Lodging in West End

[aeronca]

Planning our first trip to the Roatan in July, spending a few days in Utila for our Open Water Course and then back to Roatan for 2 weeks. There are 3 of us so we are on a bit of a budget.
Was wondering if anyone had any experience with Mermaid beach or the Roatan Bed and Breakfast. We are also thinking of the Posada Arco Iris, as I have read some good comments on here about there. A few of the others are the Casa Del Sol, SeaBreeze Inn and the Coconut Tree Cabins. Many thanks for the helpful advice we received on the other thread as well.

 

[diversteve]

My friends stayed in the 2BR at Coconut Tree last year. The nice thing about it was that it has a fullsize kitchen, including the refrigerator, and I believe - a full-size stove - the 1BR's that I saw there didn't. It's basic and somewhat older. They also had a 1BR that my friend rented that I think had two beds in the same room. It was like a big studio. Just a mini-fridge in that room as I recall but I was only in it once. Ask Gay to confirm it, she owns Coconut Tree Divers.

Their generator was one of few that seemed to immediately kick-on when the power failed, it happened once or twice while we were inside and we didn't even notice. No ocean view as it's behind the Coconut Tree store/restaurant/diveshop. And the units block each other. A couple might have a view out their gate - not sure.

It's a little quieter also, most of the West End hustle/bustle is about 2 blocks farther east. And the only people walking around are staying there, unlike some of the others that are streetfront.

The bigger West End market (Woody's) is a block away and you're surrounded by restaurants in that area. For cheap eats there's Sundowners bar on the beach and a pasta place about 1/2 block to the east. And lots of other options. We fed 6 at Rotisserie Chicken one night for $21 and had food left over for lunch. Marcoa has started a restaurant menu thread here that will give you some prices. The only really expensive places in that area were Oolontha (sp) and the Argentinean Grille - although it was like $20pp. Walk down to Mavis & Dixies one night also, it's waterfront dining, excellent food, and reasonable. It's by the Lighthouse - just before/past the church.

Also taxi's wait just across the street if you need a ride somewhere.