As an escape from harsh New England winters and offering business opportunity, the year-round warm tropical breezes found where the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf waters mingled, Howard D. Johnson as early as the late 1930s had grown his Orange Roofed eateries to Miami and made it his second home. Thus as the chain continued its popular expansion, it was not surprising that outlets sprang up throughout the region. In fact as early as 1958 the chain became international with a resort Motor Lodge and Restaurant in Nassau with Miami's commissary conveniently serving the needs of its offshore outlet.

Proximity to the Miami supply base and as a part of the United States, it was only natural that Howard Johnson's should expand into Puerto Rico. San Juan's high-rise Motor Lodge and Restaurant opened in April of 1967 and proved popular with locals and tourists alike. During the 1970s Howard B. Johnson and his management team actively sought expansion of the chain through franchising and desired to attract franchisees outside of the traditional model of roadside Motor Lodges found throughout the mainland. Due to the popularity of the Howard Johnson's brand in Puerto Rico, Eduardo Ferrer applied for and was granted the second licensee agreement in the island territory. The first part of his ambitious HoJo's plan opened in 1976 with a 50-acre site which consisted of 35 villas, marina, dry storage, clubhouse with open terrace restaurant, tennis courts, swimming pool, and a shopping area with a HoJo's Ice Cream Parlour. A 52 room Howard Johnson's Motor Lodge and Restaurant was scheduled to open in 1977 along with hi-rise condo buildings. The resort was to offer 1000 units when completed. Mr. Ferrer said "ours is the island's first hotel resort aimed primarily at Puerto Rico's water resort. With Howard Johnson's we've opened the door to the vast water recreation/vacation area of the Caribbean."

Above Caption: Open Now...The Villa Marina clubhouse in Fajardo. HJ clams, frankforts, hamburgers and ice cream are served here at the terraced restaurant. Over 200 invited guests from local business, government and media enjoyed a buffet at the inauguration ceremonies.

Below: Believed to be a view of the original section of the Howard Johnson's Villa Marina Resort complex.