pine ridge lodge opportunity report
TRANSCRIPT
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Pine Ridge Lodge, Belize. A Boutique Rainforest Resort.
www.PineRidgeLodge.com
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Overview
The two properties listed are located within seven miles of one another. Whether purchased
together or separately, they represent interesting opportunities. Whether your goals are defined in
terms of revenue generation or lifestyle, Pine Ridge Lodge and Maya Springs may well be what
you’ve been looking for. This report provides an overview of the properties and the attributes
associated with them.
Pine Ridge Lodge
9 acres. 10 guest rooms. Fully operational boutique rainforest resort.
US$279,000.
www.pineridgelodge.com
Maya Springs
103 acres. 50% virgin rainforest. 50% cultivated hardwoods.
US$197,000.
On the outskirts of San Antonio, Belize. May be connected to municipal
power and water.
Financing available. Discount provided for properties when purchased in
tandem.
Contact:
Elliott Stark. Starkfish Consulting
216.375.9432
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Introduction The Pine Ridge Lodge is a beautifully peaceful rainforest resort located in the Mountain Pine
Forest Reserve in the Cayo District of Belize. The lodge sits on 9 acres of manicured, mature
tropical landscaping. It is bisected by two rivers and its elevation (1,400’ above sea level) imparts
cool temperatures that belie its tropical latitude. The lodge has been family owned and operated
continuously for 25 years. The owner, an American, is retiring and now is selling the lodge for
US$279,000.
The sale includes everything needed for continued operation. Pine Ridge Lodge is sold with:
4 double room cabins
2 Single room cabins
Dining Room/Kitchen/Bar
four water tanks with approximately 4,300 gallons of capacity
In ground, self-contained septic tanks
Laundry Facility
2 Toyota Pick Up Trucks
Work Shop
Lodge website, with 18 years of web traffic (lodge is 25 years old)
Complete maintenance, operation and hospitality crew
All hardware and power tools necessary for operation
Mature landscaping-- over 100 gardens on property
Two rivers run through property
Quarter mile hike from private, secluded waterfall
Whether you continue the operation as it currently exists or develop new plans, the opportunities
are wide open. The property features more than 100 gardens, including dozens of orchids, fruit
trees, 30 varieties of palms, and tropical hardwoods. The resort also has 4.6 out of 5-- 96%
approval-- rating on Trip Advisor.
An additional point of distinction for the Lodge is that the staff, which has been with the operation
for more than 15 years-- would be willing to stay aboard. The manager of the operation is
proficient in construction, landscaping and automotive mechanics. He also speaks English,
Spanish, and Mayan fluently. He also knows the region inside and out and is incredibly well
connected with the community.
The Infrastructure
The Pine Ridge Lodge has been owned and operated by the owner and his family continuously for
25 years. It consists of four double room cabanas, two single room cabanas, a dining room/bar,
hardwood workshop, laundry facility, water tanks, and several small gazebos. The lodge is on 9
acres and has two creeks running through it. The Little Vaqueros Creek is the primary water source
for the operation. Water for the lodge is contained within four storage tanks with a combined
capacity of around 4,200 gallons.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Lodge infrastructure.
All of the plumbing is contained in an in ground septic system. There is electricity for the dining
room/ bar (natural gas cylinders power the stoves, ovens, freezers/refrigerators, while lighting for
the building and the phone line run from car batteries). There is no electricity for the remainder
of the resort. The best options for electrification, should you wish to do so, would be solar or
micro-hydroelectric. There are companies in Belize that can install either of these options.
All of the infrastructure on the property is set atop solid concrete foundations. The cabins are
cinder block/ plaster construction and the workshop and dining room/ bar are hardwood. All of
the buildings are enclosed within screens. The nine acre property is home to more than 100
individual gardens.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Pine Ridge is sold as an all-inclusive operation. The head liners of the added components are the
two Belizean registered Toyota pick-up trucks that are included. Having these trucks on site saves
thousands of dollars in import duties. In addition to the vehicles, all furniture, linens, power tools,
and equipment currently used in the operation are transferred with the sale. The lodge’s website,
with 18 years of web traffic, can be transferred as well. This provides the prospective new owner
with a powerful foundation for internet marketing and search engine optimization.
The crew that operates Pine Ridge would also be willing to continue working, pending agreement.
The Lodge’s manager is incredibly talented and thoroughly knowledgeable of the community.
Currently he executes provisioning, handles logistics, performs carpentry and construction on the
lodge, and even maintains the vehicles (including technical mechanical operations).
There are not many places in the world that are as beautiful or intimate as Pine Ridge Lodge.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Geographic Location of Pine Ridge Lodge
The Pine Ridge Lodge is nestled within the highlands of the Belizean interior. The Lodge is
situated within the Mountain Pine Forest Reserve approximately eight miles from the village of
San Antonio. At an altitude of 1,450 feet above sea level, Pine Ridge enjoys temperate climate
with fresh, pleasant breeze not often found in tropical latitudes.
Pine Ridge Lodge is situated within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve. Pine Ridge Lodge
is one of only three lodges within the reserve. The designation of the reserve provides a level of
protection from future sprawl and overdevelopment. While it is impossible to know with certainty
what tomorrow will bring, there have only been three lodges within the reserve for a long time.
The Lodge is traversed by two spring fed creeks that hold water year round. Little Vaqueros Creek
runs through the heart of the Lodge and imparts the sound a flowing stream to guests as they sleep
in their cabins. The creek also provides the water source for the lodge. A quarter mile hike from
the cabins there is a private, 85 foot waterfall that is accessible only from Pine Ridge Lodge.
