Luxurious, Secluded Riverfront Villa  

Description from the owner

Welcome to Riverside Villa. This villa is located in a very secluded and serene setting on the banks of the Privassion. This river flows through the largely undeveloped Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve in the Cayo District of western Belize. It is a charming and romantic get away for adventuresome couples, honeymooners or any one seeking a quiet retreat. It is a truly unusual location on the banks of a gorgeous river where the Mountain Pine Ridge and the jungle meet. The villa is privately owned but managed by the friendly and capable staff of the adjacent Gaia River Lodge who can help visitors plan any of the many activities in the area. A... full kitchen is provided but guests can also take all meals at the lodge's lovely restaurant over looking beautiful Five Sister's Falls or even have meals delivered from the lodge to enjoy in the privacy of the villa.

Riverside Villa consists of two log and thatch cabaΓ±as connected by an open air deck. The cheerful sleeping cabana which holds the bedroom and bathroom is warmly furnished with a bamboo bed and Mayan fabrics and wall hangings. The full bath contains a fancifully tiled bathtub and beautiful hardwood furnishings. A screened in porch at one end of the bedroom has a hammock as well as two chairs. It is nestled into the trees and overlooks the garden with the river just beyond.

The larger cabaΓ±a contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, writing desk and a small library. It is surrounded on four sides with fully screened porches arranged into relaxed and comfortable living spaces. Hammocks and seating areas are situated to take advantage of the tropical gardens as well as the entrancing views of the river. All furnishings are locally made by Belizean craftsman. Colorful Mayan rugs, fabrics and wall hangings complete the cozy ambiance of the interior.

For those who prefer to dine outdoors, a beautiful picnic table faces the water with the pines and ferns across the river. It is an especially lovely spot under the full moon. The smaller β€œriver deck” is an intimate spot to enjoy morning coffee or to watch the sun slip behind the pines in the evening. Nighttime brings a soothing chorus of tree frogs from the surrounding jungle, a perfect ending to the day.

Additional Guest Accommodations

Riverside Villa was designed as a spacious one bedroom home. Over the years we have had many requests from guests interested in traveling with a third or fourth party. Recent additions and upgrades have made it possible to accommodate adventurous guests in a delightful setting. One of our covered screened porches, the jungle deck, serves as a living area when the villa is rented by two. This couch in the sitting area is a trundle bed that can be converted to a king sized bed. Curtains can be used to provide privacy on all sides or left open to face the gardens and jungle. There is an adjacent full bath with an armoire for storage.

One additional guest can chose from several options. The king sized bed can be set up on the jungle deck as described above or the lower portion of the trundle (a single bed) can be moved around the corner to β€œthe banana deck’’ which overlooks our banana trees (of course) as well as the river. The banana deck does not have privacy curtains facing out although the location is secluded and private. It can be closed off from the main living area with shutter doors.

There is a maximum occupancy of four and an additional per night fee for each guest beyond two.

Larger groups or those who prefer a full second bedroom can choose from the wonderfully designed cabanas at Gaia River Lodge.

The majority of visitors to the interior of Belize come to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings as well as the abundance of bird and animal life. Riverside Villa was created to take advantage of the surroundings while protecting the environment. Water is gravity fed to the villa from a pure spring high above in the hills (providing abundant pressure) and then passed through a state of the art water filtration system. Electricity is provided by the hydro power from Gaia Riverlodge and the eco-friendly septic is designed to avoid polluting the pristine river.

