We sat down with Gertraud Novelo, founder and owner of the budget-friendly, Ocean Pearl Royale, Hotel & Cabanas in Caye Caulker. She shared some solid tips for anyone wanting to build a hotel in Belize. She moved to Belize in 1988 from Austria and decided to live here as she was looking for a career change anyway.
Wrobel & Co: When did you move to Belize? What made you make the move?
Gertraud Novelo: I moved to Belize in November 1988. I met my husband here, and we decided that we would live in Belize and not in Austria. I wanted a career change anyway.
W & C: What did you do in Austria?
Gertraud: I’m from Austria, and I was a baby intensive care nurse.
W & C: When did you open your the Ocean Pearl Royale? What type of obstacles did you face?
Gertraud: I opened the hotel in 2002, but our original idea was to open a scuba diving shop. My husband and I worked on it for 14 years, and then we built the hotel. We built the scuba diving shop and the hotel from the ground up (from scratch). So, lots of hurdles in between!
Gertraud: Here’s a tip: the stronger you build, the better. No matter what the contractors tell you, invest more money in good quality materials. We get hurricanes!!! Rather than leave it to the contractors, I did most of the shopping for the materials myself.
W & C: What would you have done differently?
Gertraud: Nothing. I have no regrets.
W & C: What are the major differences as it relates to opening and running a business in Belize versus opening and running a business in Austria?
Gertraud: I was a nurse in Austria, so in my experience, not much. You do have to have your papers straight and pay your taxes, just like everywhere else.
W & C: Do you recommend hiring a lawyer for business ventures in Belize? If so, why or why not?
Gertraud: I recommend hiring a lawyer if you buy land or need to get your papers straight faster. Otherwise, you’ll be bombarded with all that’s going on.
W & C: Why did you choose to open a hotel in Caye Caulker?
Gertraud: We had the space so, why not accommodate your divers in your own place?
W & C: Describe your hotel in 3 words.
Gertraud: Budget-friendly, tranquil, homey.
W & C: What should people expect when they check into the Ocean Pearl Royale?
Gertraud: At this time I changed most of my rooms to apartments, so you have your own private place away from home, with your own kitchen, for longer stays.
W & C: Favourite animal in Belize?
Gertraud: All the exotic birds here.
W & C: Favourite time of year in Belize and why?
Gertraud: October through March, because it’s not as scorching hot!
W & C: Where is your favourite place in Belize, and why?
Gertraud: Besides the island of Caye Caulker, I like San Ignacio and all around it. It’s so so so beautiful!
W & C: Where can people go to learn more about you and your hotel?
Gertraud: At our website: www.oceanpearlhotelbelize.com Our hotel apartments are only open for long term stays. People who stay a minimum of 30 days are allowed to stay with us under a lease.
W & C: Can you elaborate on your interactions with Wrobel & Co. and more specifically, our managing partner Ryan Wrobel? Do you feel that our office has anything to offer your clients/guests?
Gertraud: Ryan is the Honorary Consul of Austria to Belize. If anybody needs to move to Belize, he is the person to go to.
W & C: What are some of the amazing things living in Belize has afforded you?
Gertraud: I live in the most beautiful place there is, that should answer your question. It’s always warm, sunny so you can live outside. You can be in the water at all times, and you get by with less. It’s a simpler life.
Interested in retiring or relocating in Belize as Gertraud did? Contact Wrobel & Co, Attorneys-at-Law, and we’ll get you started on your Belize retirement or relocation journey today.
To learn more about retirement in Belize, visit our Belize Retirement FAQ page here.
This information was provided as a courtesy of Wrobel & Co. Attorneys-at-law. It is intended to inform, not to advise. No one should try to interpret or apply any law without the assistance of legal counsel. Please click here for the full disclaimer.
