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San Ignacio Resort Hotel
Family History Timeline

San Ignacio Resort Hotel Timeline

Family History Timeline

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

In an effort to foster initiatives in Belize, banking institutions extended loans for business ventures focused on tourism during this time. Mr. Escandar Bedran took this opportunity to begin the construction of San Ignacio Hotel.

1973
AUGUST 17, 1976
OPENING

OPENING

San Ignacio Hotel opened its doors to guests with a dance event held in its Dance Hall which is now the “Bedran Hall”. The event counted with the presence of ministers, family, townspeople, and other influential personas from Belize. The San Ignacio Hotel consisted of 14 rooms, a small family-style restaurant, tennis court, and conference facility.

"GATEWAY TO TIKAL"

"GATEWAY TO TIKAL"

This was the slogan used by the hotel during its inception as the property became a popular destination for travelers coming through Guatemala or those wanting to visit the neighboring Tikal Maya temples.

1976
JUNE 25TH 1978
MS. MARIAM BEDRAN & MR. JOHN ROBERSON'S WEDDING

MS. MARIAM BEDRAN & MR. JOHN ROBERSON'S WEDDING

Ms. Mariam Bedran and Mr. John Roberson’s wedding. This momentous celebration counted with the attendance of over 1000 individuals and chefs from the British Army. Up to this day, the Bedran-Roberson wedding continues to be the largest wedding in the hotel’s history. Ms. Mariam tells the story of her father printing extra invitations and just giving them out to all his friends! He was obviously very proud of his hotel and wanted a big celebration. Now 40 years later we still boast the best wedding destination venue.

"THE GROTTO" NIGHTCLUB

"THE GROTTO" NIGHTCLUB

Mr. Escandar finishes construction of the very popular night club known as the “the Grotto” located under the Bedran Hall. The “Grotto” disco and nightclub reigned as the best club and place to be in Cayo for 8 years until 1988

SEPTEMBER 1980
SEPTEMBER 21, 1981
BELIZE CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE

BELIZE CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE

Cayo celebration of Belize Independence is held at the hotel. The hotel’s tennis court and bleachers which can host several hundred guests was the venue for musicians from the Caribbean who came to celebrate our Independence with a concert.

MRS. MARIAM ROBERSON STARTS WORKING AS COOK

MRS. MARIAM ROBERSON STARTS WORKING AS COOK

Mrs. Mariam Roberson, the 2nd daughter of Mr. Escandar Bedran, returns to Belize and begins working at the Hotel part-time as a kitchen cook.

1980-1983
1983
POOL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

POOL CONSTRUCTION BEGINS

Extension and construction of the hotel’s pool recreational area begins. Mr. Bedran first built a swimming pool at his residence so he could then learn and design the one for his hotel. The first pool he built was dedicated and named after his grandchildren.

LOWER HILLSIDE ROOMS ADDED

LOWER HILLSIDE ROOMS ADDED

The lower hillside rooms are introduced at the Hotel increasing the room count and availability. These rooms are today called the Regal rooms, after the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 1994.

1984
1986
MS. PAULITA BEDRAN JOINS TEAM

MS. PAULITA BEDRAN JOINS TEAM

Mrs. Mariam is promoted to Manager at the San Ignacio Hotel on full-time basis. Ms. Paulita Bedran, the youngest of the family, jumps on board in the hotel’s operations in the Accounting Department.

MRS. MARIAM RECEIVES AWARD

Mrs. Mariam receives The Florida State University Department of Hospitality Administration’s Salut Au Restaurateur Award.

1989
1992
MS. PAULITA BEDRAN & DR. RAMON FIGUEROA'S WEDDING

MS. PAULITA BEDRAN & DR. RAMON FIGUEROA'S WEDDING

Ms. Paulita Bedran marries Mr. Dr. Ramon Figueroa! Wedding reception was held at the SIRH.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS

Queen Elizabeth II visits Belize during her Jubilee Tour and stays at SIRH. A historic and honorable day for all of Belize and especially for San Ignacio Resort Hotel. Today a wall of fame in our lobby has been dedicated to Her Majesty’s visit.

1994
1994
MR. ESCANDAR BEDRAN RETIRES

MR. ESCANDAR BEDRAN RETIRES

Mr. Escandar Bedran retires from San Ignacio Resort Hotel and leaves his four daughters in charge of the hotel’s ownership and operations. Mrs. Mariam is then given the title of Managing Director.

1995 CONFERENCES HELD AT SAN IGNACIO HOTEL

Two eco-tourism conferences are held at San Ignacio Hotel on behalf of BTIA & BTB.

1995
1995
CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT

CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT

Mrs. Mariam becomes Managing Director and Mrs. Paulita becomes Operation Manager of San Ignacio Hotel.

