About Azul

Over a decade ago we started our adventure in Belize, renting out a little blue wooden beach house under the name of "Casa Azul."  It was a simple little house but one that enjoyed arguably one of the best views and nicest stretches of beach on the island.  In the years that followed, well, somehow we accidentally built a really nice resort and restaurant.  We dropped the "Casa" from in front of "Azul" and Azul Resort was born.

In our wildest dreams we could not have scripted what would then ensue... It's safe to say that we accomplished & experienced much more than we ever imagined.  It's also safe to say that the best part of the whole endeavor was having guests, repeat guests & repeat repeat guests become what we now consider lifelong friends.

  As our 8th season approaches us, we’re happy to announce that we're once again adding the "Casa" back in front of the "Azul." Harkening back to what we started with, we are now going to offer the villas of Azul simply as rental villas. Think of it as the beach and view being the same, but the little wooden blue beach house of yesteryear just got a whole heck of a lot nicer! We will still offer an all inclusive package for those who desire such, but we’re confident that this shift will further steer the atmosphere here in the direction that was always our aim, a casual, laid backed place to relax in a world where such is becoming more and more rare.  This transition will also hopefully open up (Casa) Azul to a world of folks who might otherwise not have enjoyed the opportunity to stay here.  We look forward to welcoming back old friends and to making many new ones.

The Villas of Azul

Welcome to Azul...hundreds of feet of private beachfront, two pools, an infamous beach bar, award winning cuisine...and just two villas. Years ago, as materials were being barged in and plans made, people would often ask us “So, how many units are you going to build here?” We’d pause and then answer “Two.” They would then usually motion to the 400’ of beachfront and 11 acres at our disposal and repeat what we just said in disbelief, “Two???!!!!” “Yes, two seems about right.” You see… our goal was to build the kind of place we’d want to go to ourselves. We could see the writing on the wall that our little island was about to get a whole lot busier. Hundred room resorts, unimaginable when we first came to the island, were soon to be a reality. We believed that in the years to come, there would be a supreme value to a bit of space, a bit of privacy and ample room to drag a beach chair about & dig your feet in the sand (not to mention for our good for nuthin’ dogs to romp about!) We were right.

The villas of Azul are designed to marry the best of natural elements and materials with modern comforts and sophisticated conveniences. The beauty of the villas lay in their simplicity. Harsh corners are everywhere replaced by flowing lines. The floor plan is incredibly open… upon entering the villas, guests are greeted with 20-foot ceilings featuring 800lb beams of my lady wood. Throughout the villas, there is extensive use of the beautiful local hardwoods that have made Belize famous: all the windows and doors are hand crafted out of jabin… kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, beds and furniture are made of dark, luscious zericote… rooftop pergolas and railings are fashioned from young teak… all grown and cut in Belize. The villas also blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Enormous bi-fold windows open up both the living and dining areas to the ocean and tropical breeze. The entire rooftop of each villa is living area as well, with expansive lounging and dining spaces that offer spectacular views of the reef, sunsets and sky.

Premium amenities include the following:

• • 3000 square feet of luxurious living space in your own private villa just 35 steps from the Caribbean Sea with 200 feet of private beachfront and over 3 acres shared by only 2 villas.
• • Private helipad
• • 2 bedroom, 2 bath villa with 1 king bed in each bedroom with a maximum occupancy of 4 people per villa (a 9’ x 4’ chaise is available for parties up to 5 people per villa)
• • Full kitchen with Viking range
• • Combination memory foam and coil mattresses
• • Egyptian cotton sheets
• • Ironing board
• • Hair dryer
• • Hotel safe
• • Private palapa complete with hammocks
• • Private custom designed infinity edge 35’ x 40’ swimming pool for villa guests only
• • Rooftop living area with queen size day bed and dining area
• • Free wireless internet available throughout the property**
• • Coffee maker
• • Air conditioning
• • Light housekeeping
• • Kayaks
• • Use of personal cellular phone for the duration of your stay
• • Round trip Transfers from San Pedro airstrip

Event Hosting

Looking for a laid back setting to have a great beach bbq??? A place to throw a pool party on a sunny afternoon? Give us a call. Gotta group of 20, 30, 40? - not a problem. We’ll fill the coolers w/ cold Belikin, stock the bar, make the rum punch, light the tiki torches and fire up the bbq…

Belize

Belize is unparalleled in the diversity of experiences the country has to offer…. From scuba diving the largest reef in the western hemisphere to exploring ancient Mayan ruins, most all of Belize's attractions are possible on a day trip from Ambergris and Azul. There are also countless fantastic excursions local to Ambergris: snorkeling at the wonderful Hol Chan Marine reserve & Shark Alley, world class fishing and lazy sunset catamaran cruises are all at your doorstep when you stay at Azul… and we will be happy to assist you in planning ANY of the activities you desire to partake in during your stay.

