The Banks, by the Belize Collection
www.thebanksbelize.com
In the lush heart of Belize’s Sibun River Valley—where the mountains breathe mist into the canopy at dawn and the jungle hums with ancient secrets—sits a sanctuary that feels worlds away from the ordinary. The Banks, a member of The Belize Collection, isn’t perched on the coast, but rather nestled deep within nature’s most private corridors. And it’s here, along a quiet riverbank fringed with towering bamboo and a driveway framed by lush greenery, that barefoot luxury is redefined.
A Destination Designed for Discovery
Just a 90-minute drive from Belize City or a scenic transfer from Dangriga airport, The Banks is a hidden gem situated within reach of the country’s most coveted inland experiences. Adjacent to The Rainforest Lodge at Sleeping Giant and at the gateway to Belize’s Mayan heartland, the property offers a deeply immersive, yet indulgent alternative to traditional beach resorts.
This is a place where mornings begin with jungle birdsong and a French press on your private terrace, and afternoons unfold between infinity pools and curated adventures. Surrounded by 10,000 acres of pristine wilderness, The Banks offers seamless access to natural wonders: from ancient ruins and emerald waterfalls to subterranean caves and sacred ceremonial sites.
The Villas: Architectural Poetry in the Jungle
Comprising just 14 private residences, The Banks offers the kind of low-density, high-design experience that luxury travelers crave. Every villa is a secluded haven of serenity, marrying contemporary architecture with natural textures: hand-carved wood, river stone, locally woven textiles, and expansive glass panels that frame the jungle like fine art.
• One-Bedroom Villas are perfect for couples, offering king beds, romantic open-air showers, and plunge pools tucked into leafy courtyards.
• Two-Bedroom Riverfront Villas elevate the experience with rooftop terraces, wet bars, and spacious living areas ideal for sunset entertaining.
• Three-Bedroom Villas are designed for families or groups, complete with full kitchens, indoor-outdoor dining areas, and panoramic river views.
All accommodations include air conditioning, high-speed WiFi, luxury linens, locally sourced bath amenities, and private plunge pools.
Humo Restaurant & Bar: Jungle-to-Table Dining
Dining at The Banks is a sensory journey led by fire and flavor. Humo Restaurant offers a sophisticated take on Belizean cuisine, where wood-smoked meats, seasonal produce, and coastal influences meet in dishes like slow-roasted pork belly with plantain purée or Breakfasts are hearty and comforting—think pork belly tostadas and cacao-dusted pancakes—while dinners unfold beneath clay lanterns with curated wine pairings and signature cocktails infused with regional botanicals.
Unforgettable Experiences at Your Fingertips
What sets The Banks apart is its deeply curated activity menu that balances adrenaline, culture, and wellness:
• Adventure: Zipline across the jungle canopy, tube through ancient cave systems, or hike to the majestic Sleeping Giant Waterfall.
• Cultural Immersion: Explore nearby Mayan ruins such as Xunantunich or Caracol, or journey across the Guatemalan border to the legendary Tikal.
• Wellness & Relaxation: Arrange a deep-tissue massage in your villa, practice yoga at sunrise beside the river, or unwind with a botanical facial using native herbs.
• Epicurean & Educational: Enjoy a Mayan cooking session with direct descendants of the ancient Maya using local ingredients, or a foraging walk through the rainforest guided by a herbalist.
Guests also have access to all offerings of the adjacent Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, including its award winning restaurant, hilltop hiking trails, and an observation tower that reveals breathtaking panoramas of the jungle’s layered canopy.
Amenities That Anticipate Every Need
• Personal concierge service
• In-villa private chef experiences upon request
• Daily housekeeping and turndown
• Private transfer coordination from all major airports
• Access to the on-site organic herb garden
• Complimentary kayaks and paddleboards for river exploration
• Full itinerary customization available for groups, weddings, and retreats
A Place to Breathe, Belong, and Become
The Banks is not a hotel—it’s a retreat for the soul. It caters to the traveler who doesn’t want to be seen, but instead wants to see—to see beauty in the stillness of nature, in the thoughtful craftsmanship of a villa, in the quiet joy of a perfectly prepared meal beside a flowing river. It is for those who long not just for luxury, but for meaning behind it.
This is where you come when you want to disappear from the world—only to rediscover it within yourself.
