These Are The Things I Loved This Week 💕
Belize Edition
Hello from beautiful Belize!
If you’ve been following me on Instagram this week, then you know I’ve spent the last few days in the gorgeous country of Belize! This is my second time here and I’ve fallen even more in love with it. The last time I was here was in August 2022, where I spent a few magical days in both San Ignacio (total rainforest vibes) and Placencia (an adorable relaxed beach town). This time I visited Belize City (which is really just home to the international airport and a place you’d stop after or before a long travel day) and spent a few days on the incredible island of San Pedro at the Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection hotel.
From an incredible suite with amazing views, to a restaurant in the ocean, and a night out with new friends — this trip has been everything I hoped it would be and more! To be honest, it’s been one of those work trips that almost felt like a real vacation and any other travel writer can attest, that’s not a common thing because most people really don’t know how much work goes into being present and on top of things with our crazy agendas.
On this lovely trip we ate, we drank, we explored, (which is the usual, but always makes me want to pinch myself because how is this real life?) and I got a great jump on this season’s tan. Overall it’s been a pretty amazing week, and here’s what I loved the most about it:
Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection Hotel
An absolute paradise. This hotel is equal parts relaxing and entertaining. They were wonderful enough to put each of the visiting journalists in suites — which are stunning with full kitchens, massive living spaces, and three balconies.
The property opened in 2021 and is so dreamy! From a mimosa cart that allows you to build your own breakfast bev using freshly made syrups, juices, and garnishes to an interactive tasting dinner where chef Alex tests your tastebuds and leads you through a guided meditation using all of your senses — there’s so many fun little touches that make Alaia super special.
Here are a few things that I loved the most:
The bath towels were massive and so fluffy…
This is one of those things that always stands out to me and makes me so happy. As a curvier girl, 95% of the time hotel bath towels don’t fully wrap around my body (same with robes, sadly!!) and it’s something that I’ve just gotten used to and kind of don’t even notice anymore — but the towels at Alaia made me feel like a little baby being swaddled and I loved it so much.
At home I have super thick, soft Turkish towels that I’m absolutely obsessed with. I got them from Bed, Bath, and Beyond a few years ago and I can’t find the link, but they are similar to these and I can’t recommend them enough!
Reel Escape
You know I live for a boat day and Alaia definitely delivered on providing a perfect day on the ocean! The hotel has its own 38-footer that’s available for private charter by anyone staying on property and the dock is conveniently located on property. Able to accommodate up to 11 guests, it comes with a captain and a crew member who are knowledgeable about the area and are ready to customize the day based on what you’re into!
Our group did a bit of guided snorkeling through the reef, swam with (super safe) sharks, enjoyed fresh conch salad that the crew caught and made right in front of us, and visited the nearby Caye Caulker for lunch and to hang out with sting rays. Oh, and there was plenty of rum punch on board the Reel Escape, making it the perfect escape for the day.
Secret Beach in Ambergris Bay on San Pedro Island
A beach bar in the ocean? Sign me the hell up! About an hour from the hotel (via golf cart, which is the preferred mode of transportation in San Pedro), you’ll find Secret Beach!
While it’s not quite a secret, it’s definitely an interesting journey to get there, but it’s totally worth it. Once you arrive, you’ll find several beach bars and restaurants with great vibes, delicious food, and killer pina coladas! Waterpark Beach Bar has a cool waterpark (think bounce house type activities in the water), Happy Island has amazing food and fun cocktails (see the pineapple above!), and my favorite — Blue Bayou has tables a solid 200 feet out into the water where you can perch yourself at a picnic table (with an umbrella so you don’t totally fry under the hot Caribbean sun), and have a server come to you in the water with food and drinks. The music is great and the water is the perfect not too hot and not too cold temp. They basically had to drag our group out of the water — there were massages waiting for us at the hotel, so it wasn’t thattttt hard, but I would have definitely stayed for another drink or two if we had the time.
Another thing I love about what I do is the fact that I get to meet new people constantly and am always making new friends on these trips! Did you know I found my way into this career because I was looking for a more fun social life to complement my really boring corporate finance gig? Fast forward eight years, and here with are! Friends all over the world and I’m so grateful for each and every one of them 💞
I’ve got a fun bonus for you guys this week!
An offer for all of my online shoppers from Shop App (aka Shopify)!
This week Shop is hosting its first-ever Beauty + Wellness Week. From now until April 7th, you’ll earn 20% Shop Cash (Shop Cash is Shop's rewards program. Shop Cash can be redeemed on purchases on Shop!) back on purchases at participating brands, including Fenty, Jones Road Beauty, Olaplex, Glow Recipe, Ceremonia, OSEA Malibu, U Beauty and many more. Girl math says that’s free money! 💸
So you’ll get 20% Shop Cash back, plus access to exclusive offers that allow you Shop Cash to be multiplied when making a first-time purchase from beauty and wellness brands on the Shop app!
Use my link to start shopping now: shop.cash/amberlovebond 🥰
Are there specific kinds of recommendations you’re looking for? Or maybe you know of something that I’d love! Feel free to hit ‘reply’ and let me know! 💖
LOVE that martini photo!!
Belize is on my bucket list, looks like an incredible trip 🤩