Crystal Lagoons Expands Presence in U.S. Luxury Hospitality Industry Through Partnership With Woodbine Development and Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa

12-03-25

About Crystal Lagoons

Crystal Lagoons is a US-based company that has developed a technology allowing crystalline lagoons of unlimited sizes to be built and maintained at very low costs anywhere.

With over 2,900 patents in 180 countries, its sustainable amenities use up to 100 times fewer chemicals and only 2% of the energy required by conventional swimming pools. Bureau Veritas verified the technology’s efficient water use, concluding that a 1-Ha/2.5-ac lagoon utilizes 33 times less water than a golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size. Crystal Lagoons® amenities can use sea, fresh, and brackish water, which is abundant and has no other use.

For more information visit https://www.crystal-lagoons.com/

About Hyatt Hill Country Resort & Spa

The newly-renovated Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa is nestled among 300 secluded acres of the historic Rogers-Wiseman family ranch, a working ranch that operated for over a century.

With its location within easy driving distance from the San Antonio International Airport and the historic attractions of downtown San Antonio, the 500-room resort boasts an upscale, ranch-inspired aesthetic that perfectly blends the convenience of the city with the peaceful charm and hospitality of the Texas Hill Country.

As a premier meeting destination, the resort features more than 100,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space, customizable to fit the needs and preferences of every group. Guests can enjoy an array of world-class amenities, including Windflower – The Hill Country Spa featuring 21 treatment rooms and locally-inspired treatments, as well as the perfectly manicured 27-hole Hill Country Golf Club designed by world-renowned architect Arthur Hills. The resort is also home to an award-winning, five-acre water park with a FlowRider® wave machine, a two-story waterslide, four swimming pools, and a country-style lazy river shaded by giant shady oak trees. A variety of incredible culinary experiences await guests, including innovative twists on traditional Texas fare at Antlers Lodge, casual dining at Springhouse Café, a rustic Texas-inspired bar at Charlie’s Long Bar, pool-side dining at Papa Ed’s Pool Bar and Grill and Vince’s Watering Hole, and delicious 19th hole cuisine at Cactus Oak Tavern.

For reservations or information on Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa, contact 210.647.1234 or visit us at HyattRegencyHillCountry.com. Follow Hyatt Regency Hill Country on Facebook, Instagram.

About Woodbine Development Corporation

Woodbine Development Corporation is a full-service real estate company with more than 50 years of development, investment, acquisition, and asset management experience. Since its founding in 1973, Woodbine has been involved in more than $7 billion in commercial real estate development, including resort, resort, mixed-use, office, residential, industrial, and master-planned projects throughout the United States.

The Dallas-based company offers a depth of hospitality expertise and services, including ground-up development, renovation, repositioning, asset management and ownership for full-service destinations and select-service stays for global and boutique brands alike. Its portfolio also features Woodbine Legacy Investments, an acquisition platform dedicated to purchasing and repositioning lifestyle resorts, and Woodbine Commercial, a brokerage entity focused on industrial/office.

Learn more at www.woodbinedevelopment.com.

Outstanding news

Crystal Lagoons® Project in Spain Wins European Property Awards for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort, whose centerpiece is a vast crystalline lagoon, is consolidating its position as the “Best Resort in Spain” and rising to the top in Europe for the fifth year in a row.

The Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort project, on Murcia’s Costa Cálida, has become a benchmark for developers seeking to combine innovation, cutting-edge architecture, and high-impact amenities. The complex, anchored by a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, has just received new recognition at the European Property Awards in the categories of Best Resort in Spain and Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Spain.

However, the most significant milestone came after this initial victory. By winning in Spain, the project automatically advanced to the European finals, where it was recently announced as the winner of Best Mixed-Use Architecture across all of Europe.

In the latest edition of the prestigious European Property Awards, one of the most renowned competitions in the industry, which this year attracted more than 3,000 participants, the development located in the Region of Murcia not only swept the national level but also confirmed its leadership on a continental scale.

