Reviews for Seine Bight Vacation Rental - VRBO 55689 - 2 BR Placencia Peninsula Cabin in Belize, The Maine Stay

A Felize Belize Navidad at the Maine Stay Cabanas!

Guest Sistie
Date of stay 12/17/12
Review Submitted 01/05/13

Getting all 11 of our family members (3 generations) together at the same time in the same place is a herculean challange, so you REALLY want it to be the BEST place with the BEST cultural and physical activities close by... we found all of this and more at the Maine Stay. We rented their two double cabanas with our own beautiful private sandy beach 60 feet from the Carribean, well-stocked kitchens in each cabana, comfy beds, lovely tropical surroundings complete with lounge chairs, picnic tables, hammocks, laundry facilities in each, clean, private, security on premises, bikes and kayaks, a private pier...it was perfect! Plenty of cultural and physical activities close by for those with the explorer's gene; and stunning tropical tranquility when you just want to relax. Hosts Drew and Karen Travers were marvelous, advising us on the best restaurants, booking snorkeling excursions to the Cayes and boat trip on the Monkey River, etc. They had thought of every comfort and convenience (including stocking "starter" groceries for our arrival) to make the cabanas absolutely the greatest place we could possibly dream of finding for our large family group. Go!!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Great Vacation

Guest WilTon
Date of stay 06/21/12
Review Submitted 07/13/12

The Maine Stay offers superb accommodations and hospitality for vacationing in Placencia, Belize. The owners, Drew and Karen, ensure that your vacation needs are met as far as living quarters, activities, and optional staff assistance. This was our first vacation to this area and we plan to travel there again as well as stay at The Maine Stay. The cabannas are located near the edge of the beach which allows for very pleasant breezy and cool nights. The people are very friendly and there are a lot of wonderful activities in driving distance if you choose. In summation, The Maine Stay is an excellent place to stay and vacation. In a word . . . EXCELLENT!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great Vacation!!

Guest Buddy
Date of stay 06/04/12
Review Submitted 06/19/12

We had a wonderful first visit to Belize. The Maine Stay is very comfortable, clean, and the beach area is great. The grounds are well kept and the staff is very friendly and accommodating. Drew and Karen are great hosts and full of info on where to go and what to see. We recommend The Maine Stay to couples and families.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway.

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Family of 4 - two kids 8 and 10

Guest AK Dawg
Date of stay 02/07/12
Review Submitted 02/29/12

We had a fabulous time here. We felt very safe - the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. The cabana was very clean and well equipped. We were able to swim, snorkel, and fish easily, with the water being safe for the kids to navigate around on their own. There are great places to ride the bikes. The town of placencia was very friendly and safe as well and the meals we had were all great. This was a really great vacation!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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Dream Vacation

Guest Red Lake Lady
Date of stay 02/01/12
Review Submitted 02/20/12

Two couples, friends for over 28 years, finally took our dream vacation trip celebrating our life together and retirement for all of us. We were not disappointed. What you see in these pictures is what you get. Only drawback was some pesty biting no-seums that really had a feast on my Polynesian-blooded husband. The rest of us faired quite well. Some locals told us to eat a lot of garlic and take vitamin B6 & B12 to help. Who knew? Unfortunately, we decided to sleep with the windows open (and yes there are screens) while our friends used the a/c in their unit at night - they did better than we did on that note. If you are doing a day trip to Punta Gorda, just 5 miles north of PG, follow a single-vehicle dirt road to Belcampo Hotel & Restaurant. A 2 mile journey up that road takes you to the top of the mountain with a fabulous resort that looks something like out of "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous". A little pricy for lunch, but worth the views and the free tram ride down to the river below through the jungle - kind of like an "old farts" zip line!! We traveled a lot in our 4-wheel vehicle to really get a feel for the country and its people. BEWARE of the SPEED HUMPS while approaching villages. While most of them are clearly marked, a few are not, and if you are not at almost a complete stop when you cross over one, you will go flying through the air, not to mention possible tire damage. You will see a lot of tire repair shops in major villages. Be sure the vehicle you rent has a full-size spare! Get to know the local fisherman coming by the cabanas. They can sell you fresh fish if you can't catch them yourselves, or even some fresh caught lobster - now that's a yummy meal! Yes, there are beach dogs, but I felt so safe with them around. They litteraly "adopted" us since we paid them so mucgh attention. I even went for early morning strolls on the beach by myself (which I NEVER do in a foreign country) and I felt perfectly safe with the dogs tagging along with me. If you don't want them around, don't encourage them. The staff was very friendly and attended to all our needs. We hope to return sometime to explore this beautiful area much more and would like to return to the Maine Stay possibly in their single unit. The monkey river tour and day a Laughing Bird Caye were our highlight tours. Don't miss them! Plenty of great places to eat all along the peninsula. You won't be disappointed in the food & drinks.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

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Private and secluded

Guest gypsybug
Date of stay 01/18/12
Review Submitted 02/05/12

We spent a week at the Maine Stay and it was wonderful. It is completely private, we never saw the owners or the other guest in the other cabana's and only saw the staff when they were raking the seaweed back into the sea or hanging the hammocks. The beds were a bit hard and the outdoor furniture is mostly beds for the stray dogs that hang around but the location is perfect and the beach is wonderful. Bring bug spray with at least 50% deet because the bugs will eat you alive.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, romantic getaway.

