Puerta Privada: “Find Your Dream Lifestyle in a Luxurious Beach Condominium Residence”
“Beachfront, upscale, and classy, are words that could describe some of the resorts on Sandy Beach, but add to those elegance, privacy, security, and tranquility and Puerta Privada is surely one-of-a-kind. For 17 years, it has been the only private, non-rental resort on Sandy Beach: Long-term leasing, a minimum of 6 months, is allowed.
People have come and gone, and many friends have been lost and new friendships have been formed. Many of the original owners have kids that have grown up around “Privada” and now return with their own families. But the sense of community has remained strong, and the fun times continue at this very special place.
Puerta Privada broke ground, and sold its 192 condos in 2005, with the first (east) building delivered to owners in 2006 and the west building in 2007. Both 12-story buildings sit parallel to the beach assuring a good deal of patio privacy and amazing unobstructed views.
Peñasco’s #1 development team of Guevara/Snyder, quieted the naysayers who said a non-rental resort would never sell. But they knew from their prior successes at the Pinacates, Princessa, Sonoran Spa, and Sonoran Sea that at least 35% of owners didn’t rent and would love a more private beach home without the noise, and wear and tear of property often caused by renters.
The other criticism by local competition had been that “just a bunch of old people buy there”. The owners always laugh at that one. If you’ve ever been to one of their activities or parties, you would know that is just not the case. The average age of residents is around 50 and there is a great sense of fun and neighborly people.
The lively social activities include holiday events, sunset cruises, golf scrambles, movie nights, beach parties, and much more. Many of the owners will tell you that they’ve made some of the best friendships of their lives and often get together in the States as well. Everyone is always very welcoming to new neighbors who quickly find themselves included in great times, fun activities, and wonderful new friendships. It’s a place where people know and care for each other.
Owner, Jill Chapman says, “A few years ago we looked at several beautiful properties but kept coming back to Puerta Privada. The quality of the condo and the property was huge, but the quality of the people was even more important to us. From the moment we saw the property to the end of the sale, service was impeccable. We have not regretted buying here for one minute.”
Some owners prefer a quieter break from their work schedule when they come down and find their solitude and privacy respected. The beach in front of Puerta Privada is lined with 16 palapas to enjoy a blissfully uncrowded beach day, and because there are only about 18 permanent residents, it is normal to feel like you have the whole place to yourself. Some owners come down a couple of times a month, some less and some only for short trips throughout the year. Many owners have other properties along the beach and continue to rent them out and use them for friends and family overflow, but Privada is their home.
Pat Kimble, an owner for 16 years, is a personal trainer and an original HOA board member. “We chose Privada because of the no nightly rental policy, well built by an established developer and the sense of community. There are lots of interesting people, fun activities, and the best fitness center on the beach. There is nowhere else we would rather be”.
It is a beautifully maintained resort, and its HOA board members and owners alike have a strong vested interest in keeping the resort in great shape. Many of the 34 employees have worked for the resort since day one. The owners and workers take good care of each other, which has added greatly to the success of the resort. The fact that the HOA’s fees are the lowest on the beach speaks volumes regarding maintenance issues.
All two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and a handful of premium condo finishes are high-end, including marble floors, granite countertops, dual pane custom sliding doors, cut glass, and top-of-the-line appliances including Maytag, Koehler, and Trane. The laundry rooms are huge with built-in utility sinks and are what the owners refer to as their “Costco closets” with plenty of cabinets for ample storage. There are 2 parking levels, one underground that houses 5’ x 10’ storage rooms for each condo.
Amenities include 2 swimming pools, one heated between 90°-92° in the winter, 2 Jacuzzis, one is adults only. The beachfront pools and Jacuzzis have open common areas where bands often play for parties. BBQs are close by along with TVs for sports games to be enjoyed in and around the pools, sundeck, and self-serve aqua bar, although on some occasions hired bartenders are in order. There is also cornhole, beach volleyball, and horseshoes by the beach.
Between the buildings is an elegantly furnished 3-story clubhouse. It has a game room with ping pong, billiards, shuffleboard, and game tables where tournaments are frequent activities. The building houses a large ocean-view fitness center with 28 pieces of Life Fitness equipment, 3 sets of weights, a Peloton bike, a stair stepper, and big screen TVs. The top floor of the clubhouse is often referred to as “party central’ and is used for an assortment of activities. There are regular potluck dinners, New Year’s Eve gala’s, St Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage dinners, birthday parties, dances, morning pickleball games, and fundraisers for local charities among other events throughout the year. Superbowl is referred to as their “high holy holiday”, with a full weekend of activities. The clubhouse boasts a large, full-functioning kitchen and living area, wet bar, fireplace, and 3 more big-screen TVs. Also, on the property are pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts, as well as a pet park. As in many other places, pickleball has become an owner’s favorite.
For the initial years of the properties sales, all representatives were Puerta Privada owners. It has remained mostly the case for many years, as the developer still held many notes and dealt with the handful of resales. The developers are also owners at Puerta Privada with a vested and proud interest in the property. However, the time has come to turn over its limited number of listings to a full-scale real estate company to do justice to the property and owners. After much consideration and HOA board approval, Puerta Privada is now proudly being handled, exclusively, by Frankie Romero (AKA: “Rocky Pt. Frankie”), and the well-renowned local agency of ReMax Costa del Mar, spearheading with the whole team. He says “ReMax is a global brand, trusted by consumers worldwide for its competitive advantages for its clients and agents. Good marketing keeps ReMax Costa del Mar in the minds of homebuyers, sellers, and agents with the correct tools that are necessary to deliver outstanding service. Puerta Privada and ReMax is a winning combination”.
It is a unique place on the beach in what is becoming a real boom town. The past few years have seen tourist numbers increase exponentially because of the adage, “location, location, location”. Post covid and a multitude of new lifestyles have dictated more drive destinations that won’t break the budget with restaurants, hotels, car rentals, airfares, or gas prices. It is becoming a busier resort town with each passing year. Rocky Point isn’t just “Arizona’s Beach” anymore, and Puerta Privada stands out as an oasis in the jungle of condos along the beautiful Sandy Beach. For anyone wanting a truly special beach home away from home, look no further than Puerta Privada.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to view available listings or leases call: US (602) 899-2728 or MX +52 (638) 113-1046.