Our Animals

Animals are an important part of daily life here at Azul. The property is currently home to 7 well-behaved & loving dogs and 5 cats, all rescues. Each has a unique story: Ex: skinny Lucy was rescued from a landfill near Guatemala where she was on the brink of starvation, Isla was adopted mere hours before she was to be euthanized, Suzie was being trained to be a bomb sniffing dog but came down with heartworm… rather than receiving treatment, she ended up in a shelter where she was about to be euthanized before some old Belize friends of ours intervened… Chances are, when you are sipping drinks on the beach on a sunny afternoon, there will be a dog or two lounging contently at your feet. Quite simply, life here would not be the same without them.

Press

Island Magazine, July 2013
"I've sampled some pretty incredible food, from leg of lamb at La Pergola (Rome's only three Michelin starred restaurant) to truffled edamame ravioli at Stephen Starr's Buddakan in New York City. But my favorite eats on the planet come courtesy of Rojo Beach Bar"
- Island Magazine









See full review here: http://azulbelize.com/islandmag.jpg

Buccaneers and Bones
Thanks to El Pescador Lodge and Orion Multimedia for including Rojo Beach Bar in their "Buccaneers and Bones" show!!! It was great fun to host an evening here w/ Lefty Kreh, Tom Brokaw, Yvon Chouinard, Bill Klyn, Huey Lewis, Will Benson and Meredith McCord!!! - All of us at Rojo Beach Bar

See full sized picture here: http://azulbelize.com/buccaneers.jpg

Rum Connection March 2012
"Rojo Lounge is a perfect little beach bar. The atmosphere, staff and cocktails make it the ideal place to stop for a quick drink or settle in for a long hangout session with your friends…"
-Rumconnection.com

See full review here: http://rumconnection.com/uncategorized/rojo-lounge/

Rojo Lounge, as seen on ABC'S "The Bachelor" 2012

Watching Rojo Lounge on The Bachelor at Rojo Lounge


We cannot believe he chose Courtney over Emily!!!

The Travel Channel,
Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World September 2009
As featured on the Travel Channel's Andrew Zimmern's Bizarre World, see Chef Jeff Spiegel cook with Andrew at the beautiful Rojo Lounge & Market at Azul Resort.

Caribbean Travel & Life January 2010
Enjoying conch pizza at Rojo Lounge / Azul Resort. Listed in Caribbean Travel & Life's 25 Quintessential Caribbean Beach Experiences" January 2010

Caribbean Travel & Life December 2009
Ambergris Essentials: Azul Resort. North of San Pedro, these two 3,000-square-foot, two-bedroom rock star villas complete with rooftop hot tubs share a pool and a nice beach adjacent to Rojo Lounge, Belize's best restaurant, which caters all your meals.

Coastal Living Magazine, October 2009
We have a fabulous dinner at Rojo Lounge, a beachfront restaurant and bar...Rojo Lounge has a wonderful little market for wine, beer, snacks and sundries. Try and bean-and-cheese burrito-a delicious addition to a picnic lunch on the beach.

American Way Magazine, June 2009
Belize steals the cover for the June issue of American Way Magazine, featuring Azul Resort and Rojo Lounge.

Reserve one of two 3,000 -square-foot villas and watch the stars and horizon from your private rooftop Jacuzzi with one of Azul's famous frozen mojitos in your hand. Your enormous three-floor crib boasts a full kitchen, exposed ladywood beams, wrap-around balconies, plasma screen TV, WiFi, and your own cell phone should you wish to stay connected. Or unplug at the infinity pool or adjoining Rojo Lounge, where former punk record producer Jeff Spiegel prepares some of the island's best cuisine in his newfound incarnation as a world-class chef.

Causing the biggest buzz on Ambergris' culinary coconut grapevine at press time was Rojo Lounge, where the succulently sophisticated menu will leave you grasping for adjectives. Or maybe you'll just reach for your cocktail in stunned silence after each bite..

