WHERE TO STAY IN ROATAN
Where you choose to stay depends on the environment you’re looking for. Roatan is a fairly small island, about 40 miles long and 5 miles wide at its widest point.
West Bay
Most of the tourist activity is on the western side of the island, near the airport. This side of Roatan faces the Yucatan peninsula, positioned on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. The most popular spot is West Bay, at the furthest western tip of Roatan. Here, you’ll find plenty of beachfront hotels and lively nightlife.
The water is beautiful here, with West Bay Beach known for some of the best snorkeling and diving along the reef. With miles of public beach access, you can soak til your heart’s content. Beach clubs and hotels dot the sand, offering beach chairs if you purchase food or drink.
One of the best hotels in West Bay is the Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa. One of the newer properties on the island, the Kimpton offers accommodations with four onsite restaurants, a beachside infinity pool, and a calming, coastal aesthetic.
Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort Pool
West End
A little further up the coast is West End, clustered around Half Moon Bay, with slightly cheaper stays and more local activity. Here, you’ll find down-to-earth hotels and hostels, mixed in with restaurants, galleries, and dive shops.
This area of the island is much more affordable than West Bay, and we found several options for accommodations.
West End
Right in the middle of the bay is Mame Trees Hotel, a small set of rooms and bungalows. The hotel is just steps away from the water, with a coffee shop next door and a plethora of restaurants and bars to choose from. Some of the bungalows include kitchens, for my budget travelers, and there’s free parking if you’ve rented a car to explore the island.
Mame Trees Hotel
View from the hotel
Sandy Bay
Even further up the coast, a little more northern and central is Sandy Bay, another popular spot for tourists. This area is definitely quieter and home to more all-inclusive resorts.
Here, you’ll also find the Carambola Gardens. Tucked off the main road in Sandy Bay, this 40 acre green space includes a wonderful jungle hike up to the peak of Carambola Mountain, which boasts mile wide vista views.
Carambola Gardens
Right across the street, is Anthony’s Key Resort, which features 50 island-style bungalows along the 11 acre key. We didn’t stay at this resort, but we enjoyed a lovely meal after an afternoon at the Gardens. Though it was just past lunchtime, the staff was nice enough to make us each a (delicious) burger. The restaurant was lovely with views of their private key and the monkey la-la, Roatan’s signature cocktail with Kahlua, Bailey’s, coconut, and rum, was cool and refreshing.
Anthony's Key Resort, view from Carambola Mountain
Punta Gorda, Camp Bay & Elsewhere
The rest of the island is mostly residential, with a couple of resorts here and there along the coasts. In the central part of the northern side of the island, Punta Gorda is the cultural heartbeat of the Garifuna people, Roatan’s indigenous people.
Throughout the island, there are private villas turned AirBnBs. To access these spots, you’ll definitely want to rent a car and book a place with onsite restaurants or a kitchen. This part of the island is quieter, ideal if you’re looking to disconnect from it all.
The Reefside Retreat
We spent several days in a small casita with our own private beach, away from the action in Milton Bight at The Reefside Retreat. From here, we were able to use their included kayaks to explore nearby mangroves and paddleboard around to the nearby resort.
Further down the coast on the east end of the island is Camp Bay. The gorgeous Paya Bay Resort lies here, hidden in the lush jungle. This serene beachside hotel offers an all-inclusive experience at a great price. You can fully unplug with yoga classes, snorkeling, and an authentic menu of locally grown food. The resort has an emphasis on conservation and it’s reflected throughout their business model.
The Reefside Retreat private beach
If you’re staying in Roatan for more than a few nights, consider booking at multiple hotels to experience different parts of the island. With such a small footprint, wherever you stay, you won’t be too far from the rest of the island. I hope you enjoy this beautiful Caribbean island as much as I did. Click below to see how we spent a week on Roatan island.
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