Viva Resorts has just launched three locations in the DR and more to come!

Last month Viva Resorts announced the launch of Viva Residences, a fractional deeded ownership aimed at the worldwide “baby boomer” tourism market starting in the Dominican Republic – Play Dorada, Puerto Plata, and Las Terrenas at the Samana peninsula.  You recall some of my past postings regarding viewing the Dominican Republic as one of the best values in the Caribbean for fractional and full ownership vacation resort living.

The launch of this venture was highlighted in DominicanToday, and Viva Resorts will also include Mexico, Bahamas and Brazil, besides the Caribbean.  Their architect, Antonio Imbert has designed Viva Residences in Las Terrenas, with about 70 villas and apartments in front of the sea, clubhouse, gym area. The construction is scheduled to begin this month – May.At Santo Domingo’s Hotel Embajador, Viva Wyndham Resorts president Ettore Colussi said the offer will also include several restaurants, a modern spa, and a swimming pool which wraps internally around the project. 

He said all the units have balcony or terrace, water heating system and a modern kitchen totally equipped with household appliances. Some of the properties have Jacuzzi or swimming pool and a private gazebo.Mr. Colussi said these properties have swimming pools and Jacuzzis, discothèque, spa and gym, boutique, stores, casino, the complex’s golf course and the hotel’s services.  In all developments buyers will get deed of property, ordinary and extra maintenance for gardens and other areas, security services, private beach club, receptionist and manager, 24 hour water and electric, the possibility of renting and/or interchanging the units through a specialized rental network.  

The Viva Resort management at Las Terrenas said, “We don’t know if it’s the perfect white sand beaches, the crystal clear waters, the palm trees or the fun atmosphere, but guests keep telling us that the Viva Residences embodies their lifelong vision of a Caribbean vacation spot.” Prices will be announced in the next month.  As soon as I get the info I will pass it on.  And, if you find out more info let me know.  I look forward to having all of us learn more about these Caribbean residence opportunities.  Until next time…I remain your Caribbean lifestyle detective.

The Westin St. John has announced its newest phase of fractional villas, and the Ritz continues it’s gorgeous expansion, too!

Our offices are just across the bay from St. John, at Red Hook, St. Thomas. So, we are fortunate to be able to catch the St. John Ferry from American Yacht Harbor any day we want to visit this treasure of a National Park.  On St. John, the Westin St. John Resort & Villas is opening their newest opportunity of fractional ownership with the Bay Vista phase overlooking Great Cruz Bay, and is expanding the ownership opportunities at one of the most popular resorts in the Caribbean. ( You do remember my other top Caribbean Islands from past postings, don’t you? )

This newest phase includes 54 units – 22 two-bedroom, eight two-bedroom lofts, and 24 three-bedrooms. Some of the highlights of the Westin – St. John are; a beautiful pool overlooking the Caribbean with a really fun pool bar; waterslide and Jacuzzi; a fabulous spa facility; a kids club; grocery store/market; tennis facilities; plus, several great restaurants. The actual condos have; stunning views of the Caribbean; a washer/dryer; balcony; flat screen TV, DVD, Hi-speed wireless internet; oven; microwave; and a dishwasher.

“St. John is one of our most popular destinations in the Caribbean, and this resort is considered one of the most beautiful mixed-use resorts in the region,” said Sergio Rivera, president, real estate development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. “This resort has among the strongest demand for owners, and we are excited to add another 54 luxury villas in this spectacular setting.”  The plan is for them to add an additional 1,600 new villas at their U.S., Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Starwood Vacation Ownership will have more than 6,000 villas in total upon the final completion of the announced resorts.In addition to what the Westin St. John is doing with their expansion, the Ritz Carlton Residence Club at Red Hook, St. Thomas is also in the midst of expanding their 5-star Residence resort on one of the many beautiful Caribbean beaches.  Remember, deeded fractional ownership of a Club Residence can cost millions of dollars less than owning a traditional second home directly on the beach.

