Ms. Hamilton is the current sales and marketing director at Frenchman’s Reef Resort

What an opportunity for a dynamic champion of the territory to make a significant economic difference in the Virgin Islands by expanding the tourism economy. Lisa has had a distinguished career in the hospitality business for the last 20 years. She started by making beds at the Montauk Yacht Club on Long Island. Her next stop was the Virgin Islands because a friend convinced her in 1991 to vacation with her. She fell in love with the islands and got a job at Frenchman’s Reef Resort. She rose through the ranks and became their sales and marketing director - what a success story!

For the past years she has been very active in the Virgin Island Hotel Association as a member of their board of directors and spent the last four years serving as the chairwoman of their marketing committee.  Her “fingerprints” are all over their current marketing plan to gain national awareness of the vacation opportunities in the Virgin Islands. The Hotel Association’s public relations firm, Fareed, Zapala and Koepke, hired bikini-clad models to bounce beach balls on the cold streets of New York.

Last Wednesday morning, they were outside of “The Today Show” when the camera focused in on the crowd. The “Today Show” mentioned the campaign during their show confirming the results of a stealth campaign that supports awareness of vacation opportunities in the Virgin Islands. The campaign is to also hit the streets of Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. The Big Beach Ball “stealth” marketing campaign offers viewers a $100 resort credit if they book at the listed hotels on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Lisa sees the Internet as a critical marketing tool for the Hotel Association and they will be allocating 60 to 70 percent of its budget towards Internet marketing. Ms. Hamilton said, “Customers are making their buying decisions online,” ( With the results of our blog site, we have confirmed to Lisa that they are hitting a bulls-eye with this strategy. I will do my best to have Ms. Hamilton as a guest writer regarding the vision/mission that she will be bringing to the Hotel Association.)

Lisa also understands the effect of synergy on affiliate hotel associations and is a supporter of joining forces with the St. Croix Hotel Association to form strategic alliances with them to maximize both of their association marketing plans. The results of these types of alliances will greatly benefit the real estate opportunities for both sellers and buyers.

Those of you involved in the promoting the benefits and paradise experience of the Virgin Islands will give Lisa a standing ovation as she steps into the leadership role of this very important association. We look forward to engaging her in a dialogue as to her views on how to expand the tourist experience in this magical, tropical playground. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle and real estate reporter remains on duty.

The reason “Fractional” is in quotes is because of how property ownership works in Aruba.

Aruba is now listed as one of the “hot” islands for the further development of fractional resort and second home properties.  Hotels Magazine says that there are over 2,000 units already planned for Aruba!  The other “hot spot” is St. Maarten with Pelican Bay Marina as a specific example of what is happening on St. Maarten.  And, the fractional properties “market of tomorrow” is the Dominican Republic.

Aruba is just off the coast of Venezuela, at the bottom of the Caribbean islands chain.  Dutch is the still the official language since the island is still a part of the “Kingdom of the Netherlands”, with an American influence, too.  The official name is “Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles”.  The BIG draw to Aruba is the spectacular beaches that surround the island.  As you know, this is one of my top three criteria for the islands we visit - great beaches!

Speaking of Aruba beaches, you need to meet Gabriel when you are on-island.  He is the beach detective for Aruba.  He even has a website set up to introduce you to his latest discoveries and experiences related to the island’s beach scene - ArubaBeaches.com.  His site is invaluable for also finding things to do when on-island.  He is very accessible and will even answer your email inquiries and questions.

Because Aruba is still connected to Europe, the major portion of the people buying up “fractionals” in Aruba are from England and mainland Europe. The beaches, the price of property and the currency are critical factors to Aruba being one of the true bargains for Europeans and Brits looking for a slice of Paradise. As for the Americans, their reasons for buying in Aruba are because it has the most consisten t weather in the Caribbean (generally no hurricanes) and the wonderful and friendly people.

