Our Guest Reviews
Peter and Barbara sold Villa Descanso in 2019 and this website has not been in use or updated. We will add new guest reviews here but keep Peter’s reviews also so you can see what a “WOW” exceptional Villa this is.
Please Note: These are actual guest reviews taken from vrbo.com/689047
We have NEVER had a review LESS than 5 STAR! (The VRBO listing 689047 no longer exists due to the ownership change)
We spent a good amount of time researching places for our first trip to Ambergris Caye and thankfully chose Villa Descanso at Seascape Villas. It had the perfect blend of amenities we were looking for. It was very private but still had the services and support of a resort, without the crowds.
The villa itself was spacious and luxurious with super high ceilings and outstanding views of the pool, palms trees, and ocean. Lupe and the staff were delightful and very helpful with finding snorkeling outings and restaurant recommendations for us. We used the personal chef service one night which was delicious and very fairly priced. We used the kayaks to paddle out to the reef and enjoyed some terrific snorkeling. There was no buoy to tie off but we just drifted along with the kayak rope in hand which was easy and there was plenty of shallow sandy bottom to make it easy to jump back in the kayak. Lupe arranged our golf carts and the trips into town or Secret Beach were easy and fun. Top notch - can't wait to return!
From the moment I clicked on this property I knew it was a strong possibility for our family vacation. The personal responses from the property owner and the property manager made my decision even easier. We had a fantastic stay in this beautiful villa with manicured grounds, a pristine pool, great location and personal attention to all of our vacation needs. Lupe and everyone on staff went above and beyond to make our stay a trip to remember. Wonderful memories were created by all.
Villa Descanso at Seascape Villas was wonderful! The property was beautiful, clean, and located conveniently between San Pedro and Secret Beach.
The owner of the Villa provided great information on things to do locally, and was very communicative throughout the entire process. The property manager and her staff were so helpful and went above and beyond. They took care of booking our flights from Belize City to/from San Pedro, pick-up from/to the airport, booking of golf carts, and booking of any excursions we wanted. They were just as attentive to our needs through our entire 5 night stay. The property has it's own dock where boat excursions can pick you up from.
The pool became our nightly hang out and is a nice highlight to the property. It was a great spot to recap the day, enjoy a drink, and stargaze. We didn't take advantage of the kayaks, bike, and other recreational items available at the property since we were mostly out and about exploring Belize, but it was nice knowing we had the option
I highly recommend this property, and hope to visit again very soon!
We stayed in villa #5 (Villa Descanso). It was an absolutely stunning house with plenty of room for the 6 of us to relax and enjoy. We rented a golf cart and went to several restaurants (Stella's Sunset, Truck Stop, Croc's, Rain... to name a few) and all were delicious! We did Secret Beach, snorkeling, swam with nurse sharks and fished on reef (too windy for deep sea). Lupe was very helpful in accommodating anything we needed and Peter (the owner) communicated with me before our trip to make sure we could reach him if needed. Highly recommend!
This was our first time to Belize and our stay at Villa Descanso was absolutely amazing! The property itself is beautifully maintained with lots of palm trees and lush landscaping. There are 6 properties onsite at Seascape Villas. Ours, Villa Descanso, was perfect for our family of 5. We had everything we needed from beach towels, games, movies and a perfectly stocked kitchen. I should also mention that all of our beds were very comfortable! The most important part of this property is Lupe, the concierge who lives on-site. She is the sweetest, most kind person and is a native Belizean. She knows the in's and out's of the island and will help you with all of your arrangements. We went scuba diving while we there and she put us in touch with the best outfit on the island. There are many to choose from and sometimes that can be very overwhelming. She guided us to the best restaurants and told how to "grocery shop" when we went to town. Grocery shopping is an adventure in itself! Lupe is THE BEST and will make your stay in San Pedro that much better! This is an amazing property and we highly recommend it! We will definitely stay here again when we come back to San Pedro!
Beautiful spacious home with daily cleaning staff. The morning coffee view was amazing. The location of the property was great for going into town and going to secret beach! The owner was super responsive and truly cared about your experience. We can’t wait to go back.
This was our second time and had just as much fun as the first time! Lupe and grounds staff were great, can’t even find the words for them to stop and bring us fresh coconuts to fill our gallon pitcher! Great time exploring the island more, relaxing and enjoying all that Belize offers! Peters house is great and well maintained. If your looking for private luxury in a building with great grounds maintenance, not a hotel, then this is for you.
We were 4 adults and 4 kids that stayed at this wonderful property for 8 nights. It’s actually a lot nicer and spacious than the pics - cool architecture, great location and wonderful concierge in Lupe and the daily housekeeping staff. The beds were comfy and everything we needed was available; they even provided some basics like eggs and bread so we felt comfortable as got settled in. The location is great - everything is within a short distance and the golf carts they helped us rent were awesome. The property is beautiful, all the appliances and electronics work great and the pool and beach front location is top notch! If you’re looking for a nice spacious home to relax and enjoy your vacation in Belize, book this. And the owner Peter is always available - lots of great info to help get a head start. And anything you need while on the island, Lupe can help with - she’s pretty awesome! Enjoy!
My wife and I, along with another couple, spent 5 nights at the Seascape Villas in San Pedro, Belize. Our overall impression of the property, its management, grounds, etc. is 5 out of 5 stars! The house was even better than the pictures (although the pics were darn nice). The staff was phenomenal and attentive, house was comfortable and clean, pool was amazing and clean, and anything we had questions on were answered quickly.
A couple tips if you do go to San Pedro:
- RENT a golf cart. Don’t even think about it. Rent one. Lupe and team took care of everything for us and we had a golf cart waiting for us on arrival. By the way, it was an awesome ride!
- Go out to eat. As much as we wanted stick around and cook at the villa, we couldn’t resist all of the great local restaurants/bars within a short walk/golf cart ride.
