Marriott’s Autograph Collection Plans New Belize Resort

a beach with palm trees and chairs

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I loved Belize when I visited it a few years ago. I visited outside of the busy season (May) so where I was staying was beautifully tranquil and the scuba diving was fantastic. I’ve been looking for a reason to return and it’s just possible that Marriott is about to give me one.

Marriott’s Autograph Collection has entered into partnership with the owner of “Alaia” to help open the “one-of-a-kind boutique resort” on the southern part of Ambergris Caye island.

a map of a city

Here’s what you ned to know about Alaia:

  • It’s located in the historic town of San Pedro
  • Building work commenced at the end of 2017 with a “launch plan of five phases”
  • The beachfront resort will feature:
    • 56 two-bedroom condos with lock off option
    • 8 oceanfront villas
  • The lock-off option will work just like it does at Marriott Vacation Club properties so, effectively, the 56 condos can be used as 112 one bedroom condos
  • Completion is expected in 2020.
  • The property will offer:
    • A beach club exclusive to guests and residents
    • A rooftop “suspended pool and lounge with spectacular ocean views”
    • Full service spa
    • Fitness center
    • Kids club
    • Dive shop
    • A “live art gallery”

a shell on the beach

Here’s what Marriott has had to say about the property:

Designed to highlight the splendor of its natural surroundings, the residences will feature approximately 70 percent of fabrics and raw materials from Belize, including rustic marbles and stones, reclaimed wood, linen curtains, textured beige walls and earth-toned hues to complement the awe-inspiring views of the Caribbean Sea.

The information from Marriott also appears to suggest that the way the property will be run will be similar to how Marriott vacation Villas are run now – the units will be sold to individuals who use them when they want to and then rent them back to Marriott/Autograph Collection to use as hotel inventory when the unites are not being used.

Designed with the adventurous and independent traveler and owner in mind, residences will be curated to celebrate Belize’s outdoor living, blending indoor and outdoor space seamlessly and offering more than 1,100 square feet indoors and over 700 square feet in open air, per unit. With prices ranging from $349,000 to $1.3 million, owners are given the option to include their residence in the rental management program – extending the opportunity to experience the property to others.

I can’t seem to find any artists impressions (or other images) of the resort but the description sounds good (especially the rooftop lounge with ocean views) and, based on what I know of Belize, this could be a great place to visit.

It will be interesting to see how the booking price of the units will vary between what we’re shown on Marriott.com and what individual owners will charge elsewhere on the internet.

If Marriott Vacation Club units are anything to go by there could be a lot of incentive to deal with owners directly.