I am doing more homework on the way Property ownership is structured. The easiest way to explain it is that property purchased by non-citizens is done as a co-op partnership. So, be careful when the word “fractional” is used to market any properties in the Caribbean. The actual use of the property is structured as a true deeded fractional ownership. It is just a different legal ownership of the land. More to come, as I sort the details out further.

 For your first visit to Aruba you may want to stay at DIVI All-Inclusive resort.  It is an amazing place to stay as you are introduced to your unforgettable experience on Aruba.  While you are staying at DIVI you can check out Aruba Palace. This is a beautiful villa on the northern side of the island, just five minutes from the white coral sand beaches and world class golf resorts.  For $200,000US you can purchase an equal share of four weeks a year to enjoy the exclusively use of your villa. It is completely furnished and includes two Jaguars waiting for you in your own parking lot.  Aruba Paradise also has a management and rental program if there are times you are not visiting your villa.  This “fractional” villa has four bedrooms and four baths with a pool and fenced property. (While speaking with the owners I found there are only a few ownership shares left.)  As always, I am on the hunt for the best lifestyle and real estate opportunities in the Caribbean. Until next time….

What criteria are Caribbean resort/fractional developers considering when buying Caribbean real estate?

With the boomers from the U.S., the Brits and the Europeans, the Canadians, and the buyers from South America flocking to buy up Caribbean properties, developers are getting much more picky with the islands and the properties they are considering for their resort developments. It doesn’t matter if it is full ownership properties or fractional ownerships, at some level the price point becomes out of reach for their target market buyers within the above geographic groups.

One of the invaluable resources we have discovered to assist with evaluating Caribbean property development is Tom McPeak, Ph.D., out of Florida. Dr. McPeak is a “land economist” whose focus is on the responsible development of the Caribbean islands. Dr. McPeak has created a list of sixteen criteria he uses with his developer-clients when they are considering what island and property they are going to purchase and develop next. Below are his criteria;

• Naturally beautiful, and where the beauty is protected.
• No standing army (consequently, no junta).
• A stable and progressive government.
• Very low crime rates.
• Low government social costs (not a welfare state).
• A favorable tax environment.
• Direct flights from major U.S. airports - primarily from Dallas eastward.
• Small local population relative to the land mass of the island/country.
• Economy based primarily on tourism, banking and insurance.
• Good wireless telecommunication coverage and high-speed internet services.
• The currency is tied to the U.S. dollar.
• The primary language is English.
• A warm and friendly population.
• A traditional values-based culture.
• Primarily a resort experience rather than a cultural experience.
• A feeling of privacy, safety, and exclusivity.

Some of the destination/islands that currently fit these criteria, from Dr. McPeak’s perspective, are; Belize; Turks & Caicos, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, and St. Lucia. Please contact Dr. McPeak if you would like to further discuss his views on profitable Caribbean development criteria. You may remember from some of my past blog postings that I would also consider Dominica, The Dominican Republic and Aruba.

I will keep you posted as to my latest real estate and lifestyle discoveries. Until then…I remain your dedicated detective!

South Beach-Belize is THE art deco destination resort community on Ambergris Cay!
WOW! I just discovered the southern tip of Ambergris Cay, and what is unfolding on this Caribbean island paradise!  Have you ever walked down South Beach, Miami and soaked in the art deco experience of years gone by?  Well, get ready for a 2008 “déjà vu all over again” experience at South Beach, Belize.  This is a 700 acre planned community that recreates the character and lifestyle of its Miami counterpart with a very distinctive art deco style.

South Beach-Belize features art deco architecture with pristine landscaping and canals winding throughout the entire community. The community is entirely gated with 24 hour security personnel. There are even art deco life guard towers on the beach!  The prices are amazing!  Two bedroom villas start at $225,900 up to four bedroom villas for $375,000. The condos start at $139,900! The word on the street is that this will be one of the top five Caribbean destinations when it is completed - hotels, casinos, miles of beaches, world class restaurants and shopping, and all of the water adventures connected to the Caribbean!