- Visit the ‘Secret Beach’ - only 20 mins from this villa (about 45 mins from San Pedro City. Big advantage as you can claim optimal spots prior to the city crowd (still small) coming out there. *Also, grab a beer mid-way there at the local ‘pop up’ bar on the side of the road.
- Do the YOLO tour with Dream Escapes. One of the best parts of our trips (Snorkeling, swimming, drinks, sun, etc.)We will definitely find our way back to San Pedro in the future and hope we can book this same place again. Peter and his team are awesome!!
Three couples from Ontario and Michigan shared this wonderful villa for 6 nights in November 2018. Peter was great at answering questions before we finalized our booking. Setting is very peaceful. Very few people around as this was the beginning of the tourist season. Villa is well equipped, daily housekeeping a bonus. Concierge service wonderful. Lupe helped us arrange many activities (including golf cart rental and Tropic Air flights) and Said was helpful around the property with bikes, kayaks etc.
We loved the walking along the beach, relaxing on the porch chairs with the view of the ocean, relaxing pool-side and taking a refreshing dip in the pool. Did some scuba and snorkeling trips with guides and took the kayaks out to the reef on a calm day to tie up to a buoy and snorkel on our own. Enjoyed Tipsy Lobster Grill just a few minutes’ walk south of the villa. Rented a 4 person golf cart and went into town almost every day (25 minute trip one way). When we all wanted to go into town some of us took a water taxi ($7 U.S. one way) or land taxi ($30 U.S. one way). Spent one night on the mainland at the Black Orchid on our way to Ambergris and enjoyed some jungle, cave-tubing and river boating experiences. Will definitely recommend Villa Descanso to others!
This 3 Bedroom,3-1/2 bath, 3500 square foot Villa just north of San Pedro town on Ambergris Caye was like stepping into a utopian world. I've stayed at 5-star/Gold Crown timeshares and at other private vacation homes, and nothing else compares. The owner thinks of everything -- from rental of golf carts, bicycles, restaurant recommendations, coffee shop recommendations, built-in power adapters for electronics, excellent wi-fi, regularly refilled bottled water, motion detector solar lights at the entry for those nighttime returns home, alarm system, lockable cubbies for valuables, comfortable couches, chairs, and beds, large walk-in showers in every bedroom, washer/dryer, and a wonderfully responsive staff. The A/C worked superbly, and there were even zen-type indoor water treatments and plants.
This was not like a 5-star hotel but way better. My brothers and I, of course, went SCUBA diving. How could we miss that at the 2nd largest barrier reef in the world! I am an avid diver and I looked into dive operations before coming. However, we elected to go with the recommendation at Villa Descanso and it surpassed all expectations. The dive operator even picked us up by high speed boat at the dock next to the villa. The dive operator had the best divemaster I can ever remember. He knew who needed attention and he even counseled the rest of us experienced/comfortable divers to make sure our buoyancy was perfect. While our wives do not dive, my brothers and I were able to see nurse sharks, bullsharks, eels and many other marine creatures and not worry about our wives being bored.
The ladies spent their time getting facials and massages at the hotel next door to Villa Descanso. We had the luxury of a private fully stocked villa; but with amenities of a spa and restaurant right next door! My second preferred sport is bicycling. Well, Villa Descanso had bicycles-- Not for rent, but complimentary to borrow whenever we wanted. My wife and I loved taking the easy 3 mile ride to Marbucks for our afternoon latte. My wife got a kick out of the golf cart trips. We are not golfers and have never driven a golf cart before, but it was a great way to get to downtown San Pedro and to go out for dinners. I know my brothers already reviewed Villa Descanso but I had such a great time, I had to. I can't think of a single additional thing I could have wanted.
I have stayed at many properties around the world, but this is the first where I would say, I am definitely going back! The house is bigger and nicer than it looks in the pictures. All the rooms are large, the beds are comfortable, the A/C works well and the kitchen is stocked well.
We watched NFL games on the large TV, as well as a movie on the nights were we stayed in. The WIFI also works well. The property grounds are also great! We enjoyed hanging out by and in the pool every day. The staff keeps the entire grounds clean and organized. We enjoyed the daily maid service that kept everything neat and tidy. I would give a very special call out the staff at the complex that are both warm and very helpful. We really liked where Seascape is situated on the Key.
Its a short golf cart ride to either Secret Beach or San Pedro, and there are plenty of good restaurants around the property if you want to go out for a bite.
What a great villa and Belize experience! The management staff was so helpful from the get go, making sure we had everything we needed, and the villa itself was just *wow*. We had a fantastic trip and will definitely be back!
This luxury villa surpassed our high expectations - from the moment we asked for information to the actual stay - everything was handled extremely professionally and with great responsiveness. We are a family of 5 with teenage kids on a scuba diving vacation for 2 weeks, avid tennis players looking for a very nice place to stay on the island while having access to what San Pedro has to offer. Peter and the team on site - Lupe, Said, were top notch and took care of our every need. The villa itself with its wow factor, attention to detail from amenities to great AC system, the property with a unique pool and tennis court, access to kayaks, bikes was everything we wanted. Location wise, the villa is situated north of San Pedro, we rented a golf cart and drove into town most days as our dive shop was located near the airport. The location was perfect for us, we were able to go enjoy festivities in town while being in a more quiet place to relax. Overall a great rental from owners/staff who genuinely care about their guests.
My two brothers and I, with our spouses, spent a week at Villa Descanso and came away enchanted with the property, the staff, the location and everything Ambergris Caye and this super-deluxe property offered us. Villa Descanso is nothing short of spectacular - 5 Stars does not do it justice! Spacious, luxurious, ideally situated steps from the beach and superbly furnished and equipped. In the weeks before our vacation we were sent guides, restaurant recommendations, packing and travel suggestions - more attention and assistance than the best travel agent could have provided. Our two rented golf carts were waiting for us on arrival at the villa, and our bags were taken across the short stretch of sand and placed inside. Daily maid service was attentive but not obtrusive, and every request we made of the staff was immediately fulfilled, every question answered, every need met. The scuba center they recommended picked us up at the dock on the property, provided us with some of the best diving (and divemaster) I have experienced in 40+ years of scuba adventures, and it turned out to be one of the least expensive. The villa pool was serene, several great restaurants were a few hundred yards away down the beach, and many more were a 10-15 minute ride away in our fun golf carts. Our non-diver wives found excellent spa facilities next door, and we quickly located the best ice cream shops in Ambergris. The locale lived up to its amazing reputation, and literally everything about our stay at Villa Descanso was absolute top class. We all agreed that this was the vacation of a lifetime!
