Plans for the completion of a resort complex under the Margaritaville brand in northern Ambergris Caye are on schedule, and according to its shareholders, the multi-million dollar project will be open for business in December 2020. As works continue to meet this deadline, an entourage of executives representing Margaritaville descended on the property on Tuesday, October 29th for a routine inspection. Among them was the brand’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Cohlan, who was impressed with the project that will see 71 units (one and two bedrooms) including a penthouse, two pools, four bars, two restaurants, and a 400-foot pier, complemented with the brand’s signature and beverage concepts.
CEO Cohlan and his group arrived via Astrum Helicopters, accompanied Mayor Daniel Guerrero and Deputy Mayor Gabriel ‘Gaby’ Nuñez. They toured the manicured grounds of the property leading to one of the pools that was recently filled in. They also visited one of the bars under construction and then one of the two-bedroom units on the beachfront. The third-floor penthouse, which is under construction, was also inspected. It offers breath-taking views of the Caribbean Sea and reef. One of the last areas to be visited was the vacant site where one of the restaurants will soon begin construction. This restaurant will connect with one of the pool bars to better serve customers.
Cohlan shared with The San Pedro Sun that the idea for the project began over a year ago and he is satisfied with the progress. He stated that the Margaritaville Resort on Ambergris Caye will offer a unique experience to customers ranging from world-class amenities to adventurous water activities such as reef snorkeling, diving, and kayaking. The units in the resort will also be available for purchase and owners can either live there or place them in a renting pool.
Mayor Guerrero supports the project, stating that the tourism industry on the island continues to expand. He said he is aware that the development is near Bacalar Chico Marine Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, the project has met its environmental obligations so far. “I am a huge advocate for the conservation of the environment,” said Guerrero. “I have participated in the expansion of our protected areas around the island. I will always support environmentally-friendly projects that will benefit our country.”
The property is the former site of a time-share development known as Sueño del Mar, which went into receivership in 2010 under much controversy. The project allegedly had been receiving environmental clearances since then to keep it open to potential investors. According to Eddie Bouloy, a partner in the current project, the investment into the resort is 100% Belizean under a foreign franchise. “We are proud to breathe life into this beautiful part of Belize. An investment like this shows the confidence we have in the Belizean economy and it is going to generate jobs, raise the bar on the hotel rooms available in Belize which will attract more airlines and travelers to the country,” said Bouloy. He added that Margaritaville is all about fun and making memorable experiences. Margaritaville on Ambergris Caye is expected to be a destination that will also be open for locals to visit and enjoy the amenities as well.
Bouloy explained that they did not deal with the previous owners of the property because it was purchased directly from the bank which had it on auction. He was more than happy to discuss how environmentally aware the resort project is. “When we took over the property, most of its infrastructure was compromised, thus, we installed a state-of-the-art waste treatment plant to get everything done in an environmentally sensitive way,” said Bouloy. “It processes the sewage and what comes out can be used as drinking water, but what we are going to use it to water our gardens. While we are near the Bacalar Chico Reserve, there is a general use of the reserve, and that’s where we are. I can say as a proud Belizean that I am extremely environmentally sensitive, and we will not do anything that could [negatively] affect the environment, you have my commitment.” With the opening date set for December 2020, persons interested to book their stays in the paradisiac resort will be able to do so by the middle of next year.
The franchise is a global lifestyle brand founded by musician Jimmy Buffett. It counts with seven destination resorts/hotels across the Southeast United States and the Caribbean, along with eight additional locations in active development; four gaming locations; and more than 60 food and beverage locations including signature concepts such as Margaritaville.