Some background information for those that don’t have any idea where Belize and Ambergris Cay are located…  Belize is on the Caribbean side of Central America - about 200 miles south of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.  The Caribbean reef that borders Belize is the world’s second largest reef - 190 miles long. The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is number one. Ambergris Cay is the name of Belize’s largest island of the 200 cays off its coast. The island is only 25 miles long and just one mile wide. The history of the island goes way back to the Mayans, European Pirates, and Mexican Refugees who fled during the Caste War. The descendants from Mexico make up most of the island’s population today. The economy of the island was once dependent on the coconut industry, followed by the fishing industry. Today the economy is based on tourism, and is a very tax friendly country for all those connected to the country.

Belize is the only officially English speaking country in Latin America. It was a British Crown Colony for more than 100 years - British Honduras, and became an independent country in 1981. It is now a key destination for expats from all over the world because of demographics of the country, and its beautiful location in one of the most sought after Caribbean destinations. Email me if you want more information about Belize, and/or South Beach-Belize. Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle report remains on the hunt!

Not only are they full-steam ahead at Raffles Tortola, but they are now on Anguilla!

You remember when I solved the mystery last September of what was happening at Lambert Bay, Tortola?  Raffles Tortola is full-steam ahead in its progress to complete the 250 Raffles Residences of luxury villas, casitas, condominiums and estate lots available for ownership on 50 acres of beach front property. 

What I learned last week from my friend, Jason Kumpf - one of the marketing guys for their project, they are about to launch another BIG project on Anguilla in partnership with the Fairmont Resort group.  The Fairmont luxury residence clubs and resorts is one of the key world players in 5-star Residence Clubs, and the one they have planned for Anguilla is an amazing example of their commitment to excellence.

A side note about Jason…remember, he joined me for a few days at the Virgin Island Charter League Boat Show last November when I was doing the internet reporting for the event.  He had only been in the Caribbean for a few months and it was a great opportunity for him to see the Caribbean that I know and love. During our conversation last week he said;

“Well, after living in the BVIs for the past few months I have had many FIRSTS; sailing on a catamaran; visiting my first Caribbean charter boat show with you in St. Thomas; Foxy’s  for New Years; and, waking up each day and taking a walk on a soft coral sand secluded beach. I now realize that the Caribbean really IS paradise.  The land that so many people have written about for thousands of years, that so many have searched for, it is here, where the air is so clean and refreshing it is nurturing for the body, and where the water is so clear and inviting, its nourishing for the soul.

I have found the character of BVI is my favorite Caribbean spot, with an understated elegance that attracts the few discerning people fortunate enough to visit here. It is populated with professionals, the fasted growing off-shore trust industry, and the second largest off-shore domicile in the world. And, of course, the green mountains that cover the interior that seem to flow right into the turquoise waters melting into the beautiful Caribbean sunsets! Yes, this IS truly paradise.” 

Anguilla has been defined as a “sanctuary”, Fairmont Anguilla takes it to a completely new level. Their marketing material for this new project states, “It’s a sanctuary within a sanctuary. Ease and sophistication. Refined adventure. And, an innate sense of well-being permeate the community. From beach visits and spa treatments to snorkeling and Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf, relaxation will be the order of the day with unpretentious client services.”                                                                                                                           
I will keep you posted as to more details about Fairmont Anguilla as they are available.  Until next time…

Each year we invite guests to join us for a crewed chartered yacht sailing adventure!

In just a few weeks we are boarding Double Feature - a Lagoon 57 catamaran for a seven day crewed sailing adventure in the British Virgin Islands. Double Feature is one of the Charter Yachts Of The Year in the Caribbean! This is one of our top five sailing waters in the Caribbean. There will be three other couples joining us and none of them have EVER been in the British Virgin Islands, let alone sailing.

