Showing posts with label mozambique. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mozambique. Show all posts

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.

Thursday, 20 September 2007

new eco-lodges on ecobookers.com

Today sees the launch of two more fantastic eco-lodges on www.ecobookers.com.

Firstly, we have a new eco-lodge in Mozambique. Nkwichi Lodge is located on the East coast of Lake Niassa (Lake Malawi)in the pristine Manda Wilderness conservation area. The beach on the shores of the lake with its fine, white sand is the central feature around which the lodge has been built.

Each chalet is a unique creation, an imaginative use of indigenous materials, built to fit in perfectly with their surroundings.


We also have ecobookers' first eco-lodge featured in the USA - Pollywogg Hollër - which is set in the middle of 56,000 acres of NYS Forest Land in Allegany County in the South Western part of New York State.

Named for the serenade of frogs that fills the evening air, Pollywogg Hollër is a Great Camp-style eco-resort established by the Castle family in 1987. The genius of nature and man are showcased in a setting of spectacular beauty, Adirondack-style craftsmanship, solar electricity, organic gardening, and gravity fed spring water.

Friday, 14 September 2007

Places to stay - eco-friendly couples

After looking at eco-friendly accommodation for families, luxury and those on a budget, the final thing I wanted to look at is eco-friendly hotels for couples. That could mean people on a honeymoon, people looking for a romantic getaway or simply people who don't want there to be children in the hotel where they are staying. Here are a few suggestions:-

Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique - The spacious tented bandas at this eco-friendly lodge give panoramic views through the netted walls, creating a feeling of being outside while inside. 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.

Ibo Island Lodge, Mozambique - Rooms feature a King-size extra length hand-crafted bed with mosquito net and indigenous teak and mahogany handcrafted furniture. The wide verandas are furnished with hand crafted furniture and soft cushions. For relaxation there are the pools, the beach and massage and healing treatments are available.

Bartholomeus Klip, South Africa - Comfort is the keynote in the Luxury Rooms: specially made pure cotton bedding, luxurious toiletries, towelling gowns and no TV to spoil the country feeling. Food at Bartholomeus Klip is in the French tradition but with a local flavour and is one of the highlights of a stay here. Children under the age of 16 are not allowed at the Main House.

Shinta Mani Hotel, Cambodia – Rooms feature a King-size bed, bathrobe and slippers and other amenities. The restaurant offers elegant indoor dining and casual, yet upscale, terrace dining while offering both Khmer and Western style cuisine and the Shinta Mani Spa features intimate treatment rooms for singles or couples including one with a floral bath and steam room.

Sanctuary Retreat, Australia - Capturing the cool, green light of the rainforest, eco-friendly accommodation is in elevated secluded forest huts nestled in the rainforest canopy. Stay in one of the 16 minimalist huts, or really treat yourself with 1 of 7 deluxe canopy cabins, stylishly appointed with polished wooden floors, handmade natural timber furniture and spectacular bathrooms looking out high in the trees. Children aged 10 or under are not accepted at Sanctuary Retreat.

Hoopoe Yurt Hotel, Spain - Each eco-friendly yurt is individually decorated, such as the romantic Afghani yurt which has bent willow poles and a deep red ceiling, making it cosy and intimate. Each has a private bathroom, as well as an acre of private meadow with hammocks and comfortable shaded seating areas. Unwind with a full body massage, a reflexology session or some invigorating yoga, or simply relax on a sunbed beside the pool. Only 1 booking at a time is taken with children.

I hope these suggestions are useful - if anyone has been elsewhere and has any tips I'd love to hear them!

Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Eco Luxury!

Reading through some comments on a travel forum today it became clear that there are lots of different preconceptions about what eco-friendly accommodation actually entails. For example, I read a comment which said ‘I can’t afford anything like an eco-camp, so it will have to be a budget hostel’. On the other hand, some people think that budget and eco go hand in hand and the only image they seem to muster is that of composting toilets!

In reality, there is as great a range of eco-accommodation as any other holiday accommodation , ranging from budget to luxury, from jungle to city and from family-friendly to romantic-getaway. To prove it, over the next few days I plan to feature different eco-hotels and lodges which fall into these different categories, starting today with Eco Luxury!

Eco Luxury: Who says you can’t enjoy the finer things in life and be eco-friendly at the same time!

Campi ya Kanzi, Kenya – At this luxury camp you will find yourself sleeping in a linen-sheeted king-size bed, in a tented cottage which also features an elegant bathroom and a wide verandah for superb views of either Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Tsavo Hills, and the Chyulu Hills. In the evenings you will dine by candlelight on Italian cuisine, from fine table settings and crystal glasses.

Guludo Beach Lodge, Mozambique – Here you will stay in a spacious tented banda with a raised bedroom, with king-size bed, set under an expansive palm-thatched roof, opening upwards and outwards to make the most of the stunning sea views and cooling sea breeze. Here you will find European fine dining with an exotic local twist and world class fresh seafood.

Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia – As one of Siem Reap's most stylish hotels, this deluxe boutique property offers guests outstanding levels of luxury along with world-class dining and spa facilities. In the guestrooms, chic interiors and contemporary furnishings, including handcrafted lamps and intricate wall mountings, achieve a harmonious balance between modern design and traditional detailing.

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Jamaica – This luxury boutique hotel is romantic, peaceful and comfortable. The ten select accommodations have been lovingly appointed with hand crafted bamboo furniture, locally printed fabrics and decorated with original art. Guests are greeted with warm hospitality and can enjoy fine cuisine in the hotel’s highly acclaimed restaurant Mille Fleurs.

So there's just a few to get started with - spanning the Caribbean, Asia and Africa - but there are plenty more out there!

Tuesday, 21 August 2007

New eco-lodge on ecobookers!

Today we have launched another fantastic eco lodge on www.ecobookers.com.

Ibo Island Lodge is situated on the Indian Ocean paradise of Ibo Island - one of a string of 32 tropical islands that make up the stunning Quirimbas Archipelago in Northern Mozambique.

The Lodge encompasses 3 mansions, each over 100 years old and located on the waterfront.

This Lodge has a wide range of eco-policies, ranging from energy efficiency to conservation projects to recycling policies. The main focus, however, is on community policies with lodge estimated to positively affect up to 50% of the island's 3000 inhabitants through sustainable eco-tourism.