Inspiration for your eco-friendly Summer break!

Now that Christmas has come and gone and the winter blues have set in, there’s no better time to start thinking about your Summer holiday! Whether you’re looking for a luxury break or travelling on a shoestring, planning a romantic getaway or a family holiday, there’s an eco-friendly hotel or eco-lodge to suit you! Below you’ll find some great ideas for different types of eco-friendly breaks:

Eco on a Budget
There is a huge variety of eco-friendly accommodation out there and there is plenty of choice even if you are on a tight budget. On the ecobookers site you will find a wide range of fabulous eco-friendly hotels and eco-lodges with rooms available for less than £20 per person per night (usually based on 2 people sharing and can be dependent on the time of year of your visit). Examples include Bintang Bolong Lodge, Gambia, where the main attraction is the River Restaurant with its large terrace from which you can experience incomparable sunsets, Shaam-e-Sarhad Rural Resort, India, offering traditional Bhungas (circular mud huts with sloping grass roofs) as accommodation or La Laguna del Lagarto, Costa Rica, a secluded and cozy lodge with a balcony that’s great for viewing the many forest edge birds. Find more eco-budget details and ideas here.

Eco Luxury
Although the phrase 'back-to-basics' is often associated with eco-friendly hotels and eco-lodges, this isn't necessarily the case. Yes, it is possible to stay in a mud-hut and use a composting toilet, but if this isn't quite your cup of tea, that doesn't have to mean that eco-friendly travel isn't for you!
There are a number of eco-hotels and eco-lodges out there which use sustainable energy sources, take measures to reduce their consumption of natural resources, recycle much of their waste and take an active role in conservation and the community, yet will still provide you with all the creature comforts you might expect of a luxury establishment.
For example, Fundu Lagoon on Pemba Island is the epitome of shabby-chic. Stay in a spacious room suite with breath-taking views of the ocean and swim in a beautiful infinity pool. At Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia you will find guestrooms with chic interiors and contemporary furnishings whilst at Daintree EcoLodge & Spa, Australia, you could choose to stay in a Spa villa with your own private Jacuzzi on the balcony. Find more eco-luxury details and ideas here.

Eco for couples:
Just because your hosts are committed to recycling water and use worm farms to compost organic waste, doesn’t mean that romance has to go out the window! Whether you’re on your honeymoon, looking for some cozy couple time or simply want a place to stay where you won’t be surrounded by children, we have plenty of suggestions for you!
Take Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique, for example, where raised bedrooms, with King-size beds, sit under an expansive palm-thatched roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning sea views and cooling sea breeze. Or how about the comfortable luxury of Bartholomeus Klip, South Africa, where you can enjoy specially made pure cotton bedding, luxurious toiletries and towelling robes and where children under the age of 16 are not allowed at the Main House. Find more eco-couples details and ideas here.

Eco for families:
If you're looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary, it can sometimes be hard to find an accommodation that's family-friendly - so here we've done all the hard work for you!
As most eco-friendly hotels and eco-lodges are set in rural areas, it's always going to be necessary to control children, watch out for their safety and ensure that they respect the environment. However, a number of hotels and lodges have pricing policies and/or facilities which make eco-friendly family holidays that little bit easier. For example, at the Puri Lumbung Cottages, Indonesia, family cottages are available for groups of 4 or more, babysitting is available, there is a doctor on call and children aged 0-11 go free when sharing with 2 adults.
At the Villas Ecotucan, Mexico, the nearby Laguna de Bacalar is perfect for swimming or kayaking, mountain bikes are available to rent and leisure equipment is provided, such as bocci, badminton, croquet and volleyball if you’d like to play some games. Up to 2 children under 10 can stay in a cabin with 2 adults at no additional cost. Find more eco-family details and ideas here.

eco-friendly B&B in USA

Today's new addition to the ecobookers' range of eco-friendly accommodation is Las Manos Bed & Breakfast, located on a secluded, forested 15-acre parcel of land outside of Buena Vista, Colorado.
This eco-friendly home offers luxurious amenities, delicious cooked breakfasts every morning and is surrounded by over 400 acres of beautiful pinon forest. There are a wide variety of activities and attractions nearby, such as fishing, white-water rafting, hiking, biking and horseback riding, and if after all that you need some relaxation, both owners are experienced and well-trained massage therapists!
Choose from the Sunset or Sunrise Suite.

Hickatee Cottages, Belize

Today sees the addition of another fabulous eco-friendly property to the ecobookers site.

Hickatee Cottages offers family-run, Caribbea-style cottage accommodation set in the jungle but still only one mile from Punta Gorda Town in Toledo. This is an ideal base for an adventure holiday, with great access to the World Heritage Site Sapodilla Cayes, Port Honduras Marine Reserve and Toledo's many inland attractions.

Service is friendly and personal, the atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, and plentiful home-cooked meals are available on-site at Charlie's Bar, prepared with ingredients grown on the Cottages’ farm and seasonal produce from the local market.