Leaning Palm Resort
3 Miles South of Manatee Bar River On the Caribbean Sea, Gales Point Belize
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About
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Value
5.0
Beyond the beaten path and steps from the water, Leaning Palm Resort's Belize vacation packages bring you unspoiled beaches and lush jungle wildlife. As a small, independent Belize hotel, Leaning Palm caters to just nine guests at a time. That means we can tailor our Belize vacation package deals to your interests, provide knowledgeable guides dedicated to your small group, heap on the hospitality and frequent natural wonders. Watch amazing ocean sunrises. Meet your fellow travelers over a creative cocktail or a cold Belizean beer. Dine on fresh, healthy Belizean-inspired cuisine as you plan tomorrow’s adventure. Let us help you plan the perfect Belize vacations at our hidden gem!
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Property amenities
Free parking
Free internet
Bar / lounge
Beach
Bicycle rental
Children Activities (Kid / Family Friendly)
Airport transportation
Baggage storage
Parking
Wifi
Restaurant
Breakfast available
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Special diet menus
Boating
Canoeing
Diving
Hiking
Horseback riding
Snorkeling
Canoeing offsite
Fishing
Car hire
Taxi service
Concierge
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Non-smoking hotel
Outdoor furniture
Sun loungers / beach chairs
First aid kit
24-hour check-in
Laundry service
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Room features
Private beach
Desk
Housekeeping
Safe
Bottled water
Private bathrooms
Walk-in shower
Complimentary toiletries
Room types
Ocean view
Non-smoking rooms
Family rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Charming
Languages Spoken
English
Location
3 Miles South of Manatee Bar River On the Caribbean Sea, Gales Point Belize
113Reviews0Q+A36Room tips
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+1
This place was excellent, Superhost Maynard made you feel like family, with staff, family and friends, Dante, Raibo, Trenton, Jay and Seal. We meet some of his his family as well. This place was a TRUE hidden gem like no other. Right on the beach. Fabulous accomodations, excellent food, great secuirty, the list goes on and on! Thanks for a wonderful time to all my new friends...
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
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Service
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.
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+1
We stayed here for the last few nights of our honeymoon in Belize and we were absolutely amazed by the hospitality! The truly exceptional staff made this our favorite place to stay of our whole trip. The natural beauty of the resort is indescribable (the pictures don't do it justice either, we were too grateful to unplug and relax to take many anyway) and we enjoyed utter peace and privacy during our whole stay, removed from all the activity of the busier cities and towns and free of noise, air, and light pollution. Our little bungalow was very charming and cozy with the most comfortable bed I can remember ever sleeping in - you can't beat falling asleep to the sound of the waves after looking at a clear sky full of stars! Our meals were beautiful, delicious, and the portions were HUGE! Great care was taken to accommodate any dietary restrictions/preferences. Dorita and Lisa are fantastic cooks, and provided very attentive service. The rest of the staff were also quite friendly and fostered a family-like environment: Threnton was exceedingly kind and took great care of us; the security guards Lloyd and Jason held down the fort like pros (Lloyd also tells amazing stories about jaguar encounters on the property); Dante, Frank, and Rion were all very helpful and hilarious; and Charity, the owner's wife, was accommodating and communicative. The new owner himself, Maynard, gave us the warmest welcome with plenty of good conversation over drinks! His humor, kindness, and generosity left a lasting impression at the end of our amazing trip. He shared many exciting plans for the resort in the future, we can't wait to come back some day!…
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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.
Helpful
+1
Hard to properly put into words how incredible Leaning Palm Resort is! My wife and I wanted a mixture of adventure and relaxation for our honeymoon and found a perfect balance of both during our stay. Owners Ken and Taunya worked with us to set up activities like cave exploring and snorkeling and coordinated transportation to and from for us. We also enjoyed a beach day sipping on drinks, sea kayaking, and lounging in beach chairs and hammocks. The bungalow we enjoyed was clean and thoughtfully decorated and the beachfront was breathtaking and private. Ken and Taunya are incredibly friendly and charming and have created a little slice of paradise in Belize. We're so glad we chose Leaning Palm and can't wait to come back again!
