Monday 21 January 2008

New addition in Ecuador!

Today sees the addition of a new ecolodge in Ecuador on the ecobookers site.

Arajuno Jungle Lodge is a private, family owned forest reserve located on the scenic banks of the Arajuno River in the upper reaches of the Amazon basin in eastern Ecuador. The Lodge is adjacent to the Jatun Sacha Biological Field Station. This area is a biological hotspot due to it being in a transition zone between high and low elevation jungle. It is also located in the heart of the Quichua Indian population.

This Jungle Lodge is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the planet through direct action. The owners personally seek to create the best setting for their guests to have a profound and unique experience, to enjoy the spirit of learning, laughing and healing in a pristine environment of the Amazon jungle.

Sunday 20 January 2008

New ecolodge in Mexico!

Another new addition to the ecobookers site!
Casa Viva Troncones consists of three bungalows, each with a palm-thatched roof and private bathroom, built into a natural setting of local trees and plants.
The goal of the owners of Casa Viva Troncones was to create a space that was both private and public, where you can get away from it all or immerse yourself in everything. The site therefore consists of the private casitas, but also a central area, the Area Comun (Common Area) where the pool, kitchen, dining room and sleeping porch are all located - a space for sharing time together swimming, cooking, eating, playing cards and hanging out.
Casa Viva is about a 25-minute walk, or 10-minute bike ride, from the village of Troncones and is located right on the beach in a small private cove. Troncones is about a 30 minute drive from Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, one of Mexico’s top resorts behind Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo.

Thursday 17 January 2008

Eco awards!

Sarinbuana Eco Lodge situated in Mt Batukaru, Bali, Indonesia has come away with the Wild Asia Best Eco Lodge award for their commitment to Responsible Tourism.

Hotel operators are assessed in a total of 40 different criteria covering the following principals: Commitment to local employment; respecting local cultures and supporting local development; protection of natural areas; efficient use of resources; responsible waste management and commitment to continual improvement. Award nominees are then site assessed by Wild Asia to establish the level of commitment.

The owners of Sarinbuana Eco lodge have instigated the protection of 800 hectares of rainforest on Mt Batukaru - the largest and most diverse rainforest in Bali. The lodge has been developed following sustainable management principals in harmony with the local community. The owners of Sarinbauna Eco Lodge recognise that the emerging “Eco Tourist“ is interested in experiencing the local culture, exploring the natural features and learning from the local communities of those they visit.

For the second year in a row, Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique has been highly commended in the Responsible Tourism awards in the ‘Best for Poverty Reduction’ category.

The Virgin Responsible Tourism Awards were presented at the World Travel Market on November 14th, 2007. The awards aim to recognise individuals, companies and organisations in the travel industry that are making a significant commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and are providing a positive contribution to biodiversity conservation.

Guludo Beach Lodge acts as a vehicle for the associated charity NEMA which receives 5% of accommodation revenue, an invaluable logistical base and generous donations from guests. NEMA works alongside Bespoke to relieve poverty and protect their fragile environments. Fundamentally, Guludo Beach Lodge covers all NEMA admin costs resulting in 100% of donations going straight into projects.

Monday 14 January 2008

exclusive special offer - Jamaica

Our competition has now been drawn and the winner notified, but for those of you not lucky enough to win a 7-night stay at the Eco-Chic Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, ecobookers has teamed up with this luxury hotel in Jamaica to give you an exclusive special offer.
This eco-chic hotel is offering you the chance to discover Port Antonio with the below very special offer, available exclusively to ecobookers guests for stays completed between 1st May and 30th October 2008. Book by 31st March 2008 to receive the following special prices and complimentary offers (to make a booking request, reply to this email of use the 'Make an Enquiry' button on the Hotel Mocking Bird Hill page).
Pay just US$1,140 (a saving of US$15) for 7 nights in a garden view room (for two persons) or US$1,470 (a saving of US$245) for 7 nights in a superior room (for two persons) and also enjoy complimentary tropical Continental breakfast with fresh juice, tropical fruit plate, famous Blue Mountain Coffee and a bread basket with home-made breads – Banana Bread, Coconut Bread, scones, muffins; a complimentary welcome cocktail while watching a spectacular sunset against the backdrop of the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea; free shuttle and entrance to Frenchman’s Cove – Jamaica’s most famous beach – just 5 minutes drive from the hotel and an introductory cookery session after which you can enjoy what you have prepared for lunch and take home the recipes and a Mocking Bird apron to treat friends and family at home with a Jamaican evening!

Sunday 13 January 2008

New eco-lodges and eco-friendly hotels in the Caribbean and Africa

Since last writing we have added new eco-friendly accommodations in a variety of destinations, including the Caribbean and Pemba Island. Here’s a taster:

In Tobago, surround yourself with nature at the Adventure Eco Villas. Nestled amongst the tropical flora and fauna of a twelve-acre nature reserve and organic farm, the Villas are also only minutes away from palm-fringed beaches and excellent snorkelling.

At our first eco-hotel featured in Grenada, on the other hand, you could pamper yourself with beach massages and therapy treatments at the Paradise Bay Villa Resort, followed by gourmet cuisine at one of the Resort’s speciality restaurants.

For a remote and peaceful eco-resort, look no further than Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island. Run with a love for the natural environment that surrounds it, Fundu Lagoon is the epitome of shabby chic. Wooden walkways and sandy paths lead to sixteen Makuti thatched-tent room suites, all spacious with breath-taking views of the ocean.

More ecolodges to come very soon!