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Those aren't stray dogs!

Guest Riley
Date of stay 01/16/12
Review Submitted 05/08/12

The dogs that came around our cabana (Charlie and Daisy) were adorable. We enjoyed them barking and letting us know when someone was walking up and they were a lot of company when we were doing things outside. Overall, I thought the property was great and can't wait to come back.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Not only didn't we want to leave...we now own land.

Guest Stan & Freddi
Date of stay 11/05/11
Review Submitted 07/13/12

Our first experience at the Maine Stay was seven years ago. Freddi & I came down with my daughter and her husband. We have stayed with Drew & Karen about five times since. Wonderful accomodations, great location, every ammenity you need on vacation. We've recommended the Maine Stay to several friends, all have come back with 'rave' reviews. We were emmersed in the culture with Drew & Karen's encouragement. We now are building our own home not far from them. You have to come down, you have to try the Maine Stay....you won't want to go home!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

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Our Belize Vacation at The Maine Stay

Guest Annie
Date of stay 09/21/11
Review Submitted 10/12/11

First of all, the pictures are everything you see and more. The cabanas are very comfortable and conveniently located to lots of sightseeing areas. We snorkeled in front of our beach and found starfish and coral. Drew and Karen are great hosts and helped coordinate our fishing trip with Kevin in the village (this is a must-do). We bought fresh lobster right off the beach from the locals and grilled it that evening with our fresh fish. We ate well! You can't beat having morning brewed coffee while watching the beautiful sunrises at the pier house and spotting a manatee or two. This is the place to go if you don't want to be bothered by too many tourists and spend time with the locals and just relax!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Ann... thanks to you and everyone for being such wonderful guests! And for taking such great photos... that I'm publishing on our blog with your permission.

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A place to relax, revive, and recharge!

Guest Ruth
Date of stay 08/28/11
Review Submitted 09/20/11

Two of us just spent a totally relaxing week at The Maine Stay in Seine Bight, Belize. The property was just as the descriptions and photos described. Drew and Karen, the owners, were extremely helpful but never intrusive. They had our grocery order on the counter when we arrived. Winston at JAGZ Auto Rental was very reliable and reasonable. Maya Airlines flew us to/from Belize City and Placencia. It was a fast flight to get to Placencia where Drew met us at the airport. I spent a week in Seine Bight sixteen years ago and I was delighted to see that not much had changed. Here are some of our favorite memories: *Getting reacquainted with Lola, the artist. She was as friendly as ever and had moved to her new place after a hurricane destroyed her previous location. *Buying fresh lobster from a man in a canoe right on the beach. Best meal ever! *Feeding Lady, the resident dog. She will eat just about anything but definitely prefers Alpo Prime Cuts dog food. *Eating at the Maya Hotel Bistro where the coconut shrimp was our favorite. Their Happy Hour is excellent. *Fishing on the pier and catching a fish with a licorice jelly-belly - much to the amusement of the few others nearby. *Discovering the chocolate factory and eating delicious dark, dark chocolate. *Eating breakfast at Dawn's in Placencia. The breakfast sandwich was huge and delicious. *Enjoying the atmosphere of Omar's in Placencia. The special of the day was excellent. *Eating fresh coconut macaroons from Brenda near the pier. As you can see from the above information, we spent our time eating, drinking, relaxing and actually doing nothing! What a fabulous place!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Owner response: One of the absolute delights about our vacation rental is seeing our guests so enjoying what our place and the Placencia Peninsula has to offer.

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THE MAINE STAY - A PLACE TO RELAX!

Guest Ruth
Date of stay 08/28/11
Review Submitted 09/20/11

Two of us just spent a totally relaxing week at The Maine Stay in Seine Bight, Belize. The property was just as the descriptions and photos described. Drew and Karen, the owners, were extremely helpful but never intrusive. They had our grocery order on the counter when we arrived. Winston at JAGZ Auto Rental was very reliable and reasonable. Maya Airlines flew us to/from Belize City and Placencia. It was a fast flight to get to Placencia where Drew met us at the airport. I spent a week in Seine Bight sixteen years ago and I was delighted to see that not much had changed. Here are some of our favorite memories: *Getting reacquainted with Lola, the artist. She was as friendly as ever and had moved to her new place after a hurricane destroyed her previous location. *Buying fresh lobster from a man in a canoe right on the beach. Best meal ever! *Feeding Lady, the resident dog. She will eat just about anything but definitely prefers Alpo Prime Cuts dog food. *Eating at the Maya Hotel Bistro where the coconut shrimp was our favorite. Their Happy Hour is excellent. *Fishing on the pier and catching a fish with a licorice jelly-belly - much to the amusement of the few others nearby. *Discovering the chocolate factory and eating delicious dark, dark chocolate. *Eating breakfast at Dawn's in Placencia. The breakfast sandwich was huge and delicious. *Enjoying the atmosphere of Omar's in Placencia. The special of the day was excellent. *Eating fresh coconut macaroons from Brenda near the pier. As you can see from the above information, we spent our time eating, drinking, relaxing and actually doing nothing! What a fabulous place!

