By the time we arrive at Ibagari hotel on Roatán, it has already been mentioned to us numerous times. The hotel’s reputation precedes it, and it felt like everyone on the island – from taxi drivers to people we met on neighbouring islands – wanted to recommend it to us as the luxury choice.
And when you first arrive at the hotel – located on the lyrical Tamarind Drive – it becomes clear why it has gained such a name on the Bay Islands of Honduras. Ibagari is a luxury boutique hotel, located beachside on a quiet stretch of sand a short water taxi ride from Roatán’s popular West Bay. Despite the proximity, it couldn’t feel farther from the hawkers and karaoke bars of West Bay, and is an idyllic haven where you’ll regularly find yourself the only person on the beach at any time of day.
We start with a guided tour of the property, offering some background on the ethos at Ibagari, which focuses on three key pillars: nature, art, and gastronomy. The nature element is immediately visible through the design of the building itself: an indoor/outdoor structure that is entered via a fully open atrium, through the middle of which a huge tree grows, its branches reaching all the way to the skylight at the top. The combination of bare and white-panelled wood contrasts with an industrial-style concrete floor, and the open-plan design draws the eye directly through the lobby and towards the beach on the other side.
When designing the hotel, it was important to the owners to ensure that Ibagari represents the multicultural spirit of the Bay Islands, bringing in cultural elements from the afro-indigenous Garifuna population who hail from the islands, as well as links to mainland Central America. ‘Ibagari’ is the Garifuna word meaning ‘life’, and the hotel is made up of three separate buildings named after the words for ‘moon’, ‘sun’ and ‘house of the moon’.
The latter – Luna Muna – is home to one of the best restaurants on Roatán, drawing visitors from all over the Bay Islands to sample some of Guatemalan chef Alex Flore’s fusion of Caribbean and Latin American flavours. We find ourselves here before check-in time, taking in the sea view from the open-air terrace and enjoying one of the house cocktails, which come highly recommended.
Ibagari is a place teeming with superlatives, and our guide hastens to inform us that they have the three best mixologists on the island working behind the bar at Luna Muna. The drinks menu adds a personal touch by naming the mixologists responsible for creating the signature cocktails. Today we’re enjoying the Ibagari Delight – a punchy concoction with pineapple, rum, jalapeño, and bitters – created by Jessy Campbell and Johanna Mann.
Outside the bar, the afternoon sun is reflected on several shallow pools on the surface of the decking, which give the impression of an endless infinity pool extending all the way to the sea. Dotted around the terrace are tables and chairs, set for lunch, and shaded under a tree bubbles a large jacuzzi pool with room for several people at once. Stretching almost the breadth of the deck is a swimming pool, ideal length for getting in some exercise, or just to enjoy a drink on one of the built-in seating areas by the sidelines. At one end is another jacuzzi, perfectly positioned for sunset.
“The sunsets here are some of the best you’ll see” our guide tells us, and the science checks out; Ibagari faces directly west at the southern tip of Roatán, with uninterrupted views out to sea. There are clear skies almost every day, meaning that the chances of catching a breathtaking sunset are high, and the ‘sunset bell’ in the restaurant chimes every night to mark the event.
Ibagari has eighteen luxury suites, all with either sea or jungle view, ranging from the classic suite to a standalone two-bedroom villa with its own plunge pool. In early 2024, the hotel also opened two detached four-bedroom villas for exclusive rental – ideal for a getaway with family or a group of friends. The main hotel is adults-only; however, children are welcome within the newly-opened Ibagari Home villas. During our stay it’s clear that the hotel caters to a myriad of experiences, from a romantic couples break to a family trip.
Importantly, the pool and beach areas are reserved for guests staying at the hotel, meaning that no area is ever too crowded and there is always available space to sit/swim. Our visit coincided with spring break – one of the busiest periods for the hotel – and still we found ourselves alone on the beach and in the pool for most of the day.
We ate in the restaurant without having to reserve, and there was never any delay at the bar or activity centre. Where other hotels might have capitalised on the space to create greater guest capacity, Ibagari has perfected the art of ‘just right’ – the ideal balance of exclusivity and availability.
We are staying in one of the Luxury Suites on the ground floor of the hotel, with ocean views and French doors that open onto a spacious private terrace with cushioned sun loungers looking out to sea. The suite is a luxurious space in pristine white, with a sumptuous king-sized bed as the centre-piece in the middle of the room – ideally placed to experience those magnificent sunsets from the comfort of bed.
It’s a generous suite with separate indoor and outdoor sitting areas, an espresso station (water is provided but coffee pods are chargeable), and ample storage space for storing clothes and luggage. On the bedside, a bluetooth speaker makes it possible to connect your personal device and enjoy your own soundtrack.
The bathroom occupies a large space through sliding doors to the rear of the suite. It’s a warm and inviting space in white and wood that doubles as a dressing room, complete with wooden seating and a considerable vanity space. Products from Makenna – a luxury lifestyle brand from Guatemala – line the units and scent the room with the fragrance of sweet tangerine. The shower is a nice touch: partially open, separated from the bedroom by a frosted glass pane for privacy, but with a clear upper section allowing natural light to stream in and offering sea views while showering.
We took advantage of the hotel’s laundry service during our stay, which was impressively efficient. Although we opted for the 24h service, the laundry was delivered, washed and ironed, in just two hours, and for a very reasonable cost.
As one of the hotel’s key pillars, art plays an important role at Ibagari. It is evident all through the hotel, from ornaments dangling from the trees in the lobby to a huge sculpture of a paper crane that floats atop one of the shallow pools on the terrace. A striking portrait of a woman, painted onto a door, adds a striking accent to the otherwise muted surroundings of our bedroom.