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Date of stay: September 2021
Value
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
+1
We stayed at the Leaning Palm resort for 4 nights and loved it so much that we came back for 2 more nights at the end of our trip to Belize. Location is perfect for getting away from civilization and enjoying both, the rainforest and the beach. Nearby lagoons are beautiful and are definitely worth a trip. We saw manatees, crocs, many birds, and gorgeous views. We got lucky and saw a turtle come up to the beach and lay eggs right in front of the resort. Diving was only an hour away. Trips to Mayan ruins, hiking, canoeing, caves, tubing, etc. are all available to guests and easily arranged by the resort. Surrounding nature with palm trees, beach, and a picturesque dock were inspiring and peaceful. Doing yoga and meditation on the dock every morning was a mind blowing experience. Falling asleep to the sound of crashing waves was truly delightful. Playing with the owners' dogs was fun and made our experience even more enjoyable. Accommodations were comfortable and very tastefully decorated by the owner, Taunya, who is a talented artist and an amazing chef. We chose an all inclusive package and were so happy we did. Every meal was top notch delicious and creative. Taunya takes great pride in her cooking and no dish is ever the same. We haven't had this quality and variety of food in best restaurants in NY or anywhere in the world for that matter. Both Ken and Taunya are very gracious and caring hosts. They made our stay so memorable, we can't wait to come back!…
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Date of stay: July 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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Aug 7, 2021
We are absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and so grateful that you choose to come back at the end of your Belize travels to join us for another 2 days. Cosita is missing her Yoga buddy! Thank you so much for taking time to write a review and share your time here with others. Much appreciated!! We are looking forward to hosting you again, hopefully in the near future. ~Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
The food is amazing! Ken and Taunya are amazing hosts. Loved our time there, the grounds were well kept and the location was so cool! Waking up to the sunrise over the pier on the beach was incredible. The construction of the cabins was also a highlight, especially driftwood cabin.
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Date of stay: May 2021
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Driftwood is rad; bushstick had an excellent breeze at night and is closest to the kitchen for...
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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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Jun 24, 2021
AWWWW! We are so thrilled to know you enjoyed your stay and especially happy you enjoyed the food. Thanks so much for making time to share your time here on our shores! Hope we get another opportunity to host you in the future. ~Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Leaning Palm Resort is an amazing off the beaten path spot for those who love adventure and the ability to experience a unique getaway. A 2 hour drive south of the airport across some crazy, rocky, gravel roads -the end result is truly spectacular. Ken and Taunya have built a gorgeous cluster of bungalows on the beach with fantastic views, enjoyable from comfortable lounge chairs and cozy hammocks. Taunya’s creativity knows no boundaries, from her chef inspired meals to her eclectic artwork found throughout the resort. Ken is the consummate host, available to assist with any of your wants. If you choose to leave the resort there are many different kinds of activities within a couple of hours, but if you really just want to chill, there’s no need to leave Leaning Palm. Dog lovers get to cuddle and watch their three pups. Mimi, Pita and Cosita playing on the beach and coconut trenching. All and all, a wonderful vacation for those who can live without A/C and value a different kind of experience.…
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Date of stay: June 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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Jun 17, 2021
Thank you so very, very much for taking time to leave us a review! We really enjoyed hosting you and especially chats during Happy Hour. It is so wonderful to be hosting guests again and having guests as nice as you two was a reminder of just how much we have missed it. Thanks for making the trek beyond the beaten path. ~Ken and Taunya Side Bar: That crazy, rocky, gravel road is being paved!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ken and Taunya have always taken the best care of us! We came back for our 4th time to see them as a break from our crazy life - and it was the best decision! They made every effort to ensure that our time was spent exactly as was important to us, and it made all the difference. Their staff are great to work with, always kind and helpful. The puppies and two new cats were an unobtrusive, and loving reminder of the fur babies we left at home. The lodgings were impeccably clean and comfortable. We'd come back again and again. Thank you leaning palms!
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Date of stay: April 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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Apr 12, 2021
And we are so glad you did come back! Repeat guests are the best and you both are in the best of the best category. Leaning Palm really does have the best guests ever and it is such a joy when guests become friends. Even the pups enjoy your time here and it is a pleasure to host you both. We are thrilled that you continue to find Leaning Palm a place to take refuge for a while from all that is crazy in life. I know that we will be seeing you 2 again, whether on our shores, or in you neck of the woods. Happy Travels! ~Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
The Leaning Palms Resort (resort name is not exactly appropriate given the small size and making you feel very welcomed and a unique visitor to this amazing space), Taunya & Ken's hidden gem is one of the best cabana beach locations we have ever stayed. It should also be noted that they have a restaurant and bar and offer a culinary package - - this indeed was the icing on the cake...literally. Here's a few things to consider when booking: 1. Nowhere else in Belize will offer you a remote location, away from the major grind of American tourists where you can truly feel like you have the 'place' to yourself. 2. The amenities for a beachside cabana location are top notch: hot shower, screens and glass windows that ventilate, in-cabana bathroom, and access to Taunya's fabulous restaurant. 3. Internet is spotty here - a relief! If you want to disconnect and really get away, this will be an amazing place for this. You should try disconnecting sometime, it will change your stress level! 4. There are dogs and cats on premise. For us, this was amazing! The dogs are super-friendly, have unique, caring, and loving personalities - - all of the dogs will walk with you on the beach and even play fetch with coconuts. They will not beg for food or enter your personal cabana space. Want them to not be a bother, just ask them to go away...but for us, they really added a layer of fun and love to the trip. 4. Ken and Taunya have great stories, down-to-earth, and will provide you great tips for all things Belize. They care about who you are as people, open to conversations of philosophy, and hope to make your stay beyond the pale. 5. The Coastal Road from the 'highway' is not for the faint hearted. As a seasoned driver, the first turn onto the gravel, muddy, potholed road had me second guessing our decision. But, by the second car ride out on the road and just taking it all in, you become a pro. I can now add gravel/muddy/dirt road like you see in the Jeep commercials to my repertoire - and I'm better for it. 6. Culinary package: We were 1 pescatarian, 1 vegan. Taunya's cooking is outstanding! She made us meals that were healthy, fresh ideas and culinary tastes, and paired items unbelievably well. The only two days we did not eat dinner on property was a let down for us. We highly recommend the culinary package if you plan to spend most of your time on the beach and at Leaning Palms. 7. Board games, boogie boards, all available for your use - - no charge. 8. Location: The location is off the beaten path. But, within 25 minutes is Hopkins (cute town with smaller restaurants and nightlife), 40 minutes to Belmopan (big city for gas and large grocery stores), and only 2-2.25 hours to San Ignacio (Mayan Ruins and the other side of the country) and Belize City (airport). The Hummingbird highway is beautiful. We visit all of these places and stayed in San Ignacio. While our accommodations were good in SI, we couldn't help but wonder why we ever left Leaning Palms. The price point for both accommodation and the culinary package is worth every penny. Want to save on some of your costs, bring a bottle or two of rum and make a drink in your cabana...but guess what---Ken and Taunya know how to make incredible cocktails in case you wish to tempt their skills. All-in-all one of the best places we have visited in the 20 countries.…
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: All of the cabanas are great rooms!