My husband, parents, and in-laws stayed in Villa Descanso for a week long vacation and our first time in Belize! I booked this location initially because it had room for all of us and online appeared to be a good location. At the end of the week we all wanted to stay longer! It blew away any and all expectations I had of the accommodations. The property is PERFECT! The pictures don't do Villa Descanso justice, it's even better in person! It was ideal for 3 couples, as we all had our own private bedrooms and then an open and inviting living/dining space to share. A major bonus about this property is that you are not only staying on beautiful grounds with a fantastic pool, but you also have a private beach and private dock off the beach! When we visited we used this dock for boats to pick us up for excursions in the mornings and would spend the afternoons between the pool, beach, and dock. Villa Descanso is also just a quick drive away from some really tasty restaurants and the main island town, if you aren't up for cooking! If you need any recommendations about the town or island, the owner of the Villa is incredibly helpful and kind. It was a very refreshing experience, compared to past vacation rentals we have stayed in and owners we have encountered. Everything about Villa Descanso is perfect. Did I mention that it was immaculately clean as well? There was seriously nothing lacking in this property.
Seascape Villas is beyond fantastic. The pictures don't do it justice. It is even more beautiful in person. The grounds and pool are pristine! The villa itself lacks nothing. Everything you might need is there and all of it is of good quality.
Furthermore, the onsite concierge, Lupe, is wonderful. Anything you might need or any excursion you might want to do, she will take care of it for you.
Our daughter ended up getting an ear infection while we were down there and Lupe was able to get us in to see a doctor right away. She was fantastic!
I can truly say that in all the times my family has visited Ambergris Caye this is undoubtedly the most beautiful villa we have experienced.
Went to Ambergris Caye on June 8 , 2018 and stayed at Villa Descanso at Seascape. The villa was amazing. I traveled with my 2 brothers and wives and each room was nicer than the next. The villa was beautiful. Went diving 2 days and ate at some great quaint restaurants. In addition to the relaxing on the front porch overlooking the pool and the ocean, the living room area was great to hang out and plan our next adventure. What else can I say but it is well worth the effort to search out this villa and get it reserved before all the prime dates are taken. The girls had spa days right next door while the guys dove. All in all, one of the most relaxing trips I have taken in recent memory. I give this Villa 5 + stars.
If I could, I'd give it 10 stars. The villa was very spacious with room for our party of 4 to relax after fishing, diving and visiting Mayan ruins. The property was very well maintained and clean. The onsite property manager helped us make several arrangements with scuba and fishing guides. We were close to many great restaurants. We also appreciated the owner checking in with us to make sure everything was meeting our expectations. Our family loved this vacation and we'd all highly recommend this place to family and friends.
Villa Descanso is the perfect blend of beauty, comfort and style. When you open the front door, you are standing in a great room, complete with an oversize, comfortable couch (on which more than one afternoon nap was experienced), large screen TV, high ceiling and paddle fans. Beautiful. The villa is very spacious, with three separate bedrooms, each with its own spacious private bath. The master bedroom on the second floor has an outdoor patio for relaxation or meditation. The front porch is a great place to hang out with a cocktail and read a book. The barbecue in the back was perfect for grilling fish (which we caught fresh from the ocean). Every amenity is provided, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, even a coffee bean grinder to make fresh ground coffee in the morning. Fresh drinking water, ice, bath and beach towels - you name it, it was there. The WiFi works good too. Maid service came in daily to re-stock paper goods, towels, and make the beds. The dishes were always done and the kitchen cleaned up.
We did not lift a finger the entire week. The grounds are very pretty, with white sand outside the villa and a beautiful pool. We rented golf carts through the on-site property manager. They were fun to drive and San Pedro is less than 15 minutes away. It was easy to get to the many restaurants and bars in the area. We loved our stay at Villa Descanso and look forward to returning. I can't imagine staying anywhere else in Ambergris Caye.
Incredible beach front living, on quiet ocean side beach. Fabulous pool and grounds, spacious living area. Master bedrooms and baths are HUGE. Great kitchen for entertaining, drinks, and eating in. Fridge was stocked with beer and breakfast food - so thankful after a long day of traveling. The grounds are immaculate, the staff so friendly and helpful. Walking distance to dive shop, restaurants, and bars.
From the moment we booked till we left, the experience was among the best we've ever had with a rental. Simon (property manager) guided us with booking the flights to San Pedro, particularly by suggesting we wait until one of the airlines posted their December flights. That turned out to be fantastic advice. Lupe had a golf cart made available for us from the time we arrived. All this before we even set foot in the villa.
As for the villa, we loved the architecture, the aesthetics, and the layout. The spacious bedrooms were dark and chilly, great for sleeping. The living areas were cool and open. The living room was almost too nice. Why go outside when you have a view of the sea and palm trees from your sofa. This villa is set back from the sea, but the layout of the villas are such that all of the villas have a view of the ocean. We would have no problem taking this particular villa again.
Lupe and the other grounds crew were amazing. Any time I had a question, there would be someone eager to help me. Interesting, at least for me, there are no lawns, per se, in development. Instead, there is sand. And the sand on many mornings would be raked to give a 'fresh' appearance. A small touch, but I appreciated it. The maid service was always prompt and courteous. I cannot speak highly enough of everyone who took care of us.