This recognition is not an isolated event. For five consecutive years, Santa Rosalía has been honored at these awards, consistently validating a real estate business model that integrates the revolutionary technology of Crystal Lagoons® as its centerpiece. The awards ceremony will take place on January 16 at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London, a stage where Europe’s real estate excellence is celebrated.

Santa Rosalía: An Oasis Redefining the Resort Concept

What makes Santa Rosalía stand out from thousands of competitors year after year? The answer lies in its bold value proposition: bringing beach life to the heart of the Costa Cálida.

The complex is a real estate development located in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, just minutes from the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor. It is the largest project of Crystal Lagoons in Europe, featuring a crystalline lagoon of approximately 4 acres surrounded by white sand beaches, green areas, and more than 2,000 high-standard apartments, bungalows, and villas.

This lagoon is not just a landscape feature; it is a functional and sustainable amenity that offers:

A large-scale crystalline lagoon suitable for swimming and water sports
More than 8,000 m² of beaches with white sand and palm trees
Inner islands, a beach club, sports areas, and dining spaces
A mixed-use masterplan that integrates housing, leisure, and services

The development’s architecture, now recognized as the best in Europe, blends organically with this body of water, ensuring that both residential units and commercial areas enjoy views of and proximity to this man-made paradise.

Likewise, international media and industry players have described the project as the “Caribbean in the Mediterranean,” highlighting its exclusive character, sustainable approach, and strong appeal for both local and international buyers.

European Property Awards: Why This Recognition Matters to Developers

The European Property Awards, part of the International Property Awards, are one of the most prestigious award programs in the global real estate sector. They evaluate projects in Europe based on criteria such as:

Architectural and urban design
Construction quality and functionality
Innovation and amenity offering
Sustainability, social impact, and commercial value

In this context, Santa Rosalía has been recognized as:

Best Resort in Spain

Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Spain

And subsequently, Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Europe

Represents a resounding validation of the development model that places Crystal Lagoons® amenities at the heart of the project.

For investors and developers, this is a highly relevant reputational KPI: the combination of award-winning architecture, distinctive amenities, and proven sustainability enhances the project’s brand value and strengthens its long-term commercial appeal.

The “Crystal Lagoons Effect”: The Key to Real Estate Success

For real estate developers, the case of Santa Rosalía is empirical proof of the return on investment and prestige generated by incorporating a crystalline lagoon.

The European Property Awards recognize not only aesthetics, but also innovation, sustainability, and the quality of the environment created. In the case of Santa Rosalía, the lagoon is not just an aesthetic feature:

It structures the mixed-use architecture, organizing housing, leisure, sports, and services around the water
It creates an ideal setting for activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water sports in a safe environment
It increases the value per square meter, both residential and commercial, by transforming an inland plot into a true waterfront location

Whether in an exclusive resort or in a development community-open , the ability of Crystal Lagoons to create an authentic beach life in the city or in inland areas is unique and remains the most powerful amenity in today’s real estate market.

In an increasingly competitive market, the new awards for Santa Rosalía send a clear message: Crystal Lagoons’ amenities not only transform the landscape, but also redefine the standard of excellence for the real estate and amenities projects of the future.

28-11-2025

Public Access Lagoons® Projects: Urban Beaches Revolutionizing City Life

PAL projects are redefining the urban landscape and the real estate industry, bringing beach life into the city, wherever it may be, with a profitable and sustainable model.

The world is urbanizing at a rapid pace, yet the desire for crystalline water, white sand, and beach life in the city is growing more than ever. In this context, Urban Beaches with turquoise lagoons have become one of the most disruptive amenities for real estate, hospitality, and retail developers, as well as for the general public.

Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects, known as Public Access Lagoons® developments, also known as PAL® developments, make it possible to bring the experience of a beach destination to previously unthinkable locations: urban centers, inland areas, underutilized land, or commercial assets undergoing transformation.

For developers, this means transforming any piece of land into a massive meeting point, with multiple revenue streams and a value proposition built on innovation, sustainability, and high demand.

