Sampling life in a condo-hotel here in Playa del Carmen has re-awakened these dreams. Not that we'd be interested in buying something in Mexico though. I have always had a strong association with the island of Sri Lanka, where Jay grew up. It was one of the first places I experienced true jungle and slept just 6 or 7 degrees away from the equator. More importantly, I experienced a culture both alive and unique.
An Artist's Conception of Completed Ocean Breeze Condo-Hotel, Negombo
Over the years, Jay and I have stayed on the teardrop-shaped island in the Indian Ocean on many trips. They easily add up to over a year of our lives. Whereas super-luxury condo towers now dot the capital of Colombo and jostle for attention, beach condos are a fairly new phenomenon there.
Condo-hotels are a thriving, new global real-estate category. They are a much-improved version of the old time-share concept. However, in the modern version, the owner gets a complete title and deed. The management stands ready to book and rent the apartment as a hotel room. This means it can earn its owner money. However, the owner may choose to occupy the unit at any time he/she wishes, even full-time if desired.
We know of only one such project in an area of Sri Lanka where we'd consider purchasing. This is a photograph I snapped in January of this year specifically so I'd have the information available to me.
Perhaps this arrangement would fulfill my desire to own a piece of paradise but not prevent us from exploring our wanderlust during our remaining years.