The Inn at Robert's Grove
Placencia
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| WHITE WASH: Pristine poolside at Robert's Grove (courtesy, Veronique McKenzie) |
"WHO'S ROBERT?" everyone wants to know at the Inn at Robert's Grove, near Placencia. That's not too hard to figure out, since the owners, Robert and Risa Frackman, are easy to spot—having cocktails at the small bar, dining on Caribbean lobster at the next table on the terrace, saying hello as you splash in one of the three Mexican-tiled pools. In fact, you're staying in what was originally planned as a beachfront vacation home for these Manhattan refugees, and it still feels that way. All 52 rooms in the nine red-roofed two- and three-story buildings have Risa's stamp: a jungly feel created by saffron-yellow walls mixed with leopard prints, emerald tiles, and Caribbean artwork. Amble across the road to the lagoon side (the resort is on a narrow peninsula), where boats leave for dive trips to the reef and daylong excursions up the Monkey River to see huge green iguanas, bare-throated tiger herons, and howler monkeys. If all this isn't enough of a getaway, head to one of the resort's two private islands (Robert's Caye and Ranguana Caye), each more than a half-hour away by boat, where you'll stay in a rustic bungalow and bask in the sun like a true castaway. Doubles, $145–$720; 800-565-9757, www.robertsgrove.com