What are Urban Beaches and PAL® projects?

Urban Beaches are developments that recreate the experience of a beach resort in the heart of an urban environment or in inland locations. In the case of PAL® complexes, the heart of the project is a large-scale crystalline lagoon surrounded by:

• White sand beaches
• Green areas, terraces, and rest areas
• Water sports and recreation areas
• Commercial, gastronomic, and entertainment infrastructure

Public Access Lagoons® projects are structured as open-access destinations through tickets, day passes, or memberships, where anyone can enjoy city beach life without needing to travel to the coast. This model redefines the concept of entertainment, tourism, and urban development, creating new hubs of attraction and regenerating underutilized areas.

How does the PAL® model work?

An entertainment ecosystem built around water

PAL® projects are conceived as experience “hubs”, where the crystalline lagoon is the anchor that brings together more than 125 possible activities, both in the water and around it: motorized and non-motorized water sports, inflatable parks, fairs, dinners, weddings, beach parties, concerts, flowboarding, quadrofoil, cable parks, paddleboard yoga, water slides, cliff jumping, video mapping shows, aquatic light shows, water curtain animation, open-air cinema, corporate events, floating cabanas, and more.

Around the lagoon, the master plan may include:

Shopping boulevards
Restaurants and bars overlooking the water
Venues for events and shows
Coworking areas, conference rooms, and spaces for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
Family attractions (inflatable parks, games, etc.)

Multiple revenue streams for developers

Public access projects do not rely solely on the sale or rental of units; instead, they often involve additional funding sources. The lagoon triggers a series of revenue streams, including:

Sale of day tickets and seasonal passes
Annual or corporate memberships
Equipment rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, etc.)
Food & beverage and retail consumption
Rental of spaces for events, concerts, and brand activations
Sponsorships and commercial agreements with brands

This diversification turns Urban Beaches based on the PAL® model into resilient assets, capable of operating year-round and maintaining their appeal even outside the traditional high season.

Beach life in the city powered by sustainable technology

One of the main competitive advantages of PAL® lagoons is their technological foundation. The lagoons use a patented treatment system that:

Uses up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course
Consumes around 40% less water than a park of the same size
Operates in a closed circuit, mainly replenishing the water lost through evaporation
Uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool
Requires only 2% of the energy of conventional filtration systems

These results have been certified by international organizations, such as Bureau Veritas, which reinforces the credibility of the solution at the ESG level. For investors and operators, this translates into:

Competitive OPEX, thanks to lower water, energy, and chemical consumption
Improved sustainability indicators and regulatory compliance
An environmental innovation narrative that aligns with the demands of cities and communities

In other words, Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects combine city beach life with an environmental performance that clearly sets them apart from traditional aquatic leisure alternatives.

Beach life in the city powered by sustainable technology

One of the main competitive advantages of PAL® lagoons is their technological foundation. The lagoons use a patented treatment system that:

Uses up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course
Consumes around 40% less water than a park of the same size
Operates in a closed circuit, mainly replenishing the water lost through evaporation
Uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool
Requires only 2% of the energy of conventional filtration systems

Competitive OPEX, thanks to lower water, energy, and chemical consumption
Improved sustainability indicators and regulatory compliance
An environmental innovation narrative that aligns with the demands of cities and communities

In other words, Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects combine city beach life with an environmental performance that clearly sets them apart from traditional aquatic leisure alternatives.

Benefits for developers and operators

For those leading real estate, retail, or hospitality projects, Urban Beaches with public access lagoons deliver tangible benefits:

Greater attraction and visitor flow

They significantly increase foot traffic to shopping centers and service hubs.
They extend visitors’ dwell time, boosting spending in food & beverage, as well as retail.
They turn traditional assets (malls, outlets, event centers) into full-day entertainment destinations.

Land value uplift and asset reconversion

They transform inland plots into genuine waterfront locations.
They revalue deteriorated or underutilized areas, enabling urban regeneration projects.
They allow existing assets to be repositioned, giving them a second life as flagship Urban Beaches.