I'm not sure what to mention as a negative. One day, the AC went out in our living room. No exaggeration, within 3 minutes of mentioning it to Lupe, someone was at our door and the AC was blowing cold air within the hour. It worked flawlessly the rest of the time. I'm not sure what else to mention.
For us, the rental was pricey. But we feel we definitely got what we paid for and would definitely stay there again. With the property being 4000 square feet, it would be hard to justify for just my wife and I. But the villa would be a 'no brainer' for a group of six.
Peter's property in San Pedro was absolutely beautiful. The staff was very attentive and we fell in love with Belize. I would strongly recommend this incredible property to anyone.
We stayed with our teenagers and another adult couple (7 total). Seascapes only allows 6 but we asked for an exception and it was granted. We had plenty of space but I recommend no more than 6 persons. Really this villa is ideal for a couple’s get-a-way with 2 to 3 couples. The kitchen had everything we needed including fresh bottled water to drink and use for ice. The grounds were kept immaculate by the grounds keepers and the villa was cleaned daily but friendly cleaners. The staff was headed by Lupe who was absolutely fantastic and she felt like family by the time we left (hugged by everyone). Lupe took care of all of our requests even working until 6pm one evening to help me find a fishing charter for the next day. She booked me with Captain Victor (who won a fishing tournament the month before) and we had a great day at sea. We recommend the cave tubing and zip-line tour it was amazing and we had the best guide named Leon who worked for “Searious Adventures” request him and you will have a great time. Take the ride out to Secret Beach (that is not so secret anymore) and spend a day. I fished the reef and also deep sea and both are great. We had our fish cooked at Coco Cabanas (3 resorts north and short walk on the beach) and it was AMAZING!!! There was great food everywhere we ate. The breakfast burritos at The O are really good. The grocery store at Captain Morgan’s Resort was not too terribly priced and the one just South of that is fine. Take a day to explore the area by golf cart and read all the diary entries at the villa by prior guests. People that have stayed there have great advice. Peter was very helpful with advice as well and always available to answer questions. We had a very nice time while in San Pedro and really the only negative part was the bugs and we have those at home too! We loved the bathrooms and the showers are fantastic! We were super impressed with the beauty of the villa and it was one of the nicest places we have stayed, we miss having our morning coffee on the porch while watching the geckos, iguanas and birds! The people (staff) at Seascapes really made the difference between a fine vacation and a great vacation. The staff was very impressive and tended to our every need. They even drag the kayaks out to the water’s edge and wash and maintain the bicycles. Please tell Lupe she made our stay better than we could have hoped and know that she and the rest of the staff make Seascapes a wonderful destination!
A group of teachers and I stayed at this Villa last June. I loved it so much and was so impressed, I had to return with my family and have them enjoy it as well. Upon arrival we were greeted by Lupe, who welcomed us to the Villa. Our daughters, ages 17 and 14 - who had seen Mom’s photos from last June - were already skipping off to explore the Villa. (You know it’s special when you have many photos of the bedrooms and bathrooms!! They ARE spectacular!) The decor of the Villa is something to see - the spiral staircase, an atrium, ok - even the sinks in the bathrooms - again the photos included just need to be seen in person! The views from all the windows will remind you of the paradise you are in - from the yellows, greens, and reds of the croton plants, the fragrant white plumeria, and the beautiful blooming hibiscus. Did I mention the view of the turquoise blue water and the constant white waves of the reef not too far off shore?
The Villa has everything! Bottled water! Bread, eggs, jam for a dandy couple-days breakfast! Pool towels! Movies! Books! Games! Gigantic TV! A safe for valuables! Security system! Daily housekeeping! Mini-flashlights! (for nighttime crab hunts on the beach - fun!) Detailed and colored maps of the island. Binder complete with suggested restaurants and things to do!
Our girls absolutely loved the pool, located twenty steps from the Villa! Kayaks and bikes are available! The staff helps you with all your needs. From getting the kayaks to the shore or giving you information on favorite routes by golf cart, restaurants to check out, and possible tours. (Thank you, Lupe and Said!)
I can’t forget to mention Peter and Barbara, the owners of this Villa Paradise in Belize! Peter responds to emails within hours, sometimes minutes! He makes sure that your vacation is MORE than you’d ever dream it to be! He knows Ambergris Caye and San Pedro and sends you information before your stay.
So, I hope you can tell why I wanted to plan another trip to Villa Descanso! Plan your paradise vacation now, and be ready to be WOWED!!
What a great way to start a family vacation - by stepping into a beautiful Villa. The whole process for renting this Villa was a great experience and hassle free. Peter and Barbara provided everything needed to make one feel at home. The pool area, the dock, the attention from Lupe was all first class.
I would recommend this Villa as the place to stay on Ambergris Caye to everyone and will be sure to go back and enjoy it again myself.
I'm sure that my kids were thinking I was dragging them to the middle of nowhere when they landed in San Pedro and took the taxi to the villa. San Pedro town is third world and a little on the rough side. Going down narrow crowded streets, past buildings that haven't seen a coat of paint in awhile, then on down more narrow road past a couple miles of mangroves that have crocodiles living in them, it really looks pretty dicey. Then, the taxi pulls into Seascape Villas and it absolutely takes your breath away! I rented two villas. One was rented through Seascape and the other one through VRBO direct from the owner, Peter. Peter's Villa Descanso is modern, spacious and well appointed. The wall art and sculptures are beautiful.