The Cayo District of Belize is known for its abundance of ecotourism destinations. Owing to these
activities, Pine Ridge Lodge enjoys a steady stream of vehicular traffic and a long history of
satisfied guests. Pine Ridge Lodge is the closest lodging to Caracol—the largest Mayan complex
in Belize. In addition to Caracol, the Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools, 1,000 Foot Falls, and Big Rock
Falls provide an impressive lineup that is proven to attract tourists to the region. The geographic
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
location protects your investment and tourist attractions near the resort provide a steady supply of
visitors.
The lodge is accessible via road or an airstrip that is situated about 3/4 of a mile away.
Caracol—the largest Mayan complex in Belize. Pine Ridge Lodge is the most proximate operation
to Caracol.
Business Plan
Pine Ridge Lodge is fully operational as a boutique resort. In its current manifestation, the lodge
functions primarily as a bed and breakfast that can serve dinner upon request. Pine Ridge Lodge
mainly accommodates guests who drive their own vehicles and handle their own logistics.
Pine Ridge Lodge has stable, low operating costs. Knowing these costs—and the ability to
incorporate them into planning—is something that is not always available when it comes to
international resorts. A breakdown of the anticipated costs of ownership are as follow:
Operating costs: US$3,000 per month-- staff wages and maintenance.
Real estate taxes: around US$100 annually.
In its future trajectory, two paths emerge for the Lodge. The first path involves continued operation
as a family centric operation that combines ease of management and tranquility. The second option
involves optimization of revenue through investment in capacity. This option would include
investment in electrification and in the infrastructure necessary to internalize the tour business of
visitors. Currently visitors wishing to arrange guided tours of Caracol and other attractions are
forced to use third party providers. By internalizing these trips and expanding culinary offerings,
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Pine Ridge could generate substantially more revenue and compete on par with neighboring
operations that charge several hundred dollars per night for lodging.
Regional tourism attractions near Pine Ridge Lodge generate thousands of dollars.
Option 1: Self-Sustaining Family Getaway
The Pine Ridge Lodge has functioned for the past 25 years as a winter destination for the owner
and his family. The ability to house guests and generate revenue paid for Pine Ridge Lodge’s
operations and maintenance. By choosing not to electrify the resort, the owners have chosen
simplicity, ease of operation, and tranquility over optimizing revenue. By installing only the
infrastructure necessary for basic operation, the owner has also been able to manage the lodge
remotely.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Continuation of this model is appealing to a wide variety of interests. From families desiring kid
friendly destinations to first time resort owners looking to generate a living or supplement
retirement, Pine Ridge Lodge is uniquely appealing.
In its current state, Pine Ridge Lodge is an incredibly intimate family getaway.
Option 2: Revenue Optimized Rainforest Enterprise
In many ways, the Lodge has been operated as a hybrid enterprise. It served as a winter destination
for the owners that generated enough revenue to cover its expenses. As the Lodge has not been
used a primary source of revenue, changing a few tenets of the business plan could significantly
adjust the balance sheet.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Through electrification, creation of targeted marketing campaign, and internalizing tour operations
business (to and from Caracol and other surrounding attractions) Pine Ridge could increase price
per night significantly, add additional services to its offerings, and generate more business in
aggregate. The road to Caracol passes directly in front of the lodge. There is a steady stream of
vehicular traffic without a great deal of surrounding commercial operations competing for its
business. The fact that the lodge is within the jurisdiction of the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest
Reserve provides an added layer of protection for the investment.
Investment in capacity at the Lodge could augment the stunning natural layout, diversifying
revenue streams.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
There are only three lodges (including Pine Ridge Lodge) within the Mountain Pine Forest
Reserve. All of the surrounding lodges are high end. Blancaneaux Lodge charges in the
neighborhood of $450 per night. Gaia is priced in the range of $250 per night. Pine Ridge Lodge
generally charges between $99-125 per night, per room depending on season.
The new ownership would likely wish to install solar or micro-hydroelectric equipment to power
the lodge. In either case, there are companies in Belize that are equipped to perform the work. The
owners would also probably wish to upgrade/ remodel some of the facilities-- bathrooms,
bedrooms, etc. Depending on scope of the remodeling, an investment of $50,000 or so would
likely suffice. The asking price for Pine Ridge Lodge leaves plenty of room for this level of
additional investment—while still being less expensive than comparable opportunities. Under the
scenario of increased capital investment, incorporation of the owner’s second property—Maya
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Springs—provides a number of potential benefits. Creating a second jungle lodge, with guest
cabins linked through a series of trails on the property, could create an associated revenue stream
that can be managed by two interchangeable staffs. While the Maya Springs property is located
within seven miles of Pine Ridge Lodge, its rainforest is completely different from the pine forest
of Pine Ridge.
Maya Springs
Maya Springs is 103 acres located seven miles from Pine Ridge Lodge. Half of the land is
cultivated hardwoods-- it was pasture when he purchased it in the early 1990s-- and half virgin
rainforest. It is located on the outskirts of San Antonio and enjoys the option of municipal power
and water. The tract has an artesian spring and two ponds that are full during the rainy season. The
asking price for this parcel is US$197,000. Should you purchase both parcels, there could be
arranged a discount.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Creation of a second lodge-- a network of cabins in the forest, connected by paths, for instance--
could be an incredible and unique option. The two operations could then be managed by a two
teams of interchangeable staff. The building and construction costs in Belize are marginal and the
construction could be completed with relative ease. A second, equally enticing option would be
the use of the Maya Springs property for the creation of a personal estate for the owners of Pine
Ridge Lodge. This would permit the new owners to live near to the lodge, while maintaining a bit
of separation from guests and the operation itself.
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Pine Ridge Lodge. Maya Springs. Cayo, Belize. www.pineridgelodge.com
Contact:
Elliott Stark. Starkfish Consulting
216.375.9432