Crystal Lagoons World’s Top Amenity Rapid Expansion Around the Globe

05/03/2020

Correio Braziliense, the national Brazilian newspaper, in its Tourism section, has recommended several of Crystal Lagoons® emblematic lagoons spotted around the planet. In a recent ranking, it named five of the American multinational’s water features, known as the world’s top amenity. Created by the biochemist, Fernando Fischmann, founder and President at the firm, he developed the technology and concept behind these impressive pure turquoise lagoons that bring a piece of the ocean to locations previously thought unimaginable. An example is the world’s largest crystalline lagoon, located in the Egyptian desert.

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

Situated in the Sinai desert, Egypt, the Swissotel Citystars Sharm el Sheikh Hotel & Residences, the country’s first Swissotel, which includes 400 guestrooms and suites overlooking the Crystal Lagoons amenity alongside retail space and 400 residences due to open in 2020. The pristine water feature, powered by Crystal Lagoons technology, was awarded in 2015 the Guinness World Record for being the world’s largest (29 acres), record it maintains till this day.

San Alfonso del Mar, Chile

San Alfonso del Mar is a private residential resort within the Chilean coastal city of Algarrobo, located just 60 miles from the nation’s capital city of Santiago. Guinness World Record holder until 2015, the monumental water amenity is 1 kilometer in length.

Mahasamutr, Thailand

The idyllic 3-acre lagoon at MahaSamutr is the central attraction at the resort styled complex at Hua Hin. Just as many other lagoons, the pure turquoise water amenity is surrounded by white sand beaches, that imitate immaculate tropical beaches. All homes offering direct access to the lagoon’s beach activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, and sailing. Other amenities for residents include a spa and waterfront dining options.

In 2019, Crystal Lagoons inaugurated its first public Access Lagoon™, known as PAL™, in the country. Known as Blue Tree Phuket, it functions under the multinationals newest business model, granting daily passes to the general public via ticketed entry.

Laguna Bahía, Chile

The pristine, clear water lagoon spans over 3.5 acres, making it the second-largest in the city of Algarrobo after its neighboring resort lagoon at San Alfonso del Mar. In addition to extensive swimming space, the lagoon offers a variety of beachfront water activities, including windsurfing and kayaking.

Las Brisas, Chile

Las Brisas is part of the exclusive Santo Domingo community located within the Valparaiso region on Chile’s coast. The resort community is anchored by its 5-acre salt water lagoon, equivalent to 16 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The amenity overlooks the Pacific Ocean and mimics its brilliant blue waters, while offering beachfront swimming and water sports for residents in a safe environment, as swimming in the ocean is not permitted.

Time Out: Crystal Lagoons Project in Indonesia is a Must-Visit

12-04-2024

Once again, the prestigious international entertainment, travel, and tourism guide Time Out has turned its attention to the Crystal Lagoons Treasure Bay project on the idyllic island of Bintan, Indonesia. Its recent edition of recommendations on what to see, do, and experience highlighted this project as essential to include in travelers’ itineraries and a must-visit in the region due to its unique features, as the largest crystalline lagoon in Southeast Asia with sustainable Crystal Lagoons® technology spanning 15.5 acres, equivalent to 50 Olympic-size swimming pools, surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches.

Time Out recommended this project developed under the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments, emphasizing the variety of aquatic experiences that can be enjoyed across its 222 acres, allowing visitors to indulge in beach life year-round with options for dining, spa, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. Within the artificial lagoon, an oasis of turquoise waters, visitors can partake in water sports such as bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boating, slides, paddleboarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding.

With its monumental body of water, Treasure Bay has established itself as a unique experience on the paradise island of Bintan, Indonesia. Bintan, known for its nearly 3,000 islands, strategically faces Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It offers many tourist attractions, including world-class golf courses, hiking, elephant parks, eco-farms, luxury spas, and beach activities.