The furnishings are better than anything I've ever found in a vacation rental, anywhere. The kitchen is very well equipped with really good cook ware, appliances, knives and utensils which make cooking at the villa a breeze. There is a five gallon purified water dispenser that is replenished with a new jug as needed. There is no need to over pack because there is a nice washer and dryer downstairs in the laundry room. I packed some Tide pods and did a couple of loads. The maids are quiet, respectful, honest and thorough. The staff is friendly and eager to assist with anything you need. The grounds are tended daily and the pool is absolutely spotless. The beach is beautiful. Don't let a little eel grass bother you! Grab your snorkel and go and look at all the magical creatures who live out there! There's a brand new dock where it is a pleasure just to sit and read or fish. Hint: There's a light switch on the post on the corner of the dock. You turn on one light to go north and the other light to go south. The water taxis watch for the lights and come by regularly. We also took the kayaks out and had a wonderful time snorkeling and fishing at locations near the big reef. If you're a diver, the reef is SPECTACULAR! Mermaid's Lair, Tuffy and Esmeralda Canyon were phenomenal. If you aren't quite that adventurous, Hol Chan and Mexico Rocks are great snorkeling trips. The guys went fishing one day with a captain that the manager, Lupe, set up and they caught more fish than we could eat. We took some of the fish up the beach to Coco Cabana and the chef prepared them perfectly. It was a lovely family dinner for the last night of our stay. Another hint: Go find "Secret Beach". Its a wonderful beach that everybody on the island knows about!
As soon as you step inside this wonderful home, you are happy and pleased that you selected this for your stay in Ambergris Caye. Breathtaking view of the Caribbean and footsteps away from the white sandy beach.
We were greeted in San Pedro by the property manager, Simon, and wisked away via taxi to Seascape Villas. Our taxi driver offered to stop in town for groceries, but we shopped on line before our trip at a local grocery store, and they delivered and stocked our groceries on the day of our arrival, which was super convenient. The moment we arrived at the villa, Lupe greeted us and gave us the grand tour... I mean grand ! The big room was huge and accommodated all five of us. Three spacious bedrooms, each with a grand bathroom... and the master bedroom and bath, WOW ! I cannot list in words how lovely and spacious this home is. The home amenities are everything that you would want or need. The entire home is all resort quality or better, and having the luxury to be together in the same home during our stay was a must for our adult family! Did you see the pics of the Seascape pool? Yes, it's that wonderful! We enjoyed the pool almost everyday during our stay and we were the only guest having the pool all to ourselves. The location of Villa Descanso is perfect! Many wonderful and delicious restaurants so close by ! We enjoyed many great places to eat and Peter has a book of recommendations waiting for you at his home. Lupe, the Concierge arranged all our Belize excursions with wonderful recommendations and all were spot on amazing ! She also arranged our golfcart which was waiting for us at the villa. (highly recommend) We took two trips to Secret Beach! Another must do! Peter provided all travel tidbits which was so helpful (since this was our first trip to the country) , plus he answered all questions and phone calls with a welcoming smile. We met some wonderful and friendly Belizean people, all very welcoming and accommodating. Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful place to vacation ! Our vacation was unBELIZEable!
Will we return and stay at Villa Descanso ? Absolutely 100% YES!
I had the pleasure of staying in Villa Descanso in March.
It indeed lived up to its name as it felt like a quiet restful place but with all the creature comforts of home. I feel that Peter and Barbara provided the amenities that they themselves would want from a 5 star resort. This did feel like a home which made it a great place to unwind.
The kitchen was well stocked with plenty of matching dishes and glassware and ample cooking supplies. I liked that there was a large container of bottled water kept full for our stay for our outings.
The mature on-site concierge and local staff were very knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant. The concierge had our rental golf cart delivered for us. The staff awaited our arrival to handle the luggage and we only had to admire the vegetation, especially the plumeria, and walk in the white sand.
As soon as we got up in the morning and grabbed our coffee we headed out to the patio to sit on the Adirondack chairs to enjoy the sea breezes, seabirds and beautiful clouds floating by. This was repeated with a glass of wine later in the day. Paradise.
The long pool meanders through the property so that even if other neighbors/guests are also enjoying/using the pool everyone can have their own little space to lounge/swim about. That said we felt like we were the only guests since the 6 villas have plenty of elbow room, as you can see from the website photo.
It is a minute or so walk down to the beach where there are a couple of Seascape lounge chairs but we mostly relaxed by the pool and or on our patio. You can fish off the dock. It has a water taxi service which we didn't use but I saw other guests come in from the airport this way.
The barrier reef is very close and there is a dive/snorkel shop a short walk down the beach which was very convenient.
I had the twin suite. My bed was very comfortable with soft sheets and the bathroom was huge and has a beautiful vanity. We opened the windows at night and let the breezes cool us.
I liked that our villa was in a less densely developed part of the island.
I had a great vacation and would highly recommend Villa Descanso. I cannot imagine any other hosts who would try to be as thoughtful to the guests and as interested in the guests as Peter and Barbara.
Let me preface this review – this is the second time we have stayed in this villa – and it was just as good the second time around!
The Villa is beautiful – the photos are very accurate. We traveled with another couple but the house is equipped to handle more than that quite comfortably. Everything was neat and tidy – the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms are well equipped with everything you need as well as entertainment things in the main area (games, DVD’s, books, etc.). It should also be noted that the villa is equipped with a safe and security equipment – even though we never felt unsafe – nice features to have.
There are a total of 6 villas – one other was occupied while we vacationed. Very nice to have it all to yourself – but a lot of space that I would not worry even if all units were occupied.
We are outdoor people and spent a good deal of time on the large front porch area, the pool and the beach. There is also a very nice dock to watch the waves and see some marine life. All of this – just steps from the front door! Everything is kept very clean – the pool was vacuumed and the beach raked every day.
Seascapes is the best of all worlds in my opinion – for a number of reasons. We enjoy the fact that we are about 10 minutes from town allowing for quiet time – but just a quick jaunt if you want to go. You are also only a few minutes from many dining establishments if you want to stay close to the Villa.
I would be remiss to not mention the staff and owner. We were met at the airport by Simon and Lupe was on property every day as well as several others – wonderful individuals that make sure you have a great trip. And Peter – fantastic to work with and a wealth of information that he is happy to share with you.
As stated in another review, the pics do not do this beautiful villa justice! This villa has everything you need to either hang out "at home" to relax, or get out to play. The kayaks and bicycles are readily available for use. The kitchen and personal incidental items are well stocked. The on site concierge was extremely helpful and available to us during our stay.