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

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Absolutely fabulous

Guest The Gang
Date of stay 05/04/11
Review Submitted 05/31/11

This was the nicest vacation I have ever had on all levels. Both cabanas were in great condition, very clean and nice space. The outside space was very well kept, everything we needed to enjoy the beach was at our fingertips, we left our snorkeling gear for our return trip :) Drew and Karen were extremely helpful and just let us do our thing and were there for help when we had questions. Placencia and the ocean was breathtaking, it was so peaceful and everyone was friendly. I kept feeling like I had been here before and I absolutely did not want to leave......... we had 3 adults and 5 adultettes :) and a nice beach dog that we adopted during our stay, it was an amazing time, thank you!!

Recommended for: People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Great Springboard to Beautiful Belize

Guest El Capitan
Date of stay 04/02/11
Review Submitted 04/17/11

We spend almost 2 weeks (04/02-15/2011) at The Maine Stay and enjoyed every minute of our stay. The cabanas, beach, sea and pier/palapa were great and added to our wonderful experience in this magnificent country. We used "The Maine Stay" as a springboard to the Caribbean Sea for trips to Silk Caye, Laughing Bird Caye and Pumpkin Caye for snorkeling, fishing and relaxing on the beach. The location was ideal for exploring the interior of Belize - Mayan ruins (Xunantunich, Nim Li Punit, Lubaatum and Mayflower), waterfalls (Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Mayflower Bocawina National Park), Blue Hole National Park, Monkey River and Punta Gorda. Also, we had easy access to great food in and around Placencia (Rumfish y Vino, Habanero's, Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro and The Quarterdeck). However, most of our meals were prepared at the cabana, which has all the necessary amenities for serving up a good meal including a gas grill for BBQ on the deck. Dancing to Reggae music at the Barefoot Bar on Thursday and Sunday nights with two beautiful young women (my daughters!) was a blast and good excercise too! The kayaks and bicycles provided with the cabana were also very handy for exploring the coast, Siene Bight, etc.. The beach at The Maine Stay is one of the best along the seaside shoreline - well maintained with plenty of Coconut Palms to provide shade when the sun becomes too intense. Provisions are close at hand also at many Chinese run supermarkets in Placencia & Siene Bight. Our beverages of choice included Belikin beer and Old Master's Rum! My son-in-law and I also partook in a few Cohiba (Cuban) Cigars (cheap Cohibas were readily available at the Peninsula Supermarket in Seine Bight - a short bike ride from the cabana) on the beach with a rum drink on occasion. This was one of our best vacations ever, due in large part to the wonderful accommodations provided by Drew and Karen Travers. We'll be back!!!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Secluded, private beach, beautiful

Guest trarry529
Date of stay 02/06/11
Review Submitted 02/20/11

The two suite cabanas are wonderful. They are not only beautiful and relaxing but have instant access to the beach and a pier. The beach is private and we rarely seen anyone else. The beach offers an adventure in itself! We found hermit crabs, star fish, coral, fish, crab, jelly fish (that flashed green), a wide variety of birds including pelican and hummingbird plus an iguana visited our cabana (on the roof - was not a pest). Placencia was one of the highlights of our trip. The culture, shopping, food, adventure trips! Drew was a wonderful host. He answered all of our questions, made recommendations, scheduled adventure tours.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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This rental is awesom

Guest Doug H.
Date of stay 01/31/11
Review Submitted 05/01/11

We stayed at the Maine Stay for 2 weeks in February 2011 and enjoyed every minute. The joint cabanas were wonderful and the pictures dont do them justice. The beach is private and beyond description with over 400 feet of paradise out your back door. Drew and Karen were always there to help us out and we enjoyed their parrots and dogs immensely.Placencia is a quaint village with many amenities for dining and dancing. There are also several restaurants north of the Maine Stay with great food especially the Maya beach area. Belize itself is a country with much diversity and wonderful wild life. Dont miss any jungle or ocean tours to experience its unique attractions.Thanks again Drew and Karen for all youdid for us.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Vacation in Paradise

Guest Vivian
Date of stay 01/26/11
Review Submitted 02/24/11

We arrived at the Maine Stay on January 26th, 2011. There were four of us and the accommodations were just perfect for 2 couples. We each had privacy at night and lots of space during the day. The cabana was very comfortable, as were the beds. We had a wonderful holiday, enjoying every single day. The beach is fantastic and we enjoyed the kayaks and the floating mattresses. Drifting along on the Caribbean Sea, under the hot sun- it just doesn’t get any better. The sunrises in the morning are just spectacular. We took our coffee out on the dock every morning to watch the sun come up. The evenings are lovely too. We felt safe and secure. One of the security guards (Byron) cut down some coconuts for us and served them up. Drew and Karen were very helpful. They stocked our cabana with food and beer and rum! We didn’t have to leave for the first couple of days. They told us about the various attractions, and Karen gave us a tour of all the plants at their place and around our cabana. I loved having the orange press in the kitchen. We bought bags of cheap oranges in Placencia and had the best fresh orange juice I have ever tasted. There was also a blender for the pina coladas we enjoyed at the little palapa bar in the yard. We ate a lot of our meals at home, but did go out for a few delicious ones as well. Maya Beach Hotel Bistro was fantastic. There is a little outdoor restaurant in Placencia called Dawn’s Grill and Go. Dawn is absolutely charming, and her food is cheap and delicious. We really enjoyed the Barefoot Bar as well for drinks and snacks. Placencia is close enough to run into for supplies and a meal, but far enough away that you feel you have a peaceful and private place to go back to. The Maine Stay is a perfect place for a relaxing vacation- I highly recommend it for anyone.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest Brad
Date of stay 01/15/11
Review Submitted 02/12/11