Ritz-Carlton Club Membership prices currently range from $144,000 to $530,000 per interest, based on location and residence type. The Ritz Residence Clubs truly deliver one of the best second home experiences you could ever imagine. We have stayed at the one on St. Thomas many times and we always feel very pampered before or after a sailing adventure.  Also, they have Clubs in the U.S., and Hawaii.  So, contact us regarding either of these fractional deeded ownership opportunities – St. John Westin, and St. Thomas Ritz Carlton.  And, don’t forget your sun screen.  It is around 85 degrees down here everyday. Until next time… I am off to Barbados to check out the Crane Resort.  I will report back.

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….

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!

So how does a surfer kid end up falling in love with the Caribbean?

I arrived in Redondo Beach at a young age – 4 months old in 1948, and didn’t stray often from the beach for 21 years!  As a kid you don’t have a clue that there is anywhere else to grow up, so I thought living a block from the Redondo Beach Pier was normal.  I thought all things connected to the Pacific Ocean were normal – sailing, surfing, diving, beach volleyball, pier fishing, boat deliveries to Mexico, and a hundred more activities.  So, in hindsight I realize that I was one of the luckiest kids I know because of growing up with amazing experiences everyday, with each of them connected to the Pacific Ocean.  I had no idea that my love for the ocean would end up helping me fall in love with the Caribbean Islands.

During my surfing days, Dewey Weber was the one leading the surfing parade in SoCal.  Even though he died in 1993 his family business is still producing surf boards and surfing accessories.  The long board was the only choice in the 50’s and 60’s.  I never thought it was odd that in my 8th grade woodshop class the first project I completed was a surfboard trailer that would hook up to my beach bike seat post so I could tow my 11 foot, 75 pound balsa wood surfboard instead of carrying it to the beach on my head.  Looking back on those long board surfing days it was a much slower ride than the short boards of today, and you had so much room to walk around.  “Hang’n Ten” was a daily occurrence.

Even before I discovered Old Guys Rule I always felt as if that was true for me.  Other than death, I was not going to stop discovering the world.  One of those life changing discoveries happened for me in the mid-1970s while on my first sailing adventure in the Caribbean.  I had only sailed in the Pacific and Mexico so it was like my second home because of the surfing and sailing trips down Baja.  My Caribbean sailing trips began in the BVI, and then broaden out over the years to sailing the entire chain of the Caribbean – from the BVI to Santa Margarita Island off Venezuela – that was the voyage where I qualified to get my “shellback” earring.  ( I didn’t realize that when you bought an earring you had to get a pair.  So I have one, and my wife, Ann Marie, got a second hole in her ear so she could wear the other one.)  Discovering the Caribbean also caused Ann Marie and I to live there and start a real estate company.

But, back to surfing. Did you know there are a bunch of great surfing spots in the Caribbean?  They are also on some of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see, and the local scenery is pretty nice, too.  No joke!  I first discovered this while visiting the surf shop, Totem, on St. Barths.  I could not believe there was a surf shop to visit on this island, so I was intrigued.  I still have a Totem decal on the back window of my SUV.  The staff at Totem opened up a whole new world to explore – Caribbean surfing.

After St. Barths’ discovery I began my Caribbean detective work and found that the best surfing in the Caribbean appears to be in Barbados.  Melanie Pitcher runs one of the best surfing schools in the Caribbean – Surf Barbados.  And, boy can she surf.  There is even a surf camp in the BVI on Tortola.  I just discovered that one last week!  So, if you think I have the Caribbean scene wired after all these years of detective work you are mistaken.

So, is this old guy back to the long boards? The answer is no – not because of my lack of desire, but because of the multiple surgeries repairing all of the damage to my body over the last 55+ years of worldwide adventures.  ( The list of them is too long to get into at this time.)  But, if you want to watch a killer demonstration of body surfing with my Viper Fins on,  I am the one to join with on any wave!

Check out the Top 10 List of why old guys keep surfing.

I am exhausted from reliving all of these surfing memories of the past 55+ years, so your Caribbean lifestyle/Realtor detective is going to have to find an ice cold Red Stripe and regroup.  Contact me about some of your favorite surf spots.  I look forward to adding them to my list.