Peter is the best person I've ever worked with to ensure all details to prepare for the trip are thought of, well in advance. He was extremely attentive to my questions and went above and beyond to make sure our golf cart was available, our dinner reservations for our Birthday Girl were set, and had a very thoughtful dessert planned out to meet our needs. This was the easiest trip I've ever planned thanks to him. The vacation was amazing and the villa one of our favorite things about our trip!
We stayed here over the Christmas Holiday with our 3 children (16,13,10) there was PLENTY of space for everyone. And then some! The house is nice and the owners thought of everything. Beach towels, cooking tools, coffee maker, coffee grinder, soap, hair dryer, DVDs, books, games.....AND Peter was extremely helpful and so prompt about response to any question or concerns we had before travel. Put us in touch with the concierge on location to help book golf cart rentals and vacation excursions. COULD NOT make it easier.
Vacation is about relaxing and having some fun family time. We got out fill here in the Villa. Just book it already.
The place is great! A group of 15 of us stayed at Seascape to celebrate my 50th birthday. 4 friends and I stayed in Villa Descanso. It was better than advertised. The property is fabulous, even the pool has views of the ocean. Owner was an absolute pleasure. He helped me with the booking and provided us with a significant amount of information about Ambergris Caye, including maps, restaurant reviews and general tidbits, before our arrival. The owner also followed up before, during and after the stay to make sure that we were fully satisfied. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. For instance, we booked a sunset cruise through the office and the manager not only made sure we were picked up but also met us upon our return to make sure we enjoyed the experience. I have traveled all over the world and have to say that this was one of the most incredible places I have visited. Highly recommend Ambergris Caye and Villa Descanso in particular.
My family of four (including a 7 year old and a 10 year old) plus a set of grandparents enjoyed this wonderful house for a full week over Thanksgiving. It was exactly as advertised, better in fact. The house was beautiful--the pictures, as beautiful as they are, don't do it justice. The the pool was pristine and the proximity to the beach was paradise. We were able to walk to White Sands dive shop that arranged all of our snorkeling tours and our excursion to the Lamanai ruins (highly recommended).
The kids played in the pool every day, we used the house-provided kayaks to paddle out to the reef, saw a pod of dolphins playing just off the end of our pier, and relaxed under the palm trees. The location of the property is a 15 minute golf cart ride into the main town of San Pedro, which is close enough to be convenient when needed, but far enough away to make you feel like you are on your own private slice of paradise! Peter and his entire staff were welcoming and helpful with absolutely every request...both leading up to our arrival and every day we were there. I would recommend this location 100% to anyone traveling to Ambergris Caye and will stay here again the next time our vacation takes us to Belize!
Two friends and I just had the pleasure of staying at Villa Descanso for the past week and I can tell you without any hesitation that it was the most beautiful place I have ever stayed and, quite possibly, the best vacation I have ever been on! From the moment you book your stay at the villa you get assistance from Peter and the staff at the property regarding absolutely anything and everything you could have a question about. As we were interested in several services such as having an in-house chef for at least a couple days and in-house massages and facials, golf cart waiting for us, etc. we peppered Peter and the staff with questions. In every instance I had a response from one or the other within the hour. That being said and having seen the beautiful pictures of the property, you still have to wonder if your expectations are actually going to be met when you reach the property. Let me tell you what happens when you first walk on to the property, your jaw drops, you cannot speak except to look around and say "wow, look at this", "wow, look at that" for at least a good hour. It is truly heaven on earth, your expectations are met and then some! The grounds and pool are immaculate and are kept so every day. I know this because I spent several hours a day on the front patio area gawking at the amazing surroundings and watched the staff at Seascape clean the grounds for hours every single day. Having walked up and down the beach a lot, I am of the opinion that it is definitely the most pristine and jaw-dropping property on the beach. The inside of the villa was absolutely gorgeous and you are left wanting for nothing, and I truly mean nothing. I really can't say enough about how lovely it is and emphasize that no pictures could ever do it justice. It is the type of place that you tell your friends back home, "I wish you could see it because I can't even try to explain it to you!" The staff was just as great with the inside upkeep. Everyone is super friendly and will continue to assist you with anything you need while there, whether it is pulling out the kayaks for you, giving you information on the local critters or just giving you directions to the best grocery store. The dock is also one of the best on the beach. I highly recommend spending time just sitting down there watching the GIANT rays float and fly by! The island itself was just as inviting as the villa in every regard. Don't hesitate-in the end, the only thing you will regret is having to leave!
When you a book a place that only has 5 star reviews, and 29 of them at that, expectations are extremely high. There is no doubt that Villa Descanso exceeded those expectations. Yes, the property was immaculate. Yes, the staff was great. But in the end it all comes down to the owner Peter. Peter is great to work with, and made things extraordinarily easy for us. From the moment we booked which was about 6 months out, he was in constant contact with us providing suggestions on how to get there, restaurants, basically anything and everything. When you are traveling out of the country and to an island for the first time, the level of comfort that Peter provides cannot be understated. That being said, on to the place. Looks just like it does in the photos, immaculate. Travelling with two other couples, it was great to have 3 en suite bathrooms in each large bedroom. The kitchen is equipped with anything and everything you need (and I am an avid cook so pretty discerning here). Daily maid service is nice, towels are washed daily and the place is returned to spotless. We had the good fortune to be travelling in low season and there were no other people on the property so we had the expansive pool completely to our ourselves. We had a couple of folks in our group who did not want to fly on the puddle jumper from Belize City over to Ambergris and the front desk at Seascape (the group of villas that Descanso is a part of) booked a private water taxi for us. If you are not going to fly this is the way to go. They picked us up from the airport, took us to their port, and dropped us off directly at our dock. The trip takes about an hour and 20 minutes and is right at the same cost of flying. The island itself is great and I would absolutely recommend golf cart rental if you are travelling here. Peter has Seascape set that up for us and the carts were there upon our arrival. The town of San Pedro is about a 10 min golf cart ride and you can find many good restaurants and pick up some local art or souvenirs. I would not be scared away by the rainy season, maybe we got lucky but we only saw rain once during the day and that is what pretty much everyone told us (it rains overnight and early AM). It was also great because the island was so quiet much less touristy. I have been on numerous trips to the Caribbean/Central America and outside the country and have never written a review on a place that I have stayed. It is that good.
