Vacation Rentals by Owner

CONVENIENT, REASONABLY PRICED, NICELY EQUIPPED, ECO FRIENDLY COTTAGE

Guest: NO KA OI (HOUSTON , TX)
Date of Stay: 01/11/11 Review Submitted: 01/18/11

My daughter and I had a fabulous time during our recent visit to San Ignacio. The Kumquat Cottage was an excellent, reasonably priced, convenient choice for lodging. The architechtural design and decor of the cottage is creative and quirky. The gardens are a joy to explore. Bring your ear plugs if you are a light sleeper. San Ignacio's dogs love to bark night and day. Cable TV, Telephone, Cell phone, PC, Internet Access and kitchen appliances are provided. The shower does work but you need to follow the instructions in the guest information to get hot water. If you are expecting a 5 star resort go elsewhere and pay a lot more. But if you want a convenient, reasonably priced, nicely equipped cottage in a safe and friendly neighborhood then KUMQUAT may be a great choice for you. San Ignacio center is a short walk downhill. Good, inexpensive restaurants are plentiful. We especially enjoyed KO_OX HAN NAH, SANNY"S GRILL, SERENDIB, ELVIRA'S, and MARTHA'S. If you are fortunate, you will encounter "Rasta Man" selling his homemade conch fritters. They are delicious! Venture uphill to SWEET TINGS bakery (coconut cake is a must). Tours leave from town. John Chuc of Kin Wink Jungle tours is most highly recommended.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Winter Get-away in Tropics

Guest: timolly (Sioux Falls, SD )
Date of Stay: 01/04/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/11

We don’t want to say anything to encourage other people to stay at Kumquat Cottage. That’s because we don’t want any competition when we try to rent it again next winter. We left a foot of snow and a temperature of -2 behind at dawn, and were standing in a lush tropical “English” garden all our own by sundown. Kumquat Cottage is an elegantly simple and functional work of art perched on a hillside overlooking the town of San Ignacio. Ricky the manager is prompt and helpful when you need him, absent when you don’t, and steers you in the right direction for eating, shopping and touring. You can hang out in town, visit Mayan ruins or spend a hot afternoon in the cool cottage reading a book and sighing contentedly. Nevertheless, we strongly feel this is not the place for you and would discourage you from attempting to rent it unless you clear it with our calendar first.

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

Fantastic time at Kumquat Cottage

Guest: Solange (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 12/28/10 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

My friends and I (5 people) stayed at the cottage and had a wonderful time. The property was well-maintained - very simple, tasteful, and effective furnishing, plumbing, lighting. Though I didn't read the listing here, all of the information and photos seem accurate. We were grateful to have the guidance of the property's manager, Ricky, who did more than he needed to in helping us find our way about. I highly recommend the trip to the ATM cave and Hannah's restaurant. Also, though the name escapes me, the restaurant with the South Indian cuisine is amazing - leave a long time for service!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great value for money - Homely Cottage and great for family of 4

Guest: Vivek and Amarja (Flower Mound, TX USA)
Date of Stay: 12/21/10 Review Submitted: 12/31/10

Lovely cottage with artsy-rustic look/feel. Don’t expect flashy,modern condo - just a homely,countryside dwelling with ALL necessary amenities for comfy stay. Best part is “care taker Ricky”. Great guy who provides all the help you could ask for. Fully equipped kitchen with a few basic spices,oil,sauces. Complimentary cell phone (‘top’ it up with card from grocery store) there for use. Basics can be bought from local store. Beautiful ‘natural’ back yard with variety of trees/plants and colorful flowers/ leaves. Cottage comes with own two ‘Iguanas’ that perch on some of the trees. 8 min walk from 3-street downtown. Great quaint little restaurants! Hannah’s for great Belizian-Indian food. Greedy’s for good and cheap burger meal. Xunantunich,CahalPech,Butterfly farm,Chaa Creek (med trail) – 1 day on your own. Be prepared for off road driving. Don’t turn around and come back. Mountain Pine Ridge….go with a tour/personal guide (Ricky came with us… nicest part of our trip). Lovely place to stay!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers.

