Milagro del Mar Resort in Nicaragua Resumes Construction After Waiting Patiently for World Market to Rebound

Milagro del Mar Resort in Nicaragua Resumes Construction After Waiting Patiently for World Market to Rebound

Milagro del Mar Beach & Golf Resort on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast restarts construction on luxury condos, launches an eco-community and prepares to announce a major international hotel partner 

San Diego Beach, Nicaragua -- After throttling back its activities in 2009 in response to the economic downturn, the team at Milagro del Mar Beach & Golf Resort is now pressing ahead with an aggressive relaunch strategy. Construction of the Ocean Village luxury condominiums is back on track, an innovative eco-community is underway and new custom homes are under construction. An announcement also is coming soon on the addition of an international hotel partner.

As it begins this new evolution, Milagro del Mar in Nicaragua already features existing beachside condominiums and a number of private homes on approximately 500 acres of oceanfront property along the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. A nine-hole golf course is open for play, with an additional nine-hole layout planned for the next phase of expansion. Eventually, the resort will feature the Country Club of Milagro del Mar, offering golf, tennis, fine dining and other recreational activities.

Other amenities currently include an oceanfront restaurant, a surf shop and ready access to two world-class breaks, a stable offering horseback riding, and La Vida Nica, an on-site concierge group that provides services to property owners and resort visitors. With rentals and packages available, Milagro del Mar has become a favored vacation destination for individuals and families from throughout Central America, the United States and Canada.

“We were able to weather the downturn and actually benefit from it in terms of additional planning and the opportunity to expand our land holdings,” says Roger Keeling, who heads The Keeling Group (TKG), which is developing the new Milagro del Mar. “We were able to put new financing in place and are now pushing forward quickly in what we feel is a rapidly improving market. We also are benefiting from the strong economic expansion here in Nicaragua, which is seeing significant gains in outside investment and tourism, as well as phenomenal growth in its GNP.”

The master plan was substantially revised and expanded after TKG acquired properties and amenities that were previously part of Gran Pacifica, a master development. The revamped plan still centers around the newly named Ocean Village luxury condos, a neighborhood of two- and three-bedroom luxury condominiums and villas situated on land sloping toward the ocean. The first condominiums are set for completion in the first quarter of 2014. The village also will contain a luxury hotel.

Homes also are underway in Milagro Verde, an innovative eco-community designed “to provide green living without sacrificing luxury.” The “right-sized” single-family homes utilize geothermal heating and cooling, and passive solar water heating.

Milagro del Mar also offers homesites adjacent to the ocean in the San Diego Viejo neighborhood and along the golf course. The resort community already contains a number of custom homes and casitas.

“The interest we’re receiving has been very positive, and more and more people are expressing the desire to come for one of our special in-country tours to learn more about Nicaragua and what we’re doing here,” Keeling says.

According to Keeling, both Nicaragua and destinations such as Milagro del Mar are gaining momentum from improving markets. The country has experienced steady upward trends in most sectors of its economy, and its recognition is spreading as a safe and welcoming place to visit, invest and live. Keeling points out the appeal of the low cost of living, available healthcare and favorable tax laws to retirees seeking to maximize their funds, while noting that there also are many “value seekers” who have recognized the lucrative investment opportunities in Nicaragua.

“Needless to say, it’s exciting to crank up our activities again,” Keeling says. “It wasn’t easy to wait, but it certainly was the right thing to do and now ideally positions us to move forward and create new momentum. It’s often said good things come to those who wait. For us, we now believe better things are coming for those who have waited.”

About Milagro Del Mar Beach & Golf Resort

Milagro del Mar Beach & Golf Resort is located on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua, approximately one hour west of Managua. The resort offers a wide selection of amenities and activities including golf, surfing, horseback riding, guided eco-tours and oceanfront dining. A range of real estate options are available, as well as rental properties, including condominiums, homes and casitas. Complete information is available at www.milagrodelmar.com

Contact:

Phil Alexander

phil@milagrodelmar.com

617/678-7940

Top Ten Reasons Why the Caribbean is Number One for Weddings and Honeymoons

With wedding season coming up, and having been married for about 100 years (uh, sorry honey, it actually feels like just yesterday!  :~) I thought it would be a good time to have our guest author, Tiffany Mullins share some of her thoughts and insights on why the Caribbean is so popular...thanks for your contribution Tiffany!

All inclusive Caribbean vacations are a popular choice, renowned for the sparkling sandy beaches, friendly locals and rich island history. But did you know that these famous isles are also the number one choice for many couples’ weddings and honeymoons? It’s easy to see why – we’ve compiled a list of the unique elements that make the Caribbean an ideal destination for two people in love:

1. Romance and Luxury

The Caribbean is one of the most romantic destinations on Earth, making it an ideal fit for weddings and honeymoons. The breathtaking scenery of the sparkling Caribbean Sea lapping the pristine beaches creates a soothing, romantic ambience. With a variety of all inclusive luxury resorts to choose from, couples can enjoy luxuries like a private candlelit dinner in a lavish honeymoon suite – the perfect way to unwind from all the months of wedding planning.

2. Island Hopping

There are thousands of islands throughout the Caribbean Sea, each with their own unique personality and attractions. Whether couples are seeking a calm and secluded honeymoon, or an unforgettable cultural adventure, there is an island that will have exactly what they’ve been searching for. For example, Jamaica offers a colorful nightlife and a variety of attractions, while some of the beaches in Antigua are among the most peaceful, quiet Caribbean destinations.