New business models and resilience

Revenue is not limited to traditional real estate; tickets, memberships, events, and sponsorships complement it.
They reduce seasonality in demand through year-round programming of events, sports, and wellness experiences.
They improve cash flow stability by combining local audiences, tourists, and corporate clients.

Typical applications of PAL® projects of Crystal Lagoons

Developers can integrate the PAL® model into different types of projects:

Shopping centers and “shopping resorts”

Malls that are transformed into entertainment destinations with Urban Beaches.
Increase in visits, sales per square meter, and competitiveness against e-commerce.

Mixed-use urban developments

Projects that combine housing, offices, hotels, and retail around public access lagoons.
Creation of new leisure and business districts in consolidated or expanding cities.

Tourism and second-home projects

Destinations that complement hotel offerings with a year-round calendar of aquatic activities, events, and experiences.
Increase in average length of stay and visitor spending.

Conversion of industrial or underutilized land

Former industrial, logistics, or peripheral areas that are transformed into public access projects anchored by a crystalline lagoon.
Urban regeneration with a positive impact on property values and local quality of life.

From the city to the beach: an opportunity for the next great destination

PAL® developments have demonstrated that the beach is no longer a privilege reserved for coastal areas: today, it is possible to offer beach life in the city in virtually any location worldwide, with a sustainable, scalable, and highly profitable model.

For real estate developers and amenity operators, Urban Beaches with public access lagoons represent:

A new category of urban destination
An asset that generates multiple revenue streams
A powerful differentiator in terms of brand and experience

Ultimately, the Public Access Lagoons® projects by Crystal Lagoons allow city dwellers to reach the beach in minutes, while offering investors a solid platform to capture long-term value by combining innovation, sustainability, and an amenity that people choose, enjoy, and remember.

Original content

26-11-2025

Lagoon Lifestyle: 10 Water Activities You’ll Enjoy in a Crystal Lagoons® Project

The combination of sustainable technology and high-impact water activities makes Crystal Lagoons® amenities a powerful driver of differentiation, desirability, and return for real estate and hospitality projects.

Imagine waking up every morning to the sight of turquoise waters and the promise of a day filled with adventure and relaxation, all just a few steps from your home. This is not a distant tropical dream; it’s the lagoon lifestyle offered by a project with a Crystal Lagoons® amenity. More than a simple amenity, a crystalline lagoon is an ecosystem of fun and well-being. In this recreational hub, innovation meets nature to deliver unparalleled aquatic experiences, with a range of activities that no other amenity can match.

What is the lagoon lifestyle?

The lagoon lifestyle is a new standard of urban and residential living that combines:

Large-scale turquoise waters in urban, resort, or mixed-use settings
White sand beaches and recreational spaces with high visual impact
Lagoon water sports for all ages and skill levels
A sustainable approach, with low water, energy, and chemical consumption

Crystal Lagoons® patented technology enables the maintenance of large bodies of crystalline water with a closed-circuit system that only replaces the water lost through evaporation, uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals, and requires just 2% of the energy required by conventional filtration systems. It also uses 33 times less water than a golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size.

For developers, this translates into a distinctive, highly memorable amenity that accelerates sales velocity, enables higher-priced units, and increases land value by transforming inland plots into true waterfront locations.

10 water activities you can enjoy in a Crystal Lagoons® amenity

Below are ten lagoon activities that define the value proposition of these developments and help position projects as benchmark destinations.

Open water swimming in large-scale crystalline waters

Unlike a traditional pool, Crystal Lagoons® amenities offer vast expanses of calm, transparent water that allow for:

Recreational and competitive swimming over longer circuits
Open-water style training in a safe and controlled environment
Clear differentiation from gyms and clubs with standard pools

For developers, this positions the project as an ideal destination for active residents and sports enthusiasts, generating organic, “Instagrammable” content that boosts project awareness.