Spacious, comfortable, offbeat, and utterly charming - one of the best lodging values anywhere

Guest: haveukewilltravel (Brooklyn, NY)
Date of Stay: 12/10/10 Review Submitted: 12/28/10

This is a spacious, comfortable, beautifully-situated place that offers tremendous value. I can't imagine a better option in San Ignacio, especially for the price. It's attractive -- the photos don't do it justice -- and full of quirky, charming visual touches that make a stay there even more magical. The fully-equipped kitchen is a great bonus: go to the farmer's market on Sat., pick up some just-laid eggs, some pupusas, and some homemade salsa and you're all set for Sunday brunch. There's a rooftop terrace from which you can see a million stars, and a solar-powered bathtub that faces a window with a view of the garden. It's only a 3-minute walk from the center of San Ignacio, but feels secluded in its hilltop setting. Cahal Pech is a 20-minute (uphill) walk from Kumquat -- no need for a taxi or guide. The only caveat is that San Ignacio is full of roaming dogs, who will sometimes raise a ruckus at various hours of the day, and if you're a light sleeper, you may want to bring earplugs (this is true anywhere in the area). As for us, we slept just fine on the huge and comfortable bed. I'd go back to Kumquat in a minute.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

6/5 stars for Kumquat Cottage and San Ignacio Town.

Guest: james patrick (minneapolis, mn)
Date of Stay: 11/12/10 Review Submitted: 12/01/10

Warm, Creative, Accommodating, Unique, Romantic. These are words that come to mind in reflecting upon our most magical stay at Kumquat. The artist-driven cottage feels truly "of the earth," while being astoundingly comforting and cozy. Minutes walk from Mayan ruins, breathtaking jungle, and highly personable "downtown" San Ignacio. *not sure what's to do? Just call the wonderfully kind and charming caretaker. He's a blast and loves the guests of the cottage! What a treat. TIP: Arrive on Friday.. wake up early (Sat) for Belize's (must be) BEST farmer's market! Stock up on frijoles, plantains, arroz, salsas, tortillas, and fish. Then get back up to the cottage (5 minute walk) and FIRE UP the wonderful barbeque grill that is nestled in Kumquat's amazing private garden! Sit alongside your private stream and waterfalls as your food cooks on the grill and in your fully stocked/loaded Kumquat Kitchen! Also, be sure to walk just a few paces up the hill from the cottage for homemade tortillas on many corners, as well as Sweet Ting bakery, complete with decadent cheesecakes and snacks! *That might be a good stop after walking through Cahal Pech, one of Belize's oldest Mayan ruins. (10 minute walk from the Cottage!). *Lastly, I would certainly be sure to spend time sitting on Kumquat's private rooftop patio overlooking the river valley, just getting some sun! *You will certainly be surrounded by your own coconut and banana trees, as well as Kumquat's own resident 6 foot iguana! *He stays high up in the trees and loves the sun! -I can honestly say that Kumquat is Belize's most down to earth yet luxurious temporary residence. We stayed in cabanas and guest houses.. but nothing compared to Kumquat!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Not up to standard

Guest: NR (San Jose, CA)
Date of Stay: 11/05/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

We were quite unhappy with our stay here. The screens in the windows are bent and ripped, and even though we kept the doors closed all day, mosquitoes were getting in. The owner's response: We were provided with a can of Fish to spray on any ant or mosquito we see. So how am I supposed to sleep at night? Philip also claimed that an unfortunate set of circumstances set upon us: Hurricane damage took out the bathtub water heater, the shower head heater element burned out, the stove gas ran out in the middle of cooking our meal, there were not enough towels due to a previous guest, and the computer keyboard did not work making that useless. How can all happen at the same time? Poor management of this rental, that's how. Ricki (manager) makes promises to fix or provide things and never follows through. The water temperature should be checked before each guest, and they need to act upon the guests' needs right away if it is not working. Same for the gas- this should be checked and kept at a filled level. And a simple thing like towels- really? This place is poorly run and I was not impressed even by the home. We were constantly stubbing our toes on the shoddy steps within the house and none of the rooms are on the same level, so it is very dangerous when you need to go to the bathroom in the night. The outside too has slippery, dangerous steps to the back property and the roof. I do not recommend staying here. Be aware of this owner and the manager who seem to be helpful until they have your money, and then make excuses why they can't fix things.

