Hilton Worldwide today announced the signing of the new Resort at Mahogany Bay Village to Curio – A Collection by Hilton. When open, in 2017, The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village, Curio by Hilton will be the first Hilton Worldwide property in Belize, as well as the first luxury resort form a global Brand in the country.
“We have 52 million loyal customers that we are going to be bringing hopefully at some point to Belize, commented Juan Corvinas, Managing Director, Development , Central America, Andean and Hispanic Caribbean regions, Hilton Worldwide. “We are very proud of this partnership because Mahogany Bay represents what is traditional from Belize as well as all the good things that Belize has to show to our guests. The opportunity to develop The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village came at an opportune time and with a well-matched partner. Paired with Mahogany Bay’s hospitality expertise, eco-friendly practices and focus on supporting the local community, our first Hilton Worldwide property in Belize will elevate accommodation offerings in the country and allow travelers to discover the true local flavor and spectacular natural beauty of Ambergris Caye and Belize”
The Great House at Mahogany Bay Village is very close to completion
Juan Corvinas, Managing Director, Development , Central America, Andean and Hispanic Caribbean regions, Hilton Worldwide
The rustic-chic resort is located in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye and sits on a 60-acre property featuring private residences (205 cottage and villa-style rooms), bay and beach clubs, spa, meeting space and “The Village”, a vibrant social center open to both guests and the public.
“We spent two years looking for a property and a place that we wanted to put our life work and energy into, and that included an exhausted search throughout Central America and the Caribbean and when we finally landed in the country of Belize, we knew this was our home,” stated Beth Clifford, President of Mahogany Bay Village Management Limited. “Today, 35 month later, eighty million Belize dollars later, the life’s work of five world-renowned designers, 412 local Belizean vendors and over 210 passionate and gifted team members is now on display for the world to see.”
Beth Clifford, President of Mahogany Bay Village Management Limited
Guests of The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village will experience upscale accommodations and amenities grounded in the authentic spirit of the country.The Belizean-style villas are made from local sustainably-harvested hardwoods and feature lofty ceilings and artfully designed heirloom quality furniture. The Village will complement the downtown San Pedro area with a General Store, craft and farmer’s market, scuba and fishing operators, concierge and tour coordinator, hair/nail salon and much more. Guests will be able to try organic fresh vegetables harvested daily from Ambergreens, Belize’s first aquaponics farming venture; have fantastic coffee at Rum and Bean, lunch at Taco Shack, indulge in local fare at the all-day restaurant, among many other food and beverage outlets.
The property will offer a 22,000 square foot Great House featuring three floors and 8,000 square feet of meeting and event space, plus a wrap-around covered veranda. A specially-designated Bride’s Room is designed as a dressing room for weddings, but will also double as a 12-seat private venue.
“The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village will be a borderless community that encourages travelers to get out and experience all that Belize has to offer,” continued Beth Clifford. “Combining the authentic local spirit of the Curio collection and the one-of-a-kind character of Belize, the resort will provide a unique guest experience and serve as the perfect base camp for our guests’ Belizean adventures…”
“We are excited to welcome The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village, Curio – A Collection by Hilton to our beautiful country,” said Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism. “This resort will not only showcase our breathtaking scenery and hospitable spirit to thousands of travelers, but it will also offer 200 new jobs that will help continue to fuel economic opportunity in Belize.”
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
Tracey Taeger-Panton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Investment
The resort will prioritize the preservation of natural resources by using local materials and minimizing overall waste, maintaining construction and operating standards so as not to impact the local coral reefs and employing smart architectural designs to increase airflow and reduce the need for air conditioning.
“I would like to congratulate all of you who worked to make this partnership…a lot has been invested, a lot will be invested, not only in terms of financial resources, but also in terms of time, capacity building for the work force in Belize. So this is for us an extremely proud moment,” commented Tracey Taeger-Panton, Minister of State in the Ministry of Economic Development, Petroleum, Investment, Trade and Commerce. “I congratulate all of you and I give you my continued commitment that certainly the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Investment will continue to do all we can to support this investment and all new investments that will come as a result.”
“With its luxury accommodations, beautiful location, environmentally-sustainable design and integration with the local community, we can’t wait to welcome guests to The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village,” said Dianna Vaughan, Senior Vice President and global head of Curio – A Collection by Hilton and DoubleTree by Hilton brands. “By simultaneously reflecting the local culture and providing remarkable service, The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village exemplifies the Curio collection’s distinctive character.
As par of the Hilton Worldwide portfolio, The Resort at Mahogany Bay Village, Curio Collection by Hilton will participate in Hilton HHonors®, the award-winning guest loyalty program of Hilton Worldwide’s 13 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Worldwide currently has a portfolio of more than 90 hotels and resorts open and welcoming travelers in Latin America, including 14 properties in Central America. The company is actively pursuing additional Latin American growth opportunities and currently has a robust pipeline of more than 50 hotels throughout the region. Their latest addition in Belize will be the 104th country in the world where Hilton has presence.