Celebrate the End of Summer in Roatan!
It’s almost time for the kids to go back to school and for the weather to start changing again up north. August is the perfect time for a final summer hurrah on the beach! You can still take advantage of great summer discounts and deals while also avoiding the bigger crowds of high season. And at this point in the year, the water is warm enough for you SCUBA divers to not even need a wetsuit.
Check out our fantastic concierge recommendation this month for a fun way to enjoy Roatan’s beautiful scenery on land, and then head to the beach to cool off in the gorgeous turquoise Caribbean water. Top it all off with an ice-cold cocktail while you lounge in your beach chair and watch yet another amazing Roatan sunset. Cheers!
Rental Property Highlights
Summer is a fantastic time to rent from Roatan Life Vacation Rentals! With our extensive inventory of vacation rental properties, you are guaranteed to find your dream vacation rental available. Right now, we are offering a 20% discount on any non-holiday full week bookings for the remainder of 2015 on these three highlighted units!
We have two rental properties we want to highlight in Lawson Rock. Lawson Rock is a planned luxury community in Sandy Bay only 5 minutes from the grocery stores and the international airport in Coxen Hole. If you wish to explore more of the island, you can rent a car and leave it in the parking lot – Lawson Rock has 24/7 security. Alternatively, you can arrange with our concierge to have a tour guide pick you up and take you around. West End and West Bay are a short drive away – about 5-15 minutes respectively.
Lawson Rock offers many amenities, such as three community pools, beach access and use of the kayaks, plus an on-site gym and restaurant. Spend the day out on the reef, which can be easily reached via the kayaks. Explore the tropical garden that is immaculately tended to by the large staff. You can also stop by the Roatan Vacation Rentals office right in Lawson Rock and let us plan your trip for you! Check out Lawson Rock’s two recommended units for this month, plus a separate until located in the very popular West Bay area:
Lawson Rock – Angelfish 203
Angelfish 203 is a 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo located in the luxury community of Lawson Rock in Sandy Bay. Enjoy sunset views from the covered patio off the living room, or take the stairs up to the private upper deck, where you can enjoy your own private pool and amazing views.
Both bedrooms are large and spacious with king-size beds and ensuite bathrooms. The master bedroom is off the kitchen and dining area and has ocean views. The ensuite bathroom has double sinks, a jetted tub and an inside AND outside shower!
Lawson Rock – Angelfish 202
Angelfish 202 is a similar 2-bedroom, 3-bathroom condo also located in Lawson Rock. The kitchen is open-concept with all modern appliances. The dining area flows into the living area and has fantastic views of the Caribbean Sea. Drink your morning coffee on the private balcony and plan the day ahead. The condo also has cable service and WIFI throughout, so you can unwind after a busy day exploring.
The guest bedroom is off the living room and also has a very large ensuite bathroom, with double sinks, a jetted tub and walk-in shower. Both rooms are strategically placed so that you can have some privacy during your vacation.
Turret #5 – House on the Hill
The House on the Hill, or Turret 5, is located in the West Bay area. This is a great home to pick for your next island getaway for its proximity to West Bay beach and for the commanding ocean views from almost every room in the house.
The first floor features an open concept dining, living, and kitchen area that expands onto the covered deck. A ground floor master suite with an ocean view completes the first floor. The second floor consists of a reading room and a second master bedroom and bath, giving you more privacy and again expansive ocean views. The third floor turret consists of the most commanding view, in addition to a third bedroom with two beds and a sun deck.
The community features similar high-end homes with an ocean view community pool, monitored security, and a quick walk to the West Bay beaches and resorts.
Whether you’re coming to Roatan for a week or a month, be sure to check out our full listings online
Concierge Corner
While visiting Roatan, you should enjoy a tour to the breathtaking grounds of Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum. This ”Tropical Eden” boasts 160 eco-friendly acres of uniquely spectacular tropical display gardens, seasonal fruit and nut orchards, a tropical botanical “Conservatory” with a 12-foot waterfall, and over 70,000 heads of lettuce and herbs in a working hydroponic produce and herb farm.
