Some holidays give you a beautiful place. This one gives you two, and nobody else in either of them. Gladden Surf & Turf pairs a whole private island on the Belize Barrier Reef with a 200-acre jungle estate in the Maya Mountains, in a single seven-night stay. Split the week three-and-four or four-and-three between island and jungle, travel between them by helicopter, and find the same promise waiting at both ends: one group only, your own chef, and everything included.
THE ISLAND — GLADDEN PRIVATE ISLAND
Gladden is a single-villa private island sitting in the Gladden Spit and Silk Cayes Marine Reserve, on the reef itself. The villa's two master suites host a maximum of four guests, and there are no other guests — ever. The staff live on their own smaller island nearby, close enough to appear the moment you want something and invisible the rest of the time; that arrangement is what makes Gladden feel less like a resort and more like your own island that happens to run itself. Days here arrange themselves around the water: snorkelling straight off the island onto the reef, fishing and exploring with your private boat and captain, the plunge pool, and dinners built around the day's catch by your private chef.
THE JUNGLE HOUSE — VALLEY STREAM
Valley Stream is Gladden's mainland counterpart: a private estate house in the Maya Mountains, surrounded by 200 acres of rainforest with its own waterfall and stream. Two master suites in the main villa (with further accommodation in the Orchard House) keep the same one-group-only promise in an entirely different world — emerald instead of turquoise, birdsong instead of surf. A private chef and bartender, an infinity pool and hot tub, and up to four daily massages are all part of the stay, along with excursions into the surrounding mountains and Maya country.
THE OFFER — WHAT'S INCLUDED
The Surf & Turf week is seven nights at $4,250 per night for two guests, or $5,250 per night for four, all-inclusive at both properties — and when you stay seven nights, your eighth night is free, on the island or at the jungle house, your choice. Included at both ends: all meals by your private chef, all drinks including wine, champagne and spirits, two helicopter transfers between the properties, your private boat and captain at Gladden, snorkelling and fishing, daily massages, excursions, concierge and housekeeping, and transfers. One price, arranged before you arrive, with no bill waiting at the end.
GOOD TO KNOW
Either split works — three nights on Gladden and four at Valley Stream, or the reverse — and both splits include the two helicopter transfers. Gladden's published minimum stay is four nights for a standalone booking; the Surf & Turf package is its own seven-night arrangement. Belize City is reached by nonstop flights of roughly two and a half hours from Houston and Dallas/Fort Worth, with onward transfers arranged for you. For larger groups, sister properties Kanu and Prince Island host up to 10 and 12 guests respectively — ask about building your own version of the week.