Our family of 5 (7, 8, and 20 year old children) stayed 5 nights and did not want to leave! We had other family members rent 2 other villas at Seascape and had our best family vacation yet. We had everything we needed at the villa, including gorgeous views. Peter and Barbara have made the villa feel like home. You think of something you need, open a cabinet and there it is! We had a lot of questions prior to arrival, especially traveling with small children, and Peter would respond almost immediately and seemed to truly enjoy sharing his wealth of knowledge of the island. The staff were always on hand to help us plan outings or have a grocery order delivered. They even helped book the connecting flight and had taxis waiting for us. Don’t hesitate to ask for something, they will help any way they can. Lupe was also kind enough to take family photos for us! We felt very secure in the villa, and appreciated the night security guards. We cooked several meals at the villa and used the grill provided, but if you go fishing bring your catch to the Dive Bar down the road and they will cook it to your liking! We walked to White Sands dive shop for diving and snorkeling excursions and highly recommend. We loved how private and relaxed Seascape was and will definitely make this a return destination for our family. Having plenty of space, daily housekeeping, beautiful pool and beach at your doorstep is ideal for any family! Our kids are already wanting to know exactly when we are returning, and when we do it will be to this villa.
If you have been looking for paradise, look no more - you have found it! Villa Descanso is everything you hope for in a vacation destination. From the moment we pulled up in our water taxi, we knew we were in wonderful care. Lupe was there on the dock to welcome us to Seascape and show us the villa - our home for the next five days. You will be in awe as we were! You can study the photos over and over, and it still wouldn’t give you the beauty of this home! The views, pool, flora, sand, - just perfect. We enjoyed talking with the staff, friendly and helpful. One groundskeeper invited us to the “coconut show” - where he harvested some coconuts and chopped them open for us to drink the juice! Back to the villa for coconut smoothies! Golf cart was waiting for us to tour the island! Bikes were handy for pedal land travel, and kayaks were available for a quick paddle to the reef. It is all ready for you to enjoy! Peter and Barbara have thought of everything! Pre-travel suggestions were numerous, helpful, appreciated, and made you even MORE excited to come to Seascape, San Pedro, and the Villa Descanso! You will be planning your return before you leave, that is for sure! Thank you, Peter and Barbara, for sharing your Villa Paradise with us!
Our stay at Seascape was incredible From the second we contacted the owner, all aspects of our stay were either handled or given incredible insight. They arranged a boat ride on arrival, daily maid service, on site assistance from the friendly staff and even had our golf cart ready at the Villa. Could not ask for more.
Thanks to all for making our stay on the Caye incredible. As an aside, we took two excursions that I would highly recommend. Seaduced all day snorkel/Caye Caulker trip and Amigos del Mar dive shop trip to the Blue Hole. All of the amenities and customer service aspects of our stay were incredible.
My family and I traveled to Belize and stayed at Sea Scape Villas(aka Villa Descanso). We were in Belize for 10 relaxing days. Staff was very helpful and courteous. We had all of the amenities of home, including a pool steps from the front door. We snorkeled and toured the Mayan Ruins. What an adventure
We had a wonderful stay at Peter's place! We were sad to leave and hope to return. Our group of 5- me, my husband, 2 college kids and a friend traveled to Ambergris Caye. We flew into Belize City and then took Tropic Air to the island. This was a quick and adventurous flight. The water was beautiful. Once we arrived, we took a taxi with the luggage while my son and husband grabbed the golf cart and met at the house. The villa is lovely and we had so much space to spread out which is really nice. The house is well-equipped with everything you need and the location is great!- out of town and away from any crowds, but close enough to be convenient to restaurants and shops. I recommend the Truck Stop for a casual lunch. It is lots of fun on Sunday when they have the corn hole tournament. Rain is nice for a great dinner. We ate at the El Salvador pupusa place in town-very authentic, cheap and delicious! Some other good meals were The Dive Bar (they cooked our fresh snapper we caught fishing), Estel's, Caliente, and Aji. Go to the Chicken Drop on Thursday at Wahoo- fun people watching, but I would not advise young children. Helene and Angela in the office were helpful and will assist booking any excursions. Don't miss Hol Chan and Mexico Rocks. Overall, 5 star trip for sure.
We stayed in this villa for a short vacation – traveling with friends – and cannot express how much we enjoyed everything involved.
The villa is very nice - spacious, clean and a unique design – the pictures are accurate and it is as beautiful as it seems. It was well equipped with everything you need to make your vacation enjoyable and felt much like a home away from home. Although we never felt unsafe at all, the home is equipped with a security system when you leave the property. It is a nice sized property as well – gave both couples room for privacy when you are ready for some down time. We especially enjoyed the huge front patio area and found ourselves sitting there to start and end our days! It is hard to beat the view – pool and ocean on a lovely sunny day or to watch the stars into the evening. The pool is just steps away from the front door and the beach just a few more. There are a total of 6 villas – but we felt as though we were the only ones there. Rarely did we see anyone and it was always quiet.
We enjoyed many activities while on the property. Snorkeling right from the dock area and the recommended scuba company picked our divers up right from the dock in front of the villa – hard to beat. You are also close to town – about a 10 minute golf cart trip – but far enough away that it is very quiet. We found several wonderful dining establishments within a few minutes of the property.
The staff at Seascapes was wonderful. All very friendly and could not do enough to make sure we had a good trip – always checking in with us but never intrusive. And to not mention the property owners would be remiss – Peter was absolutely fantastic – a wealth of knowledge and information and more than happy to take the time to answer questions, provide information and do whatever he could to make sure you have a wonderful experience. He arranged everything for us – golf cart rental, taxi service, etc. He definitely made it a much easier vacation for first timers (but not last timers!) to Belize.