Their fruit and nut orchards include over 400 mature cashew trees and a large variety of citrus fruits. In addition to their collection of exotic species of tropical fruit trees, there are acres of different varieties of beautiful tropical flowers.
Because of their eco-friendly focus at Blue Harbor Tropical Arboretum, no pesticides are used in their produce and herbs. You can enjoy some of their fresh produce at The Red Porch restaurant on-site, or buy some for fresh salads you can prepare in your vacation rental all week!
Arboretum guides and landscaping gardeners are available to provide their expertise and insight. Various tour options include tours of the orchards and display gardens, hiking tours, and even bird-watching tours. This extensive area boasts stunning ocean views and endless acres of lush, beautiful jungle. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to see Roatan’s natural beauty!
Any activities that you book through Roatan Life Concierge can be charged directly to your rental unit. We just send you with a voucher to your excursion and you pay later, after the service is provided! This is especially convenient so that you do not have to carry around large amounts of cash or use your credit card at multiple locations. It is our policy to never mark-up the excursion cost; you will always pay the same price as if you walked up and booked on your own. At the end of your stay, you just let us know how you would like to settle up – cash, credit card or a mix of both.
Welcome to Roatan! We hope you enjoy your stay!
Roatan United
Each month, we highlight an organization based in Roatan whose work is vital to the community. As a company and as individuals, we support every organization mentioned in our newsletters, and we hope that our guests will see the value in their great work, too.
This month in Roatan United we are featuring the Roatan Marine Park, whose tireless work in education and conservation has made a tremendous impact on the island. The Roatan Marine Park (RMP) is a non-profit, community-based organization established in 2005 by a group of concerned dive operators and local businesses.
The RMP focuses great efforts on patrolling the Reserve area, though their funds and resources limit their ability to constantly patrol the entire marine park area for the island of Roatan. Reducing illegal activities such as the harvesting of lobster or conch and the use of spear guns, nets, and fish and lobster traps, is a regular concern for the RMP. The Honduran National Police accompany Park Rangers on patrols operating seven days a week, weather permitting, at all hours of the day and night.
In addition to searching for poachers, the Park Rangers act as a watchdog by reporting any illegal issues including unlawful developments, mangrove cuts, and sewage leaks. Additionally, they act as coordinators for search and rescue attempts.
The RMP also focuses a great deal of its funding and resources toward education and public awareness. School snorkeling trips, beach clean ups, glass-bottom boat rides, and Discover Scuba Diving experiences allow local schoolchildren the opportunities to develop a better understanding of their environment. The RMP realizes that long-term sustainability of natural resources relies upon community support and participation. Reaching out to the local schools to begin education at an early stage creates more awareness through a bottom-up approach.
Education also extends to the thousands of tourists visiting Roatan on a daily basis. With such a large influx of tourists, especially on days there are cruise ships in port, it is absolutely imperative that those visitors are advised how they can minimize their impact during their stay. Posters, brochures, signs, videos, radio announcements, and cooperation from local tour operators all contribute to this messaging. Volunteers are always needed to walk the beaches on busy days to monitor and prevent any destructive activities.
If you are interested in volunteering with the RMP or if you would like to donate to their work, please contact them directly at www.roatanmarinepark.com. Individual memberships are available at a variety of levels, enabling you to give back to this wonderful community. We must ensure that the reason Roatan is such a popular destination – its stunning natural beauty both above and below the sea – can be enjoyed for generations to come.
Real Estate Highlights
Once you’ve experienced the magic of Roatan, you may find yourself hooked. We frequently have our rental guests contact us again – this time to tour properties. If you’re thinking about a vacation home in paradise, or even a permanent move away from the hustle and bustle back home, we are happy to help!