Owner response:This guest was perfectly happy until Saturday night she sent an email indicating these things needed attention. Stores are closed on Sundays but the manager went around immediately to see what the problem was. By Monday morning everything was fixed: new shower head heater (even though it was working just fine, she just didn't know how to use the unfamiliar technology), the rooftop solar water heater was hooked up again after being knocked out the week prior by Hurricane Richard (sorry, bad things happen at 105mph), additional towels provided (she was provided with 4 towels initially which should be plenty for 5 days, we are not a hotel with daily linen service), the cooking gas tank cannot be topped up each week and it cannot be predicted when it goes out, so we provide two electric skillets and a microwave for such occasions. Even a new computer keyboard was shipped down later that week; tropical climates wreak havoc on electronics at the worst moments apparently. Mosquitoes fly in through doors that have been left wide open all day, not through three layers of window netting so a spray can is always provided for guests so they can take care of any problem (or fix that of previous inconsiderate guests). Yes, there are steps and several levels, the house is on a hill and has many wonderful and unusual design features. Please do not stay here if steps offend you. The moral is (just like when you stay anywhere) if you notice anything amiss, let us know and we will go out of our way to fix it as soon as possible, as we proudly did in this instance. If this was the only 'shoddy' thing this guest noticed in the country of Belize we would be amazed. I am sure they have all now been fixed now this guest has left the country :) Oh, and please note other current guest reviews for some context here; if you see a string of truly legit complaints with no remedies from us, then Kumquat - and Belize - are probably not right for you.

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best choice we made

Guest: mazza (virgin islands)
Date of Stay: 07/22/10 Review Submitted: 07/31/10

everything was as we hoped. very close to town so you dont need a car but we rented one and stayed five nights and used kumquat as home base. it was perfect to come home to. also the owners are helpful in planning your itinery.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, tourists without a car, sightseeing.

Favorite part of our trip

Guest: JWClarinet (Portland, OR)
Date of Stay: 04/13/10 Review Submitted: 04/22/10

We stayed at the cottage in the middle of April and had a great time! The people in San Ignacio are really, really friendly and there are a ton of things to do. Ricky was really helpful and made our trip even better. The cottage was clean and had everything we needed. The yard is huge and beautiful as well. We'd definitely stay there again.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Galen University Student
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 11/30/10

http://summerforwinter.blogspot.com/2010/03/keepin-it-real-at-kumquat-cottage.html Our friend Dani's parents came down to San Ignacio for a week. They stayed at a cottage called Kumquat Cottage. We all got to meet them on Friday night when they invited the whole UVM crew to the place for a barbeque and some fun! Dani's dad, also known as the grill master, grilled us up some fresh tilapia and shrimp kabobs while everyone else brought a dish for dinner. Dani's parents were hilarious; we all had so much fun! Her dad made a bocce ball set out of some rocks and limes so that kept us entertained for most of the evening. There was even a dance off between Dani's dad and one of our people at one point. We had so much fun at the cottage that our group has decided to rent Kumquat out on the last weekend we're here in Belize as a final hoorah. Below are some pictures.

