by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 3:12 PM ET, Mon March 12, 2018
The Autograph Collection brand is expanding into Belize with a boutique resort on Ambergris Caye island.
Being developed in partnership with owner Andrew Ashcroft, the new property, Alaia, will include 56 two-bedroom condominiums (with lock off option) and eight oceanfront villas.
Work on the new resort began in 2017 and is expected to be complete by 2020. The property is located on the culturally rich southern part of Ambergris Caye, with more than 1,000 feet of beachfront.
World-class amenities are also planned for the resort including a beach club that's exclusive to residents, a rooftop suspended pool and a lounge with stellar ocean views. Additional offerings include a full-service spa, fitness center, kids club, dive shop and art gallery.
"With the forthcoming opening on Alaia, I am thrilled to begin this real estate and hospitality lifestyle brand in the inspiring place I have called home for nearly 20 years," Ashcroft, managing director, said in a statement. "Joining Marriott will provide future owners and guests of Alaia a unique opportunity to intimately connect to their surroundings while embodying the high-quality standards of the Autograph Collection brand: heartfelt design, mark of craft and sense of place."
The resort is located in the idyllic and historic town of San Pedro and will be launched in five phases. Development will be led by a design team that includes i.E. Architecture and renowned Brazilian designer Debora Aguiar, who is known for her eco-luxury aesthetics.
The property's design will highlight the splendor of its natural surroundings. Residences, for example, 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.
Residences will also capitalize on Belize's outdoor living, blending indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly, offering in excess of 1,100 square feet indoors and more than 700 square feet of outdoor space per unit.
Alaia joins the 135 independent hotels that are already part of the Autograph Collection, a diverse and dynamic group of hotels that celebrate thoughtfulness of design, inherent craft and connection with their locales.
"Celebrating individuality by curating one-of-a-kind travel experiences, the Autograph Collection brand continues to experience strong growth globally and in Central America." Laurent De Kousemaeker, chief development officer, Marriott International Caribbean and Latin America, said in a statement. "The unique Alaia boutique resort is defined by unique design in one of the most desirable locations in the world. We are excited to partner with Andrew Ashcroft on this Autograph Collection project, which marks an important milestone for the company in Belize."
The new development comes as tourism in Belize hits record levels. Manuel Heredia, Belize's minister of tourism, said there were more than 400,000 visitors to the tiny nation in 2017, a number which vastly surpasses previous years.
"With the industry playing an integral role on the country's economy, Alaia has the government's full support as it will take our country to new heights by boosting the employment growth, generating awareness around the destination, and allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Belize's vibrant culture," said Heredia.
As one of the world's most photogenic yet untapped destinations, Belize's clear blue waters and Caribbean culture is home to endless historic offerings and variety of adventures.
Within close proximity to Alaia, there are more than 200 cayes filled with several preserved Mayan temples, including Xunantunich (the second tallest ruin in the country), lush jungles, rainforest canopies, and archaeological sites including the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, which consists of a series of chambers where sacrificial ceremonies once took place and ceramics, stoneware and skeletal remains can be viewed in their original context from over 1,000 years ago.
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