Back

Crystal Lagoons Expands in Hospitality Industry with Hyatt

Crystal Lagoons expands its foothold in the prestigious luxury hotel sector with its first-ever project inside a Central U.S. resort destination: a two-acre lagoon surrounded by white sand beaches at the award-winning Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The groundbreaking for the lagoon took place in June 2024, with a projected completion and open date of Q4 2025. 

The partnership and the development

Part of a significant multi-phase redevelopment plan for the resort, the new lagoon is the result of a partnership between Crystal Lagoons and the resort ownership team at Dallas-based Woodbine Development Corporation. Since developing and then opening Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in 1993, Woodbine has invested in a series of enhancements across the property, including:

  • A recently completed guestroom renovation 
  • Upgrades to the hotel’s meeting space
  • The resort also recently added the new, upscale Woodbine Bar to its lobby
  • Made enhancements to its signature Antlers Lodge restaurant, Cactus Oak Tavern and Charlie’s Long Bar
  • The ongoing resort enhancement project also includes the addition of five new stand-alone villas which will feature private patio areas with fire pits and a shared living and kitchen space
  • As well as the building of a 5,600 square-foot meeting and event venue, which will overlook the lagoon.

“Hotels and resorts are always looking to integrate new and distinctive experiences that help their destination stand out from the competition and deliver more value to their guests. With the inclusion of a lagoon as part of their redevelopment plan, Woodbine and Hyatt Regency Hill Country have recognized that what Crystal Lagoons offers is unique in its ability to deliver an enhanced guest experience.”

Iván Manzur
Senior Vice President of Sales, Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

The added value of the lagoon

The Hyatt Regency Hill Country lagoon, set to be powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, will give travelers a new way to soak up the Texas sunshine or beat the heat. The lagoon will expand the resort’s existing amenity lineup, which includes:

  • Multiple traditional pools
  • A water slide
  • A lazy river
  • A FlowRider® surf experience
  • Hiking and biking trails
  • A spa
  • A state-of-the-art fitness center 
  • A 27-hole golf course. 

In addition to providing a serene activity and memorable experience, the stunning new lagoon will also create a beautiful backdrop for other resort experiences and special events. “As a notable player in the hotel industry, Woodbine and Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort have discerned the immense value this addition brings and decided to make a qualitative leap at their Texas resort.”, said Manzur. 

''We are excited to further enhance the guest experience at our premier San Antonio resort by adding the Crystal Lagoons® amenity(...). The lagoon will transform our stunning Hill Country setting into a lush oasis and provide a premier beach experience right here in Central Texas. We look forward to debuting this new and unique experience to provide unmatched getaway opportunities for travelers and staycationers.”

Steven J. Smith
General Manager of Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa.

The presence of Crystal Lagoons

Crystal Lagoons has a multinational presence, and the innovation company is rapidly expanding ongoing projects in various countries, including the United States, Indonesia, Romania, Mexico and Uruguay – revolutionizing the tourism and entertainment market by providing lucrative investment opportunities with attractive returns.

Projects like the lagoon at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort have been carefully selected and designed to enhance already exceptional destinations that offer a range of entertainment, sports, dining, events and more – while standardized concepts are being realized in other locations.

An unparalleled way to enhance the amenity lineup

“Hyatt Regency Hill Country has been a sought-after destination for more than 30 years. As we embarked on the redevelopment plan for this resort, we felt a partnership with Crystal Lagoons presented an unparalleled way to enhance the amenity lineup. We’re excited to see this come to life on property, and we believe the lagoon will offer a differentiated experience for longtime guests, new travelers and wedding and group customers to enjoy.”

King Scovell
Managing Partner and Chief development Officer for Woodbine.

Outstanding news

PAL® Projects: The New Paradigm in Entertainment, Urban Development, and Tourism

These are developments where anyone can enjoy an idyllic beach lifestyle through ticketed entry. Moreover, they transform any piece of land into the meeting point of the 21st century and the best business opportunity.