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Guest: Jody and Cliff (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Date of Stay: 02/03/10 Review Submitted: 02/03/10

We stayed at the Kumquat Cottage for a week and a half in Jan./Feb. 2010 and loved each and every day. We can't say enough about it... the house is a beautiful and private oasis. It has all of the comforts of home.... from the satellite tv, laptop and cell phone, to the cappuccino maker, bread maker, and rice maker, to the air-conditioning and hot water shower. We spent several days enjoying the beautiful garden and, on those days that were "touring around" days, it was always a pleasure to come back to the comfort of our little tropical home. We will highly recommend Belize, San Ignacio and the Kumquat Cottage to our friends and anyone who is interested in rest and relaxation, culture and history, fun and adventure... all surrounded by smiling friendly faces. Thank you to Preston and Philip for sharing their little piece of paradise with us. Thank you to Roy for picking us up in Belize City and introducing us to Cayo... you immediately put us at ease and made us feel comfortable. And special thanks to Ricky for all of your help and advice and for the wonderful Belizean meal you cooked for us. We will always remember Cayo with love in our hearts.

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Guest: Hari and Gowri (Los Alamos, NM)
Date of Stay: 01/23/10 Review Submitted: 01/23/10

We loved our one week stay at the Kumquat cottage. It is ideally located, a short walk into town, to restaurants, supermarkets and tours. Roy, who picked us up at the airport was an absolute delight. He also arranges tours for very reasonable prices. The cottage itself is very beautifully decorated with numerous artistic touches. The front and back yard are gorgeous as well, very thoughtfully landscaped and offered plenty of space for our 14 month old to wander about. A great place especially for families planning on visiting the San Ignacio area. We hope to return some day soon.

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Guest: Erin51 (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 01/19/10 Review Submitted: 01/19/10

I can't say enough good things about our stay at Kumquat. The house is beautiful and welcoming, with lots of character and exciting little surprises. It was much bigger than we were expecting (luxurious amounts of space for the 2 of us, and 1-2 more couples would not have been overcrowded.) Having Ricky as our local contact on call made our stay effortless and personal. The town of San Ignacio is as friendly as promised, and having someone local to connect with made it that much more accessible. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer - already planning for next year!

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Guest: Catlin and April Homer (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 08/05/09 Review Submitted: 08/05/09

AMAZING! Simple as that. The house is beautiful and amazing, with little weird things that you find as you explore more and more. Great fruit in the backyard, and has alot more kitchen accessories than we were expecting. Roy and the family were far superior to any landlords we've ever met. Can't wait to go back and visit our brothers and sisters.

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Guest: Lisa & Chester (Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 01/04/09 Review Submitted: 01/04/09

We stayed in August of '08 and had a wonderful time. It was a perfect addition to the end of our trip! We love San Ignacio and the location is perfect! Thanks to Roy and his wife for all the help! The vehicle rental was very reliable, we highly recommend it! The house suited our needs perfectly! We hope to return with the whole family soon! Thanks again!

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Guest: Tegan and Matt
Date of Stay: 04/13/08 Review Submitted: 04/12/08

We had such a wonderful time at Kumquat Cottage! We wished we could have stayed longer--your little home is a truly magical spot. Roy, Ercilia, Janice, and Kira were so kind and helpful as well. We were luck enough to catch the Holy Saturday bike race be for we left. Thank you again! We hope to return to Belize and to Kumquat Cottage someday.

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Guest: Fred F. (-)
Date of Stay: 04/12/08 Review Submitted: 04/12/08

Thank you Phillip for the Kumquat experience. Roy is a superb host for our introduction to Belize, of its history, places to go, things to do. The house is unique inside and out. The depth of the lot, the fruit trees, flowers, birds and the close access to downtown and its restaurants and stores. The people of San Ignacio helped make the "experience" even greater. Never have we had so many "Good Morning's" just walking around the streets. As we were told, "We dont have plastic smiles". Thanks again, and thank you San Ignacio.