Back in the communal space, there is a plethora of activities to discover and keep guests occupied. We spent hours basking at the generous pool area, which is always stocked with fresh beach towels, robes, and insect repellent. The service at Ibagari is second to none, and we were impressed that the staff would anticipate our needs before we’d considered them ourselves.
The team regularly brought glasses of cold water to the poolside and ensured that we were well-supplied with a cocktail in time for sundown (make ours a tamarind margarita). The process of payment is also handled seamlessly as the team made a point of remembering our room number, avoiding any clunky administration.
A stay at Ibagari is a whole experience, and to support this there is a guest experience advisor available on-site throughout the day to help guests get the most out of their time here. The hotel puts on regular entertainment like the traditional Garifuna dance show on Friday evenings, and there’s a whole host of available wellness rituals, such as yoga classes and cacao ceremonies. In addition, the on-site activity centre offers water experiences such as scuba diving, snorkelling and tailored boat trips. The centre also hires out equipment for water sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding, free of charge.
Just off the restaurant, an open-air enclave is laden with books neatly arranged on stylish wooden shelves: Ibagari’s book exchange, where guests are invited to take and swap books. A comfortable leather sofa positioned under a fan provides a cool and shaded spot to enjoy a book away from the heat of the midday sun.
Ibagari is located on a secluded stretch of beach, but the hotel’s private water taxi service provides links to Roatán’s West End and West Bay areas, ready on request (according to availability) and free of charge. It’s a very convenient way to explore the busier towns of the island or do some shopping; however the hotel also has a small shop in the lobby that sells essentials and souvenirs.
Gastronomy is one of Ibagari’s top selling points, and as such we had high hopes for the culinary offering, which absolutely lived up to expectations. It’s no surprise that the hotel serves an almost full cover of tables every night, with many having travelled specifically to sample the cuisine. The menu spotlights local ingredients, with a strong emphasis on the excellent fish and seafood native to the region.
Many of the dishes hail from the traditions of Garifuna cuisine, such as Ada’s Heritage – a creamy coconut-based stew with conch and locally-grown vegetables like cassava and plantain. It is in this region that we’ve tasted some of the best and freshest lobster, so it’s no surprise that the crustacean plays a starring role on the menu, featuring in tacos, pastas, and an indulgent stuffed lobster tail topped with bacon, mushroom, and champagne butter.
We also tried the seared shrimp – a light dish with fresh greens and rice – tuna tataki, tuna tartare, and sampled the skillet-baked pecan pie and Basque cheesecake from the dessert menu. Soups appear to be something of a speciality at Luna Muna, and a complimentary miniature bowl is served before each meal alongside homemade bread. At night, the atmosphere is magical, with flame torches dancing against the darkness and fairy lights glistening in the trees.
We also tried visited Luna Muna at lunchtime to try the menu, which includes more laidback dishes like quesadilla and tacos, served in the same open air surroundings and accompanied by the sound of the sea.
We are pleasantly surprised to find that lobster is also a star feature of the breakfast at Ibagari (breakfast doesn’t come as standard, but is available to purchase à la carte). It’s an unusual choice, but the eggs Benedict comes laden with a generous portion of lobster meat atop black bread, crispy onions and smothered in hollandaise sauce. It’s an epicurean delight that leaves us wondering how we’ll ever revert to the standard version. If lobster in the morning doesn’t take your fancy, there’s a wide choice ranging from light and healthy açai bowls to hearty French toast served with three indulgent dipping sauces and bacon. There is a menu of health-boosting juices, and fresh fruit, breads and coffee/tea come as standard.
Before leaving, we make a visit to the hotel’s spa facilities, located in a separate wing and shaded by palm trees and vegetation for privacy. Our treatment begins with a dip in the outdoor plunge pool, which is heated, creating an invigorating sensory experience in the 30˚C afternoon. Our masseuse brings refreshing green juice and water to the pool before we begin our treatments: the 50 minute deep tissue and hot stone full body massages; the sort that leave you dreading the moment when it finally ends.
By the time check out arrives on our final day, we know most of the team at Ibagari by name and vice versa. The level of personalised service here is absolutely second to none, and no expense is spared to ensure that facilities are well-stocked and guests’ needs are anticipated. It’s clear to see why so many were eager to tell us about Ibagari before we arrived, and the reputation is absolutely deserved; it’s a top-tier boutique luxury experience, where you’re made to feel like a valued guest and that nothing is too much trouble.
Before we leave, there’s just time for one last walk along the stretch of beach in front of the hotel, where brightly coloured birds hover the Gumbalimba nature park. It’s hard to believe how untouched it is; how blue the water and how textbook paradise the palm trees, and – the most incredible part of all – that ours is the only footprint on the sand. A stay at Ibagari is a full sensory experience, and it truly exceeds expectation at every turn. As our water taxi pulls away for the last time, and we see the last rays of sun glint on the terrace pools, we promise ourselves that we’ll be back one day to see another incredible sunset.
We stayed
In a Luxury Suite, priced from $470 per night (exclusive of tax), including a welcome cocktail on arrival. Breakfast isn’t included, but is available from an à la carte menu.
We ate
At Luna Muna restaurant, which has an excellent fine dining menu in the evening and lighter snacks available at lunchtime.
We rented kayaks free of charge, and enjoyed massages at the Ibagari spa, priced at $90 for 50 minutes.
For more information and best rates, book directly via the hotel’s website.
This was a press stay – all opinions are our own.
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