The location of Riverside Villa is one of it's best features. It is accessed by a 4 wheel drive driveway and a lighted walkway to the villa. Luggage transfer is provided by the lodge for guests. Guests should be prepared with a light jacket or sweater in the evenings as the riverside location brings cooler temperatures in the evenings than in surrounding areas. Visits to Riverside Villa are intended to be a natural retreat. There are many screened in porch areas and open decks where guests can enjoy the view of the river as well as the birds and butterflies flitting through the gardens. The secluded and beautiful setting, the amenities of the villa, the proximity to the charming Gaia River Lodge activities in the area will provide travelers with an unforgettable visit to Belize.Read more

Additional Location Information

Location Type Away from it all, River, Tropical

What Past Guests Are Saying

• Chris D
  60745

  An amazing place to stay if you want to just be

  Left on 03/02/2012 for a stay in February 2012
  
  

  When I arrived at the villa, it would everything I expected it to be. The place is simply beautiful and wonderfully relaxing. Sitting on any of the multiple porches while the sun setting over the hills is a truly majestic experience. Being able to go down to the river during the day to swim or at night to relax on the rocks and watch the stars and just listen to the wildlife is amazing. The kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed to cook our own meals (which we did). There are many adventures to be had in the nearby area (although we spent 3 full days in the villa without ever leaving). The next door lodge that takes care of guests to the villa are simply amazingly helpful folk. After being delayed without contacting anybody to let them know, we arrived super late to the villa and they were all up waiting for us and even offered us a late night dinner.
  
  If you like nature and are looking for a place to get away from it all, this is the place to be.

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• chechsha
  Oceanside, CA

  Zen on Earth

  Left on 09/12/2011 for a stay in June 2011
  
  

  My husband and I decide to go to Belize for our honeymoon because of the Riverside Villa. It looked so special and unique, we couldn't really find anything similar to it anywhere. However, we didn't expect what was truly waiting for us. When we arrived at the Riverside Villa, we couldn't believe how beautiful and unique the entire property was. "Clothing optional" was how it was described to us by staff as we walked to the property. It was absolutely private and extremely comfortable. The Riverside Villa was immaculate and had everything we needed. The screened living area gave us several different views depending on where we wanted to relax. The sounds of the forest around us were surreal, and at times haunting. The smells were incredible and the river water was clear, warm, and beautiful for swimming. I slept like a baby every night. The staff at Five Sisters Resort were all very kind and helpful. One day, I happened to mention in passing that my stomach was a bit upset and I was able to walk back to the Villa with a handful of fresh lemongrass leaves grown on the property to make a healing tea. Another night for dinner, the waiter dressed our table in candles, flower petals, and leaves to spell out a message. The food was incredible and so fresh tasting every time (most of the produce is grown fresh on the property). The entire stay was one of the most special experiences of my life. If you would like a genuinely unique and peaceful experience and are looking to completely relax, you have found your place! Whether you relax your entire stay, or spend it hiking, swimming, and exploring, the Riverside Villa is a perfect stay.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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  Response from Susan Brierley - 09/13/2011

  

  Susan Brierley

  Owner

  Thank you for your lovely review of Riverside Villa. I love potential visitors to hear from former guests- it means so much more than what we can say. We are incredibly fortunate to have the villa manged by the staff at Five Sister's Lodge. I get wonderful feedback about how warm and friendly they are. I appreciate your choosing us to for your honeymoon and I am so glad that you enjoyed your stay. Susan

• Mr Delbert Carter Jr
  Key Largo

  A generous "slab" of paradise

  Left on 07/02/2011 for a stay in June 2011
  
  

  The accomodations at the Riverside Villa are culturally impeccable and provided all the comfort we could have hoped for during our first honeymoon. We felt pampered and aptly indulged by the warm and friendly staff. The food consistently impressed us and the portions satisfied even my hearty appetite. Our goal is to have a great-many subsequent honeymoons there.
  The natural sights and sounds at the Villa's rainforest and the surrounding area are too beautiful for words to do them the slightest justice. We were unduly concerned about bug bites as we were planning the vacation. During our 9 days there and even during the excursions we found the mosquitoes to be quite few and far between.
  The tours we did to ancient ruins and caves were incredible and exceeded our expectations. Our Mayan tour guide Calbert was compassionate, professional and knowledgeable. His obvious love for both the region and his culture is inspiring and contageous.

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

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