Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Paradise as it was intended! Set out over the turquoise Caribbean waters in the calm Utila Bay, surrounded by spectacular coral reefs, Utila Lodge is the perfect place for a relaxing getaway or adventure vacation. Let us greet you with personalized service and five star hospitality! Come and experience the casual charm of this family owned and operated resort. Purchased in 1993 by Jim and Kisty Engel, Utila Lodge has been transformed into the warm and welcoming haven that it is today. Call 1-855-UGO-DIVE (846-3483) for more details!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Green
Quiet
Languages Spoken
English, Spanish
Location
Main Street, Utila IB3103 Honduras
Utila Lodge
4.7 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We enjoyed it here it here very much! We had the package that included 3 dives a day plus food (alcohol and soda not included). The expectation was it would be similar diving to Roatan but with fewer crowds. There were way fewer divers competing for dive sites which was nice, but I would say it’s hard to beat Roatan for good diving. It’s as big and crowded as it is for a reason. It’s also expensive. Utila Lodge was a GREAT value! Food was very good although not “gourmet”. Really nice people that worked very hard to make our stay nice. It is in the heart of Utila which is nice for walking but not nice as the music plays loud into the night. I’m not affected by that but others could be bothered. My #1 input is ideally fly into Roatan in time to catch the ferry that leaves for Utila at 2:00 pm. Otherwise you will take an extra day getting to Utila or paying for a charter flight that’ll cost between $250-$450 per couple (less if others are with you. Similarly, plan to leave Roatan at 12:30 or later if you want to catch the ferry back to Roatan. An early flight returning can be another charter flight or losing a day in Utila.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip: If you’re flight arrives to Roatan at 2 pm on a Saturday, expect an hour getting thru customs....
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We did not stay at the Utila Lodge, but we ate at the restaurant several times. The best night was Tuesday night when they have delicious tacos on special very reasonably priced. Thursday nights they have barbecue, but you have to get there early because things sell out and get picked over. Do not order thebarbecue shrimp kebabs as they are small and dried out the mango salad was also rather a disappointment.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I made a spontaneous decision to fly to Utila and get certified at Bay Islands College of Diving. BICD and Utila Lodge were able to handle my last minute accommodations with ease. Initially I arrived at the BICD and was put into a private room above the college. The next day I figured out that I could move over to the Lodge for a nightly fee. It was worth every penny to stay in better appointed accommodations with a private bathroom and shower with better water pressure.
The food at the Lodge is not great. But the company of the staff and dive instructors makes it a nice place to be. I ordered the lunch special everyday in between morning and afternoon dives. There are always dive professionals around and other guests. It's an extremely friendly place that attracts world travelers who are enthusiastic to make new friends.
I walked up the street to bars like Tranquila (not my kind of place) and Trudy's, a bar/restaurant closer to some of the other dive schools. It was great to be able to walk 10 minutes up the road to be surrounded by people and music. I met tons of travelers. And when I was ready for peace and quiet, I walked back to Utila Lodge where I could hear the waves of the ocean splashing right below my room and the loud music and drunk 20-somethings were far out of earshot.
I arrived at BICD with a very heavy heart after a difficult break up. My despair was visible when I arrived. The staff were courteous and patient with me. By the end of the week, I was smiling ear to ear and my heart felt lighter. I came out of that week with an Advanced Open Water certification and a burning desire to keep diving.
Utila is a magical place and the folks at Utila Lodge and Bay Islands School of Diving facilitate a wonderful experience. I will definitely return and tell everyone who wants to get certified that this is one of the best dive schools they can choose.
