Getting the best of both worlds – investing in Apart-Hotels
Now, more so than ever, there is a myriad of ways in which to purchase property, be it freehold, leasehold, through fractional ownership or as part of a fund or syndicate. But in today´s financial climate, investing in Apart-Hotels is increasingly becoming an attractive method of purchasing property for the long term whilst accumulating money in the short term.
Apart-Hotels are a cheaper alternative to staying in a traditional hotel yet combine the benefits of serviced hotel living with the flexibility and space of an apartment. Stays are booked through familiar hotel booking systems and expected hotel services such as room and maid service are available. They are proving particularly popular with families on holiday wanting additional space, privacy and the option of self-catering, businesspeople working overseas and early stage relocators. The new Caracola Beach & Spa Resort on Isla Margarita is such an Apart-Hotel development which is appealing to investors looking to capitalise on the burgeoning tourism market,
Isla Margarita is a small island off the Venezuelan coast blessed with sandy beaches and plentiful sunshine. It is becoming increasingly popular with Europeans and Britons in particular, who are now the third most important overseas tourist market. The 50 plus beaches dotted around the 106 mile coastline, coupled with the fact that 94% of days feature at least six hours of sunshine, make the island an affordable and exciting alternative to the traditional Mediterranean destinations.
The island is easily accessible from North, Central and South America as well as Europe. Visitor numbers were 2.3 million in 2007, a high figure compared to the population of just 436,000. The island is famed for its water sports, particularly wind and kite surfing but also boasts exceptional tax-free shopping, an outstanding 18 hole golf course, scuba diving and snorkelling facilities, as well as hiking amongst the varied scenery which ranges from mountainous rainforests to sand flats.
The Apart-Hotel properties available at the Caracola Beach & Spa Resort are modern and stylish and located in an area with a shortage of high quality accommodation. All rooms will be furnished, come with air conditioning and will be built to exacting standards. The resort, built frontline on one of the most beautiful and picturesque beaches on the island, will also be close to restaurants, shops and other amenities. The properties will be fully managed by the resort to ensure high standards, making them a genuine ‘arm-chair investment’ for short as well as long term letting if desired.
The concrete benefits of the Caracola Resort are also matched by the financial ones. The Apart-Hotel investment scheme allows those who take part to enjoy the very attractive taxation benefits afforded to islanders; indeed, the island is a duty and tax haven. Investment in the Caracola Beach Resort is also compatible with the self-invested personal pension plan (SIPP), allowing purchasers choice in how to invest. .
Mark Andrew, Managing Director of Emerging Earth, comments:
“Isla Margarita is a beautiful, tropical destination and our Caracola Beach and Spa Resort is set to take advantage of the expected increase in travel and tourism to this exciting Caribbean island. The Apart-Hotel is an excellent way of combining the benefits of the apartment and hotel experience and investors can be sure to yield high and consistent returns well into the future.”
About the Caracola Beach & Spa Resort, Isla Margarita
The Caracola Beach & Spa Resort is situated on Isla Margarita, known widely as the “Pearl of the Caribbean”, just off the North East coast of Venezuela. It benefits from being outside of the hurricane belt and also from a consistent climate average of 27 degrees, with a soothing sea breeze and little or no rain. Isla Margarita boasts a variety of natural scenery, from mountainous terrain to lush vegetation to over 300km of long white, typically Caribbean, sandy beaches and it is for this reason that it has been a popular tourist destination for around 30 years.
The Resort is situated on Caracola Beach (Caracola is a Conch shell indigenous to Isla Margarita), a long golden-sanded beach with sparkling waters on the edge of the island’s main town, Porlamar. The area offers a large amount of activities to interest all visitors, including an excellent 18 hole golf club at Isla Bonita, open all year and with breath-taking views, excellent windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkeling facilities, exceptional shopping facilities offering fantastic tax-free value, and for those that enjoy hiking, the island’s varied scenery allows exploration of mountainous rainforests one day and sand flats the next.
The Caracola Beach & Spa Resort comprises of a variety of apartments and duplexes spread across 15 floors, most with stunning views of the beautiful Caribbean beach. The development boasts excellent facilities that include restaurants, bars, swimming pools, chill-out areas, spa, gymnasium, beauty salon, high end retail outlets and beautifully landscaped gardens. All apartments are 1 or 2 bedroom and have air conditioning, are spacious with large terraces, fully furnished and come with a guaranteed rental return of 7% pa net for 10 years. This investment purchase is SIPP qualifying and offers tax efficient freehold ownership. Prices start from €79,000/ £63,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
For more information, please contact Emerging Earth on 0845 604 1208, email team@EmergingEarth.com or visit www.EmergingEarth.com.