Manurii Hotel Review, Utila

Tucked away on the largely unheard of Caribbean island of Utila lies Manurii, a tropical oasis you would never expect to find here. It is close enough to the main street to enjoy the island’s lively bars and restaurants, yet far enough away that you can truly relax by the pool and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep. A wonderful and incredibly helpful owner, along with a menagerie of rescued birds and Kaiko the Dalmatian, make this place feel like a genuine haven on an island that is quickly becoming my favourite in the Caribbean.

Location and How to Get There

Utila is one of the three Bay Islands of Honduras and can be reached in a few different ways. If you are coming from the United States, I recommend flying straight into Roatan, a neighbouring island that is more commercialised but has numerous daily flights to the continental US, making the journey straightforward. From Roatan, you can then take the ferry from the port, which is a short taxi ride from Roatan International Airport.

The ferry runs daily, takes about an hour, and tickets can be purchased online or on the day. You can also take a ferry from La Ceiba on mainland Honduras, however from my research it is harder to find flights to La Ceiba, and you will likely need to fly via San Pedro Sula. For that reason, flying into Roatan generally makes more sense unless you are coming from elsewhere in Central America.

Once you arrive at the ferry port in Utila, grab a tuk tuk, there will be plenty waiting, and head to the hotel. It cost us just $4. You can also charter a small plane from Roatan which, while more expensive, may be worth considering if you are travelling in a group or if your flight does not align with the ferry schedule.

Rooms

There are a few different room types available at Manurii, ranging from standard double rooms to quadruples and larger apartments. All of the rooms share balconies adorned with Adirondack chairs and hammocks, with beautiful views over the canopy and a perfect spot to watch the sunset.

The doubles and quadruples are very similar, with the main difference being that the latter has an extra double bed. The rooms are compact but clean and functional, with excellent air conditioning units which, in my opinion, are the most important feature, especially if you are visiting during the summer months when it can get incredibly hot and humid and you really appreciate an evening break from the heat after a day of exploring in the sun.

There are multiple shelves and hangers for storage, along with a number of outlets scattered around the room. Each room has a towel rack outside the door, which is useful for drying clothes and towels, as they do not dry particularly well inside. While the bathrooms could use a little updating, they are functional and include a toilet, sink, and hot water shower. Only soap is provided, so be sure to bring your own shampoo and conditioner or pick some up at one of the local shops.

The apartments are slightly larger and include a kitchenette, allowing you to prepare a few meals if you wish. That said, the food scene in Utila is incredibly diverse and vibrant and honestly took me by surprise, I wanted to try everywhere! Prices are generally quite affordable compared to the United States, with a few exceptions, but it is well worth sampling at least a handful of spots during your stay. Having a mini refrigerator, like the one in the apartment, is also very handy for storing drinks, water, aloe, and anything else you might need after a day in the sun.

Food and Drink

While there is no restaurant on site and no breakfast is served, this is very much by design so that guests can enjoy the fantastic restaurants and cafés that Utila has to offer. Given the island’s small size and population, I was genuinely surprised by the sheer number and variety of places to eat. My go to spots for breakfast were Pink Flamingo and Josie’s Place.

There is, however, a bar at Manurii, and it is such a vibe. Located right by the pool and styled much like the rest of the property, it feels like something straight out of Bali. It is well worth sticking around for a drink or two in the evening when the bartender arrives around 5 pm.

Facilities

What I loved most about Manurii were the grounds, and of course the owner, who has clearly poured so much love and soul into the property. The gardens are lush and green and feel worlds away from the hubbub of Utila’s main street, despite being just a stone’s throw away. It really is a peaceful retreat of tropical plants, birds, and a glistening feature pool at the centre, which is surprisingly deep in the middle at around 10 feet.

The owner has been rescuing and caring for birds that were brought to the island, housing them in beautiful aviaries throughout the grounds. The birds are incredibly colourful and a joy to watch. The central pool is a real highlight, complete with a waterfall and several loungers dotted around the edge. There are also plenty of tables and chairs scattered throughout the property, making it easy to find a spot to relax or get some work done.

There is a fire pit and cosy seating area near reception that makes for a great place to hang out in the evenings, as well as a fantastic on site bar that opens daily from 5 pm. The resident dog, a Dalmatian named Kaiko, is a much loved character around the property. There is also space to park a golf cart or scooter if you choose to rent one, and one of the perks of staying at a small boutique hotel like this is that you are never competing for space, whether it is by the pool or for parking.

Activities

The owner of Manurii is honestly the shining star of the hotel. He truly went above and beyond when it came to recommending places and activities around the island, even giving us his WhatsApp number so we could message him at any time with questions or for recommendations. I had reached out before our visit about a boat trip, and sure enough, when we checked in he had already made enquiries and secured us a spot on a trip to Water Cay the very next day. It ended up being by far the best thing we did in Utila, and it was especially appreciated as many tours require a minimum number of people to go ahead. You can read more in my guide to Utila here.

He also sent us a list of different restaurants on the island and explained that, as many are not open every day, we could message him and he would let us know which places were open and even make reservations for us. This kind of thoughtful, personalised service is something you rarely get at larger hotels, and it is one of the many reasons I love staying at small boutique properties like this.

Service

The owner was a big part of what made our stay so special. Any question or concern was answered promptly, and he was always on hand with personalised recommendations. A light housekeeping service is available, with a small wooden block outside your door that you can turn if you’d like your room freshened up. We skipped this since we were only there for three nights and planned to be out exploring most days.

Closing Remarks

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Manurii. Its prime location, beautiful grounds, personable owner, and functional rooms make it my number one choice when I return to Utila. You really get the best of both worlds here, close proximity to everything happening in town, yet far enough away that you can come back, unwind, and enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep in the tropical retreat that is Manurii.

Ready to book Manurii? Click here!

Looking for more info on Utila? Read my full guide to the island here.

You can find out more about my stay on my “Utila” Highlights on Instagram @chase.the.rainbows.

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