Prohotel International announced that the company will operate and manage The Lodge at Pico Bonito, a 22-room luxury lodge in La Ceiba, Honduras. Prohotel, who previously did marketing for the hotel, signed a five-year management contract and plans to reposition The Lodge in the upscale market.
 
Beginning May 1st Prohotel will manage all day-to-day activities for the hotel from reservations tooperations. The company has hired Marcela Ochoa as General Manager for the hotel. Ochoa brings over 20 years of experience in sales development, marketing and hotel management with a successful track record. She most recently worked in Regional Sales & Marketing (Canada) for Hacienda Tres Rios, a high-end all-inclusive luxury resort in the Riviera Maya. Prior to working for Hacienda Tres Rio, Ochoa was the General Manager of Casa Mexicana, a boutique hotel in downtown Cozumel.
 
“Marcela has proven successful in her career through strong leadership, and personal hands-on involvement,” said Samir Saab, CEO of Prohotel International. “Her ability to build strong relationships and effective team environments will help turn The Lodge at Pico Bonito into a luxury eco-resort destination.”
 
Situated at the base of the Pico Bonito National Park, The Lodge offers 400 acres of tropical wilderness and is a nature-lover’s paradise. Nestled between two rivers, the hotel provides access to cascading waterfalls, brilliant flora and fauna, and breathtaking views of the rainforest. Guests can spend their time in the hotel’s own commercial butterfly farm that breeds over 40 species of tropical butterflies or they can explore miles of private trails through the lush jungle.
 
“The nature experience at Pico Bonito is more fulfilling than Costa Rica, the current popular destination in Central America,” said Sandra Beltran, VP of Marketing for Prohotel International. “Less people travel to these areas, so nature has a chance to flourish. We want to give guests an authentic eco-experience while carefully preserving the natural beauty of the area.”
 
Prohotel’s goal is not to reinvent The Lodge, but to enhance its natural beauty by upgrading its services. The management company plans to add a tropical jungle spa, raise the level of service, further incorporate the local culture, and upgrade the menus and amenities offered. “Our goal is to bring The Lodge to a new standard within the next six months, luring seasonal travelers looking to experience unspoiled nature while indulging in a pampering vacation,” said Saab.