I think the review below is tacky and way off base. My family and I stayed at the Maine Stay for two weeks and were blown away by how wonderful everything was. The cabanas were spotless and spacious.

It is true that you need to lock the gates when leaving, but this is just par for the course. As far as the beach dogs, they were so sweet and they did not bother us at all! In fact, it was a highlight of our trip :)

The owners were so nice and helpful. They gave us our privacy but were there for us whenever we had any questions.

I would definitely recommend keeping the doors locked on the cabana, but that is just common sense. You may want to err on the side of caution but that doesn't mean you should be afraid to visit. We really enjoyed our time and we didn't have any problems.

Have resisted doing this review for 2 plus years but, when I read that guests at The Maine Stay are still being robbed I have to do something. Stayed in the older set of cabanas ( south side) for 14 days in March 2009. While we were all sleeping in the bigger one because my 16 yr. old daughter did not feel comfortable being in the other one by herself, some lazy scumbags broke in and took a laptop, 2 cameras and a cell phone, (approx. $2000.00 worth). Unlike the other victims the thieves used the main door which was locked by the key provided. There isn't a deadbolt and the lock can be easily picked. The police (Larry, Moe & Curly) thought a nail had been used to break in and they indicated that it had happened before. Therefore every time you leave the property your valuables are fair game. The night
we were robbed a women staying in the other set of cabanas woke up at 3:00 am to a face looking in the window! The owners need to provide better locks. I tried to get a refund for some of our stay but, they declined. Even if security wasn't an issue I would never stay there again. At $200.00 plus a night it isn't a bargain. The furniture and kitchen fixtures left something to be desired and ours wasn't very clean, the bathrooms smelt of sewer gas and there is wrought iron covering every window- it was like being in prison-you had to lock the gates on the driveway and the gates leading to the beach every time you went somewhere . The town of Seine Bight is worse than some of the ghettos in Detroit and there is garbage everywhere as soon as you leave the property. We have traveled through Mexico (16 trips) and been to Central America several times and this was our worst experience.There was a pack of dogs on a compound (probably where the thieves live) that barked all night long. If going to Belize I would suggest you avoid this area where the locals have major chips on their shoulders, and instead try the
Cayo district or The Cayes and if you do go to Placentia stay somewhere closer in town.

This is a great place to just relax and unwind. Placencia town was fun to walk around. Several good restauants to choose from. Drew and Karen were gracious hosts who were there if you needed them but not intrusive of your privacy. We enjoyed sitting on the wrap around deck and just watching the water and the birds. We saw dolphins one morning, very exciting! Everything you need is there for a family or just a couple. We had a car so getting to town was no problem. There are bikes to use as well, so a car is not a must. We truely hope to be back.

We spend almost 2 weeks (04/02-15/2011) at The Maine Stay and enjoyed every minute of our stay. The cabanas, beach, sea and pier/palapa were great and added to our wonderful experience in this magnificent country. We used "The Maine Stay" as a springboard to the Caribbean Sea for trips to Silk Caye, Laughing Bird Caye and Pumpkin Caye for snorkeling, fishing and relaxing on the beach. The location was ideal for exploring the interior of Belize - Mayan ruins (Xunantunich, Nim Li Punit, Lubaatum and Mayflower), waterfalls (Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary & Mayflower Bocawina National Park), Blue Hole National Park, Monkey River and Punta Gorda. Also, we had easy access to great food in and around Placencia (Rumfish y Vino, Habanero's, Maya Beach Hotel & Bistro and The Quarterdeck). However, most of our meals were prepared at the cabana, which has all the necessary amenities for serving up a good meal including a gas grill for BBQ on the deck. Dancing to Reggae music at the Barefoot Bar on Thursday and Sunday nights with two beautiful young women (my daughters!) was a blast and good excercise too! The kayaks and bicycles provided with the cabana were also very handy for exploring the coast, Siene Bight, etc.. The beach at The Maine Stay is one of the best along the seaside shoreline - well maintained with plenty of Coconut Palms to provide shade when the sun becomes too intense. Provisions are close at hand also at many Chinese run supermarkets in Placencia & Siene Bight. Our beverages of choice included Belikin beer and Old Master's Rum! My son-in-law and I also partook in a few Cohiba (Cuban) Cigars (cheap Cohibas were readily available at the Peninsula Supermarket in Seine Bight - a short bike ride from the cabana) on the beach with a rum drink on occasion. This was one of our best vacations ever, due in large part to the wonderful accommodations provided by Drew and Karen Travers. We'll be back!!!