Using my 30 + years of sailing experiences in the Caribbean as a guide, I have laid out a suggested itinerary for our voyage. Those of you that have sailed in the BVI know that each day is an unforgettable adventure. Here is what I am suggesting for our daily anchorages;

• Friday - Arrive in Road Town or St. Thomas at Village Cay Marina
• Saturday - Sail to Norman Island - anchor at The Bight
• Sunday - Norman Island to Cooper Island
• Monday - Cooper Island to Long Bay - Virgin Gorda
• Tuesday - Long Bay to the Bitter End Yacht Club- Virgin Gorda
• Wednesday - Bitter End to Monkey Point, Guana Island
• Thursday - Monkey Point to Marina Cay - Beef Island
• Friday - Marina Cay to Great Harbor - Jost Van Dyke - Foxy’s
• Saturday - Great Harbor to Road Town, Tortola - Fly out in the afternoon.

Our crew, Johnny and Kellie, are from Wales and are one of my favorite crews, even though they are a bit young. Kellie produces four or more 5-star meals a day. Each of the guests have sent me what they want for menus and beverages. The choice of our guests is a Mediterranian type menu with French wines as part of the meals. The cocktails will be rum drinks that Johnny and Kellie invent each day, plus the ever present vodka martinis at sunset each day. If you have never been on a crewed charter yacht vacation you have really missed out. It is one of my favorite vacations - EVER!

The activities during our voyage are really anything connected to being in a tropical paradise - 85 degree temperatures, 85 degree waters, 100 foot visibility in the water, swimming in an aquarium for hours a day, and deciding each morning what is next. We may even divert one night to Bamba’s Shack for the world famous full moon jump up. Who knows??? From beginning to end of our voyage I will do a daily blog keeping you posted as to what is unfolding each day for us in Paradise. I know you will really enjoy what you discover with us.

After we step off the yacht on Saturday we are flying to San Juan, Puerto Rico and staying in Old San Juan at the El Convento Hotel - a former convent built in the early 1600’s. We’ll spend a few days before we head back home. Again, if you have not explored Old San Juan, it is one of my favorite three day vacation in the world because it is as if you have just arrived in Spain of the 1600’s.

Stay tuned…the adventure begins February 16th! Do any of you have places we should consider besides the ones I have listed above? Please let me know…

The world famous drink we invented last year, OJ On The Rum, needs to be doubled!

My blog posting last September titled “OJ on the Rum” has taken on a life of it’s own.  I spoke with my favorite bartender at Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke and he said the latest drama around OJ created an opportunity for him to alter the recipe that we devised as just a tongue-in-cheek idea that actually created a new drink in the Caribbean. The handwritten sign at the bar now reads, “The rum in OJ On The Rum has been doubled!”

What has brought this topic back into our lives was the event that happened yesterday with OJ getting into more trouble by violating the conditions of his bail. He apparently left a nasty message on his bail bondsman’s voice mail telling him to relay a message to his co-defendant about how angry he was about the testimony he gave at the pre-trial hearing. OJ was picked up on a violation of his bail and yesterday the judge let him know that his bail was now raised to $250,000 because of either arrogance or ignorance, or both.

Obviously, OJ’s case was never meant to have an impact on the choice of Caribbean drinks, but the incident yesterday has now increased the consumption of rum on Jost Van Dyke because the rum portion of the recipe has been DOUBLED!  Here is the new version:

Start out with a really TALL glass tumbler filled with ice.  Then…add

• 4 oz. of Pusser’s Dark Rum, Cruzan’s Dark Rum, or Bacardi’s Dark Rum. (Notice that the amount of rum in the original recipe we invented has doubled!)
• Fill the remaining room in the TALL glass tumbler with OJ.
• Include a splash of Grenadine, just for color and sweetness to cut the acidic OJ taste.
• Garnish with a speared orange slice with a tiny rubber football.  Place it on the top of the drink.

You are guaranteed to have a smile on your face at the end of your first glass, and after two or three more you will barely remember OJ has anything to do with the rum.Now, remember, this drink has nothing to do with what is happening with real estate in the Caribbean, but it is certainly part of the “Caribbean experience” that I report on almost everyday.  Next time you are on Jost Van Dyke, stop by and see if the drink is still on Mick’s menu. If it is not, bring the recipe so he can make if for you. You will love it!  Isn’t it an amazing world we live in where what happens in one part of the world has such an impact on another part of it?