We were in Placencia from 1/15-1/25 and stayed at the mainstay II. It was an amazing trip, Drew picked us up at the airport, helped sort out some trouble with a missing bag, and recommended a place for dinner for the first night. Food on average in the different restaurants we ate at cost around 55 Belize for the two of us, so ~27 American for fresh fish and lobster. So basically a steal. Shopping for drinks and food could get expensive in the Chinese owned markets that are everywhere, but if you bought in bulk it was cheaper. So if you want some Belikin for the whole trip go by a crate of it then return the empties and the crate for a refund, instead of buying them as singles for 2-4 Blz each. The locals in Seine Bight were extremely nice, and we never had any trouble with anyone. Thank you everyone at the Maine Stay. Drew, Karen, Joyce, Jerome, Hector, and many more im forgetting for all the help

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Barefoot Wedding - Oroville group

Guest Woody & Tootie
Date of stay 12/03/10
Review Submitted 12/13/10

Our stay was spectacular. We came to join friends marry on the beach. This is very tropic area.. The panoramic photos were a wonderful ...but did not do the place justice. The colors are beautiful. It was wonderful to watch the sunrise and wild parrots fly over each morning on our private pier. The beach area was clean & raked often. The cabanas provided addition amenities needed to make us comfortable & feel at home. The owners and their staff were accommodating. Bikes and kayaks are on site...no additional rental fees. Security is also provided. I would strongly recommend! We enjoy a beautiful and relaxing time. I hope to visit again soon. I know the newlyweds already have a return date!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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The Best Belize Vacation

Guest Bill, Joan
Date of stay 04/16/10
Review Submitted 05/02/10

My wife and I and three friends just returned from 10 wonderful days (7 for our friends) of relaxing, exploring, relaxing, swimming, relaxing, touring… I think you understand. Drew and Karen are magnificent hosts, as are Joyce, Abi and all the people associated with The Maine Stay, including their lovely dogs (give Nina a special hug from us) and very talkative parrots. You can be as active as you want to be, with diving, snorkeling, jungle tours, monkey, manatee and crocodile watching, or as restful as you want to be with a cold Belikin watching the fish swim around the dock at sunset. We did some of the former, (don’t miss Monkey River) and a LOT of the relaxing part. Drew and Karen have built a little paradise and we feel fortunate that we were able to share it, if only for a short time.

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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A wonderful property in beautiful Placencia, Belize

Guest Diare
Date of stay 03/22/10
Review Submitted 04/10/10

We just returned from a vacation in Belize, and we cannot stop talking about the wonderful people we met, and the fun we had on our trip. Your hosts at The Maine Stay Cabanas are Drew and Karen Tavers, who made us feel very much at home and comfortable with our surroundings. Drew picked us up at the airport, and when we arrived at The Maine Stay, we found the refrigerator full of food and drink just as I requested in an earlier grocery list I sent off to Drew. Our VRBO vacation started with a cold drink and friendly conversation; it doesn't get much better. The property is exactly as shown in all the pictures, although it is hard to convey the beauty of the place in pictures. The palm trees provide shade over the lounge chairs for reading a great book or taking a snooze; the tradewinds cool you off by day and whisper a lullabye under a starry sky to lull you into a restful sleep at night. On the two nights where the trades abandoned us, we were very grateful for the great A/C at the property. The landscaping is pretty, with lots of flowers. The property is right on the beach, and is fully equipped with a good selections of water toys, kayaks and hammocks. Everything you might need in the kitchen is available, including a coffee maker and filters. We brought all of our iPods and camera chargers; same electrical system as the USA. You can arrange for tours if you want to visit the Mayan ruins, or arrange a sailing or snorkeling trip. It might be a good idea to arrange for a rental car if you plan on eating out every night, or do as we did and rent a car for the day from a local company Drew recommended. Karen referred me to a local masseuse who came to the property one afternoon and I had my massage on the deck. Ahhhh. Local restaurant favorites would be Maya Beach Inn Bistro for an excellent dinner; Wendy's in Placencia for fantastic stuffed fry-jack breakfast (A/C) and it is a requirement to visit Tutti Fruitti's for the best gelato in all of Belize; you will want to visit Tutti Fruitti's every day! We would definitely recommend this property to friends and family; the Traver's are excellent hosts,and you will feel safe, secure and totally relaxed in your home away from home.

Recommended for: Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway.

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The perfect vacation

Guest NW Travelers
Date of stay 03/05/10
Review Submitted 04/06/10

In March 2010, we were lucky enough to spend 10 days at The Maine Stay. Our group consisted of Dad, Mom and 4 kids all in their 20's.We all fell in love with Placencia and especially our wonderful cabanas on the beach. It couldn't have been more perfect! The cabanas were charming, clean and stocked with anything you might need. The grounds were beautiful! The deck surrounding the cabanas provided us with a picnic table, hammocks, lounge chairs and the best view anywhere! Placencia Village was just what we wanted in a vacation spot. Beautiful, friendly and authentic. Not too many tourists, no huge resorts (not yet anyway!) and plenty of opportunities to explore the area and visit with the local residents. We enjoyed all of our tours - hiking at the Jaguar Preserve, fishing, Monkey River and snorkeling at Laughing Bird Caye. There were plenty of great restaurants to eat at and we loved shopping in the local grocery stores and from the truck that brought fruits, vegies,etc to our doorstep a couple of times each week. But the best part of the trip was waking up early to the sound of the birds outside our cabana, watching the sun come up, spending the day on our private little beach and pier and then watching the sunset over at the lagoon. The bikes and kayaks provided were wonderful! And we enjoyed breaking in the new horseshoe pit - especially teaching Abi and Hector how to play! Thanks for sharing this little piece of paradise, Drew and Karen. We all agree The Maine Stay is our favorite vacation and we'll be back!

