AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Marriott Hotels to debut in Belize

With a 203-key oceanfront property

ECI Development today announced plans to introduce the Marriott Hotels' namesake brand to Belize with a project designed for customers seeking a relaxed Caribbean lifestyle. The hotel will grace Ambergris Caye, Belize's largest island known for its world-class scuba diving, fishing, water sports and white sandy beaches.

"We are thrilled to bring the Marriott Hotels' brand to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean's most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites," said Michael K. Cobb, Chairman and CEO of ECI Development. "Known for developing inspired residences for adventurous souls across Latin America for more than two decades, we are particularly excited about the opportunity to deliver top-quality lodging and residences in this special place with a beloved global brand."

The hotel, along with the Marriott Hotels-branded residential component, will fuse old-world British charm and modern amenities while keeping an eye towards the heritage and history of Belize. ECI plans as many as 70 branded residences as a part of this 203-key oceanfront resort.

Guests will have access to first-class restaurants, a rooftop lounge, conference and event space, a spa, fitness center and retail outlets. Amenities will also include a dive shop to cater to the island's many visitors who come to explore the Belize Barrier Reef - the largest reef system in the northern hemisphere and a UNESCO World Heritage designated site. Joel Nagel, ECI Development's co-founder stated, "We recognize the critical importance of conservation and protection of this reef system and are pleased to be working with a global company known for its environmental commitment."

"As Belize emerges as a top tourist and business destination, the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will contribute to the positive evolution of one of the jewels of the country," said Cobb. "After 20-plus years of sustainable development in the region, we view this opportunity as a meaningful way to serve tourists now coming to Belize."

Belize's Minister of Tourism, Honorable Manuel Heredia says, "The opening of the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will create more than 200 permanent jobs for the country. The economic benefits will reach far beyond the physical property as owners and guests participate in water sports like diving and snorkeling, explore Mayan ruins and shop for art, woodcrafts and other souvenirs. The ripple effect of their consumption, purchasing and participation will be experienced throughout Belize."

San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero welcomed the project with open arms stating that he is happy ECI and Marriott will implement eco-friendly and environmentally responsible operations on the island. "We share in the excitement and we want to express our commitment and support, both from a local and national level, to ensure that today's event will mark the beginning of a future success story."

Today on La Isla Bonita - The Unveiling of Marriott Residences Belize, Ambergris Caye

All very interesting. My impression is that these brands appeal to people who leave home and to find a place to stay that is pretty much like home.
I wonder what will happen when these sorts of travelers have slow internet and are told "well, it's Belize"; or when they leave the compound an find unpainted homes. Time will tell.
Meanwhile, Belize will benefit from a lot of spin-off advertising.

"Belize's Minister of Tourism, Honorable Manuel Heredia says, "The opening of the Belize Marriott Ambergris Caye Resort and Residences will create more than 200 permanent jobs for the country."

Minister Heredia, and other government officials, would be doing the island a better service if they would first create 200, or the number of jobs needed, to improve the much needed infrastructure to support the population that already exists before adding to the problem.
It begs the question: Is creating more jobs by bring more people to the island a higher priority than providing adequate infrastructure and a basic quality of life for those already living there?

BYOW (water)

And also on top of this https://ambergriscaye.com/forum/ubb...s-found-near-manatee-lookout.html#UNREAD

Last week the water and power were off, this week it has been the water and phones, heaven help us when all 3 go off. LOL

I would like to think that when these developments are planned they include a full back up power generation system, back up water system and also have an emergency communication systems in place.

Thank you for your comments.  We at ECI Development read each comment and take everyone's thoughts seriously.  

We think you actually hit on one of the reasons people come to locations like Ambergris Caye.  The accommodations may have the standard they are used to and make the guest feel "pretty much like home" but the location is very authentic and walking across the street to chat with a merchant selling stone crab or seeing the sometimes very colourful or other times "unpainted homes" is all part of the "real" experience.  Of course, we will take measures to ensure the quality of the water with rainwater catchment systems, the eco-sensitive generation of power through hybrid solar and wind systems and even ensuring we have back up plans for the occasional "slow internet".  

