Pook's Hill Lodge

Such a unique hotel, truly in the middle of the jungle. While I wouldn’t classify this as a luxury resort, it has so much character, and will deliver the experience, you desire for a jungle stay. It recently went through a change of ownership and the new owners are putting a lot of money into it and I’m certain over the next year or two, it will transform. You will need to arrange transportation from the lodge to arrive, because it would be almost impossible to drive there on your own given the road conditions and hard to find location. But once you are there, it’s a jungle paradise. I felt like we had a private chef who would cook every meal for us, and there are no restaurants nearby so we ate all meals at the lodge. It was the best food we had in Belize by far. The service from the staff was exceptional. Again, best in the entire country we experienced. The staff lives on property for over a week at a time, and they truly cater to every guest need. The accommodations are nice, yet a little rustic. They have been nicely updated, but being remote in the jungle, there are quirks to be expected. The bugs and critters are plenty, but the staff will clear the rooms before bedtime, and upon request. I highly recommend extra repellent and an open mind. Certainly the accommodations are much fancier than camping, but there are elements to being in the jungle that are reminiscent of camping outdoors. This is a great base for the A** cave, it’s the closest any accommodations by far. You can also use it as a base for other activities, but I highly recommend making sure you have things planned, because there isn’t much to do in the middle of the jungle otherwise. We stayed two nights and we use the full day to do a **K. It was nice to come back to the hotel in the afternoon and relax and have a chef cooked dinner. We arrived late tonight prior and left early the morning after which was fine. I think our teenage boys would have been bored spending a lot more time. But it was an exceptional fun weekend and we are so glad we found this special lodge.

Experience at Jade Jungle Resort, Belize As the cool days of spring gradually give way to the warmth of summer, the allure of returning to Jade Jungle Resort in Belize becomes irresistible. The graceful migratory birds, which once adorned the resort with their presence, have bid us farewell for the season, leaving behind a sense of anticipation for the new tender leaves that begin to take over. With the abundance of rainfall this spring, the jungle has flourished into a vibrant green oasis, inviting guests to immerse themselves in its timeless rhythm and profound connection to nature. As I step into the sanctuary of Jade Jungle Resort, I am greeted by a symphony of exotic sounds—the rustling of leaves, the chirping of crickets, and the gentle flow of nearby streams. Each step I take unveils a new facet of the jungle's beauty, from the towering canopy above to the intricate web of life thriving below. In this tranquil oasis, surrounded by lush foliage and teeming wildlife, I find solace in the simplicity of being present in the moment. At Jade Jungle Resort, the ethos revolves around embracing the transformative power of nature to heal, restore, and rejuvenate. As I explore the verdant landscape, I am reminded of the interconnectedness of all living things and the profound impact that immersing oneself in nature can have on both the body and the soul. From the refreshing scent of dew-kissed leaves to the soothing caress of the tropical breeze, every sensation serves as a gentle reminder to cherish the natural world around us. One of the highlights of my stay at Jade Jungle Resort is the launch of the Pilates Deck this summer. Nestled amidst the lush foliage, the Pilates Deck offers a serene setting to focus on strengthening the essentials of my Quadrinity—body, mind, spirit, and emotions. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, I embark on a journey of self-discovery, cultivating stability, balance, and flexibility while quieting the chatter of the mind. With each breath, I feel a sense of grounding and inner peace wash over me, leaving me recharged and rejuvenated. In addition to the revitalizing Pilates sessions, Jade Jungle Resort offers a wide range of local excursions to elevate the guest experience. From guided hikes through the pristine rainforest to immersive cultural encounters with neighboring communities, each excursion promises to deepen my connection to the rich tapestry of Belizean heritage and natural wonders. As the summer months transition into late summer and fall, Jade Jungle Resort unveils a spectacle of breathtaking skies that captivate the imagination. From the mesmerizing hues of sunrise to the awe-inspiring sight of falling stars after dark, the heavens become a canvas for a visual journey unlike any other. Immersed in this celestial spectacle, I am transported to another world, enveloped by the beauty and wonder of the universe. It is a moment of pure enchan**ent—a reminder of the infinite possibilities that a

