The wall were all painted deep dark colours, reds, and purples and it made for a nice change from the standard beige or off white. Some really good framed local art work adorned the walls. There is more of this on display in the common areas, some of it for sale. For those interested and haven't already filled their bags to the brim, these would make a wonderful souvenir of Belize.
Much to the bartender's chagrin, I wasn't right back. The shower had excellent water pressure and apparently unlimited supplies of steaming hot water. Either that or I used up the hotel's whole supply. Well nobody gave me dirty looks when I came back down to the bar about an hour later, or breakfast the next morning.
The bar is a great little place to unwind at. Several expats and other's who live in the neighbourhood call it home and there's usually some lively conversation there most evenings. While the rooms don't have TVs there is one perched over the bar. The hotel offers a full American style ( bacon and eggs) breakfast for $3.50 US. There is also free coffee for guests throughout the day. A fresh pot is always simmering on a side board in the rear of the dining room.
The hotel is centrally located in the downtown area of the city, and easy walk to restaurants, banks and the water taxis to the Cayes. For those who need it the Continental Airlines offices are right across the street. While Regent Street isn't right on the water's edge it is close enough that one can feel the sea breeze and salt air from the comfortable rocking chairs on the front porch.
The Hotel Mopan is a family run establishment for the past twenty-eight years. The current owners/operators brother and sister Jeannie and Tommy have been running it since 1999 when their Mother the previous owner passed on. One doesn't have to look at the large collection of framed awards and certificates proudly displayed outside the lobby to know that they're both enthusiastic and professional, just talk with them.
They don't just run a hotel as the literature around the lobby and their web site suggests. Tours and other eco-tourism through Mopan Travels & Tours are also available here. Incidentally Internet service is also available to guests for a nominal charge. As in anywhere in Belize you're at the mercy of BLT the Belize Telecommunications Network. Service is slow, so be patient.
For those heading down to Belize and looking for a good base of operations, or even just a clean reasonably priced place to put their heads down in Belize City then I couldn't think of a better place.
Hotel Mopan, 55 Regent Street Belize City Belize,
Tel: 501-2-77351, Fax: 501-2-75383
hotelmopan@btl.net www.hotelmopan.com
NOTE: I originally wrote and posted this review on January 15, 2002 in the Belize City category. Later after much badgering of the CLs by moi, they managed to get this great little place added to the database. After waiting over 6 months and with more than one e-mail sent in, epinions has yet to transfer it over. I didn’t want to delete and repost it, but it appears that is the only option. As comments are the icing on the cake on a good review, or conversely one I’ve penned, for your retro amusement I have included all the original comments below. Finally
FYI there were 56 member hits (all VH) and 510 total hits with a whopping 86 cents in income share earned at time of deletion.
COMMENTS:
Jan 15 '02 6:17 pm PST
Sounds Charming... by tombarnes, in Hotels & Travel
You have a knack for bringing these places to life in your reviews. I always enjoy reading them. Thanks, Tom Barnes
Jan 15 '02 7:11 pm PST
Re: Sounds Charming... by JAMES23
Anytime Tom, and thanks for reading and commenting.
James
Jan 16 '02
1:02 am PST
Re: Sounds Charming by proxam, in Hotels & Travel
I totally agree.
A very enjoyable read.
Andrew
Jan 16 '02 5:17 pm PST
Another entertaining and colorful review... by diverpam
I'm so glad you had plenty of hot water and good water pressure this time! The small comforts in life we so often take for granted.
Next time, they'll charge you $10 extra for water consumption!
Take care,
Pam
Jan 17 '02 3:23 pm PST
Re: Another entertaining and colorful review... by JAMES23
What after all this free advertising, never.
James
Jan 19 '02 5:18 pm PST
Belize by jo.com
has been on my to do list for a long time. Thanks for the review of the hotel. jo
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Member: James Smith
Location: Toronto Ontario CANADA
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