Francisco Matte, regional director of Crystal Lagoons: “PAL™ project to bring beach life to Madrid”

11/06/2022

Although Madrid, the second most populous city in the European Union, is recognized as a major tourist hub for its diverse gastronomic and cultural heritage, the city has no beach life. That until now, because on the outskirts of that city, Crystal Lagoons will build Alovera Beach, its first Public Access Lagoons™ project on the Iberian Peninsula. Elsewhere in Europe the company is already developing PAL™ projects in the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary and Turkey, as well as having already developed two real estate complexes in Spain (Costa del Sol and Murcia).

What are the main characteristics of this iconic project?

Alovera Beach will be the largest artificial beach in Europe, located in a Mediterranean urban area less than 40 minutes from the center of Madrid. The centerpiece of this resort will be a 2.1-hectare turquoise lagoon that will be open to the general public for the price of an entrance fee.

What benefits will this new complex bring to the region?

The project is an innovative concept, which will transform the municipality of Alovera and boost tourism in the Guadalajara area, positioning itself on the European map of technology, innovation and sustainability and as a unique reference point in outdoor water sports. The complex will be open all year round and expects to receive around 350,000 visitors annually.

The project, which will be developed by Crystal Lagoons in partnership with Grupo Rayet, will become a model for urban regeneration that will change the local landscape in a revolutionary way, have a high social impact and generate more than 330 direct and indirect jobs.

How will local residents benefit with the project?

Public Access Lagoons™ projects, also known as PAL™ developments, drastically change people’s lifestyles. They bring beach life and water sports possible in a city context, making going to the beach as close and as normal as going to the local park is today.

The body of water will be surrounded by an extensive, 1.6-hectare, white sandy beach and include sports facilities, a water park with slides and children’s pools, a water sports school for kayaking and paddle boarding and gastronomic services.

How do you address the current need to be a sustainable amenity?

Like all of Crystal Lagoons projects, the Alovera Beach lagoon will include the multinational’s sustainable technology, which allows the use of any type of water, consumes 30 times less water than a golf course and only half that of a park of the same size. Its filtration system uses only 2% of the energy of a conventional system and up to 100 times less chemicals than a swimming pool.

What are the main projects of Crystal Lagoons in Spain and Europe?

Alovera is the firm’s third project in Spain, which include the Alcazaba Lagoon (Costa del Sol) and Santa Rosalía (Murcia) residential developments. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe, Crystal Lagoons has just signed a master agreement to develop six PAL™ complexes in Prague, Warsaw, Budapest and Bucharest. The company also has a project in Turkey and is in advanced negotiations for projects in Italy (Milan, Verona, Rome and Naples), Portugal, Greece and Georgia.

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Several international media highlighted that the hotel sector is undergoing a real transformation thanks to the incorporation of innovative technologies. One of the technologies highlighted was precisely Crystal Lagoons, in parallel with process automation and artificial intelligence.

The sustainability of the multinational innovation company was key to being considered within these trends. “Currently, many travelers are seeking accommodations that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Places like the AVA Resort Cancun, with its artificial lagoon of crystal-clear waters powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, are examples of accommodations that stand out for their commitment to sustainability,” explains the Spanish portal 24 Matins.

The turquoise-colored body of water provides ideal conditions for sailing, swimming, kayaking, or relaxing, and thanks to state-of-the-art technology, it consumes 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course, 40% less water than a park of the same size, and only 2% of the energy of a conventional pool.

After transforming the real estate industry and the urban entertainment landscape with its innovative Public Access Lagoons™ projects, the multinational innovation company is now generating a new revolution, this time in the hotel sector.

Recognizing the transformative value of Crystal Lagoons® technology, leading global hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA Resort itself, have incorporated this amenity as a centerpiece in their projects.

“Every hotel project incorporating a Crystal Lagoons amenity becomes the most attractive destination in the area. These bodies of water change the paradigm of vacation developments with world-class hotel and resort standards”, explains Iván Manzur, Senior Vice President of Sales at Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

The multinational water innovation company already has developments of this kind, in which crystalline lagoons are the differentiating factor in the United States, Mexico, Indonesia, Romania, and Uruguay, among other countries.

“The crystalline lagoons achieve unprecedented results, such as bringing a beach lifestyle to Orlando—an entertainment option it didn’t have—or, counterintuitively, replacing the sea in iconic tourist destinations like Cancun,” emphasizes Jean Pierre Juanchich, Global Business Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Contexto Sur

New Beach Club at Crystal Lagoons’ First PAL™ Development in Asia

28-03-2024

The Crystal Lagoons project in Thailand, Blue Tree, located in the heart of Phuket, just 4 kilometers from the coast, has recently inaugurated the Beach Club MuMu Clubhouse, a new landmark in this iconic tourist destination, adding even more fun and entertainment. This new space becomes a meeting point in the surroundings of Phuket’s largest artificial lagoon and the first in Asia under the innovative Public Access Lagoons™ model, globally recognized as a “must-visit” in the region.

This PAL™ development with Crystal Lagoons® technology has set a new standard in public meeting and entertainment spaces, establishing itself as the top amenity in Thailand. With 4.2 acres of turquoise water oasis, surrounded by white sandy beaches, a private peninsula, restaurants, and a poolside bar, it offers the perfect setting to enjoy a dynamic beach experience 24 hours a day and a calendar full of activities throughout the year.

During the day, the Beach Club offers a relaxed atmosphere where visitors can enjoy various gastronomic offerings, art, culture, and activities, from beach yoga to water sports. The place comes alive at night with nightclubs, special events, concerts, and themed parties featuring live music, special guests, and renowned DJs.

Crystal Lagoons PAL™ projects are transforming and enriching urban life by offering new entertainment destinations not limited exclusively to residents of private real estate developments with crystalline lagoons. These developments are positively impacting the lives of millions of people, bringing a piece of the ocean to the city center and making it accessible just steps from their homes.

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The Aesthetic Value of Crystalline Lagoons Draws Global Events

26-03-2024

The monumental crystalline lagoons with Crystal Lagoons® technology have established themselves as the most attractive and esteemed amenity worldwide. Not only are they year-round entertainment centers, but they also stand out for their aesthetic value and contribution to landscape architecture. Their design harmoniously integrates with the natural environment, becoming a distinctive element that enhances the visual quality and experience of the project.

These bodies of water offer multifunctional recreational spaces, with trails, resting areas, playgrounds, and access to water activities. With over 125 activities in the lagoon and its surroundings, they become ideal venues to host various events, including large-scale ones like Aquathlons.

An example is the iconic tourist destination of Phuket, Thailand, which welcomes over 38 million visitors worldwide each year. Here, the Crystal Lagoons project Blue Tree, showcasing the first crystalline lagoon developed under the Public Access Lagoons™ model in Asia, has established itself as the new entertainment hub in the region and is a magnet for hosting world-class events, concerts, and themed parties, offering a variety of experiences for all lifestyles, from water slides to water parks. Recently, it was the venue for the country’s beauty pageant, Miss Thailand.

This PAL™ development is the jewel of the Blue Tree project. It spans 4.2 acres, is surrounded by white sandy beaches, and features a private peninsula, restaurants, and a pool bar. It is a massive recreational area with turquoise waters under the concept of an entertaining beach. Among the activities offered are Slip N Fly, water slides, Cliff Jumping & Rock Climbing, splash zones, and a water playground for adults and children.

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