Recommended for: Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Owner response: Thanks so much Randy and Kim! We are delighted that you enjoyed your visit as much as we did yours... we would love to have you come back to see us. I need to play some horseshoes with you! Drew

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Guest Jay32
Date of stay 01/24/10
Review Submitted 01/24/10

My family and I stayed at the Maine Stay during Christmas week 2009. We have traveled extensively around the world but this was probably one of our most memorable experiences. I cannot say enough about Drew and his outstanding hospitality and eye for detail. The cabanas were absolutely magnificent and the beach was awesome. On Christmas day we were the only ones on this most gorgeous stretch of beach! Drew took care of everything, including stocking the fridge with the food and provisions that we requested. We loved the Maine Stay and the area of Placencia so much that we intend to return in the near future.

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7 days and nights on a beautiful beach !!

Guest comment entered by owner

7 days and nights on a beautiful beach !!

Guest Dennis
Date of stay 01/09/10
Review Submitted 01/21/10

We just completed an 11 day Belize vacation, 7 of which were spent at The Maine Stay. We were a party of 9, myself, my wife, 6 children, and our daughter-in-law, age range 52 yrs - 8 yrs. Our trip was to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, and we had a wonderful time !!! The Travers are wonderful people and have built a unique and beautiful spot for people who want to get away from the crowded tourist scene, and explore a beautiful country and culture with a comfortable and well equipped base to explore from. When we weren't off exploring the Penisula and villages, scuba diving, or making trips inland to nature preserves, we were snorkeling off the Maine Stay beach, kayaking, and enjoying the sun. There is also a local massuese who will come to the cabanas, whom the ladies in our party enjoyed very much. Drew and Karen are very knowledgeable about Belize, and were a priceless recource when planning excursions or finding good restaraunts and services.

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Guest Julie and Doug
Date of stay 12/26/09
Review Submitted 12/26/09

I do not think that word cover the wonderful rejuvenating moments we experienced. Perfect place to stare at the palms, sea and space. Drew and Karen...thank you. we will be back.

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Guest Nina12
Date of stay 10/29/09
Review Submitted 10/29/09

We stayed at the Maine Stay for the 2nd half of our honeymoon in Belize and it was wonderful! Drew and Karen were very accommodating and helpful, and the cabanas were perfect for us. It was a perfect spot to relax on the beach and the people of Placencia were SO nice. It was the slow time of year down there when we were there, but we still had a great time. We sould definitely recommend staying at the Maine Stay.

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Absolutely PERFECT beach house in ideal location

Guest comment entered by owner

Absolutely PERFECT beach house in ideal location

Guest Heathbar
Date of stay 08/01/09
Review Submitted 01/21/10

We just returned from 9 days at the Maine Stay. We could not have asked for anything more. We were a large group (8 people), and Drew and Karen accommodated us perfectly. The cabanas were spotlessly clean, and had everything we needed. Karen nicely noted that if we needed anything at all (ie. bigger pots, different cooking utensils) to just come across the street and she would be happy to lend them to us. They provided us with great information about the peninsula and its surrounding attractions. The bathrooms were beautiful and again spotless. The beach is soft, clean sand, dotted with several palm trees for some shade and privacy. the property is also covered in beautiful hibiscus plants and other vibrant flowers. The water was gorgeous, jumping off the dock was tons of fun. There are beach dogs - but they are harmless! they just want to say hello, maybe get a few pats from you and just check out what you are doing. we loved them. The beds were extremely comfortable, and the rooms were air conditioned, so sleeping here was perfect. for a day time nap, relax in one of the many hammocks on the deck. As for things to do on the peninsula - the saturday night buffet at Roberts Grove is AMAZING (all you can eat lobster - need i say more??) another great find was The Secret Garden restaurant down in Placencia Village - fantastic food and friendly service. they were also one of the few places that serves American breakfasts - nice to have a little taste of home once and a while! If diving is your thing, go with Avadon divers, they are located just south of the air strip. Ann Marie and her brother run the company and they are such wonderful people, and our day out on the boat was amazing. we saw dolphins, rays, millions of fish, lobsters, you name it, we saw it. Their lunch was incredible too. I could go on and on about the house and Placencia, but I suggest you book this house and get down there to experience it yourself. Oh and be sure to drop in on Drew and Karen - their house is the coolest house i have ever seen and their knowledge of the country is really cool, they know anything you will want to know. Their dogs are adorable, and they have birds too!!

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"The best vacation ever..."

Guest comment entered by owner

"The best vacation ever..."