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Guest: Domingo & Cindy Cruz (Montague, MI)
Date of Stay: 10/21/07 Review Submitted: 10/21/07

Philip, we enjoyed our glorious 2+ weeks at Kumquat Cottage. Waking up to the sounds of nature is a great way to start the day, especially when staying in town. Unfortunately we were so busy with our anniversary party, visiting with family and friends, and sightseeing around Belize and at Tikal that we weren't able to enjoy the grounds of the cottage as we would have liked to...maybe next time. We are glad we were able to meet you before we left. You didn't take long to complete the painting at the back of the cottage..it is beautiful! Thankfully Hurricane Felix didn't make it's way to Belize...we thought about you as we left Belize...and wondered if you would be able to finish painting before the weather changed! We highly recommend Kumquat Cottage. Our stay there made for some wonderful memories of our 25th wedding anniversary. Regards, Domo & Cindy

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Guest: Kirk, Kim Hayley & Julia (Monterey, Virginia)
Date of Stay: 06/29/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

We just returned from a 4 day stay at the Kumquat Cottage. It was a great cottage in a wonderful town. The backyard and roof were great places to relax, enjoy a Belikan, after a day of Cayo district adventures. Great location close to town yet quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors. This is a much better way to enjoy Cayo district than the resorts, walk to restaurants, experience the feel of San Ignacio. Great place...Thanks!

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Guest: Lucienne and Ron
Date of Stay: 05/26/07 Review Submitted: 05/25/07

We really enjoyed ourselves. The place is lovely, inside and out. Your garden/backyard is looking lush. The flowers are beautiful. I liked the fresh coconut juice, the location, the birds, the bathroom-everything. Roy was helpful and our tour with his friend was a ton of fun. The kitchen was fully equipped and we used the juicer several times. Having the computer was handy and the fans were welcomed, too.

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Guest: Bruce and Marie M.
Date of Stay: 03/07/07 Review Submitted: 03/06/07

Everything went great at your place. We really enjoyed our stay. It took us a while to get used to where all the light swiches were! We made friends with the kids down the road, and they were a delight. We don't have any kids so it was a hoot for us to hang out with them. Whenever we came home, they would be waiting. Bruce really enjoyed talking with Roy, we have been thinking about buying in Belize so he was a wealth of information. Your place is great, we could tell you have put a great deal of time and thought into it. Your yard will be be a beautiful oasis in the years to come. It already is, and will only get better as the years go by. I'm sure you must hate to leave the place, and look forward to a time when you can spend more time there. San Ignacio is a great town and we really enjoyed our time there. The people are so friendly, we will definatly be going again. I loved the south indian restaurant, the fellow that owns it was so friendly and nice. I suspect he has a great sense of humor if you get to know him better. Anyway all was great, we loved it, we would definatly contact you if we come your way again.

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Guest: The Lundgrens (Washington)
Date of Stay: 03/02/07 Review Submitted: 03/02/07

Our three-night stay was very nice at Kumquat Cottage. We are a family of two adults and two teens and there was plenty of space. The house itself was very artistic, fun, and most comfortable. The kids enjoyed the roof at night while star gazing, while we adults got up early and headed to the roof with our coffee to see the sunrise and enjoy the birds in the trees. The location was very good with an easy walk to the shops and restaurants. We appreciated the use of the laptop to communicate with family back home in the cold winter weather, informing them how lovely and warm Belize was. Roy, Janice, and Kera were all very friendly and helpful. Kera brought us more paper towels and napkins. Roy was even so kind as to drive our family (and luggage) to the bus stop on our day of departure. We hope to stay at Kumquat Cottage again next year! Thanks Philip!

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Guest: Andrea Williams (Charleston, South Carolina)
Date of Stay: 01/07/07 Review Submitted: 01/07/07

Kumquat Cottage is an excellent and beautiful spot for bird watching. We saw Keel-billed Toucans, Collared Aricaris and Robins feeding in the palm trees in the morning and found the whole experience very pleasant and peaceful. It was also great to be able to walk into San Ignacio for food or entertainment every day.