This past year a significant increase in Brits and Boomers bought Caribbean real estate!

An interesting phenomenon has occured in the 2007 real estate activity in the Caribbean. There was a BIG increase in the real estate sales of full ownership and deeded fractional ownership from Brits and Boomers! The two geographic focuses of these groups were the British Crown Colonies for the Brits -  The Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, the BVI, Montserrat and the Cayman Islands. And the U.S. Virgin Islands for the Boomers.  There are several factors that drove the increase in purchases from these two groups in 2007;

The Brits Top Choices In 2007: The Turks & Caicos, Anguilla, the BVI, and the Cayman Islands  ( Monterrat is still in a recovery mode because of the devastation of the eruption of the volcano several years ago. It is still a very challenging place to live given this sad event.)

• The value of the British pound creating an increased buying power for any economy with the U.S. dollar as their currency.
• An expansion of the Brits vision for places outside of England to live part-time or full-/time that are considered safe, a tax favored environment for banking and insurance, unforgettable tropical experiences, wonderful local citizens, and a tranquil quality of life.
• The ease for them to manage through the banking and finance hurdles which are effortless for them when making a purchase in a British Crown Colony.

 And, as Suzie Egan, our dear friend from England, mentioned to me today, “I have never seen such an attitude among the citizens of my country of the need in finding a safe haven to live other than the British Isles.” Actually, her comments were a surprise for me to hear. I have more “detective work” to do in order to fully understand her statement.

The Boomers Top Choices In 2007:  U.S. Virgin Islands - St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix

• They are concerned about their buying power with the U.S. dollar, so they are typically staying with U.S. Territories for their “foreign” purchases. It is odd for me to think that most of this group wants to have a “tropical experience” without the thought of dealing with some of the peculiar aspects of a “foreign country”. It is like going to Hawaii for them, but they feel as if they are out of the country. ( This is a small editorial comment on my part.)
• A very large portion of this group has lots of money. In 2007 over 42% of their Caribbean purchases were ALL cash!
• The deeded fractional ownership markets are focused in the United States resort communities of the U.S. Virgin Islands, the high end U.S. ski resorts, and Hawaii. The major players are Marriott/Ritz Carlton, and Starwood Resorts. ( A key factor hindering the deeded fractional ownership markets in the non-U.S. Territories in the Caribbean is the way ownership of land is structured for non-citizens of the individual countries or Crown Colonies.)
•  The safety and infrastructure regulations required by a U.S. Territory compared to the varied infrastructure regulations throughout the rest of the Caribbean seems to set their minds at ease. The Boomers want to get off the plane or boat and not have to think about what they eat or drink.

There are three other populations that have increased their sales and focus in the Caribbean - Europeans, Canadians, and several of the South American countries. Stay tuned! I am sure you can imagine that I have some opinions as why this is also occurring. The Caribbean is where the action is for 2008 real estate sales! Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle detective is on duty.

The latest greatest products are being constructed on Anguilla!

WOW! Viceroy Anguilla is creating one of the most amazing residence opportunities in the Caribbean – full ownership in a 5-star resort community! They launched the final phase of their exclusive resort this past winter with 45 residences still available! The residences that are purchased at full price have the option to enter their unit into the hotel management rental program while owners aren’t staying there. The Viceroy development purchased 3,200 feet of beach front property near the western end of Anguilla occupying most of Barnes Bay and Meads Bay. The 35-acre project is part of the expanding Viceroy brand which includes luxury resort projects in Southern California, Mexico, Florida and Colorado.