Guest Bizzylizzy
Date of stay 07/28/09
Review Submitted 01/21/10

THE best vacation ever. Everything looked like Drew's photos and other pictures of Belize that I found while checking out the country before we booked. White sand, coconut trees on the beach, turquoise water...The Maine Stay sccommodations suited us perfectly - the kids had one cabana and we had the other. The fully eqipped kitchen had all the cooking utensils we needed to cook meals for 5 people, and the grocery store was close enough to get anything we needed. The fact that we had groceries already when we arrived was great! It was rainy season when we stayed but none of our planned day-trips got rained out. It only rained at night and the days were bright and sunny. We'll definately go back! Oh, I didn't add any pictures - they ended up just being the same as Drew's - what you see is what you get!

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Guest Liz Mendoza
Date of stay 07/28/09
Review Submitted 07/28/09

THE best vacation ever. Everything looked like Drew's photos and other pictures of Belize that I found while checking out the country before we booked. White sand, coconut trees on the beach, turquoise water...The Maine Stay sccommodations suited us perfectly - the kids had one cabana and we had the other. The fully eqipped kitchen had all the cooking utensils we needed to cook meals for 5 people, and the grocery store was close enough to get anything we needed. The fact that we had groceries already when we arrived was great! It was monsoon season when we stayed but none of our planned day-trips got rained out. It only rained at night and the days were bright and sunny. We'll definately go back!

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Guest Liz Green
Date of stay 06/02/09
Review Submitted 06/02/09

We had a great time in Belize. The Maine Stay was just what we wanted with the privacy of our own pier, beach, and beach toys (especially the glass-bottom kayak. Everyone we met in Placencia was so nice and friendly and there were many nice places to eat both traditional and local cuisine. Drew and Karen are very hospitable. Be sure to visit them and say "hi' to the parrots. We would definitely recommend the Maine Stay!

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Guest Penny15
Date of stay 04/21/09
Review Submitted 04/21/09

We had a wonderful experience at The Maine Stay. From the very beginning Drew and Karen were so accommodating. They helped us plan our time in Belize and made great suggestions on dining out, where to buy food for eating in and also about the great things we could do while we where there. They were very helpful but not intrusive. We felt very comfortable there and would definitely go back again. We had a wonderful time in Belize with the help of our hosts at the Maine Stay

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 04/21/09
Review Submitted 04/21/09

The Maine Stay was great. We have a family of 4 and the set up at the main Stay is perfect. It provides plenty of space and comfort, two bathrooms is great and having a washer/dryer means you can pack light. Having a well-set-up kitchen allows for dining flexibility while there are several good places to eat within a short drive - the Maya Beach was excellent!! The road was being paved during our stay which will make staying at the Maine Stay even better. The beach front and pier were very nice and our Kids (7th & 8th Grade) loved it. The Travers were excellent hosts and provided a lot of good tips regarding our stay in the Placencia area as well as traveling around Belize in general. We have been to over 30 different countries and have to say that Belize was a pleasure to travel in. Not crowded, friendly people, easy driving, good food, lots to do. Highly recommend Belize and the Maine Stay

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Guest John & Judy Hintermeister
Date of stay 02/27/09
Review Submitted 02/27/09

The accommodations were terrific, but the best part of staying at The Maine Stay was the wealth of information and assistance provided by Drew and Karen, both prior to the trip and after our arrival. That made the difference between an "okay" vacation and a truly memorable one. All their advice was "spot on." We like the non-hotel admosphere of the cabanas, and the ability to make meals if and when the mood struck. They even have a couple shelves of books and rainy day games, if you as so inclinded. We left our the books we had brought with us and read a few of theirs.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 02/22/09
Review Submitted 02/22/09

The Mainstay was everything we expected and more. It was perfect for us, with our daughter and her husband being the other couple, we all had our privacy. The beach, fishing, our yard c/w with all the little extras made our stay there totally enjoyable. Drew and Karen are very accommodating hosts. We wouldn't hesitate to stay with them again if we are lucky enough to go back to Belize.

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Guest Kristin and Beth
Date of stay 01/30/09
Review Submitted 01/30/09

We had a great 9 days at the Maine Stay. Drew, Karen, Joyce and the rest of their team were wonderful, helpful, pleasant, and kind. We spent the bulk of our time at the cabanas or in the village of Seine Beight. The accomadations were perfect, we could make our own food. We felt very safe and enjoyed the local animals that wandered by....I'd have taken all of them home! Thank you Karen and Drew for a wonderful trip. You helped us prep before we got there and that was a big help. We hope to be back next year! Take good care! Kristin and Beth

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Guest Reid1
Date of stay 01/05/09
Review Submitted 01/05/09

The Maine Stay was absolutely perfect for two couples. We stayed for 10 days and enjoyed every minute of it! Drew and Karen were very welcoming and helped us plan some of our adventures. There are many activities close by such as jungle tours, snorkeling tours and river tours. When we weren't on tours we relaxed at the near perfect cabanas. The cabanas are much more amazing in person than the photos, almost too good to be true! The people of Placencia are very kind and helped to make our experience memorable. We couldn't have asked for a better vacation. Thanks Drew and Karen!

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 12/12/08
Review Submitted 12/12/08

We just got back from Placencia. We loved it. Cabanas are well just a few meters away from the ocean, they are well equipped, clean, spacious, safe. the entire setup is really nice. There are a lot of amenities, games, canoe, fishing rods, etc. We enjoyed a drive from Belize City: mountains are spectacular.