But in reality, as much as we strive to make every guest experience as amazing as possible, even large brands cannot control the weather or someone's personal experiences outside our resort.  But don't underestimate the value of the statement "Well, its Belize!", because that's the charm and the reason for many of our guests coming to a unique and incredible destination like Ambergris Caye!

Good points, Amanda. But that does nothing for the rest of the island inhabitants that loose power and water due to the lack of infrastructure to handle the current population.
But I guess smarter people than me have figured out how more condos and more people coming to the island for jobs will solve the inadequate infrastructure problem. That must be the same logic that works by "getting the cart first and then the horse".

You and I are just silly old common people, these developers are all knowing!

I don't blame the developers. Hell, if I owned an expensive property, I would want to maximize my return. It is the governments responsibility to provide the infrastructure for the amount of development it allows and additional people that it brings.
There seems to be a mentality that more jobs are what is in the best interest for the island. That logic only holds true if the infrastructure is in place to support first the people already there and to expand to accommodate the additional people that further development brings.
Of course some of the esteemed politicians might find other logic, a kinder word for motive, that is more personally beneficial.

ECI Development unveils first Marriott branded property in Belize

On Thursday, April 19th, the ECI Development group announced plans to bring the Marriott Hotels' signature brand to Belize. During a private event south of San Pedro Town, the project was revealed as a 203-unit hotel, combined with as many as 70 branded residences. In attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Economic Development, San Pedro Mayor Daniel Guerrero, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Manuel Heredia Jr., Vice President of Marriott Hotel Brand Rahul Vir and other invited guests. "We are thrilled to bring the Marriott Hotels' brand to Ambergris Caye, one of the Caribbean's most beautiful island destinations with famed access to the Belize Barrier Reef and dive sites," said Michael Cobb, Chairman, and CEO of ECI Development. "We are particularly excited about the opportunity to deliver top-quality lodging and residences in this special place with a beloved global brand."

The Marriott Hotel's branded residential project represents a $43 million investment in Belize. The project will fuse old-world British charm, complemented with modern amenities while preserving the heritage and history of Belize. In addition, the development will feature first-class restaurants, a rooftop lounge, conference and event space, spa, fitness center, retail outlets and a dive center. The Marriott Residences Belize Ambergris Caye is expected to open in 2020, with construction expected to begin in the third quarter of 2018.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

Since Hilton entered Belize via the Mahogany Bay project, it sort of makes sense that other major hotel brands would now look for ways into the country. That will make three that I know of (including the Radisson in Belize City).

Hi Gringo - Four Seasons Caye Chapel is another .....

Thanks, Diane! Good to know!

"We will have massive cisterns and so from 12 midnight to 5AM when nobody on the island is using the water we will fill our cisterns,"
Let me get this correct, is Mr. Cobbs saying that they will be depleating the already limited supply of water that is so desperately needed for the people who live on the island?

Yes he is!!

Any and all new resorts on this island need to be required to have there own desal plants. We will be installing one here soon. Bel is only going to get worse. In fact potable water is getting to be a country wide problem.

I had to log in on this.
There is an unregulated and unaddressed issue with desal , the produced by-product brine from desalination is currently being fed back into the ground via dug shallow water wells by almost all the desal plants on the island and it has an immediate and dramatic effect on our natural fresh water table. Wells in the surrounding area go to salt. Plants, animals and people use this natural critical water supply and it's rapidly being destroyed.

Interesting. How does BWS handle that?

Wait until they realize condo dues are considered revenue and the GST wants to add 12.5% sales tax, how expansion of trademark companies slows.

Need to stop trying to tax everything, over and over and over again. Then maybe, revenues would increase as more people would invest.