My Wife and I will be staying in the West End for a week in October. We are having a hard time deciding between right on half moon bay (Half Moon Bay Resort or Arco Iris) and 1 mile off in a tropical setting B&B. We understand the basic pro's and Con's...ie noise in town vs. a long walk/short taxi. But I was hoping to hear from some people with actual experience. (first time on lonely planet....I hope this posts correctly)
Wayward Drifter
Over the years, I've stayed at a lot of places on the West End. For the last ten years, it's been exclusively Half Moon Resort. I like the peace and quiet there and the staff is great. Seagrape Plantation is nice but the retaurant can be a bit noisy and the rooms don't have all the privacy I like. Do you dive? Have fun. Mike
you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows
Originally from Ontario, Canada, I live on Roatan full-time since 2007.
I have not stayed at either location but do know both of them. They are in the same area the difference being that Half Moon Resort is pretty much right on the beach, while Posada Arco Iris is across the sand road behind the Argentinian Grill.
The distance between the two is really minimal. Noise concerns at either (minimal at that end of West End.) Walking vs taxi for either will be the same. The only difference is if you want to stay at a location where you can step out your door and pretty much into the water. Then you will want Half Moon Resort.
Regardless of which you choose you will have a great time on Roatan. West End is a great base to explore the rest of the Island from. Be sure to arrange a visit to the East End of the Island. East End Tour with Friends - pictures
As well as a beach day on West Bay Beach, one of the top 10 beaches in the world. You can take a water taxi from West End to West Bay.
Welcome to Roatan, Enjoy!
I stayed at Arco Iris a couple of years ago. We were lukewarm to the place. Some things were great, like the woman workining in the office Karolina and staff in general, the location, the free internet access, but our room was very worn and could have used a really thorough cleaning, there was some noise (but just our room because it was in the front and over the kitchen/restaurant - we had a nice view). It seemed a bit overpriced. We will probably be back to Roatan someday, but we will stay elsewhere. Hope that helps.
On Roatan your best bet is finding somwhere with a kitchen, even if you just do your own breakfast and lunch. I've stayed at Mariposa Lodge twice now and love it there. Off the mainstreet so your away from the noise but still only two minutes walk to resturants and dive shops.
Best snorkeling I found was behind the Baptist church on Half Moon Bay
My wife and I stayed at Half Moon Bay Resort in June at the suggestion of osullivan above (thanks Mike!). It was great for us... right on the water for snorkeling, good restaurant, comfortable rooms, a little more out of the way than Posada Arco Iris (I mean that as a plus.. quieter) for about the same price. The people were really friendly and the grounds are pretty. We did have a fantastic meal at Posada Arco Iris... damn fine grilled fish (not cheap, but great). The trouble we had on Roatan in general was the high cost of eating out (relative to the mainland). I loved Half Moon. If I did stay somewhere else in the future, it would be to have a kitchen.
Keep scrolling through recent posts... several people have asked the same question and gotten good tips from various posters.
Hey OC- Glad to hear that you liked Half Moon. As usual, I'm headed back there in March. Happy Trails. Mike
I heard that Posada Arco Iris was very nice.
My husband and I just recently returned from our honeymoon from Roatan, we stayed our first week in West Bay (should've spent our entire stay in West End instead), and the second week in West End at Land's End Resort.
We highly recommend Land's End as the host and staff were awesome, it's a short walk from the heart of West End, making it quiet and peaceful if you like- but close enough to enjoy the town's night life if you like. Plus it's close by to Atlantic Sea Divers if you want to dive. The bartender is actually an instructor there and other guests said he was a great instructor.
Well do to the fact that we put off making the reservation, a few opportunities closed. We also wanted a kitchen (as I love to cook, especially seafood....so the half-moon resort was unfortunately out. We are going to stay at a place called Casa Calico. The manager Jeff seems cool and super laid-back. Almost scary laid-back as he took my word that I would be there and didn't ask for a deposit. It is toward Sea Grape, and supposedly overlooks the next bay over from half moon....I'll let you know how it goes. Has anyone ever stayed there?????
Casa Calico is a nice place and the people are great. It's where the road to Seagrape and to Posada Orquideas intersect when you are coming from Half Moon Bay. It's a stretch saying that it overlooks West End Bay but the best beach/snorkel access is at Half Moon Bay. It's less than a five minute walk there if you're not in a hurry. It doesnt have the access some of the other places close by do but you'll be fine there. Mike