We take several trips per year – and the question at the end is always “was it a good trip?”. If I can say I would return in a heartbeat – the answer is a “yes”. This was a definite YES!
Our family had one of our best Spring Break vacations ever at this wonderful villa at Seascape, Ambergris Caye, Belize. This villa (Descanso) is spacious, lovely and well-appointed. All three bedrooms and en suite baths are large and comfortable. The great room is comfortable with large TV. The kitchen has everything we needed and more. The owner made everything easy with explicit directions and superb recommendations on everything from golf cart rental to restaurants and activities and added extra special touches such as breakfast provisions for our first morning. The on site staff are all friendly and attentive. The location is beautifully situated with great views of the beach and pool/gardens from the master bedroom (all 3 bedrooms really the size of a master) and the verandah. Beautiful landscaping with hummingbirds, orioles, warblers, and seabirds all around. The pool is another highlight--really two pools joined by a shallow "lazy river"--we could have lived at the pool had we not wanted to explore. We enjoyed great food at restaurants in walking distance and others accessible by water taxi or golf cart. We also enjoyed snorkeling (very short walk to great dive shop); jet skis (arranged by staff and delivered right to Seascape dock); birdwatching (on property and nearby); tennis; fishing (arranged by the staff; picked us up at our dock; cleaned our catch which we had for dinner cooked at a nearby restaurant); and more. We had planned to stay five nights and use our remaining two nights in Belize to explore elsewhere. However, after being there, we extended our stay at the villa for another night and would have done two more there had we realized how easy it is to fly in and out of San Pedro. We left Atlanta on a direct flight to Belize City at 10 am and were on the beach at this great Seascape villa by 2 pm local time. We will definitely return and hope this villa is available when we do!
My husband and I, along with our 2 children, just returned from a week at this villa. We truly enjoyed the villa, location, staff and amenities at this property. The owner from the very beginning of our inquiries was thorough and timely with all responses to our questions regarding our trip. He provided all necessary information that I felt I needed in preparation for our trip, and included many tips/advice for us. The staff at the villa was incredibly kind, helpful, knowledgeable, and professional. We recommend this property with no hesitations and look forward to returning.
I absolutely fell in love with San Pedro and can't wait to go back. One stipulation....I will stay at this SAME villa!! Unbelievable! The pictures are amazing but don't even do it justice. Peter and Barbara did everything to make sure that the entire vacation was perfection....and it was! The staff at Seascape Villas is amazing. Made sure every need was met, friendly beyond belief, and had the beach raked to perfection EVERY morning. The distance to town was perfect! Fun golf cart ride in to town or to other spots. Walkable to amazing restaurants just down the beach. It was my dream vacation and exceeded every expectation! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The villa and grounds are every bit as spacious and gorgeous as the pictures suggest. The staff and owner (Peter) go the extra mile to make sure that every want and need is satsifed. Peter includes many personal touches in the unit that showcase his thoughtfulness and highlight the Belizean culture. We traveled on Spring Break and our kids LOVED the property. Lots of shallow water in the pool so it was safe for little ones. The staff cleans the beach seemingly around-the-clock so sea grass is not an issue at all. Just pure white sand and turquoise waters to enjoy. I would 100% recommend this property to others and would return again. Perfection at every turn.
We could not have asked for more. Absolutely breath taking beauty. Sweet town of San Pedro just close enough for outings and great restaurants within beach walking distance. We had great fun exploring in our golf cart (Secret Beach and Rojo Lounge), and experienced wonderful snorkeling right from our beach. Our sailing /snorkeling/Caye Caukman day was Devine.
All of that, and LOTS of lounging around the pool and in the hammock. Staff is so friendly, and very helpful. I WILL BE BACK!
We highly recommend this villa. Our stay was everything it advertised to be and more, beautiful home, gorgeous view. the staff on site were very friendly, attentive and accommodating. Peter was so very helpful and pleasant to deal with in booking our vacation. he provided valuable advice and suggestions which made our vacation very enjoyable and stress free. Would very much like to return for another stay. we ate out almost every day and were not disappointed once. Rendezvous restaurant a few steps away from the villa was great, we had lunch there and one night we brought our fresh caught fish there ,which they prepared for in various way and all were very delicious. Wild Mangos in town was surprisingly very good. A stop at the "Truck Stop" is also a must.
We had the wonderful opportunity to stay at Villa Descanso for 5 days. The condo is absolutely gorgeous and very comfortable. Each spacious bedroom has its own huge bathroom.
The restaurants we went to were all delicious and served a variety of fresh foods.
Getting around by golf cart and water taxi made for an adventurous and fun time.
The staff are extremely friendly and helpful. Peter and Barbara are gracious hosts. They have thought of everything to make your stay one you will want to come back to again and again. Thank you for the wonderful, fun filled vacation.
A week 's stay at Villa Descanso was just grand. The villa is beautiful, comfortable with plenty of space for three couples. The living area is a great gathering place, large dining table for dinners at home and well stocked kitchen. The front porch is perfect for morning coffee or evening cocktails. The bedrooms were nice, beds comfortable, lots of closet space and loved the bathrooms (each couple their own private bath). Water feature in center of the house most soothing. The grounds were impeccably kept and it was fun tracking the wildlife's footprints each morning. Whether relaxing at the pool or in the hammocks beneath the palm trees listening to the breeze rustle the branches was delightful. The private dock was used for relaxing, morning yoga or fishing. We kayaked out to the reef and cycled all over the island. Shawn, Angela, Helene, Florene and the rest of the staff at Villa Descanso could not have been more accommodating or friendly. They felt like family. The villa is situated a few miles north of town. Close enough, but also far enough away. There were several restaurants and outdoor bars within walking distance. If you're traveling to Ambergris Caye, I would definitely recommend staying at Villa Descanso.