Public Access Lagoons® projects, also known as PAL® developments, developed by Crystal Lagoons, are redefining the concepts of entertainment, tourism, and urban development. These crystalline lagoons, accessible to all through ticketed entry, transform any piece of land into both the best business opportunity and the meeting point of the 21st century, creating destinations that combine technology, sustainability, and profitability.

The vision of Crystal Lagoons goes beyond offering a crystalline lagoon; it is about creating complete experiences that generate lasting value. With the ability to bring a tropical beach just steps away from people’s homes, PAL® complexes have become unparalleled attraction hubs, capable of hosting a wide variety of activities and events throughout the year.

The Heart of a New Lifestyle

PAL® lagoons are much more than a visual attraction: they are the social, recreational, and economic center of modern communities. These developments can host event centers, concerts, festivals, food fairs, sports activities, and many other initiatives throughout the year, becoming true hubs of entertainment and social interaction.

Examples of Projects Transforming Cities

  • Lagoon Park Bucharest (Romania): An urban oasis located in the heart of Bucharest, featuring a 2.2-acre crystalline lagoon that debuted with sold-out tickets more than a week in advance.
  • Epperson Lagoon (USA): With its 7.3-acre crystalline lagoon, it became the first real estate project transformed into a PAL® development.
  • Angel Lagoon (USA): Anchored by a 4.2-acre crystalline lagoon, it has been described as “a paradise just 40 minutes from Houston.”

A Profitable and Sustainable Business Model

PAL® projects generate multiple sources of revenue, making them a unique opportunity for investors and real estate developers. Among the most common models are:

  • Sale of daily tickets and annual memberships
  • Rental of spaces for events and corporate activities
  • Operation of restaurants, bars, shops, and beach clubs
  • Commercialization of naming rights and brand sponsorships

All of this is achieved through a scalable and sustainable operational model that reduces maintenance costs and maximizes long-term profitability.

Crystal Lagoons® Sustainable Technology

The patented Crystal Lagoons® technology allows large bodies of crystalline water to be maintained with minimal resource consumption:

  • Uses any type of water: fresh, salt, or brackish
  • Consumes up to 33 times less water than a golf course
  • Uses only 2% of the energy required by conventional filtration systems
  • Requires up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool

This efficiency makes PAL® projects a globally recognized model of sustainability and water efficiency.

Developments Anywhere in the World

One of the greatest advantages of PAL® projects is their geographical versatility. They can be developed in urban, rural, or inland areas and adapted to different scales and audiences.

Master Agreements: A Model for Global Expansion

Crystal Lagoons drives the growth of its PAL® projects through Master Agreements, strategic alliances that allow local partners to develop multiple lagoons under a single license.

This model:

  • Facilitates rapid expansion in key markets
  • Optimizes investment and development timelines
  • Guarantees the exclusive use of Crystal Lagoons® technology in each region

In this way, partners can capitalize on the enormous commercial potential of crystalline lagoons, benefiting from the global recognition of the Crystal Lagoons® brand.

Original Content

Leer más >

Madrid Will Have Idyllic Beach Life Thanks to Crystal Lagoons

The project will become the largest urban beach in Europe, fulfilling a long-awaited aspiration for Madrid’s residents. It will be developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® projects, accessible to all through ticketed entry.

For a long time, the inhabitants of Madrid, Spain’s capital, have longed to experience beach life within the city. Today, that dream will come true thanks to Crystal Lagoons, as the municipal council of the town of Alovera has approved a project that will enable the development of the largest urban beach in Europe. This will put an end to the wait, allowing Madrid’s residents to enjoy crystalline waters and white sandy beaches.

The project

This is Alovera Beach, a new Public Access Lagoons® development, also known as a PAL® project, located just 30 minutes from Madrid. Its centerpiece will be a 5.2-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, accessible to all through ticketed entry. The body of water will be suitable for swimming and water sports, and will be surrounded by 16,000 m² of white sand beaches. 