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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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Feb 22, 2021
You have us blushing!! We are thrilled that you enjoyed your time here and all that Leaning Palm offers our guests. It has been so wonderful to host guests again post-2020 and guests like you serve as reminder of why that is. We enjoyed spending time chatting about all things and the dogs enjoyed their walks down the beach. We really appreciate the time you spent to share your experience here and we hope we get to enjoy your company again someday. Happy Travels! ~Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
I've stayed with Taunya and Ken at Leaning Palm twice, once by myself and again recently with my Mom, and I cannot say enough about how great it was both times. Their attention to detail in the lodging and property, the quality and quantity of food, and their support in arranging outings over every kind were flawless.
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Date of stay: January 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Feb 22, 2021
It was so wonderful to have you back again and loved that you brought Mom this time. The both of you are welcome anytime! Thanks for taking time to leave a review here - we really appreciate the time it takes. Take care and we hope to see you in Belize again soon! ~Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Some of us are not ones for cruise ships or beaches crowded with rows and rows of highrise hotels. Fortunately, there is Leaning Palm Resort. Lonely Planet says "There is off the beaten path; way off the beaten path; and then there is Gales Point". And about a kilometre from Gales Point is Leaning Palm Resort. But where off-the-beaten-path could mean sketchy plumbing or stir-crazy boredom, nothing could be further from the truth here. The cottages are stunning: crystal clean with crisp white sheets and hot running water. There is nothing but beautiful ocean and beach and jungle for miles. So peaceful. Beautiful sunrises, incredible stars. Breathtaking being-at-one-with-nature experience. If you ever for a moment feel just too relaxed and even the slightest bit bored, you need only wait half an hour and there will be a delicious snack or meal or specialty cocktail served at the Wild Canes bar and grill. Don't miss happy hour! Such a treat to be invited to Taunya and Ken's special beach-side deck for gourmet snacks and drinks and pleasant conversation. It's like being lost on a desert island with only the nicest people in the world for company (and one of them a world-class chef). After dinner there is dessert served beside the campfire, hosted by one of the wonderful staff who may regale you with stories of coming face-to-face with a jaguar. Kayaking in the lagoon, going for long walks with the dogs, bobbing in the waves for hours on end with not a single person in sight, sitting back and watching the antics of the pelicans and terns on the dock, and sleeping the kind of sleep you can only get from a full day of fresh air and sunshine and peace and quiet are the memories we will hold dear forever...until we return! Special shout-out to Trenton -- kayak guide, fishing guide, storyteller, and all round super nice fellow! Thank you Ken and Taunya. You were just what we were looking for.…
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Date of stay: February 2020
Rooms
Location
Service
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.
Helpful
Response from Taunya Bruns, Owner at Leaning Palm Resort
Responded Apr 25, 2020
WOW! We are so touched!! You have described exactly what we have planned and worked to create. We so appreciate your well-worded review and we are thrilled that you enjoyed your time here. You were one of our last guests before the coronavirus and so we miss you both quite a lot! It was a pleasure to host you and we look forward to a time when you can visit us again. ~Health and Happiness Ken and Taunya
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
BelizeBelize DistrictGales Point
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
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Frequently Asked Questions about Leaning Palm Resort
What are some of the property amenities at Leaning Palm Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
Which room amenities are available at Leaning Palm Resort?
Top room amenities include a desk, a mosquito net, and a walk-in shower.
What food & drink options are available at Leaning Palm Resort?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and breakfast during their stay.
Does Leaning Palm Resort have airport transportation?
Yes, Leaning Palm Resort offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.
Does Leaning Palm Resort have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the ocean view available here.