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Black Pearl
World Class Golf
Roatan's highly anticipated Black Pearl Golf Course at Pristine Bay is open for play
Read More >>
BJs Backyard in historic Oak Ridge Read More >>
Who Lives in Paradise? Sharing the Success Stories of Roatan property buyers Learn More >>
Meet the Conrad family From Infinity Bay Read More >>
The Black Pearl Golf Course
is open for public play
The most ambitious development project on the island of Roatan is without a doubt the impressive Pristine Bay luxury development on the island’s North shore.
Anchored by the signature Pete Dye designed golf course, The Black Pearl, Pristine Bay rambles over 405 acres of lush tropical jungle overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea and the world’s second largest barrier reef and includes residential lots, villas, villa suites, Beach Club, 120-room 5 star hotel and spa, and future construction plans for condominiums, 155 slip full service marina complete with Marina Village.
Pristine Bay is currently in the third year of a seven year development plan. The back 9 holes were opened for public play on March 1, 2010 and the front 9 holes opened on December 1, 2010. The Sky Lounge serving breakfast and lunch 7am-4pm Monday to Saturday, and 19th Hole Club House are also open for business. Property management has also opened 3 villas for nightly and weekly rentals for guests looking to enjoy a Roatan golf vacation.
“The Black Pearl is a true jewel of the Caribbean,” says Mario Toriello, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Pristine Bay Resort.
“Pristine Bay and Roatan are ready to welcome visitors seeking our tropical weather and first-class service.”
The par 72, 7,179 yard 18-hole championship course is designed with the goal of enhancing the enjoyment of all skill levels of golfers. Winding and weaving from the shimmering sea side up through gently rolling foothills and descending along an equally stunning route back to the sea. World famous golf course designer Pete Dye, along with his son Perry, designed the course to make the game of golf the way they believe it should be – fun.
“For instance, I right a few trees in the middle of fairways, just for giggles” says Perry Dye.
The 157 yard, par 3 island green is an undisputed favorite, treating players to a spectacular ocean view from an elevated tee, with the green tucked in the middle of a lake and the ever present trade winds adding an extra challenge to the crowd pleasing hole #11.
Under construction, The Resort and Spa at Pristine Bay, a five star, 120 room hotel is scheduled for an August 1, 2011 opening. Villa and villa suite properties are being snapped up at an impressive rate.
Not surprisingly the recently released figures in Golf Digest and Business Week Magazine show that homes built on Pete Dye designed courses often appreciate faster over 5 years than homes built on courses designed by other designers.
Of the 34 villa homes available in six different models with prices ranging from $670,000 to $1.1 million, 30 are already sold. The villa suites are selling quickly with only 4 right of 18, and construction of the condos will begin early 2012. Home sites are available starting at $230,000 with golf and/or ocean views.
2012 marks the beginning of construction of a 155 slip full service marina, with deep water access of mega yachts, as well as a Marina Village complete with a restaurant, coffee shops, art museums, boutiques, and the final destination, the 19th Hole member club house.
The Black Pearl Golf Course at Pristine Bay is centrally located in the town of French Harbour, only a short drive from the airport and ferry terminal. Roatan has non-stop service from Newark, Miami, Atlanta and Houston. There is a 90-minute ferry twice daily from La Ceiba on mainland Honduras.
For more information, to book tee times or purchase a membership at the Black Pearl Golf Course visit http://www.pristinebayresort.com/.
BJs Backyard, located in the historic fishing village of Oak Ridge is an east end icon, serving as a hub for residents who live in the area and for east end resort owners picking up guests from the airport “down island.”
A spacious parking lot accommodates vehicles owned by residents who must boat to their “water access only” properties in points east such as Calabash Bight, Port Royal and St. Helene.
Tourists haul their bags from vans, buses and taxis and load them into boats leaving from BJs. Loads of provisions purchased down island are hauled along the dock and stowed aboard boats and most everyone takes the time to stop for a cold one before making the last leg of their trip home. It’s part of the routine, stopping at BJs.
It’s a busy place with people coming and going both by road and water and the VHF radio crackles to life as calls come in to “the backyard”. The cell phone chirps and so does righty, one of BJs two green parrots who mimics the ring so perfectly that someone invariable calls out “phone!”
Whether you stroll past the banana trees and stand of crimson hibiscus from the parking lot or wander through the outdoor patio area from the docks, you’ll step into a room surrounded by warm yellow walls. Perch on a yellow bar stool and catch up on some local gossip, settle into a comfortable rocking chair and put your feet up or enjoy the scenery from the breezy outdoor seating area and watch the dory traffic go by with loads of tourists taking mangrove tours.
The bar is open 7 days a week from 9 am to 4pm approximately (island time) and the kitchen is open every day except Tuesday. The menu boasts a wide variety of meals including conch or cheeseburgers, red fish and rice, pulled pork sandwich and a popcorn shrimp basket.
Those who wish to play along are welcome to join in and play for this appreciative audience. When Alex and the Banditos launch into the all-time favorite “Please come to Roatan in the spring time” residents, cruisers and tourists all join in and you’ll find yourself humming the tunes for days afterwards.
A limited menu is offered on these busy Saturday afternoons, usually the two favorites – popcorn shrimp basket and pulled pork sandwich.