Read more
Date of stay: May 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â All the rooms are on a dock over the water
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the good fortune to spend 10days in paradise here, and the staff of Utila Lodge and College of Diving were wonderful hosts. We were looking for a reputable place to get AOW certified and affordable but comfortable lodging, and Utila Lodge far exceeded our expectations in both respects. Rebecca was so helpful making all the arrangements for our stay and dives, even helping set the perfect dive schedule when we didn’t really know what specialty classes or how many dives we wanted to do. She continued to be an excellent resource after arrival, making great restaurant recommendations and arranging a deep sea fishing trip where we caught a 49lb wahoo! The entire staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Our dive instructor Yaz and her many accomplices were top notch; they made every lesson clear, informative, fun and safe (both in the water and out, especially in light of covid). The on-site medical staff, including hyperbaric chamber, are also a huge reassurance, and the friendly staff made the covid test for our return flight a breeze. I don’t think I can say enough good things about this place; The rooms are clean, the food is great, and the hammock on your private overwater porch is to die for. Do yourself a favor and book a room ;-)
Read more
Date of stay: February 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My 13th or14th stay at the Lodge, what more do I need to say? The folks there make this feel like my second home. Comfortable clean accommodation, great boats for diving, so many different sites to visit, wrecks, sea mounds, walls all the coral and sea life. I have been lucky enough to swim with the whale sharks on a few occasions! They have taken me diving when I was the only person on the boat. I travel with my own gear but they have ScubaPro rental available Thanks to Kisty, Rebecca, Shawn and the amazing QueenAnn dive master Marcos as well as the rest of the staff for another great vacation
Read more
Date of stay: February 2023Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A very nice experience. All staff including lodge staff and dive crews were very nice and helpful. Shout out to the boat captain "Gringo" as he went out of his way to provide as smooth dive trips as possible. Braeden, Jim, Julia and Sebastian were great leading the dives. Katherine in the lodge made sure my dietary needs were taken care of. I would strongly recommend Utila Lodge for any scuba divers. Rebecca and Argen are very personable and friendly managers. All staff work very hard to provide the best experience possible. The different divers all came together and enjoyed each other's company
Read more
Date of stay: February 2025Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This hotel is comfortable with a very attentive staff. Coffee is delivered to your room each morning. The diving leaves just steps away and is super convenient. The food is very good. The village is also steps away. The detractor is that there is a party venue nearby with loud music until 1am - 4am on weekends. White noise, sleeping aides and ear plugs help, but if you are a light sleeper, prepare to be kept up. I would recommend staying away from the town center.
Read more
Date of stay: March 2023Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Utila lodge is an amazing experience on the cozy island of utila. The rooms were amazing; being literally over the water: having a screened in porch with a hammock provided one of the best naps of my life. They were fully booked but being flexible on dates , Rebecca, was able to make our vacation work. Rebecca also was able to work with the bay islands college of diving (who shares the property and launches off the dock mere steps away from breakfast) to accommodate our diving wishes. The food is great and portions are huge. The entire staff is friendly and professional. This is the place to live, eat, and dive!!! It’s awesome being around the dive college and all their knowledge.
Read more
Date of stay: January 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Stay as long as you can.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Absolutely the best dive vacation we’ve ever done and so reasonable. The owners and staff bend over backwards to make your stay phenomenal. Lovely accommodations out over the water, excellent food, a fun and really friendly bar scene are all great but the real star is the diving. We did 17 different dives all around the island, every one different and the staff managed all our gear and assured we had a wonderful and safe time.
Read more
Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are only two things to do in Utila really: Dive and Party. And the people of Utila do both of those things better than just about anyone else I have encountered.
We came to Utila on a Dive Trip with our Dive Shop. This was one of our most memorable vacations ever. And that is saying something.
Staying at Utila Lodge was a very different experience for us. We usually stay in a 5 Diamond Resort in Cabo San Lucas when we vacay. Utila Lodge has a much more cozy feeling. Our little cabin was small, comfortable, over the water, and absolutely perfect. We enjoyed waking up to hot coffee delivered to our door each morning and sipping it out over the water in our screened in porch.
The comfort food was just right for the long days of diving. The staff was warm and welcoming. I was particularly pleased with the dive boat and crew. Plenty of room on the boat and nice big tub was made available for my huge underwater camera housing with strobes.
Marty is one of the best dive masters and coolest dudes, I have ever met. He definitely helped us get the most out of our dives.
The water was warm (around 82 degrees F) and the dives were relaxing.
New Year's Eve was spectacular. I woke up around 7 am at the end of the dock with about 100 mosquito bites to the sound of the party in town still going strong.
When it came time to leave, we were genuinely disappointed to be going home.
I think the best way to sum it up was like going to a summer camp, except with adults and beer. And Skid Row. And Dr, John.
I am so glad we had a chance to visit this unique destination and make friends that I know we will have for life. Highly recommend.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:Â ask for a room over the water.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey John, the instructors here are great! This would be a perfect option for a refresher and the dive sites here are varied so there's always opportunity to practice improving your buoyancy etc. I'd recommend taking the advanced open water course if you're looking to dramatically improve your diving and get the most for your money.
Sorry to take so long to answer your question! Utila Lodge is a scuba diving "resort". Probably wouldn't recommend for kids or grandkids who don't dive. I, myself don't dive, but my husband does - I like to sunbathe - no pool or beach at this location, so was hard to do that. The nice thing though about the island of Utila is that you can walk around the whole island - it isn't very large. The lodge itself is kept clean, meals are buffet style and food is good!
New Smyrna Beach, Florida144 contributions14 helpful votes
"Stay away from Chepas Beach and that neighborhood in general. Walk carefully No sidewalks, open ditches/sewers. Bring bug repellent. Bring cash. Take tuktuks."
There are more places to choose from in the Utila area.
PRICE RANGE
$277 - $417 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
utila hotel utila
LOCATION
HondurasBay IslandsUtila
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
