For many years the owners have vacationed at well known, and some off-the-beaten-track, coastal locations around the world. Places such as Broome (west coast of Australia), Bali (Indonesia), Panama, Fiji, Hawkes Bay (New Zealand), Monaco, Chios (Greek island) and California (particularly Santa Monica, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz).
Every place they explored offered something that made it unique and provided a reason for wanting to return. They always hoped to, one day, find the ideal location where they could incorporate unique elements of the places they visited into a bespoke coastal house.
And then they found Roatán, part of the Islas de la Bahía (Bay Islands)……..
In The Beginning……
Palmetto Bay Resort in Roatán is the brainchild of a number of individuals who shared a common dream of creating an environment where nature and people could co-exist harmoniously. This “planned community” was designed with a goal to be as sensitive to the pristine tropical landscape as possible without compromising a refined, relaxing lifestyle for the inhabitants. One of the founders succinctly stated an overarching goal of the Palmetto Bay Resort design this way……..”we wanted to be able to go out in a sailboat and look back to the resort and only be able to see the tropical jungle with no visible structures”.
Naturally, because a number of the founders were renowned architects in the United States, the layout, building designs and landscape enhancements were all meticulously planned and executed. Phase 1 incorporated the “clubhouse” building which includes a bar, restaurant, dive shop, pool area, reception and offices. Along with the clubhouse are twenty bungalow-style beach villas whose designs show influences of traditional Balinese, Central American and Caribbean styles. Built by skilled local craftsmen with high quality timbers, including renowned Honduran hardwoods, these bungalows were designed to be site and climate specific. They have a range of floorplans but share a common open plan living design aimed at capturing the gentle trade winds that roll in from the bay.
It is obvious from the first glance at the environment that this is not a “cookie cutter” development. The architects successfully achieved a sustainable, low impact set of buildings that are both unique and reminiscent of styles and structures in other parts of the world. People who appreciate architecture and design will recognise elements that can be seen in some of the most acclaimed purpose-built structures in the world. Take the clubhouse building as an example……
Roatán is located in the far west of the Caribbean Sea, approximately 120 miles from Belize, 190 miles from Mexico, and 760 miles from Miami.
Being positioned in “the elbow” bordered by Belize and Honduras, provides Roatán with a certain degree of safety from major hurricane systems. These systems have historically been most severe along the eastern part of the Caribbean islands (generally heading north westerly) and the western coast of Mexico (generally heading north easterly).
US$ and major credit cards are accepted in Roatán . Direct flights from Miami and Houston operate throughout the year and many global car rental companies operate from the airport.
The owners had a meticulously compiled list of design priorities for
The Hideaway including:
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Able to accommodate eight people in comfort (4 bd 4ba),
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Overarching priority for omni-directional airflow,
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Maximum use of timber,
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Self-sufficient for power and water,
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All en-suite bedrooms,
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Highest quality fittings and appliances,
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Indoor and outdoor living/dining options,
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Wrap around porch,
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Site positioning to take maximum advantage of the trade winds,
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Storm and security protection,
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Privacy and security.
