Feel Like A Celebrity When Hiding Away At This Famous Filmmaker’s Belize Resort

by Gisselle Hernandez

When Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola first became smitten with Belize back in the ’80s, no one could predict what the love affair would bring. It’s been decades since then and the filmmaker has birthed not one, but three resorts in the tiny Central American country. And while his beach resorts deserve all the praise they garner, Coppola’s Blancaneaux Lodge continues to be heralded as a celebrity hotspot. (Takes one to know one, perhaps?) The nature-clad retreat burrows into the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, about an hour away from San Ignacio Town. But while Blancaneaux hosts a smattering of exquisite amenities for couples, families, and day-trippers alike, there’s a certain room that has a certain je ne sais quoi fit for a filmmaker or novelist.  That is Blancaneaux’s Enchanted Cottage

A Den of Infinite Creative Proportions

The Enchanted Cottage at sunset. Image via Kevin Quischan

The Enchanted Cottage at Blancaneaux was created specifically for travelers with a certain mindset: reflect and create. Perhaps it’s the auteur in Coppola that compelled him to create a space further from the other cabins at Blancaneaux.

The one-bedroom cottage embodies “quaint elegance,” as is evident of its stone-laid outward appearance and cozy interior. Complete with a king-sized bed, fireplace, and even a writer’s desk, the cottage is a novelist’s dream. The space’s covetable feature arguably is its bathroom clad with a Japanese tub, a steam room, and a fireplace. While the interiors may spell cozy with a side of Gothic style, luxury seeps quite literally into the abode. Heated flooring envelops the stone-laid outdoor patio, and an espresso machine sits fondly on the breakfast bar.

The kitchen makes it easy for your full-time attendant to whip up breakfasts as well as prepare cocktails. With every need anticipated, there’s no way a creative masterpiece won’t emerge from your hands; distractions are miles away. But while Coppola may have been creative at heart, the cottage will be welcoming to anyone seeking some R&R.

Why Blancaneaux is a secluded haven fit for a filmmaker

 

The Enchanted Cottage wouldn’t be so enchanted if it weren’t for the exclusivity it offers to its patrons. Perched atop a steep forested bluff at the edge of the property, the cottage overlooks the Privassion Creek. A private plunge pool hugging a wooden deck offers sweeping views of the Maya Mountains and jungles in the distance.

The seclusion also means guests have access to their own private entrance and golf cart. As you’d guess, celebrities take full advantage. The full-time attendant is also on-call with a walkie-talkie should you need anything beyond the luxury retreat at your disposal.

If you prefer to meet other guests during your stay, the resort boasts three highly-regarded restaurants as well as the Jaguar Bar for socializing.

 

The year 2022 may have just begun, but it’s never too early to start planning your dream escape in the jungles of Belize. The calm that settles over your soul when staying at Blancaneaux may be just what you need to become the best version of yourself. 

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