Fodor's Choice 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011
Azul Resort and Rojo Lounge & Market are proud to be the only resort and restaurant in Belize to be given a Fodor's Choice rating for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011

Azul Resort: This new resort has only two beach villas, but what beach houses they are! two-level villas have an open floor plan, 20 foot ceilings and beams of mylady wood. Custom kitchens have Viking appliances, and the stuffing cabinets and most of the furniture is made of Belize's unique zericote wood. Each villa has an Apple computer, 50 inch plasma flat scarnedena tv, Bose home theatre system. On the rooftop, you can laze in the hot tub or sunbathe in delicious privacy. There's a gorgeous infinity edge pool and the hip Rojo Lounge is next door for drinks and some of the best food on the island."

Rojo Lounge: This is the hippest restaurant and bar on the Cayes. Rojo Lounge, in a sultry open air palapa on a beautiful beach,is definitely red hot. Lunch offers a selection of sophisticated snacks like chili dusted shrimp, grilled lobster salad and conch pizza... Dinner is romantic and delicious, with surprising combinations such as cashew- crusted grouper stuffed with lobster and guava glazed ribs... The bar serves killer frozen mojitos.

Outside's GO Magazine Fall 2007

Living the (Central) American Dream "If you had told me ten years ago that I'd be running a resort in Belize, I would have called you crazy"...

Islands Magazine
October 2007

FEEL THE BURN

Organic farming has made its steady, green creep over to Ambergris Caye, Belize, where owners of the sexy, cool Azul Resort, on the remote north end of the island, have pulled on the ole overalls and started a farm of their own, from which they produce eclectic hot sauces under the label San Pedro Pepper Works. Try flavors like Caye Lime Habanero and Mango Habanero at their restaurant, the Rojo Lounge. Take a water taxi from San Pedro to get there. Bottles to bring home are $8. azulbelize.com.

National Geographic Adventure May 2007 THE LAST REFUGE How to find your own personal paradise–and 3,000 square-foot villa–on Belize's liveliest island BY COSTAS CHRIST From rain-forested mountains to the Western Hemisphere's longest barrier reef system, tiny belize is crammed with a Planet's worth of tropical wonders. And Azul Resort ($2,395 a night for four, including meals and drinks;www.azulbelize.com) on Ambergris Cay makes a prime launchpad for exploring them. Opened in 2005 by silicon valley executive Vivian Yu and her husband, Jeff Spiegel, a former indie record label manager, the beachfront retreat puts guests within a ten- minute kayak paddle of the famed barrier reef. Each of Azul's two private villas–yes there are only two–comes with wireless Internet (personal laptops are available), Bose home- theater systems, and rooftop Jacuzzis. MUST-DOS: Take a 30-minute bird's-eye tour of the barrier reef with Astrum Helicopters ($250 per person; www.astrumhelicopters.com) to spot sharks, rays, and manatees. Or venture farther afield on another Azul-organized excursion, from caving mainland Belize's limestone kingdoms with Caves Branch ($85 a day per person;www.cavesbranch.com) to diving with whale sharks with Sea Horse Dive Shop ($150 per person; www.belizescuba.com)

www.luxurylatinamerica.com April 2007 Belize's newest, most talked about (and priciest) boutique resort is simple in design, color, and size, but is anything but common. Azul's two 3,000–square–foot luxury villas occupy a 400–foot stretch of beachfront on Ambergris Caye's north side, right next door to Mata Chica Resort. The white and azure Mediterranean lines of the structures mesh wonderfully with the turquoise ocean and reef–adorned horizon just offshore. Azul Belize These enormous three–floor cribs boast full kitchens, exposed ladywood beams, wrap–around balconies, and share a palm–shaded infinity pool. They each have two spacious bedrooms and baths, and quadruple occupancy rates or only a little higher than the double occupancy rates quoted below. The king beds boast memory foam mattresses and pillows, Egyptian cotton sheets, and of course, Egyptian cotton bathrobes for those jaunts to and from the rooftop of lounge. The interiors are filled with light, space, and all the modern amenities you could imagine, including gourmet espresso machines, plasma screen televisions, WiFi and your own iBook and cell phone, should you wish to stay connected. Better yet, unplug on your private rooftop Jacuzzi with one of Azul's famous frozen mojitos in hand and sky full of stars overhead. The roofs have a 360–degree view of paradise, as well king size day beds and dining area. Azul Belize Azul's adjoining Rojo Lounge and Restaurant add an impressive, delicious dimension to the property, with its sleek bar, shady patio, and lovely dining area only a couple of meters from the Caribbean's edge. In the exhibition kitchen, you'll find former punk record producer Jeff Spiegel preparing some of the island's best cuisine in his newfound incarnation as a world–class chef. Indeed, Rojo Lounge is causing the biggest buzz on Ambergris' culinary coconut grapevine, where the succulently sophisticated menu will leave you grasping for adjectives. Or maybe you'll just reach for your cocktail in stunned silence after each bite of cashew crusted lobster, shrimp–stuffed grouper, or conch pizza. The self–made chef and his partner, Vivian, bring their San Francisco–bred style and sensibility and have had an impressively full booking schedule for their first year afloat. A staff to guest ratio of 3:1 doesn't hurt to keep things comfortable. Of course, the full range of ocean and inland activities are available. You can even charter a private helicopter to take you to Belize's archeological sites and natural attractions. This is an experience in itself, a sea–world safari as you leave the island looking for all manner of sharks, rays, dolphins, and manatees below the water's surface.