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Guest: Wendi
Date of Stay: 01/07/07 Review Submitted: 01/06/07

We just returned from an unforgettable two weeks in Belize and Kumquat Cottage was a unique, fun and welcoming place to stay in San Ignacio. From the time Roy picked us up from the water taxi terminal, we felt that we were in good hands and that we could depend on him for all our needs. The cottage was just as you described, very comfortable quarters for four adults with all the necessary amenities except for a toaster which was brought to us as soon as we mentioned it to Roy. The backyard was a great place to hang out on the hammock and make a BBQ..unfortunatley the kumquats were not in season. Roy's family was most helpful in ensuring that we were looked after. Kera took us grocery shopping the first day and Janice did our laundry. Moreover, we were invited to their house for our last nights dinner and had a great time singing karaoke with them. The location was most convenient as we walked into town on many occasions as well as the Casino and Cahal Pech. The restaurants were all top notch, especially Hannah's Kitchen and Firenze and the tours to Tical, ATM and Mountain Pine Ridge were all excellent. Your tips and recommendations that you gave prior to our arrival were most helpful in making our visit a memorable one. Thanks for everything and we look forward to visiting again in the not too distant future.

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Guest: Bill Clinton
Date of Stay: 12/23/06 Review Submitted: 12/22/06

The Kumquat was a wonderful and economical experience. It provides a warm and comfortable base of operations far exceeding anything a hotel room could provide. The obvious thoughtfulness of your creation, combined with the attentiveness of Roy Gentle made me feel I was staying with a friend.

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Guest: Karen and Marvin
Date of Stay: 12/21/06 Review Submitted: 12/20/06

Marvin and I had a great stay at the Kumquat Cottage. Very nice home. Roy was great, was very pleased to get to know him.

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Guest: Willow M
Date of Stay: 10/25/06 Review Submitted: 10/24/06

We had a very relaxing stay in Kumquat Cottage, such a beautiful space and yard. Roy met us at the cottage when we arrived there Friday afternoon. He gave us the tour and showed us how to turn on the lights in various spots. We had stopped at the market and picked up food to cook dinner. There is so much to do and see in the Cayo district that we were only there in the evenings until Monday, when we got to hang out and relax before our trip home. Thanks for creating such a soothing environment, we loved it.

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Guest: docniss
Date of Stay: 09/18/06 Review Submitted: 09/17/06

From a travelogue posted at the BelizeforumThursday August 31, 2006We arrived in Belize and was met by Roy, the caretaker of Kumquat Cottage in San Ignacio. After going through customs...a breeze, we headed toward San Ignacio. The view, though beautiful also showed the obvious poverty relatively speaking to most of the U.S. We stopped at the Chinese market for some food, PBJ, and other things and then stopped at the produce market and then to the cottage. Roy showed us around then left us on our own to explore the grounds of the cottage. Kumquat cottage is a nice place and great if you want to get the real feel of living in Belize, it is right in a residential area and very close to town. We were tired and just stayed around the cottage and explored the yard with our son. The landscape of the yard is beautiful and so natural and makes you feel you are in the jungle. The bedroom has AC and thank goodness for that because the humidity is outrageous in Belize. Now I understand why hot water is not necessary. The kitchen was fairly well equipped and the detail was interesting. I quickly noted the coins in the countertop as well as the small snake??? EJ, our 3 y.o. son thought the bean bag was pretty cool and he slept on that most nights, though we brought it into the cooled bedroom with us so he was more comfortable. The yard is very nice, avocado, lime, lemon, banana, kumquats, coconuts and I am probably missing something, but you could live off the food growing on this property.Friday September 1, 2006Still a bit tired from our trip and the stresses of home and business we decided to just explore town and take it easy. EJ and I woke early and first climbed the stairs to the roof of the house. We gathered avocados from the roof… San Ignacio is a great place to stay as there is so much to see in a short distance. We liked that we could go and do something for a few hours and then return to the cottage. We did just that as EJ was ready for a nap. When he woke he insisted we go to the roof for avocodos.

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Guest: Anissa, John & EJ (Nappanee, IN)
Date of Stay: 09/15/06 Review Submitted: 09/15/06

We had a great time and enjoyed our stay in the cottage. Our 3 y.o. old son loved roaming the yard and having a picnic in the 'jungle', amongst all the delicious fruit trees. He also loved playing in the stream down the hill. We enjoyed the quietness of the cottage and the proximity to town and daily excursions. For anyone wanting to get the real feel of being in Belize, then I would recommend Kumquat Cottage. In addition, Roy, the caretaker is a gem. If there is something you want, just ask him. He will take care of it. Next time we visit San Ignacio, we will stay at Kumquat Cottage.