GREEN IGUANA CONSERVATION PROJECT BEGINS

GREEN IGUANA CONSERVATION PROJECT BEGINS

In an effort to increase the population of green iguanas in San Ignacio, Mrs. Mariam Roberson and Mr. Daniel Velasquez begin the Green Iguana Conservation Project. An interactive exhibit for the hatching, rearing, and releasing process of the specie.

1996
OCTOBER 15, 1996
BEDRAN FAMILY REUNION

BEDRAN FAMILY REUNION

Bedran family reunion was held at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel bringing the Bedran family together for the first time from all over the world.

THE STORK CLUB OPENS

THE STORK CLUB OPENS

The Stork Club is opened at the hotel in remembrance of Mr. Escandar’s old bar. History of the Stork Club is on our website.

2003
2003
THE CARACOL ROOM IS BUILT

THE CARACOL ROOM IS BUILT

The Caracol Room, the second largest event venue at the Hotel is built.

THE RESTAURANT BEGINS RECONSTRUCTIONS

THE RESTAURANT BEGINS RECONSTRUCTIONS

The restaurant begins a new reconstructions and relocation phase.

2003
2005
NEW SLOGAN: "A NEW ERA OF LUXURY”

NEW SLOGAN: "A NEW ERA OF LUXURY”

”A New Era of Luxury” slogan is launched and begins a movement that marked a transition and expansion towards becoming a luxury property.

LOBBY BEGINS UPGRADE

LOBBY BEGINS UPGRADE

San Ignacio Resort Hotel’s lobby area begins and is remodeled into an area showcasing marbles columns and furnishings.

2005
2007
HONEYMOON SUITE ADDED

HONEYMOON SUITE ADDED

The main Lobby is completed and the first Suite is introduced into the Hotel’s second floor—Honeymoon Suite.

BEDRAN HALL RENOVATION

BEDRAN HALL RENOVATION

Renovation phase for the Bedran Hall takes place and ends in 2010 with a luxury venue showcasing ample space for large conferences and events. It is the largest event venue found in Western Belize.

2009
2010
MS. KRISTIN ROBERSON WEDS AT THE SAN IGNACIO RESORT HOTEL

MS. KRISTIN ROBERSON WEDS AT THE SAN IGNACIO RESORT HOTEL

Mrs. Mariam’s first daughter,  Ms. Kristin Roberson, weds at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel. An event that marked the beginning of a family tradition within the Bedran-Roberson family.

35TH ANNIVERSARY

35TH ANNIVERSARY

35th Anniversary is held at San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

2011
2012
SIRH CATERS FOR PRINCE HARRY

SIRH CATERS FOR PRINCE HARRY

San Ignacio Resort Hotel caters for Prince Harry during the Royal Jubilee Tour held at Xunantunich Maya temple.

MR. JOHN TRE ROBERSON WEDS ARIADNA PUENTE CARDOSO

MR. JOHN TRE ROBERSON WEDS ARIADNA PUENTE CARDOSO

Mrs. Mariam’s only son,  Mr. John Tre Roberson, weds Ms. Ariadna Puente Cardoso.

2014
2014
NEW KITCHEN

NEW KITCHEN

New kitchen premises are constructed at the resort.

SIRH HOSTS MICE EVENT

SIRH HOSTS MICE EVENT

SIRH hosts the first ever MICE event in Belize, Central America.

NOVEMBER 7 2015
AUGUST 1 2015
SIRH WINS HOSPITALITY AWARD

SIRH WINS HOSPITALITY AWARD

SIRH wins Hospitality Award 2015 and Mrs. Mariam B. Roberson wins the Minister’s Award.

SIRH'S MR. KEVIN CHI WINS TASTE OF BELIZE 2016

SIRH'S MR. KEVIN CHI WINS TASTE OF BELIZE 2016

SIRH’s Prep Cook, Mr. Kevin Chi, competes at the Taste of Belize 2016 hosted by the Belize Tourism Board and wins first place in the National Amateur Cook Competition.

JULY 9 2016
AUGUST 17 2016
40TH ANNIVERSARY

40TH ANNIVERSARY

San Ignacio Resort Hotel celebrates 40 Year Anniversary of family hospitality in Belize.

NEW WEBSITE

NEW WEBSITE

San Ignacio Resort Hotel launches new responsive website.

SEPTEMBER 2016
OCTOBER 28 2016
SIRH WINS HOTEL OF THE YEAR AND RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

SIRH WINS HOTEL OF THE YEAR AND RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

SIRH receives Hotel of the Year and Restaurant of the Year during the Belize Tourism Board’s 14th Annual Industry Awards.

BEDRAN 2ND FAMILY REUNION

BEDRAN 2ND FAMILY REUNION

The Bedran family held it's 2nd family reunion at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.

2017
2018
MS. CARRIE ROBERSON WEDS BRIAN CLAXTON

MS. CARRIE ROBERSON WEDS BRIAN CLAXTON

Ms. Carrie Roberson weds Mr. Brian Claxton at San Ignacio Resort Hotel—closing off the family tradition of marrying at the Resort.

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