3. Beaches and Water Sports

Whether you’re walking Negril’s famous 7-mile beach hand-in-hand, or just basking in the salty sea breeze while watching the sunset, the Caribbean island beaches offer some of the best scenery around that can be enjoyed from the pristine, sandy shores, or from the deck of a peaceful catamaran cruise. Additionally, couples may choose from a wide array of water sports, many of which are offered during all inclusive Caribbean vacations, including paddleboards, snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides, aquatrikes, scuba diving and waterskiing.

4. Adventurous Tours and Attractions

For couples searching for the perfect balance of laid-back relaxation and jaw-dropping adventure, the Caribbean islands offer an exceptional blend. Possible honeymoon excursions include zip-lining and off-roading through the rainforest, canopy tours, mountain biking, volcano explorations, catamaran sailing, deep-sea fishing and swimming or snorkeling with dolphins. Additionally, there are a variety of sprawling parks with breathtaking mountains and waterfalls just waiting to be explored.

5. Room to Get Away

There are a multitude of romantic excursions to choose from as well. Couples can wander along undisturbed beaches and marvel in the beauty of the islands. There are even “Castaway Tours,” where couples are left alone on an uninhabited island for a few hours with a well-packed picnic basket and a bottle of wine.

6. Tropical Weather

Planning a wedding or a honeymoon can be a stressful venture, even without the added concern of the weather conditions. That’s one of the aspects of the Caribbean that is so attractive to couples: it’s warm year-round – which is greatly appreciated by couples from northern states or by those planning winter weddings. On the off-chance the weather does not cooperate, the wedding party can often be easily accommodated by changing locations to a gorgeous indoor setting.

7. Picture-Perfect

Couples often dream of the perfect background to complement their exchange of vows. When your wedding is in the Caribbean, it almost doesn’t matter where you stand because there are so many picturesque locations. Couples can choose from garden or beach settings for their ceremonies, creating excellent backdrops for photographs and memories that will last a lifetime.

8. Combining Weddings and Honeymoons

Celebrating weddings and honeymoons together doesn’t just save money - it also makes the entire planning process easier and less stressful. Weddings held at Caribbean family beach resorts are also vacations for the guests, not to mention that the happy couple will be at their honeymoon destination immediately after the ceremony! Instead of agonizing over themes and menus, couples can choose activities, décor and food – all prepared by the all inclusive resort of choice. This leaves time for the happy newlyweds to actually enjoy the ceremony and their time together. There are even some Caribbean and Antigua vacation packages that will provide a free standard ceremony after the bride and groom book a specific number of nights at the hotel. Additionally, some all inclusive resorts may provide a wedding planner to sort out any of the other details of the big day, ensuring that it all runs smoothly.

9. Customization

Although many Caribbean resorts offer all inclusive wedding packages, there is still the option for customization – upgrades and à la cart items are often available for couples to use. This makes planning the ceremony even easier because most of the work is already done. Depending on the type of wedding you’re hoping for, you can customize your day to be either as elaborate or as simple as you would like.

10. Affordability

Even though spending time in the Caribbean is sure to be a luxurious adventure, in comparison with the average cost of an American wedding, it is surprisingly affordable. Many all inclusive resorts often offer travel deals for wedding parties or seasonal discounts that couples may take advantage of when booking the trip.

The Caribbean is the most popular destination for weddings and honeymoons, and it’s easy to see why. There are endless activities and adventures to embark upon, and scenic views abound. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding or honeymoon (or both!), you’ll find the picturesque tropical setting you’ve been dreaming of in the Caribbean.

About the Author

As International Social Media Manager for Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts (Unique Vacation, Ltd.), Tiffany Mullins leads a team that creates new strategies for global, multi-brand social media. In addition to managing Grand Pineapple Beach Resorts’ online community, she also oversees the direction of Sandals and Beaches social media, including the Sandals Wedding Blog, which brings brides and inspiration together to truly create “Your Wedding. Your Style.” Tiffany now resides on Paradise Island in The Bahamas. For more information on Grand Pineapple’s all inclusive resorts, please call 1-800-327-1991 or visit www.grandpineapple.com.

Customer Service

Okay, so...I am going to deviate from my usual rants about the tropics, and discuss something more business like and professional (which is NOT to say that I am going to get all "stuffed-shirt"), heck...I'm not even going to include any pics in this post!
You see, in one of the social media groups I engage in, someone posed the question "What are the qualities of a customer focused (hotel) business?" And the responses he received were all good...but not great...and the reason is that they all miss the core element which is absolutely required...they all used words like exceptional, exceed expectations, consistency, desire and motivation...one individual came very close when she mentioned "teamwork across the organization." And while these are all critical, they miss the mark!
First, customer service needs to be approached like it is it's own entity and must be built on a sound foundation. Identifying the foundation and implementing it are two entirely different things and if not approached properly, all efforts will eventually end up as "lip service" as one response indicated.
So what is this core element? It is so critical that I can compare it to Math 101, which is an absolute prerequisite to Architectural Design....that's right, it is the simplest of principles on which math is learned that are so necessary to one's ability to come even remotely close to understanding architectural design. (Trust me...I suck at both math AND architectural design) but I think you get my meaning here...
Mediocre "external" customer service can only be achieved if the prerequisite of mastering (and I mean mastering) "internal" customer service is accomplished first.
I have implemented this concept in several companies and it truly makes all the difference in the world!
_____________________________________________________________________________

If you would like to know more, and discuss how this can be accomplished in your organization, please feel free to post a comment here, or drop me an email at bob@skipjackmarketing.com and I will be happy to discuss how this principle can change your organization.

Until then

Hit 'em straight!!