My wife and I, both well-travelled, arranged for 10 nights stay last March in one of the "lagoon-side" properties immediately across the road from and "managed by" Sak's. We stayed in Palmetto Place, a two-story guest house with a large screened verandah, huge tiled bathroom, fully-furnished kitchen, a living/dining area opening onto the screened verandah, double futon in the living area, ceiling fans, a/c and bedroom area with a queen bed. The house was rustic but clean with a nice view through the jungle foliage onto the lagoon. We were pretty happy with the location for two nights.

On the third morning of our stay, my wife awoke to find that her beach bag, wallet, and our digital camera, which were locked inside our second-floor guesthouse and five feet from the foot of our bed, had been stolen. During the night, someone had manuevered a scaffolding to our outside wall, removed several bathroom window louvers, and had slit the screen window with a knife to gain entry.

We learned that the neighboring Turtle Inn had been hit the same night. We learned from security guards at that property that a shot had been fired in the air in the middle of the night drawing security to the front while several burglars entered cabanas near the beach and stole a laptop computer and several bags. The bags, including ours, were eventually found tossed on the beach and bush nearby--minus the cash and valuables of course.

The owners were sympathetic and offered to put us up for the remainder of our stay (at the same rate) in a cabana within the main resort property close to the main office--complete with a safe for remaining cash and credit cards. The police chief, well-intentioned but clearly without means, asked Sak's staff for a ride to our resort to take our report--there is no police car.

We did, however, manage to salvage a decent vacation after all that. Two trips to the outer reef rewarded us with beautiful snorkeling and scuba diving. When the wind picked up and prevented further boat excursions, we befriended our bartender and the staff in the local restaurant, caught up on our book backlogs, and checked off a field guide's worth of tropical and migratory birds seen from our hammocks. We rented kayaks and explored the lagoon and rented a small sailboat from Turtle Inn for a frothy few hours of sailing. Not bad ways to spend a few days.

I'd advise for your trip to this area that you demand a safe for your valuables and that you use it. Do not bring cash or wallets with you to the beach or pool or open your wallet to buy trinkets from vendors walking along the beach. There is a possibility that the location of your wallet and room or guesthouse will be noted and communicated to others with a special interest in your property.

I stayed at saks for 4 days and had a fantastic time!

The room was very clean and comfortable and the resort was so rustic and natural it felt like it was my own place. This was one of the most relaxing beaches I have ever been too!!! The hammocks set right by the sea were so comfortable I was tempted to spend the night in one of them!

The staff were freindly and helpful and the owners were extremly pleasant and accommodating and went out of their way to make sure all my needs were looked after but also keep their distance as not to disturb me in any way! The food was great especially breakfast!

I wish I had more time to explore the beautiful wildlife, but I did manage to take the Monkey river boat tour and reccomend this to anyone who wants to see the abundent wildlife this area of the world has to offer!!

I truely had an amazing time and I will be returning to saks and this time it will be for more then 4 days!!! So if you are looking for a quiet getaway this is the place, it's paradise!!

me and my husband went to Belize after friends had recommended it. We wanted less flash than Cancun or Los Cabos. We decided on SAKS after hearing it was owned by a Canadian couple. We stayed in the Los Portico Condos and they were beautiful! Brand new, great value compared to Turtle Inn. We were able to cook in the full, brand new kitchen and you could tell the owners had taken the time to make sure the details of the unit were all there. The staff was friendly and of course it is rustic and quiet with lots of wildlife and local flair. The owners were always visable and while it rained a few days, i witnessed the one of the owners offer an upgraded unit which had a t.v and dvd player to a family that was stuck with 4 kids at no charge. She also offered to "babysit" the kids if the parents wantd to go into town for dinner. We also had the pleasure of sharing a bottle of wine with the owners and found them down to earth and engaging. I would recommend Turtle Inn if you are looking for a typical 5 star resort. it is beautiful. However, if you are looking for solid value, and a down to earth vacation with a real view of local life, I highly recommend SAKS.

We visited Saks and were amazed by the hospitality and service provided to us. We have 2 small children and the staff was really accomodating. I felt completely safe and relaxed the whole time.
The beaches were breathe taking and the food was excellent.
The resort is owned by a Canadian couple who were quite delightful and seemed to genuinely care about our comfort and care.
I would reccommend Saks to any one who wanted to stay in Belize. We have visited the Country before and this was by far the best time we had.
The rooms were clean and cozy, and not once did I see even a fly in there.
I give this place two thumbs up!!
Give it a try and enjoy!!!