Travel & Leisure magazine, March 2007 Laid-back Ambergris Caye is just a 20-minute flight from gritty Belize City, but a world apart. The beaches are powdery white, shopping barefoot is encouraged, and the pace is languorous, thanks to the island's sandy, car-free roads (locals get around by golf cart, fat-tired bicycle, or a leisurely saunter)... At night, head to the Rojo Lounge (011- 501/226-4012; www.azulbelize.com), known for its conch pizzas, frozen margaritas, and sleek beachfront style.

Frommers, February 2007 We arrived at Azul's dock and were greeted by Jeff Spiegel who, along with Vivian Yu, opened the resort in April of 2005. The two had come to Belize, like so many others, for the diving, and befriended a couple who sold them a small beach house (where the resort's infinity edge pool currently stands) on a handshake. The resort marries the modern chic of a Manhattan loft with the casual beauty of a simple beach bungalow, a look that was well thought out by both Spiegel and Yu, who spent a year designing the 3,000-sq-ft., air- conditioned villas, and chose everything from the flat screen televisions and Viking kitchen appliances to the local wood used to make the furniture and the Egyptian cotton sheets that grace the king-size beds. "We wanted to design the type of place that we would want to stay ourselves," Spiegel says. "That is the guiding force in most of the decisions we've made here -- simply doing things the way we would want them done if we were guests." Spiegel and Yu have taken great care to create an exclusive and intimate resort, providing guests with everything from airport transfers to their own cell phone, and while back in San Pedro you'll likely find yourself sharing the beach with other tourists, there are never more than ten guests at Azul, and it's possible that you might be the only one enjoying the resort's 400 feet of private beach that day. After a glass of champagne on one of the villas' rooftop lounges, our group headed to the Rojo Lounge for dinner, which we were surprised to learn would be prepared by Spiegel, who ran a successful independent record label, Fat Wreck Chords, in San Francisco, but has no culinary training. Spiegel modestly introduced the first of many dishes, which ranged from a ceviche (of conch, habañero, passion fruit and grouper) and roasted red pepper hummus with thick, doughy za'tar-spiced flat bread to smoked pork tostones and plantain-crusted shrimp. We moved on to conch pizza, lobster salad, and cashew-crusted lobster- and shrimp-stuffed grouper, and soon we, like the fish we had just consumed, were stuffed. However, dessert was on its way, and Spiegel, whom we had decided found his calling in the kitchen, placed plates of luscious carrot cake and heavenly homemade ice cream (bananas foster, mud pie) in front of us, which was the perfect way to end an already perfect evening.

Conde Nast Traveller, October 2006 "Fifty years ago, the great travel writer Norman Lewis said: 'I can- not think of any better place for someone seized with a weariness of the world to retire to in Gauguin fashion, than Belize.' Lewis's devout hope that the country would somehow remain untouched by the tourism explosion was, of course, destined to be dashed; but there are some grounds for supposing that way up in the north of Ambergris Caye, only a dozen or so miles from the Mexican border, cooled by the perpetual breeze from the Caribbean, lulled by the distant roar of the longest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, and overcoming his monkish distaste for comfort, even Lewis might have found Azul sufficiently out of the world." - Read Full Article

Men's Journal, December 2006 Ambergris Caye, 36 miles north of Belize City, is the country's liveliest, with open air bars and restaurants spilling onto the white sand... The swankiest place to stay is Azul, with its two new villas on the beach, plasma tv's, rooftop hot tubs, complimentary cell phones, kayaks and snorkel gear.

