Pine Ridge Lodge Opportunity Report

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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

www.pineridgelodge.com

http://www.pineridgelodge.com/

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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.


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

[email protected]


http://www.pineridgelodge.com/

mailto:[email protected]

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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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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 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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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Contact:

Elliott Stark. Starkfish Consulting

216.375.9432

[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Pine Ridge Lodge Opportunity Report