Best ecolodges, eco-resorts and green hotels in Costa Rica from NYT

Dear readers

Eco travel, green resorts and ecolodges are everywhere in the media …

The NYT recently publised a list of their top ecolodges in Costa Rica, that we would like to share with you:

According to the New-York Times, “outstanding ecolodges and wilderness resorts are set apart by an ongoing commitment (financial or otherwise) to minimizing their effect on surrounding ecosystems and to supporting both conservation efforts and the residents of local communities. They should also be able to provide naturalist guides and plentiful information.”

All their selected ecolodges and green hotels do:

La Selva Biological Station (south of Puerto Viejo ; http://www.ots.ac.cr/

Arenal Observatory Lodge http://www.arenal-observatory.co.cr/

Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge http://www.bosquedelcabo.com/

Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp http://www.costaricaexpeditions.com/

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge http://www.nicuesalodge.com/

Selva Bananito Lodge http://www.selvabananito.com/

Full article is available at

A green attraction in the US, and that’s Green Globe certified

We have mentioned the reunion of Green Globe and Green Certification in an earlier post: http://blog.greenty.com/2008/11/green-globe-and-green-hotel.html
The dual certification program has just announced its first joint certified tourism attraction certification: Tennessee’s Ruby Falls. Ruby Falls is the US deepest commercial cave and largest underground waterfall open for public viewing. It has been named as a “Top 7 United States Natural Wonder” together with Yosemite, Niagara Falls, Grand Canyon and Sequoia National Forest.
So how green is that ? Since 1928, when Ruby Falls recycled the limestone excavated from the cave to build the Ruby Falls building until today as they have been focusing on renewable energy, reductions in emissions, lowering waste and continuing land conservation.

a green travel gift for your Valentine!

A great way to pamper your Valentine next week with one of five luxurious singles and couples romantic getaway packages at the Green Avalon Hotel and Spa in Portland, Oregon, USA.
The Avalon is a famous US eco and green hotel. They are the first USGBC LEED certified hotel building – the second in the World. They cater recycling bins in every room, offer preferred parking to guest arriving in hybrid vehicles and powers all hotel vehicles with biodiesel.

So do not hesitate, go and rejuvenate your mind, body, and soul with packages including everything from gourmet chocolates and a dozen roses, to four-course Italian Wine Paired meals and 3 hour couples spa treatments.
Great for environmentally-conscious but luxury-seeking traveler 😉
Visit http://www.avalonhotelandspa.com/ for more info on the hotel’s green commitment.
Have a sweet Valentine !

Nuns and Green Building – a great story from Joseph Huff-Hannon at NYT

Dear readers,

an unusual story – not really related to our main topic eco-travel – but a great example of renovation of a building for a greener environement – and that’s not a hotel, that’s a convent !

The renovation includes grass- roof tops, use of recycled concrete and glass, efficient bulbs etc. and you know what …. they even grow their (organic) vegies on the roof top !

All this in New York City,

So if a convent can do it, why not hotels ?

Full story at NYT by Joseph Huff-Hannon : http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/01/nyregion/thecity/01nuns.html

A survey on Green Travelers

Interesting customer survey from the Cacao Pearl Resort in Palawan , a high-end eco-resort in the Eastern Island of the Philippines…

The survey was based on 283 travelers opinion and has highlighted that eco-resorts have to iprove Food, Facilities and Style to Attract High Spenders. Important are quality and variety of food, facilities on offer, and more design and stylish accommodations. The majority of survey respondents came from the US (40%), Canada (21%) and the UK (21%).

Eco-resorts scored well on cultural awareness, activities for travelers and opportunity to meet local communities. Air conditioning and Internet access were the two most missed items if not available.

The Cacao Pearl, Palawan: the world’s first non-profit and luxury eco-resort community will be built on a 124 acre private island in the Calamianes archipelago, at the northernmost tip of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve in the Philippines.

Very interesting fact: over 60% of respondent would pay between 10 to 20% extra for a hotel that qualifies as “eco-resort”.

So ! that’s a sign for hoteliers !

More info at the eco-resort website http://www.cacaoresorts.com/

Green Globe and Green Hotels align their certification schemes …

Another interesting move from Green Globe, leading to a more comprehesive, global, set of criterias for certification… Green Globe International has reached an agreement with Green Hotel Certification for Use of the Green Globe Brand in the Certification of Hotels.
As a result, Green Hotel Certification will initiate sales and marketing efforts in North, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Europe, the first regions targeted for the co-branding program. Under terms of the definitive agreement, Green Globe International has licensed to Green Certifications the use of its brand and logo mark in conjunction with Green Hotel Certification of tourism properties as sustainable businesses.
“A strong brand supported by an efficient sales and service team will make all the difference in the world. The Green Globe / Green Hotel Certification product will deliver both operational savings as well as immediate recognition in the market place,” commented Guido Bauer, President of Green Certifications, Inc.
In exchange for the use of the Green Globe brand, Green Certifications, which owns Green Hotel Certification, will pay a licensing fee to Green Globe International for use of the brand equal to a percentage of gross revenues received by Green Certifications from its clients.