5 Best Hotels in Utila, Roatan and the Bay Islands

Chic bungalows are spread across a shaded garden of coral-lined paths and mango trees here at Utopia Dive Village. Luxurious rooms have four-poster beds and handcrafted furniture, and the Balinese silk tapestries and bamboo shutters give off a Far Eastern flair. The friendly hosts can help you arrange trips around the Bay Islands, and the gourmet chef prepares three outstanding meals a day for guests.

Cabins painted pale blue with peach terrace railings add pleasant touches to this waterfront lodging on stilts. The budget hotel is a comfortable substitute for the dive resorts and hostels that occupy the main town's shoreline. The sandy campus is nestled between popular beachfront bars.

This peaceful two-story hotel has wraparound balconies and sits just over the water. Simple, breezy rooms have oceanfront views, kitchenettes, and splashy turquoise walls. Lounge chairs out on the porch are an ideal spot to unwind with a book or a refreshing evening cocktail.

Set amid breadfruit, banana, and, of course, mango trees, this wooden lodge has generously proportioned rooms with porches where you can relax in a hammock. The pool is a favorite place for divers and families to gather in the afternoon. The restaurant has breakfast daily for hotel guests, included in the room rate, and serves up light fare for lunch and dinner, including tasty grilled-chicken sandwiches and brick oven pizzas. There's a pretty garden where you'll find barbecues on weekends, and Utila Dive Center has its classroom on the campus.

A good budget option is this simple, no-frills wood lodge with a coral beach facing the harbor that is perfect for sunning. The hotel is a close enough walk to the bars and restaurants without being subjected to the late night noise.