If you're even remotely considering a trip to Belize, stop reading this review right now and just book Velento! If you're still on the fence, then read on, and allow me to convince you that this is the place you absolutely want to go on your next vacation.
1. The facilities. Construction on Velento was just completed back in November, and it certainly still has that "new place smell." We saw most of the island in our week on Caye Caulker, and we never saw another hotel/condo that looked even remotely as nice as Velento. The caretaker crew (more on them in a sec) keeps the place looking absolutely stunning. There is a private beach area and pier that provide hours of fun and relaxation.
2. The pool. It's the second largest pool on the island, and, although I'm no pool or swimming expert, it appears to be olympic length and great for laps or just chilling and staring that the beautiful Caribbean waters.
3. Location. Caye Caulker is a small island, but there are definitely good and bad spots with regard to accommodations. Velento is just far enough from the nightlife and tourist trap areas but close enough to be convenient to everything you'll want to see. Also, Velento is right on the water on the East side of the island, which means the view is incredible. It also means that you get the constant winds that will make you comfortable and keep the bugs way (which certainly cannot be said about other spots on the island). We spent many hours just lounging on the balcony and enjoying the island breeze.
4. I've saved the best for last, and, in one word, it's: Don! Don and his wife are the on-site caretakers, and I cannot say enough about how warm, friendly, helpful, and accommodating they are. Here are just a few things Don did for us: 1) he procured beer and drinking water at the best prices on the island and even delivered directly to our place; 2) he set up a fishing and manatee/snorkeling tour that were very reasonably priced, and they even picked us up and dropped us off at the private pier! 3) he grilled the fish that we caught on our fishing tour (and he's one heluva cook!) 4) for my birthday, he got us 10 lobsters caught earlier that day by local fisherman and even grilled them up for us ($7 USD each, btw!); and 5) he was an invaluable source of info and advice on all things Caye Caulker. It was like having our own island concierge the entire stay. I really can't say enough about the guy. A true mensch!
So, just do it! Book Velento and enjoy one of the best vacations you'll ever have!