Outside Magazine, December 2006 "Azul Resort, one of the country's most tranquil and exclusive refuges, owes it's birth to punk rock. In 2003, after four years managing San Francisco indie label Fat Wreck Chords, Jeff Spiegel found that the best cure for his ringing ears was the powder-fine sand and turquoise waters of Belize's Ambergris Caye. He and co-owner Vivian Yu have since constructed a pair of 3,000-square-foot, two-bedroom villas, along 400 feet of private beach, with rooftop hot tubs and private chef service --and a vibe that's more Bunny Wailer than Johnny Rotten. From 1,575 per night; azulbelize.com

Named one of the 20 best getaways of the winter sTeraasvoenl. & Leisure Magazi,neNovember 2005.
Winter is approaching faster than you can say brrrr—and the holidays are just around the corner. From Aspen to New Zealand, T+L has uncovered the perfect trips for travelers of every type: beachcombers scouting the next hot destination, culture buffs in search of enlightenment, foodies looking for that out-of- the-ordinary Christmas feast, or sybarites in need of some serious high-altitude pampering. Here, the season's best.
WHERE: Ambergris Cay, Belize
WHY: Get away from it all at Azul, a secluded, two-villa beach resort opened this year by a pair of expats from San Francisco. Located six miles north of San Pedro on one of the island's most idyllic stretches of sand, the property's meticulously crafted open-plan villas combine modern perks (plasma TV's, Viking kitchens) with rustic design elements (bamboo railings, cabinets carved from ziricote wood). Take a dip in the rooftop hot tub overlooking the jungle and use the old-school walkie-talkies to summon frozen mojitos from Rojo Lounge, Azul's beach bar.

Staff Pick Islands Magazine November 2005 ...wash down conch fritters with papaya chili dipping sauce with ginger mojitos at Rojo Lounge at the new Azul Resort.

Packages

Your stay here at Azul can be customized to accommodate both special occasions and special interests:
-Wedding Packages. From catering the rehearsal dinner to planning the morning after brunch (and everything in between) we specialize in wedding hosting and planning. With one of the most picturesque settings for a beachfront wedding anywhere, a spacious pool & patio area for a reception and a beachfront deck & palapa area for dining and dancing, Azul is the perfect setting for your tropical wedding.
-Honeymoon Packages: Already had the big event and now simply need to relax? Ask us about our special honeymoon packages. With private massages and spa treatments in your villa, romantic beachfront picnics, and roof top candlelight dinners, your honeymoon at Azul will be an unforgettable experience.
-Diving, Fishing: Coming to Ambergris to dive and/or fish??? We can arrange daily excursions with the best dive masters and guides the island has to offer.
-Corporate Events: Looking for a private and spacious setting to hold a meeting or entertain important clients. As much as people come to Belize to escape, we also know the realities of today's business world and how important business is for many of our guests. Be it tapping into our resort-wide wireless internet, setting up a digital projector for that special presentation, or simply having those little touches in place that will make a BIG difference, Azul can meet your needs when your travel to Belize also means business.

Please e-mail us for further information on customized stays at Azul.

Azul villa only rates.

Rates do not include 9% accommodation tax.
Maximum occupancy is 5 persons per villa (add $100 for 5th guest).
Gratuity optional.
Rates are subject to change without notice based on new government taxes and regulations.

The villas of Azul are designed to marry the best of natural elements and materials with modern comforts and sophisticated conveniences. The beauty of the villas lay in their simplicity. Harsh corners everywhere are replaced by flowing lines. The floor plan is incredibly open… upon entering the villa guests are greeted with 20 foot high ceilings boating 800lb beams of mylady wood. Throughout the villas, there is extensive use of the beautiful local hardwoods that have made Belize famous: all of the windows and doors are hand crafted out of jabin… kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, beds and furniture are made of dark, luscious zericote… rooftop pergolas are fashioned from young teak… all grown and cut in Belize. The villas also blur the lines between indoors and out. Enormous bi-fold windows open up both the living and dining areas to the ocean and tropical breeze. The entire rooftop of each villas is living area as well, with expansive lounging and dining spaces that offer spectacular views of the reef, sunsets and sky.

Contact

Azul
North Beach
San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, Belize

Email

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