This month, Roatan Life Real Estate is happy to announce that Gene DeMarco has obtained his real estate license and has joined the company as an agent. Gene will still maintain his position in Roatan Vacation Rentals and will assume a more active role in real estate. Prior to starting the vacation rental business as a partner, Gene had a successful career in sales in Florida for many years. Steve Hasz says Gene will be an excellent addition to the sales force and welcomes him in this expanded role.
Here are two properties Gene and the rest of the Roatan Life staff would like to highlight this month:
West End Home
There are few stand-alone homes left in the West End area, and this is a great one. This is a simple 2-bedroom main house, along with a great 1-bedroom guesthouse perfect for renting. The guesthouse has an amazing view from the rooftop patio, and the main house boasts plenty of outdoor deck and living space to truly enjoy the island experience. This home is located in the secure neighborhood of Sunset Villas.
http://www.roatanlife.com/Great-West-End-Home-798
Turret #5: House on the Hill
Not only is the House on the Hill available for a fantastic rental option, it is also one of our highlighted properties for sale right now!
Views and breezes abound in this hillside home located in the upscale neighborhood of the Turrets of Turtle Crossing. Turret #5 is being offered completely turnkey, including a 4-door Toyota truck. Bring your toothbrush and start enjoying the island life today!
The house offers three bedrooms, three bathrooms, with multiple decks all with sweeping south shore views toward the mainland mountains and Cayos Cochinos. Located a quick drive or short walk to West Bay Beach, you can get the best of both worlds being away from the crowds but conveniently close to restaurants and activities. High-end finishes include Honduran hardwood, granite, tile, and much more. The community includes monitored security with patrol vehicle, community ocean view pool, ample green space and gardens. This house has a proven rental history and is very well maintained.
http://www.roatanlife.com/Turret-5-House-on-the-Hill-800
What’s Happening in Roatan This Month?
Each month we share upcoming events and celebrations so you know what to expect during your stay. This is what’s coming up for events in August
First weekend in August
SunJam Festival is an annual event held on the island of Utila, Roatan’s sister Bay Island. This is the 19th year of SunJam, which brings revelers from all over the world for a weekend of beach parties and live music. You may notice more people coming through the international airport on Roatan, as there is no international airport on Utila.
August 3
Race Flag Day (Bandera de la Raza) is a national holiday in Honduras, though no schools or offices will be closed. You might notice some parades or festivities around school areas.
Expats in Paradise
This month in Expats in Paradise, we’re highlighting a family that hasn’t made the full leap to moving here, but they have certainly proven to us just how much they love the island of Roatan! We’re checking in with Zach Wagner from St. Louis, Missouri.
Zach first came to Roatan in 2006 for a SCUBA diving vacation and to visit a college buddy on the island. Since then, Zach has visited Roatan nine times! So far, he and his family have rented vacation homes from Roatan Vacation Rentals in Palmetto Bay, Sandy Bay, West End, Lawson Rock, and most recently in Pristine Bay.
“Our family loves Casa de Suenos in Lawson Rock,” Zach says, “But we have moved to Pristine Bay for the last four trips. We have the luxury of going many places, so for us the staff friendliness and activities nearby are key. When we consider where to rent on our next vacation, we trust the people at Roatan Life to take care of all of our needs and details. Their service is top notch!”
Zach and his family keep coming back to Roatan for several reasons. “It is an island that feels more authentic than most in the Caribbean,” Zach says. “We love the mix of cultures, the food, and the easy access from the U.S.”
Even after nine trips to the island, Zach and his family still love coming back as frequently as possible. “Our kids are becoming certified divers and they are driving us to visit more than twice a year now,” Zach explains. “That’s why we keep coming back. Plus, we’ve made lots of friends who vacation or winter here, and it’s always nice to come back and meet up with them.”
We love Roatan just as much as Zach and his family do, which is why we devote our business to our customers. Whether this will be your first visit to Roatan or you visit us frequently like the Wagner family, Roatan Vacation Rentals is always available to accommodate your needs. Contact us today to find your ideal vacation rental. We are confident you will agree with Zach that our service is top notch!
