MBERGRIS CAYE, BELIZE (May 2023) – Alaia Belize Autograph Collection, one of the largest waterfront resorts on the principal island of Belize, announced seasoned professional Scott McArdle as its new general manager. In his new role, McArdle will be responsible for daily operations at the hotel to assure optimum performance, guest satisfaction, and that the property upholds the high-quality standards of the Marriott brand.
“I was attracted to Alaia Belize as the first Marriott International property in the country and its success in creating a new level of luxury in Belize,” said McArdle. “As I step into my new role at Alaia, I am excited to bring my vast knowledge and experience in luxury lifestyle and branded properties to take the resort’s growth to the next phase. My goal is to develop new concepts for the boutique hotel that will boost traffic, continue to provide superior service and position Alaia as a trendsetter, making it the top contemporary resort in Belize and the region.”
With more than 10 years of luxury hospitality experience and working with branded resorts, McArdle served as the General Manager at Virgin Hotels and Place Hotels in Edinburgh, Scrub Island Resort Spa & Marina in British Virgin Islands, and Perle Oban Hotel & Spa in Glasgow. He has extensive experience in managing five-star and four-star boutique hotels under the Autograph Collection by Marriott, such as The Glasshouse in Edinburgh. Additionally, McArdle has gained a wealth of experience in the Caribbean market working as a hospitality management consultant for Sunswept Resorts in Saint Lucia throughout the pandemic.
Spanning over 20+ acres and the first in San Pedro Town to sit on more than 1,000 feet of beachfront access, Alaia Belize is a 155-unit complex operating as the first true four diamond resort on Ambergris Caye. The eco-luxury development is the first-ever Marriott International property in the country, upholding the high-quality standards of the brand and dynamic marks of the Autograph Collection – celebrating the founder’s passion, thoughtful design, inherent craft and connection with the locale.
Alaia Belize allows hotel guests to intimately connect with their surroundings as it was designed to stimulate all five senses. With interiors curated by renowned Brazilian designer Debora Aguiar, the boutique resort is meant to invite guests to touch, stay and feel connected to Mother Nature, from the warm and harmonious ambiance, woven textures, natural fibers and touches of greenery. The design-forward hotel features 155 guest rooms and suites, ranging from studios to three bedrooms, with a natural color scheme to complement the stunning oceanfront views. Seamlessly blending the indoor and outdoor settings, the rooms offer an average of 1,200 square feet indoors and almost 900 square feet in open air, per unit.
Raising the luxury bar in Belize, hotel guests have full access to first-of-its-kind amenities in the country, including Belize’s first-ever suspended rooftop pool and lounge with 360-degree views, the only luxury resort in Belize with a dive shop that also allows guests to receive a PADI certification onsite, K’in Spa & Wellness Center, a piano bar with a self-playing baby grand piano, adventure concierge, swimming pools, branded golf carts.
Known as the hidden gem of Central America and Caribbean, Belize’s clear blue waters and Caribbean culture is home to endless historic offerings, a variety of adventures and a melting pot of cultures. For those looking to take a deeper dive and explore the beauty of Belize’s natural underwater locations, Alaia is 600 meters away from the world’s second largest barrier reef and about 50 miles away from the ultimate world-class and unrivaled destination – The Great Blue Hole. Just hours away from Alaia, owners and visitors can experience more than 200 caves filled with several preserved Mayan Temples, including Xunantunich (the second tallest ruin in the country), lush jungles, rainforest canopies, and archaeological sites including the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave.
Ambergris Caye and Alaia Belize can be reached via Philip Goldson International Airport in Belize City by taking a 15-minute flight to San Pedro Airport or booking tickets for a water taxi. Alaia Belize’s reservations team is available to help all guests book travel arrangements. For more information, please visit www.alaiabelize.com
