Ritz-Carlton Slated for Panama's Pearl Island

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The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company plans to expand its Reserve hotel collection with a resort on Pearl Island, located 45 miles south of Panama City.

The Ritz-Carlton is part of the second phase of a luxury real estate and leisure island development on the barely-inhabited, 3,500-acre Pearl Island, which will eventually include three five-star hotels, a marina and a low-density, high-end residential development.

Developed by Dolphin Capital Investors and Panama-based Grupo Eleta, the first phase of Pearl Island, located on the north-eastern Peninsula Zancadilla, features home sites ranging from 3,000 to 20,000 square meters. Seventy-five percent of the island will remain untouched as a natural reserve.

The project's landing strip has been completed, according to a company announcement. 

The Ritz Carlton Reserve is the sixth planned Reserve property for the chain. The center of the Reserve will feature an open-air resort with 80 guest rooms, and a variety of luxury amenities including a spa, private beach club, three swimming pools, access to a world-class marina, dive and fishing village and equestrian center, the company said.

The Reserve will also include one- and two-story villas with oceanfront views, large guest rooms with private plunge pools and private terraces. During the construction phase of the Reserve, a collection of Ritz-Carlton branded Residences will be available for sale, designed in the same architectural style as the resort. 

The Pearl Island Ritz-Carlton location is expected to open in 2016. It joins current Reserve locations in Phulay Bay in Thailand and Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. Upcoming locations including Molasses Reef in Turks and Caicos, Tamuda Bay, Morocco and Cabos San Lucas, Mexico.