In Brief: Fort George Belize has joined Autograph Collection Hotels and plans to expand from 64 to 130 guestrooms and suites, with the Signature Sea View Tower debuting this fall.
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Fort George Belize, Autograph Collection – Image Credit Marriott International
Fort George Belize, Autograph Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s distinctive portfolio of independent hotels, announces its debut as a landmark waterfront retreat in the historic Fort George neighborhood. Celebrated for its individual character and story, the hotel enters a new chapter that honors its longstanding connection to Belize City while inviting travelers to experience the destination’s history, culture, and Caribbean spirit through a refreshed and distinctly local hospitality experience.
Deeply woven into the life and evolution of Belize City, Fort George brings together generations of history with a renewed waterfront experience designed for today’s traveler. Guided by the idea of “Heritage in Motion,” the property carries its history forward rather than preserving it as something static, pairing contemporary hospitality with thoughtfully crafted experiences that connect guests to the city, its people, and the stories that continue to shape Belize today.
The property currently features 64 guestrooms and suites and will expand to 130 accommodations with the upcoming debut of its Signature Sea View Tower, adding 66 new guestrooms and suites across King and Queen accommodations, including two Signature Sea View Penthouses, all designed to take advantage of the property’s waterfront setting and views across Belize City and the Caribbean Sea, while further enhancing the hotel’s connection to the destination’s culture, history, and Caribbean waterfront.
Set to debut later this fall, the Signature Sea View Tower, designed by Arguelles Architects, draws inspiration from Belize’s coastal landscape while complementing the hotel’s historic setting. Expansive windows frame views of the sea, while natural textures, warm woods, locally inspired artwork, and thoughtfully curated details reflect Belize’s landscape, culture and sense of place.
The hotel’s culinary offering will continue that connection to place through a collection of new dining and social experiences. Marea, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, will join the property’s existing restaurant, The Treehouse, while The George — “Coffee by Day, Cocktails by Night” — will anchor the expansive new lobby with an all-day concept transitioning from a curated specialty coffee program by day to elevated mixology featuring Belizean botanicals and ingredients in the evening.
Fort George invites guests to experience Belize City through moments centered around relaxation, connection and discovery. The expansion will also introduce a new waterfront swimming pool and retail boutique, complementing existing experiences including K’IN Spa, BurnBox Gym and the Courtyard Plunge Pool.
For meetings, celebrations and group travel, the expansion will introduce Lubaantun, a boardroom meeting space with an adjoining outdoor deck, and The Canopy Terrace, a fourth-floor venue offering panoramic views across Belize City and the Caribbean Sea. Together, the new spaces will add approximately 4,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. These new venues will complement the hotel’s existing Lord Ashcroft Centre, offering 6,815 square feet of flexible meeting and event space with capacity for up to 500 guests. With the hotel’s expansion from 64 to 130 guestrooms and suites, Fort George is now positioned to accommodate a broader range of conferences, incentives, groups, weddings and celebrations directly on property.
Art and cultural storytelling are woven throughout the guest journey, creating meaningful opportunities for discovery while celebrating the people, traditions and creative spirit that make Belize distinctive. Historical imagery documenting Belize City and its waterfront will sit alongside contemporary works inspired by Belize and the wider Caribbean, with selected pieces incorporating QR-enabled storytelling that will invite guests to discover their cultural and historical context.
From its waterfront setting in the historic Fort George neighborhood, the hotel invites travelers to discover Belize City as part of the journey itself, while providing convenient access to some of the country’s most celebrated experiences — from the Belize Barrier Reef and ancient Maya sites to rainforest adventures and communities throughout the historic waterfront district.
“Autograph Collection Hotels celebrates independent properties whose stories are inseparable from their destinations. Fort George stands as a reflection of Belize City’s history, culture and spirit, delivering an experience that could exist nowhere else in the world,” said Ricardo Echeverri, Vice President, Owner & Franchise Services, Marriott International in the Caribbean and Latin America. “Fort George embodies that spirit through its longstanding connection to Belize City, its waterfront setting and the thoughtful way the property brings Belizean culture and hospitality into the guest experience.”
“Joining the Autograph Collection represents an important milestone in the evolution of Fort George, allowing us to introduce the property to a broader global audience while preserving the individuality and sense of place that have always defined it,” said Scott McArdle, Vice President of Hospitality. “Fort George has always been deeply connected to Belize City, and as the property continues to evolve, we are being very intentional about how the destination is experienced throughout the guest journey through design, art, cuisine and storytelling, while encouraging travelers to discover the city as an important part of their wider experience.”
Fort George Belize, Autograph Collection, Resort is part of Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, which allows members to earn and redeem points for stays at this property and at more than 10,000 destinations and territories around the world. With the Marriott Bonvoy mobile app, members can enjoy a personalized, contactless experience, traveling with peace of mind.