Contribution to the Community

The complex will represent an investment of over € 20 million and create more than 140 direct jobs. In addition to the crystalline lagoon, it will feature a range of infrastructure characteristics from the PAL® model. This will include:

  • Sports facilities
  • Water park with slides and children’s pools
  • Water sports school – kayaking, paddleboarding –
  • Dining services
  • Events
  • Beach Club
  • Among other amenities, the project is expected to set a benchmark for aquatic entertainment in central Spain.

The project is an innovative concept that will transform the municipality of Alovera and boost tourism in the Guadalajara area, positioning it on the European map of technology, innovation, and sustainability, while establishing it as a unique reference for outdoor water sports. The complex will be open year-round and is expected to receive around 350,000 visitors annually.

Bringing the Beach to the City

Alovera Beach’s proximity to Madrid and its excellent accessibility will make this entertainment park an attractive option for thousands of people who would otherwise travel hundreds of kilometers to enjoy a beach experience, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Sustainability as a Cornerstone

Like all lagoons developed by the multinational innovation company, Alovera Beach will be no exception and will feature Crystal Lagoons® sustainable technology, which:

  • It uses any type of water: fresh, salt, or brackish water, that has no alternative use
  • It consumes 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size
  • Its filtration system uses only 2% of the energy required by conventional systems
  • It employs up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a swimming pool

The Partnership and Urban Contribution

The complex is being developed by Grupo Rayet in partnership with Crystal Lagoons, becoming a model of urban regeneration that will revolutionize the local landscape with a high social impact.

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025, with a partial opening of the park expected in the spring of 2027.

Europa Press

Leer más >

Crystal Lagoons Partners with MintGreen to Harness Heat from Cryptocurrency Mining in Crystalline Lagoons

The alliance will accelerate the evaluation and development of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ projects worldwide, fostering seamless integration and synergy between the technologies of both companies.

Crystal Lagoons and MintGreen, two global leaders in sustainability innovation, have teamed up to advance the assessment and development of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ projects – heated crystalline lagoons powered by eco-friendly, high efficiency solutions.

Agreement Objective

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both companies will collaborate on multiple Crystal Lagoons projects worldwide. This partnership aims to create efficient integration between their technologies, enabling crystalline lagoons to be heated while simultaneously cooling high-performance computing systems used for cryptocurrency mining.

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™

Crystal Lagoons has developed its patented Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology, which enables sustainable cooling through crystalline lagoons while harnessing residual heat from facilities such as data centers to warm the lagoon.

Some key benefits include:

  • Leveraging existing bodies of water for dual use, including cooling cryptocurrency mining equipment.
  • Operating in a closed-circuit system, avoiding water waste.
  • Significantly reducing carbon footprint.
  • Capturing waste heat that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
  • Providing low-maintenance, low-cost cooling compared to traditional chillers.

MintGreen’s Digital Boiler™ Technology

MintGreen is the inventor of the Digital Boiler™, a patented technology that recovers and repurposes heat from high-performance computing (e.g., Bitcoin mining, AI processing) to deliver hot water for district energy systems, pools, resorts, and other facilities. This solution uses energy twice: first for computing, then for heating.

Its high-efficiency hot water system:

  • Recovering >97% of computing energy as usable heat.
  • Supplying water temperatures up to 185°F (85°C).
  • Operating on low-carbon electricity.
  • Preventing up to 1,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per MW annually compared to natural gas.

This makes it one of the world’s most cost-effective and reliable low-carbon heat sources.

Expected Results

The Crystal Lagoons and MintGreen alliance will deliver transformative benefits, including: 

  • Harnessing thermal energy from Bitcoin mining to heat crystalline lagoons.
  • Repurposing lagoon water for multiple applications.
  • Extending the swimming season into colder months.
  • Showcasing the future of decentralized, sustainable energy infrastructure.

Original content

Leer más >
Contact