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Guest: Gavin
Date of Stay: 07/26/06 Review Submitted: 07/25/06

Staying at the Kumquat cottage was an incredible experience and a real retreat after a long day in the Ministry. Philip, You have really provided the comforts of home. We considered staying at two other locations in St Ignacio, yes they were nice but compared to the location of the kumquat to town and the privacy of your own home it really didn't compare. My children enjoyed the adventuresome back yard, while Rita and I enjoyed sitting on the flat roof taking advantage of the cool breeze and sipping a cold drink while admiring the view. I love the fact that from the Kumquat you can simply walk down the hill to the shops and cafe in town. I will miss my 6 am ritual at Hanna's coffee shop. Thanks for the comforts of home while on assignment assisting the locals for the last 3 weeks, Roy and his family were always there if we needed anything. I look forward to our next trip to the Kumquat.

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Guest: Traci Boyle
Date of Stay: 06/29/06 Review Submitted: 06/28/06

Everything was great! The cottage is amazing-we were totally blown away! You have done an amazing job- it truly is the most beautiful place we've seen. Roy and Janice were also a huge part of the success of our trip. They were so helpful and such gracious hosts- we felt spoiled. Thanks for opening your home to us- it was just wonderful!

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Guest: Corry1 (Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/11/06 Review Submitted: 05/11/06

Kumquat Cottage is a wonderfully tranquil place right in the middle of San Ignacio. Roy (manager) and family were more than helpful and very friendly and outgoing. They took care of my every need and i now consider them friends. I've been to San Ignacio before but never had such a wonderful time or had nicer or more peaceful accomodations. Between the house and the gardens you will find something new amazing every day. I highly recommend Kumquat Cottage for those that wish less of a tourist experience and more of a chance to see what it would be like to live in Belize. Hats off to the owners Philip and Preston for teaming up with Roy and creating a home with such a positive and welcoming aura.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 04/30/06 Review Submitted: 04/30/06

Had a really great time. Everything as described on the Web site.

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Guest: Robby Lee (Nashville, TN)
Date of Stay: 04/29/06 Review Submitted: 04/29/06

First of all, if you are still deciding whether you want to visit the Cayo area of Belize, you're wasting your time. As Nike says, Just do it! Because Cayo was the richest, most rewarding travel experience I've ever had and that includes much of the world. I mean, you've got world class caving, world class birding, world class Mayan temples, rainforest, pine forest, waterfalls, kayaking, and my favorite, world class warmth from the Belizean people. As for the Kumquat Cottage, it is also world class in its own charming way. As you probably know by now, the Kumquat Cottage has many unique features such as "sundial" skylights, artful acid-etched floors, and several indigenous touches such as the mahogany door with Mayan carving. In addition, they've thought of everything including a cell phone, flat screen TV with DVD player, and even a cool car available for rental at about half the going price. The Cottage is very close to downtown San Ignacio, but still offers an artfully landscaped backyard with fruit trees (yes, including young kumquats), a small stream, and a peaceful, serene vibe. For me, traveling is much about being exposed to and learning from the culture. As you can imagine, this setting is perfect for this. Of course, San Ignacio hosts many small tour companies that can take you to Mayan ruins, horseback riding, river tubing, caving, birding, etc. Must also say that the owner was extremely helpful in the weeks leading up to my reserved time (reserve now, the word is already getting out), with advice, suggestions, and answers to any and all questions. He handled the entire transaction with professionalism, grace, and integrity. The same can be said for the Belizean caretakers. In short, Belize is a jewel. And so is the Kumquat Cottage.

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Guest: Kyoko1 (-)
Date of Stay: 04/28/06 Review Submitted: 04/28/06

If you want to have a pleasant time in San Ignacio, you should choose Kumquat Cottage. Large rooms, unique designs and so many fun discoveries in the cottage. I stayed there with my friends, and had a great time.I would like to visit there again.

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