We are so happy we discovered Jade Jungle resort. We were not entirely sure what we were in for but our family of 6 (kids aged 11-18) loved every second at Jade Jungle. From the moment we arrived, with the warm greeting from the gorgeous family who owns it to the second we left we had warmth (no pun intended..it was particularly hot while we were there) and friendliness from everyone we encountered on the property. We stayed in the family hut which was fine for our family. One huge king bed in one room and two bunk beds in the other and two bathrooms. It’s nicely done keeping to the jungle vibes and clean with fresh drinking water provided. We had fans in the room and although some in my family missed air conditioning I think it kept with the natural vibe to not have it. The property was BEAUTIFUL. It was huge and fun to explore. The river that runs through it was fun to go tubing on and swim in and watch the fish. It was clean and felt safe. There were beautiful walks that were well set out and fun to explore. It felt safe to let the kids explore alone with the new friends they met. The howler monkeys were so fun to see in the trees in the day but interesting in the night waking to that prehistoric noise they make. Added to the vibe. And if you like birds it is a great place to go. There is also an active archeological dig happening as they found some Mayan remains, which is so cool. We rented a car from the airport and drove to the property. The road was bumpy (we did not have a 4wd) but totally manageable. From Jade Jungle Resort it was easy to go to A** caves (it is very close by) we booked directly with River Rats and met them at the caves but you can book all tours through the Resort. We also did Xunantunich (we drove ourselves and got a guide there) and Cave Tubing tour with Mayawalks, all were incredible and Jade Jungle can help you organise it or book it yourself like we did. All of that was incredible but what made Jade Jungle next level was Tanya in the restaurant. You can have full or half board and it is absolutely incredible. Tanya is a joy to see at dinner as she comes and explains the 4 course dinner and has a chat and she is an absolute talent in the kitchen. Everything we ate was delicious, fresh and varied. We literally counted down the hours until dinner time…even our 11 year old. Another added goodness is Keren. She was our point person for all things. She is a bundle of local knowledge and helped us work out some of the logistics of our daily plans. She also added fun for the kids making a scavenger hunt down in the meadows which my younger girls loved. She is an absolute joy and delight. We stayed 4 nights (arriving early evening the first night) and found it to be a good amount of time. It was an unforgettable experience and I’m beyond happy with our choice of Jade Jungle.

This is a amazing place! We loved our stay and was treated like royalty. Tanya is an excellent cook that makes the experience wonderful! Karen is an excellent host that will make your stay peaceful and calm. Say hi to the howling monkeys for us! Emma and Merlin

Jade Jungle is a beautiful and restful one of a kind resort. Amazing surroundings and world class service with friendly staff and a chef who serves delicious, fresh locally sourced food. We stayed in a Hillside cabana which was very clean and comfortable.

This is a gem of a place that is environmentally conscious and respectful of the jungle AND feels like a warm hug. Shared area for gathering with hummingbirds buzzing everywhere; lantern lit dinners which (if you wanted) let you meet folks from other cabins; trails surround the property with 3 swimming holes that are just you swimming in the jungle; and A** and other features are so close (Keren the property manager takes care of everything you want to do with your private tour guides - we even squeezed in cave tubing and the zoo on the way to the airport). Travelled with two seventeen years olds so tough to please but they loved it.

This place is incredible!!! This is the most stunning resort we've ever been to, it's dreamy, luxurious, cozy and the staff and everyone working at the resort were extremely helpful and kind. The owners, Lance and Chrissy are extremely helpful and run such an amazing boutique experience. We did all sorts of adventures while we stayed here for 8 days with our 3 littles! We visited the mayan ruins, multiple caves, visited the zoo, swam in stunning rivers, had bird guiding tours, toured the most incredibly butterfly farms and went to the beach! We also had massages there at the resort in the most lovely space we've ever been massaged in. They have a very smooth process for all excursions and made the trip feel completely effortless. They have these amazing swing bridges that are an adventure on their own, as well as a large meadow with swings and plenty of beautiful nature to explore. The rooms here were stunning, from every little detail of linen curtains and open stone showers to locally handmade soap dishes and furniture. They had the room cleaned daily as well as a complimentary turn down every night while we enjoyed our meal. The resort is an all inclusive resort and the food is beyond delicious! They grow a lot of their own produce right there at the resort with their aeroponic farms which is so lovely to see how much they are trying to sustain all they have. We also loved the way the dinner was a great wind down from the day, eating by gas lit flames and being served restaurant style. This place has a special place in all our families hearts now and we hope to visit there again!

What a fun place to stay. The staff and owners treated us very well and the food was fantastic. Make sure you use plenty of bug spray. This is a rustic resort, with the beautiful jungle sounds of howler monkeys, birds and wildlife in the mornings and crickets and night critters in the evenings.

Jade Jungle Resort (formerly Pooks Hill lodge) is a high end birding and nature lodge, literally at the end of the road in magnificent subtropical rainforest in the foothills of the Maya Mountains. The meals were unique and excellent; the cauliflower soup was an unexpected delight given my carnivore habits. We were serenaded by howler monkeys in the evening, had great guided birding at the lodge before breakfast, and explored the cool jungle trails and canopy walk during the day. The conservation-minded family owners and their staff were a pleasure to meet. It was expensive, but worth the price.