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Guest comment entered by owner

Guest N/A
Date of stay 09/26/08
Review Submitted 09/25/08

The following comments were published in TripAdvisor Sep 19, 2008 "we spent 10 days staying on the peninsula and LOVED Placencia. Tips: The Purple Space Monkey is a great place to eat/drink. Their jalapeno poppers are out if this world. Also, the Pickled Parrot has the best food in Placencia - 3 nightly specials, delicious pizza, and quesadillas. I'm sure everything on the menu is delicious too. The driftwood is a pretty sweet bar to check out too.... P.s. If you're looking for an awesome place to stay about 4miles from Placencia is Seine Bight and there you will find the Maine Stay Cabanas. traversbelize dot com check it out...best accommodations you could ask for!"

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Guest Brandi, David, Stacy, and Tony
Date of stay 09/19/08
Review Submitted 09/19/08

We just returned from an amazing 10 days at the Maine Stay. Everything surpassed our expectations! It was the perfect place for relaxing and enjoying the peninsula. The cabanas are SO nice as well as the deck and yard. There are endless hammocks and lounge chairs, fishing equipment and lots of floaties to use off the dock. Drew and Karen are amazing and helped us out so much when we got "stuck" there because of hurricane Ike. We would all return in a heartbeat. THANKS!!!

Owner response: Just to clarify... Hurricane Ike closed their intermediate stop airport in Houston, TX and in no way affected Belize! Thanks so much for the GREAT comments.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 07/30/08
Review Submitted 07/30/08

We had a wonderful 10 days summer vacation at Mainestay. Drew and Karen were tremendously helpful and knowledgeable with selective activities and adventures. We would highly recommend the Mainestay, a home away from home experience with laid back atmosphere and Drew & Karen's caring attitude! Placencia is rich with culture and friendly Belizeans!

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 07/09/08
Review Submitted 07/09/08

We definately recommend staying in the cabanas. We are a family of four who are always on the go and the cabanas provided one of the most relaxing environments we have ever stayed at. Drew and Karen are wonderful and extremely helpful hosts. Placencia is a great location and the people were the best!! Thank you!

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Guest Dave103
Date of stay 05/21/08
Review Submitted 05/21/08

Well, after 10 nights at the Maine Stay I have to say that the set up is absolutely perfect for two couples looking to get away from it all. The cabanas are situated on a nice private beach North of the airport - only 10min drive into the sleepy tourist town of Placencia. I would highly recommend Drew's start up shopping list as it makes the settling in process exactly what it should be..........easy! Drew and Karen were fantastic in helping set up tours and have a good level of knowledge on where and where not to be! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for a vacation get away - the plethora of hammocks and easy chairs with the ocean 20meters away says it all! ENJOY!

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Guest Ona
Date of stay 05/08/08
Review Submitted 05/08/08

Two adults, 2 college age and 2 teen/preteens spent vacation in the cabanas. The accommodations housed us perfectly - great for a larger family. Beautiful wood work in the cabins, great location in Belize and the Travis' were extrememly helpful. Their parrots are pretty fun too.

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Guest Debbie & George
Date of stay 05/06/08
Review Submitted 05/06/08

We had an amazing vacation at the MaineStay in mid-March. The weather was wonderful - sunny and tropical but not too hot. This was our third trip to the MaineStay and we love it even more every time we go. We stayed in the new set of cabanas this time and Karen & Drew did a fabulous job designing them - all the comforts of home. I'd be happy in either one. There are so many fun things to do down there, but the part we enjoy the most is relaxing at the cabanas, with the beach and the pier, and visiting with Karen & Drew. We can't wait to go back!!!

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Guest Laura Trumbo
Date of stay 04/29/08
Review Submitted 04/29/08

Karen and Drew couldn't have been better hosts! Our family enjoyed the cabanas very much. Our three daughters really liked having "their own house", as they stayed in the adjoined cabana. Trips to Placencia were always fun, especially going to Tutti Frutti, but we had the best time just relaxing at "home" in one of the hammocks on the veranda. Karen and Drew were so gracious in showing us their home, gardens, and aviary, which were so very different than our own home. Drew was great at booking a tour to the Cockscomb Park, which was incredible. Our stay was throughly enjoyable and the fact that we were away from the big city of Placencia forced us to enjoy one anothers company and have fun as a family. The girls loved it and so did we!

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Guest Vladimir3
Date of stay 04/26/08
Review Submitted 04/26/08

Our family spent 10 wonderful days in the cabanas in mid-April. The cabanas and the beach have exceeded our expectations. Before this trip we were a bit apprehensive about traveling to Belize with two kids (8 and 4) but everything went perfectly fine. Snorkeling, Monkey River tour, a trip to the Cockscomb reserve, visiting Maya ruins, caves and swimming in the Blue Hole (inland) Park ... - the whole list of things to do would be too long. Drew and Karen are wonderful hosts. Drew was extremely helpful with planning and arranging out trips in Belize. The little botanical tour by Karen is one of the highlights of the vacation. We miss Belize, kids are already asking when we are going back!

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Guest Cari Callis
Date of stay 02/07/08
Review Submitted 02/07/08

Karen and Drew Traver's have thought of everything to make your stay an experience you won't forget. The cabana and surrounding garden are stunning. There is a nice coral head off the dock with good snorkeling. The kitchen is great to cook in and eat out under the pergola with a view of the ocean. We've been all over the Caribbean and this place is special. Can't wait to return.

