CONS
1) It is extremely rustic. Remember, it is not technically a 'resort', where you will have clean rooms, clean towels, or clean dishware. In fact, you have to bring your own towels and may be asked to help to clean the 9 acre island (1 hour per day).
2) Grandmother Marsha Jo may be a little bit off on some days, so you have to take her with a grain of salt. The Lomonts have owned the Glover's Reef Atoll Resort since the 1960s, so they are pretty set in their ways. Apparently, Becky, the daughter is a bit rough around the edges. So, you may not get the smiling hospitality that you expect.
3) The 3 hour catamaran ride from Sittee Point River may end up being a lot longer than 3 hours. One traveller complained of a 6 hour ride, because he said that Gilbert Lomont picked up another passager from another island for a fee. Also, I have an email from a fellow Canadian traveller that says it was 5 hours long due to wind factors.
4) Everything is on Belize time, so your dinner, lunch and breakfast may not be on time. Some travellers have complained that they were sometimes late by a few hours. Also, some people also said that dining with the Lomonts was a rough experience. One traveller alluded to a dinner table yelling match between the host and the diners over the topic of eating at MacDonalds, she also suggested that Becky was pretty drunk.
5) Since there is no running water on the island and no electricity, the water from the well smells of sulfur. You have to get the water from the well for showers. You have to bring your own towels, and you have to bring your own toilet paper :)
6) Some people have said that the beach is littered, and no one picks up the trash.
7) You may experience extreme boredom. Some travellers have said that they wanted to get off the island as soon as they arrived, all because of a combination of the above reasons. In order to get off the island, you are looking at $350 U.S one way.
8) The Glover Guest House in Sittee River is not in the best condition. There are lots of bugs, and the rooms are not exactly clean. Travellers have recommended in staying at Hopkins Village instead of the Glover Guest House.
9) You most likely have to bring your own food and bring it to the island for the week. While you can buy meal packages, but from what I have read, it is better to leave the Lomonts alone and cook your own.
10) The owner of the island has dogs, so they roam the island as if it is theirs (well...it is actually theirs). So, if you don't like dogs, this may not be the place for you.
PROS
1) It is the best location for diving, snorkeling and fishing. Look at the map below, and you will get a sense of what the atoll can offer. Snorkeling is great right off the shore, and you may not even need a kayak.
2) It is rustic, laid-back, and deserted.
3) It is very inexpensive, starting at $99.00 U.S per week for camping accommodation.
4) Warren, the Lomont's 14 year old grandson, is the best fishing and snorkeling guide you can get. All their grandkids are simply amazing. I have read many accounts of their generosity.
Source: http://www.bicyclediaries.co.uk/blog.html
http://www.belizeforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=10;t=000588
5) You can learn how to dive, all the way from getting your Open Water Diver's Certificate to Divemaster.
6) If you talk to no one, no one will talk to you. You can literally go for the whole week without speaking to anyone. It can be very quiet and peaceful.
7) The Lomonts can be friendly when they open up, especially the kids. There are travellers who love them, because they are excellent diving teachers and can offer invaluable advice when it comes to snorkeling and fishing locations.
8) Location, location, location!!! The island is so tiny that everything is 'beachfront'.
9) There is great reef kayaking, with 700 patch reefs in the lagoon.
10) No shopping malls....hehe....
MY CONCLUSIONS
1) Be Prepared! This is a week long trip that takes a lot of researching and planning.
2) Don't stay at the Glover's Guest House at Sittee River. Other travellers also agree with this one. If you can, stay in Hopkins village or Toucan Sittee, which is a lot better than Glover's Guest Hourse
3) Convince yourself that the Lomonts are kind enough to invite you to their island. They can't wait on you, and won't. They are sharing their home with you, and consider your $99.00 accommodation charge as a tip. Really, you just can't get that type of location for less. Picking up some litter is not really that bad. Essentially, you are their guests.
4) You will get out of it what you put in. If you are open to their way of life, then they will be more open to you. Marsha Jo is on and off. There are stories of her being grumpy, and there are stories of her being friendly. Becky is also on and off. What is consistant is that the grandkids are helpful and friendly. Overall, there are more positive stories about the hosts than negative ones.
5) Visiting Belize is more of an adventure than relaxation. You can't expect to visit Belize but not deal with Belizean culture, people, and ways of life. If you want a resort, it is safer to go to Manta Resort next door or Slickrock (for the more adventurous type). They charge significantly more.
6) Read all the information on Glover's Reef Atoll Resort's website. I mean ALL of it. It tells you what they have and don't have, so at least you are aware.
7) Read all the postings on the Belize Forum , until your eyes hurt.
8) The hermit crabs can be either a nuisance or your best friend. They come out at night, and they can clean your dirty dishes really well. If you roam around at night, you might find them annoying.
9) Imagine the Castaway Island, then add a little litter, kayaks, diving gear, huts, and some home cooked meals, and that is all your are getting.
10) This is the kind of place for travellers who have a budget, want to experience a third world country still relatively unspoiled and want to experience all of its beauty and limitations. If you want to relax at a resort, it is best to go elsewhere. If you are open minded, want a slice of paradise, decide what you want to do with your time rather than following tours, and want to experience true nature, then this may be the place for you.
SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR GLOVER'S REEF ATOLL RESORT
1) The resort should improve the condition of the Glover's Guest House at Sittee River. I am sure travellers don't mind a price increase.
2) The resort should also have a more realistic 'letter to travellers' that explains to people exactly what kind of resort this is. The website can be misleading to someone who does not dig deeper. Also, there is a lot of negative feedback about them on the net, and this can be bad for business. One disgruntled customer can influence thousands.
3) I would like to see a beginner's fishing package. I don't fish, but would like to learn, and there is no better place than the Glover's Reef Atoll. I am willing to pay for this.
When I come back from my trip, I will give you more first hand reports. For now, this is all you get. It is an accumulation of over 100 hours of research on the net from various forums, personal home pages, and blogs. During my research, I have also emailed a fellow Canadian from British Columbia, who provided me with a lengthy description of their stay there (they just left yesterday!). If you want to read it, email me at azhoua@gmail.com, and I will forward it to you.
One last thing, I have to say that the travellers who go to Belize are of a different breed. I have never encountered more friendly people (although most of our communication has been virtual). They are genuinely interested in helping, and are very eager to give detailed accounts of their travels. Never hesitate to ask. You will always receive useful information.
Other Glover's Atoll Resort Posts:
http://fullchangejar.blogspot.com/2007/01/much-anticipated-glovers-atoll-resort.html
http://fullchangejar.blogspot.com/2006/05/trip-planning-caves-branch-and-glovers.html