This PAL™ development is surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches, with a length of 800 meters and reaching a maximum depth of 2.5 meters. It offers various water recreation experiences, including bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boat rides, water slides, paddle boarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The artificial lagoon allows visitors to enjoy beach life year-round with dining options, spas, shops, entertainment, and nightlife.PAL™ projects, which anyone can access for an entrance fee, transform any site into a year-round entertainment hub with more than 125 activities that can take place in the lagoon itself or its surroundings.

Iconic Crystal Lagoons Luxury Project in Cancun prepares for opening in June

09-04-2024

Crystal Lagoons® technology is revolutionizing the hotel industry and changing the paradigm of vacation developments. Major international hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA recognize the transformative value of crystalline lagoons. They have incorporated this amenity as a critical element in their projects, making them more attractive destinations.

In association with the prestigious AVA hotel chain, Crystal Lagoons is developing an iconic project that will become the most prominent luxury resort in Cancun, centered around a monumental 2.8-acre crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches. This artificial lagoon with turquoise waters will allow guests to enjoy exclusive floating cabins and various water activities in a unique environment.

When it opens in June 2024, AVA Resort Cancún will be an innovative luxury destination just 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport and along the city’s most extensive commercial promenade. It will be a landmark in Mexican tourism and Cancun, the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and a regional cultural, financial, and tourist hub.

This beachfront oasis, with all rooms facing the sea, will offer experiences for all ages and various accommodation options, from elegant rooms to spacious villas, all with breathtaking views of the Mexican Caribbean. Six pools, a water park for children, and first-class beach services ensure relaxation and fun. Additionally, high-end boutiques and local shops will provide exclusive shopping options.

“Crystal Lagoons is a pioneer in sustainability and innovation. It will offer an idyllic beach landscape to enjoy a lively life around the lagoon. Guests can relax in one or four water cabins or engage in non-motorized water sports, all in the same body of water”, said Ash Tembe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America at AIC Hotel Group.

Around the world, the concept and technology of Crystal Lagoons® have become the leading sales attraction, positively impacting its commercial success. Despite the credit and real estate challenges in the current economic conditions, Crystal Lagoons projects continue to defy the market with very impressive sales figures, particularly in the United States. The rankings from real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns on the best-selling master-planned communities once again demonstrated that crystalline lagoons are a powerful purchasing driver. Sunterra, Mirada, Windsong Ranch, and Epperson secured prominent positions in 2023.

These projects ranked among the top 50 best-selling communities. Florida leads the ranking within the list, representing close to 40% of the sales for all top-ranked developments, followed by Texas with 37%. In both states, Crystal Lagoons has a significant presence.

In Texas, Sunterra stands out as a project that, even though the crystalline lagoon has not been built yet, serves as a commercial driver within the community, generating sales rates higher than the average, with a significant increase of 63% compared to 2022. This placed it 3rd nationally in both rankings, further boosting the strong performance of Houston, the top-selling metropolitan area in the country. Sunterra’s positive sales results had already been recorded in previous reports.

With the largest amenity powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology in the United States, Mirada in Florida, inaugurated in 2023, sets another record. With an 89% increase in sales, it ranks 17th. Its 15 acres of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are a buying trigger.

Another notable project in Texas is Windsong Ranch, which has consistently set sales records, ranking 29th in the John Burns ranking. The project has also been nationally awarded as “Master Planned Community of the Year,” among other recognitions.

On the other hand, Epperson in Florida also ranked prominently in both studies, a commercial trend registered since its inauguration as a real estate project. The interest it generated was so significant that it had to be opened to the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments.

The United States is the main operation of Crystal Lagoons worldwide, and it has more than 275 projects at different stages of development and negotiation. Among the most important are Mirada, Sole Mia, Balmoral, Windsong Ranch, Beachwalk, Southshore Bay, Aqua, among others. The recent joint venture to develop four Public Access Lagoons™ complexes, also known as PAL™, in Texas stands out and will add to the successful public access developments Epperson (Florida) and Lago Mar (Texas).