Paddleboarding and kayaking in a safe environment

Sports such as stand-up paddle (SUP) and kayaking are among the most in-demand lagoon water activities. Controlled depth and the absence of strong currents allow for:

Safe activities for families and children
Scenic paddling routes with views of the development
Membership programs or equipment rentals as a new revenue stream

This increases the time users spend in the project and opens up additional monetization opportunities through day passes, memberships, or guided activities.

Watersports schools for all ages

The lagoons make it possible to develop schools for:

Swimming

Paddleboarding

Kayaking

Dinghy sailing or low-speed windsurfing (depending on design and local regulations)

These types of Crystal Lagoons activities strengthen the project’s image as a family sports hub and help build community loyalty, generating recurring traffic throughout the year, not just in peak season.

Private beaches and urban beach clubs

Crystal Lagoons® amenities make it possible to create beach clubs in urban or inland locations, offering:

VIP areas with loungers, Balinese beds, and food & beverage service
Beach zones segmented by audience: families, adults, corporate events
“Beach lifestyle” spaces that position the project as a local icon

This format enhances the perceived value of the amenity and generates revenue from ticket sales, consumption, and events, especially under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments, which integrate retail, gastronomy, and entertainment around the lagoon.

Inflatable water parks and kid-friendly zones

Floating inflatables games, slides, and aquatic circuits turned into “aquaparks” are ideal for families:

They increase the appeal for children and teenagers
They extend the daily usage time of the lagoon
They create highly impactful visual content for digital campaigns

They are a magnet for families looking to live by the lagoon with a permanent entertainment offering.

Events and nighttime experiences on the water

The lagoons become a stage for unique experiences:

Floating cinema
Concerts by the lagoon
Light and drone shows over the water

This type of programming not only extends the amenity’s hours of use but also reinforces the perception of the project as “the place where everything happens,” increasing brand value and the loyalty of residents and visitors.

Wellness activities: yoga, meditation, and aquatic fitness

The turquoise waters and beaches create the perfect setting for wellness activities:

Yoga classes by the lagoon
Sunset meditation
Aqua yoga or aquatic fitness in shallow areas

These activities reinforce the project’s positioning as a place that prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of its residents, aligning with the global trend toward wellness and lifestyle experiences.

Sports programs and internal triathlons

The size of the lagoons makes it possible to organize:

Internal triathlons (lagoon swim + cycling and running within the development)
Aquatic relay races
SUP or kayak competitions

This attracts specific sports audiences, generates news and media exposure, and positions the development as a suitable venue for regional events, reinforcing its value as a platform for business and public relations.

Corporate activations and team building on the water

For mixed-use projects or those with a hospitality component, the lagoons become a stage for:

Team-building dynamics (kayak races, inflatable challenges, team circuits)
Brand launches with exclusive aquatic experiences
MICE packages (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) with lagoon access

This boosts occupancy in the low season, extends demand beyond vacation tourism, and generates additional revenue from corporate events.

Year-round recreational use with Eco-Heated Lagoons

In colder climates, Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology makes it possible to extend the lagoon’s usable season, increasing profitability per square meter of water. This innovation leverages sustainable cooling systems that reduce energy consumption compared to traditional technologies and can even reuse residual heat from industrial processes.

For developers, this means more operating days, more tickets sold, and an offering that keeps the amenity relevant throughout all 12 months of the year.

Living by the lagoon as a new value proposition

The lagoon lifestyle is not just an aesthetic trend; it represents a new category of real estate development where water is at the core of the experience, the business, and the long-term value proposition. The 10 activities mentioned above are only a sample of the vast potential for fun and well-being that opens up when you live by the lagoon.

By integrating a Crystal Lagoons® amenity and a robust portfolio of lagoon water sports, events, and year-round activities, developers can:

Radically differentiate their projects.
Capture greater value per unit.
Create destinations that residents and visitors choose, recommend, and share.

Ultimately, living by the lagoon is no longer a privilege reserved for coastal areas but becomes an attainable reality in any location worldwide, thanks to the sustainable and scalable technology of Crystal Lagoons®.

Original content

14-11-2025