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Guest Allison Sheff
Date of stay 01/22/08
Review Submitted 01/22/08

The cabanas are more amazing than the website could ever show! Placencia was fantastic, but what made our vacation so great was definitely the cabanas. Our family had 7 people traveling so we took both sets of cabanas. It was perfect for us--enough space to be together as well as to have some privacy. The weather was impeccable. Drew and Karen Travers were wonderful hosts. They set up tours, trips and even lent us some soy sauce for a stir-fry! I highly recommend the MaineStay cabanas...I wish I could go back right now!!

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Guest Susan Penney
Date of stay 01/19/08
Review Submitted 01/19/08

When you look at these pictures you are looking at exactly what you see when you stay at these cabanas. You are right on the beach right on the ocean! The water is fabulous and Belize is glorious. We had everything we needed and then some. It was like being at home only on the beach. The bed was most comfortable, the cabana was clean and fresh. We had plenty of cookwear and bath wear. The owners of The Maine Stay have far outdone themselves and they just keep making it better. This has been my most positive experience using VRBO. If you're looking for the beach, and A+ comfort, you won't go wrong at The Maine Stay.

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Guest Anonymous
Date of stay 12/31/07
Review Submitted 12/31/07

My wife and I came down for a week at the end of October/beginning of November. Perfect time. Not too hot, very comfortable and no big crowds at some of the near by activities. Placencia and the cabanas were the perfect home base for a fanstastic visit to the best Belize has to offer. While at the cabanas just resting and relaxing was great and if you needed to go into town to pick up a few things or get a bite to eat, it was a quick 15 min ride. Highly recommend getting a rental car and exploring the area. The ride back into mountains to go to Jaguar Paw to do the zip line and cave tubbing is well worth the ride and the zip line/cave tubbing is a blast. Stop at the blue hole which is right on the way. Very cool. We also went to the nearby Mayan preserve. The hike to the top of the bluff was tough but a great workout and well worth the fantastic view. On the way back stop at the waterfall and natural pool. Outstanding and if you go during the week no one is there but you. I don't need to go into the fantastic diving and fishing but for those of you like myself who are spearfisherman, it can be done as long as you go out with a local. Drew can hook you up with Kevin. All in all it was great and we would certainly go back again.

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Guest Lynette Anderson
Date of stay 08/14/07
Review Submitted 08/13/07

My husband and I spent a week at the cabanas in June. We were a bit skeptical as we left the airport and started the drive to Placencia. Our apprehension grew as we traveled! However, when we woke up the next morning and went swimming and snorkeling off of the pier, we knew we had made a good decision. Drew arranged a day of fishing and snorkeling with Kevin for us and that was an awesome day. He cooked us the best fish I have ever eaten. We had intended to go again, but weather didn't permit. We caught enough fish to eat the entire week! We drove to Xunantunich-what an impressive sight. We also took the Monkey River trip, as well as did a day of cave tubing. We ate at a couple of great restaurants recommended by Karen, but cooked most of our meals right at the cabanas. We really enjoyed the privacy and convenience of the cabanas and enjoyed sitting on the pier at night. We were not able to swim at night due to wind and rain, but the breeze was great! Drew and Karen were a wealth of knowledge before and after we arrived. They were even willing to change our reservation at the last minute due to flight cancellations. I could have stayed in Belize for another week easily, and that is unusual for me. The people were very friendly and we enjoyed shopping at the grocery stores and markets. We brought home about 15 bottles of Marie Sharps (we collect hot sauce) and some great Belizean spices to cook with. The only complaint I had was the bumpy road to get to Placencia, but we even got used to that! Belize was not what I had expected but definitely worth the trip!

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Vacation Rentals by Owner

The Maine Stay - Gorgeous Beach Cabanas [#55689] | View Property

Traveler Reviews (64)

A Felize Belize Navidad at the Maine Stay Cabanas!

A Felize Belize Navidad at the Maine Stay Cabanas!

Great Vacation

Great Vacation

Great Vacation!!

Great Vacation!!

Family of 4 - two kids 8 and 10

Family of 4 - two kids 8 and 10

Dream Vacation

Dream Vacation

Private and secluded

Private and secluded

Those aren't stray dogs!

Those aren't stray dogs!

Not only didn't we want to leave...we now own land.

Not only didn't we want to leave...we now own land.

Our Belize Vacation at The Maine Stay

Our Belize Vacation at The Maine Stay

A place to relax, revive, and recharge!

A place to relax, revive, and recharge!

THE MAINE STAY - A PLACE TO RELAX!

THE MAINE STAY - A PLACE TO RELAX!

Absolutely fabulous

Absolutely fabulous

Great Springboard to Beautiful Belize

Great Springboard to Beautiful Belize

Secluded, private beach, beautiful

Secluded, private beach, beautiful

This rental is awesom

This rental is awesom

Vacation in Paradise

Vacation in Paradise

Barefoot Wedding - Oroville group

Barefoot Wedding - Oroville group

The Best Belize Vacation

The Best Belize Vacation

A wonderful property in beautiful Placencia, Belize

A wonderful property in beautiful Placencia, Belize

The perfect vacation

The perfect vacation

7 days and nights on a beautiful beach !!

7 days and nights on a beautiful beach !!

Absolutely PERFECT beach house in ideal location

Absolutely PERFECT beach house in ideal location

"The best vacation ever..."

"The best vacation ever..."