All of the “resort residences” are situated on the bluff or the beach! They are all sold furnished with the interior designed by the world acclaimed designer – Kelly Wearstler. The free-standing villas, from 4,335 to 6,100 square feet, and the 3,300- to 4,300-square-foot, two-level town houses also have private infinity pools; the studio to three-bedroom condos will be in 16-unit buildings with their own private infinity pools. The projects include five restaurants offering casual and fine dining, access to a 78-foot yacht, a club with activities for children and three tennis courts. There will also be a 20,000-square-foot Asian-inspired spa with a fitness center.
The ground breaking of this project was hosted by Alex Samek, KOR’s Director of Acquisitions & Development. “I now like to welcome everyone to the site of the next great resort in the Caribbean – Viceroy, Anguilla,” he said, attracting much applause. “Anguilla has long been a standard bearer for low volume, high value, upscale tourism – first with the opening of Malliouhana, Cap Juluca and CuinsinArt. Anguilla has established itself as one of the premier destinations not only in the Caribbean, but in the world. Viceroy Anguilla plans to build on the foundation established by the predecessors and to raise the bar of five-star luxury development in the Caribbean.”
My experience is Viceroy Anguilla is an over-the-top “10-star resort”. The residences range in price from $1 million to $10 million! Holy Moly! It has already been rated as one of the top 20 resorts in the world! Until next time…your Caribbean lifestyle reporter continues his work.

Late last July I began to inform the World about my passion for the Caribbean…

WOW! Yesterday I received a call from Marisa Katz who is doing an article for the London Financial Times regarding what is happening in the Caribbean real estate market, specifically in The Turks & Caicos. I asked her why she called me for this information. She stated that my Caribbean Islands Realty blog site, that I launched the last week of July, was viewed as one of the most credible and easy to read blogs in the Caribbean! I have to tell you that I was blown away.

You know that I have been hanging out in the Caribbean since 1975, sailing and participating in the real estate markets of the Virgin Islands. I still have much more to discover, but I DO know the Caribbean – from the Turks & Caicos to Aruba. And, I have my “shellback” earring as a symbol of sailing across the equator. All I am doing with this blog site is being a “…citizen journalist noticing what is going on in the world in which I live, work and play.”

My original intent with this blog site was to learn how to implement what I learned from the books “The New Rules Of Marketing & PR” by David Meerman Scott, and “Influencer – The Power To Change Anything”, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler. My thoughts last July were to learn the rules and strategies of blogging on a site that no one would really notice, and then implement the strategies with my San Francisco real estate company. My game plan was to really focus on the Caribbean in about five years. However, the world discovered what I was writing about regarding the Caribbean, and the power of blogging surfaced in such a dramatic way that it has launched our Caribbean real estate business five years early!

Since late July we have signed over 15 marketing agreements with international Caribbean real estate developers who are creating full-deeded and fractional-deeded ownership properties. The access that has been created in the Caribbean for me with influential elected Caribbean officials, and the Caribbean sailing community has been amazing. Because of this access I did the internet reporting on my blog site for the Virgin Island Charter League’s 33rd Annual Boat Show in St. Thomas, USVI. That experience allowed me to interview Gov. deJongh, Lt. Gov. Francis, and Senator Hill from the USVI.

During those interviews I was able to introduce them to one of the key issues facing the charter yacht community – the U.S. law that limits the number of charter yacht guests that can be picked up from the USVI to six guests. If there are more than six charter guests they need to be picked up on some other island – 99% of them are picked up in the BVI. This issue alone robs the USVI of all the money spent by charter guests being picked up in the BVI for hotels, taxis, restaurants, souvenirs, etc. If the USVI were allowed to have charter yachts pick up seven or more guests it would significantly increase the tourist dollars spent in the USVI! Each of these elected officials listened to my opinions and are now in negotiations with the Virgin Island Charter League to see how this law can be changed – a very specific example of the POWER of blogging!

Who would have ever dreamed that this “Old Salty Dog” at 60 years old would ever be noticed by anyone in the Blogisphere? See…there is hope for all of us who are willing to notice what is happening in the worlds we are living and working in, and putting our experiences into writing. Until next time…Comments?