Stay & Play

You’d Better Belize It
A Luxurious Escape to Naia Resort and Spa

by Olivia Balsinger

There is a difference between a vacation that is refreshing and one that is completely transformative — a vacation that is defined by self-improvement, self-discovery, one that improves mind, body and soul. This was just the type of getaway I was craving.

Fortunately, there is a resort secluded within the lush forests and tranquil lagoon of Belize’s Placencia Peninsula that guarantees just that. Placencia is a short flight on Tropic Airways from Belize City-a 30-minute hop with stunning views of the coast. There are many direct flights from North American cities each day, allowing quick access to paradise. The town of just over 3,400 people has a wide array of history melded together into one unique culture–including Spanish, Mayan, Creole and Garifuna cultures.

Debuting at the beginning of this year, January 2017, I was lucky enough to be a guest at Naia Resort and Spa –a luxury wellness retreat that offers private beach house sanctuaries that reside along the shore that lines the 200-acre reserve.

Naia’s vision of a multi-sensory, deeply spiritual experience is inspired directly by the unique traditions and cultures of Belize. Both its design and its program are carefully curated to incorporate the natural environment of the surrounding area, resulting in a space that truly put me in the mindset of returning to a purer state of being. It is here, among the lily-covered lagoons and verdant tropical forests, where I was able to truly press the reset button.

The resort centers around the goal of complete wellness, the nucleus of which is the Spa Center. The spa offers an expensive menu of different services, such as massages, facials, body wraps, and beauty treatments. Executed by their skilled staff, using only the most natural, sustainable, and all-around restorative products, I found myself in a state of transcendental bliss. I awakened to an oasis surrounded by serene lagoons and the customized spa brought a greater balance to my mind, which I honed in by taking a yoga and movement class. I also rented a bike and paddleboard to further explore the area—both complimentary for guests.

Spread across the resort are 35 individual beach houses with options for one, two or three bedroom accommodations. The decor reflects a harmony between the ambient tropical setting and modern conveniences, and features deep soaking tubs and an outdoor shower where you can bathe surrounded by gorgeous foliage. Each accommodation in the resort also houses artwork from local artists, a lovely touch that truly adds to an authentic Belizean experience.

It is not only the artwork, however, that the resort locally sources; in fact, seemingly every other aspect of its facilities, right down to the minerals used in their famous spa treatments, come from flora and fauna native to the area. What I found to be especially appealing was the high importance to the resort administration is the respect and conservation of the natural environment upon which it is built. Naia is careful to enhance the nature that surrounds it without overwhelming it, holding steadfast to a philosophy of sustainability and reverence of the natural world.

Naia prides itself on its sheer array of activities. I indulged in a half day speed boat trip to nearby keys to snorkel in some of the offshore waters—though a frequent snorkeler, I was amazed at the diversity of colors and fish in the sea. The next morning, I kayaked underneath sprawling mangrove trees, creating natural bridges and a sanctuary for wildlife. Especially in the early morning, the peninsula is a birdwatcher’s dream.

The resort hopes its guests will experience the lively village center, only a half hour bike ride from the resort. Placencia Village boasts many local restaurants, shops and nightlife options for singles and families alike. Though the resort’s restaurants are absolutely mouthwatering themselves—you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the habanero lobster or the organic chocolate from the resort’s signature 1981 Restaurant—they purposely do not offer entirely all-inclusive packages, in an effort to have guests experience the town and culture. It is this authenticity that differentiates Naia from other properties and makes it a gem of the Central American coast.

www.naiaresortandspa.com