Royal Isabela Opens with Help from Leading Puerto Rican Officials

Tourism and local government officials participate in grand opening of spectacular golf community dedicated to protecting the local environment

(ISABELA, Puerto Rico) - Royal Isabela - the $100 million golf community and private membership club perched on dramatic bluffs at the northwest edge of Puerto Rico - has officially opened.

Present at the grand-opening ceremonies were Luis Rivera-Marin, Director of the PR Tourism Company (PRTC), the Honorable Carlos Delgado, Mayor of Isabela and other local politicians and officials. They joined the founders of Royal Isabela-brothers Stanley and Charlie Pasarell and Edwin Perez, a well-known business leader in Puerto Rico-in the traditional ribbon cutting ceremony.

Royal Isabela, which stretches along 426 oceanfront acres on top of cliffs that soar from 150 to 350 feet above the ocean, is the Pasarells' gift to Puerto Rico. Former collegiate and professional tennis stars, they became golfers after their tennis-playing days were over and vowed to develop a world-class golf course and exceptional community on their native island.

It took 10 years to find the land, secure permits, and build the wide variety of amenities, which include the golf course (designed with architect David Pfaff), clubhouse, 20 luxury casitas, restaurant and tennis courts. There also are 28 home sites on property and room for up to 50 fairway villas.

"Luxury has a new meaning altogether at Royal Isabela," said PRTC's Luis Rivera-Marin, at the event. "Not only is the location spectacular, but the casitas, the golf links, the restaurant, the whole concept behind this unique resort elevates the standard of accommodations in the Porta del Sol touristic region of Puerto Rico to a new level. We welcome this new addition to our hotel inventory and thank the partners of this paradise for their vision and commitment to the destination."

More than developing the land, the Pasarells are devoted to preserving it. To that end, they established the El Pastillo Conservation Trust to protect and nurture this beautiful and environmentally diverse corner of the island. Among the trust's responsibilities are an on-property nursery for trees, flowers, and golf turf grass, and an organic farm that gives work to homeless men with disabilities.

Every amenity at Royal Isabela is at the top of its class. The Golf Links at Royal Isabela opened in 2011 and was immediately named one of Golf Magazine's top courses to watch and "Best of the Best" by Robb Report. Award-winning chef David Pasternack of New York's famed ESCA created the main restaurant, La Casa. It features farm-to-table dining, with most of the fruit, vegetables, and herbs coming from local soil and the seafood from coastal waters.

With its official opening, Royal Isabela is ready to be enjoyed-now and for generations to come.

For additional information or to reserve rooms, access the web site at www.royalisabela.com or call (787) 609-5888 or (855) 609-5888.

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