There are so many different places to stay in Honduras— from hotels to hostels and everything in between. When planning our recent trip, we wanted to find a place that had something for everyone. We wanted an affordable option that offered something unique, whether it be activities or a specific type of scenery. After much research and deliberation, we decided on staying at the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort. This hotel was the perfect combination of affordability and luxury with all the activities we could hope for. From parasailing to exploring underwater caves, this resort has it all! Keep reading for more information on this wonderful place!
The Basics
This resort sits on the beautiful Caribbean Sea in Roatan, Honduras. It is situated on the southern end of the island, near West Bay, which is known for calm waters and great diving. Guided scuba diving is offered at the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort. The resort is open from December to April and from August to October. It is closed during the rainy season from May to July. The resort consists of a main building with hotel rooms, a dive shop, dive office, pool and bar area, a restaurant, gift shop, and lounge. There are also two additional buildings, one with more hotel rooms and the other with condos. There are 54 standard rooms and 6 honeymoon rooms. The standard rooms are suitable for families. There are both one and two-bedroom condos available. The Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort is close to West Bay Beach, which has been named one of the top beaches in the world by Conde Nast Traveler. It is also near the West End where you can find restaurants, bars, and nightlife. Roatan has fantastic scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports. There are also plenty of hiking trails, a nature reserve at Laguna de Tacaruna, and beautiful Mayan ruins.
Awards and Recognition
Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort has won a number of awards for being one of the best places to stay in Honduras. It was voted the “Best Dive Shop in Honduras” by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine in 2017. It was also voted “Best Dive Resort in Central America” in 2018 by the readers of Scuba Diving magazine. The Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort has also been recognized by TripAdvisor, ranking first in the Caribbean, first in Honduras, and 14th out of 1,000 dive resorts in the world. TripAdvisor also has Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort listed as the number one hotel in Roatan and the number four hotel in Honduras.
Best season to visit
The best time to visit Honduras is between November and May because the weather is warm and dry. The rainy season is from June to October, so that would be something to consider. The weather during this time is warm and humid with constant rain. This could make it difficult to enjoy many of the water activities this area is known for. October is also the month when Hurricane Nate passes through the Caribbean and other parts of Central America. This is one thing to keep in mind if you plan to visit during this season.
Rooms & Services Available
Amenities
The guests can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, and sailing. There are two on-site dive shops that offer guided shore and boat dives for certified divers and snorkelers. The resort also has a dive master on staff who can offer assistance to beginners. There are also daily fun dives for certified divers looking for less-structured adventures. Another aspect of diving that the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort offers is night diving, which is becoming increasingly popular among scuba enthusiasts. Guests can also enjoy an underwater photography course.
Dining - Food and Drinks
The Caribbean Restaurant serves buffet-style meals for breakfast and lunch. It has a large selection of delicious seafood dishes and international specialties. Dinner is a la carte and served in the Caribbean Restaurant and La Isla Bar & Grill, which has a similar menu. The restaurant also serves a special kids' menu. La Isla Bar & Grill offers happy hour with half-off appetizers, which is a nice way to begin your evening. La Isla is open for lunch and dinner and serves light snacks during the day. Guests can also order room service. The on-site gift shop offers fresh coffee, fruit, and pastries for breakfast. Throughout the day, there is a selection of sandwiches, salads, and other light snacks.
How to Get to the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort
There are multiple ways to get to the Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort. The easiest and most popular way is by air. There is a Honduran airline called Honduras Air Transport (HAT) that flies directly from Houston to Roatan. There are also airlines that fly to San Pedro Sula, which is a short 25-minute car ride from Roatan. Getting to the resort by car is also easy. There are multiple car rental companies that offer pick-up and drop-off in Roatan. Alternatively, you can find a ride share through Uber.
Pros and Cons
The Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort is an excellent choice for divers or anyone who wants to be near the water. The beach is fantastic for swimming and other water activities. The resort itself is beautiful with tropical gardens and a large pool. The main drawback is that the resort does not have air conditioning, but this is common in this part of the world. Most rooms have ceiling fans and there is also a large open-air lounge with a fireplace. The resort is not great for families with very young children. There is a large step leading to the second floor. However, the resort is very family-friendly otherwise with plenty of divers and snorkelers around.
Final Thoughts
This Grand Roatan Caribbean Resort review has hopefully given you some insight into what this place is all about. If you are looking for a place to stay in Honduras that has something for everyone, this is the perfect hotel for you! This resort is beautiful, but it is also very family-friendly, making it the perfect place to stay with little ones. If you are planning a trip to Honduras, we highly recommend staying at this beachfront resort. You will not be disappointed!