He Says:
“I had heard that I was welcome to bring my guitar to BJs on Saturday afternoon and join the band for a few numbers and for me this was one of the highlights of our vacation. The musicians offered me their song list and welcomed me to join them. Jamming with my new found friends against the backdrop of the sparkling Caribbean Sea made me envious of our friends who have retired on Roatan.”
She Says:
“I had heard a lot about BJ and her wonderful establishment from our friends and couldn't wait to check it out. I grew up in Northern Ontario and our family owned a place on the lake; some people call them cottages but we called it a "camp" a little more rustic , but very homey.
This is how i felt when i walked into BJ's; just like being at my "camp”. It seems to be a popular local hangout, and of course the music get together that we attended on Saturday afternoon was amazing. I enjoyed the pulled pork sandwich that I ordered while being entertained by many interesting people with even more interesting stories. BJs Backyard was well worth more than one visit during our week on the island.”
Honduras is Open for Business is an investment forum being hosted by San Pedro Sula on May 4th and 5th, 2011 with the aim of presenting Honduras as the most attractive foreign investment destination in Latin America. According to Deputy Minister Alden Rivera approximately 2,500 business leaders from global corporations have been invited to the forum.
A key part of the National Program for Investment Promotion covering 2010-2014, the forum in May has attracted speakers from around the world. The forum will present the 25 most popular tourist investment projects in the country and it comes as no surprise than more than half a dozen of the projects on the list are slated for Roatan.
Information about the Honduras is Open for Business forum can be found at http://hondurasopenforbusiness.com/en/sala.php?id=5. Briefly the projects that are being planned for the island of Roatan are:
1.) The construction of a Garifuna Identity House in the municipality of Jose Santos Guardiola.
2.) The construction and operation of a certified Hospital within 5 minutes of the cruise ship docks to provide health care to cruise ship passengers and respond to medical emergencies onboard vessels in the area.
3.) The construction of a water park in the municipality of Jose Santos Guardiola.
4.) The construction of a chain of hotel schools in 3 locations – Copan, Cortes and Roatan.
5.) The development of a spa that specializes in esthetic surgeries
and treatments, including a 40 room accommodation with restaurant and entertainment services in the municipality of Roatan.
6.) The building of hotels, villas, condominiums, commercial and social areas in the municipality of Roatan.
7.) The building of a marina and several hotels, villas and condominiums in the municipality of Jose Santos Guardiola and the tourist development of largely undeveloped eastern areas such as Port Royal.
8.) The creation of a transportation system (ferry) that operates interconnecting lines between Utila, Guanaja, Roatan and the Cayos Cochinos.
The Conrad family searched for the perfect Caribbean vacation home for about 5 years, searching for walking access to a good sandy beach for swimming and snorkeling, easy access to diving, a good pool and easy travel access from Denver, Colorado. They considered Belize also but were won over by Roatan’s superior beaches and better travel options.
“We were originally looking at single family homes on the North Shore. We decided to go with a condo at West Bay Beach because that is where we knew we would want to be for our vacations and for rental potential. By purchasing a condo, it is the complete turn-key option for rental management and property management”, answered Lindy when I asked Why Infinity Bay?
Infinity Bay with its luxurious Caribbean condo villas has long been considered Roatan’s premiere address for some time. Located on what is referred to as “the most beautiful beach in Central America”, West Bay beach boasts powdery snow white sand, crystal clear waters and with the world’s second largest barrier reef only 50 yards from shore, the best location for snorkeling, diving and fishing in the Caribbean.
A swim of 2 or 3 minutes and you’re at the reef where you will see a wide variety of brilliant reef fish, sea turtles, eagle rays, squid and coral.
Whether you snorkel or dive, the variety of sites at the west end of the island is endless.
Tucked between the pool and the sea, the Palapa Bar and Restaurant offers a swim up bar and a view of the breathtaking turquoise waters of West Bay.
Infinity Bay caters to both families who want a fun vacation with a safe beach and plenty of activities to choose from and to couples who desire privacy in a luxurious setting with plenty of amenities including a full service spa and health club.
Restaurants line the beach and an inexpensive water taxi service shuttles guests and residents to lively nearby West End for nightlife and shopping.
Infinity Bay claims to be “the greenest resort on the island”, with solar heating, state of the art septic facilities and potable tap water throughout the property.
“We were referred to About Roatan Real Estate by a friend. We loved the service that our buyer’s agent, Alex Poirier provided. If he didn't have an answer to a particular question for us, he found it for us quickly. Until we retire, we anticipate spending 3-4wks/year in Roatan. Once we retire, we will likely spend more time in Roatan, maybe 6-8wk visits 2 times a year”, adds Lindy.
Infinity Bay is luxurious living in a yet to be discovered Caribbean paradise where prices are still affordable.
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About Roatan Real Estate
Marci Weirsma, Broker
Alex Poirier A Buyer’s Agent
Annie Culp, Sales agent
Phillip Sampson, Agent/Developer
Jackson Plaza, French Harbor
Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras
Web site: www.aboutroatanrealestate.com
Email: alex@aboutroatanrealestate.com
Tel: 001 (504) 9876-8758
Member NAR - National Association of Realtors
Certified International Property Specialist Network Member
Member of Roatan Realtors Assoc., ANIBIR, (Honduran Realtors Assoc)