The world's best

Team Hotelier India , June 1st, 2009

Alex Conti, founder of Eco Hotels of the World, picks ten of his favourite eco-destinations from across the globe and highlights the practices that marks these out as stalwarts of the green agenda

Andbeyond Lake Manyara Tree Lodge
Tanzania
Remote and romantic, Lake Manyara Tree Lodge is the only lodge in the game-rich Lake Manyara National Park.

Overall Rating: ***(3)
Energy Rating: ***(3)
Generator switched off at every opportunity. 60% of lodge converted to energy saving globes.
Water Rating: **(2)
As it is in a national park only plants native to the area exist and the owners have suggested a removal plan for exotic invader plants that do exist.
Disposal Rating: ***(3)
Wet waste supplied to local pig farmer. Glass recycled. Incineration best current option for dry combustible waste.
Eco-Active Rating: ***(3)
Protection Rating: *****(5)
Our mantra of “Care of the land, wildlife and people” and “give more; take less” describes how we operate.

Chateau Mcely Club Hotel & Forest Retreat
Chateau Mcely is located 55 km northeast of Prague, set in the midst of a state forest adjacent to the Jabkenice Game Park.

Overall Rating:*****(5)
Energy Rating: *****(5)
Green electricity from renewable sources, such as wind power or hydro power stations flows through the entire building.
Water Rating: *****(5)
Use own wastewater treatment system, and the by-product recovered water, as well as captured rainwater are used for watering the park.
Disposal Rating: *****(5)
Staff sort paper, plastics, glass, tetra packs, as well as batteries, printer cartridges and other hazardous waste. Our food waste is used locally to support regional farm production.
Eco-Active Rating: *****(5)
Protection Rating: *****(5)
A founding member of microregion of St. George Forest, an association of villages around the St George Forest forming an extensive complex of forested land and villages in central Bohemia.

Blancaneaux Lodge
Belize
Owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, Blancaneaux Lodge is a self-sustaining sanctuary tapping energy from its own hydro-electric scheme and growing almost all its own vegetables, fruits and herbs in a three-acre organic on-site garden. 
 
Overall Rating: ***** (5)
Energy Rating: ***** (5)
Almost entirely self-sustaining in energy use. Has its own hydro-electric scheme, low energy bulbs, hand cranked flash lights, no a/c due to accommodation design (making it un-necessary).
Water Rating: ***** (5)
Waste water re-cycling, back wash water from pool recycled (no-chorine based water treatment), mulch used to limit water transpiration from gardens. Flow control shower heads. Native plants used in landscaping and watering only during cool periods of the day.
Disposal Rating: *****(5)
Waste segregated by staff. Organic composting practiced and used in organic vegetable garden/orchard. Solid waste compacted and taken to government landfill. Glass ground and used in concrete/foundation work. Vegetables, fruits and herbs grown on property so no packaging. Shampoos and soaps are organic and transported in bulk containers.
Eco-Active Rating: ***** (5)
Runs collective transport for those staff that live off property. Host Belize’s Jaguar Research Density programme and starting to work with local NGO/Forestry Department on a Scarlet macaw Research Project. Working with the El Pilar Maya archaeological project to help support Maya Forest Garden project.
Protection Rating: *****(5)
Less than 3% of staff are non-Belizean, but when possible under Belize labour laws staff sourced from local villages and trained. Source construction materials locally and use local craftsmen. Purchase locally (organic where possible).

Kasbah du Toubkal
Morocco
Used by Martin Scorses in his film Kundun, Kasbah du Toubkal is Morocco’s most acclaimed mountain retreat. 
 
Overall Rating: **** (4)
Energy Rating: *(1)
Has energy saving light bulbs and use some solar heating for hot water systems.
Water Rating: ***(3)
Has own water system which means all waste water after treatment is return to the same water basin that it was taken from originally.
Disposal Rating: **** (4)
Encourage the use of our own spring water than is also filtered for added security rather than the use of plastic water bottles. Has also instigated a rubbish collection and disposal system in the village.
Eco-Active Rating:***** (5)
Has been responsible for the local Tourism code and is member of Green Globe certification programme. Also set up two NGOs for the local community involved in providing college education for girls from the rural community and for providing an ambulance and rubbish clearance to the local community.
Protection Rating: ***** (5)
Charge guests a 5% levy to allow local community work to be carried out.

Cousine Island
Seychelles
Cousine Island is the only island in the region with a conservation based model into which the hotel structure fits.

Overall Rating: *****(5)
Energy Rating:*****(5)
Uses three generators that supply power to the island, as well as using solar power for heating water. Aims to reduce carbon emissions by converting more to renewable power resources, such as solar power and wind power.
Water Rating:*****(5)
Extensive rain water catching facilities and can store up to 350,000 litres of rainwater, enough to carry the island through the dry season.
Disposal Rating:*****(5)
Re-uses products wherever possible. Bio-degradable waste is used to make compost for the fruit and vegetable garden, non-burnable and recyclable waste is disposed of by a waste management company.
Eco-Active Rating: *****(5)
Purchased in 1992 to create a safe environment for marine turtles to nest in. Fauna, flora and over 5,000 trees planted to create a suitable habitat.
Protection Rating:*****(5)

Vigilius Mountain Resort
Italy
The ecological mountain resort is located at a car free 1,500 metres altitude and can only be reached by foot or by cable car.

Overall Rating: *****(5)
Energy Rating: *****(5)
Motion sensor lighting, key-card activated electrical systems, glass facades use three-pane thermal insulated glazing. High-quality thermal insulation ensures very low heat requirements. Heating ceoms from burning discarded wood from local farmers, not oil or gas. 
Water Rating: *****(5)
Environmentally friendly cleaning products, all toilets are dual-flush, pressure-regulated taps. Waste water is recycled through the municipality in Lana.
Disposal Rating: ****(4)
Has recycling bins throughout the hotel Avoid packaging whenever possible.
Eco-Active Rating: ***** (5)
Italy’s first and only hotel to be classified as “Climate House, category A”, comparable to the German passive energy house standard.
Protection Rating:***** (5)
Promote local attractions and amenities to our guests and also give the possibility to buy local products through us.

Levendis Estate
Greece
Levendis Estate is a 7-acre organic farm offering eco-chic, family friendly and romantic holidays on the shores of the Greek Ionian island of Ithaca. 
 
Overall Rating:*****(5)
Energy Rating:*****(5)
Energy usage kept to a minimum by thoroughly insulated buildings No need for air conditioning units. Gravity feeds water to buildings, negating the need for water pumps. Low energy lighting used, currently in the process of converting to 100% solar and wind energy by the end of 2010.
Water Rating:*****(5)
Houses are gravity fed fresh spring water from its source, rainwater is collected, using gravity, to supply the swimming pool, a system of gravel pits and slotted water collection pipes collect ground water.
Disposal Rating:*****(5)
Garden and kitchen waste and paper/board are composted, bottles re-used as olive oil bottles, and jars re-used for preserves storage. 
Eco-Active Rating:*****(5)
Currently applying for certification by The European Ecolabel Flower scheme as an environmentally-friendly holiday destination.
Protection Rating:*****(5)

Under the Thatch Self-catering
Wales
Under the Thatch was created to provide exceptional self-catering holiday experiences in Wales in every sector of the holiday market - from top-end luxury to tiny rustic cottages and cabins.
 
Overall Rating: ***** (5)
Energy Rating:***** (5)
Use solar power for heating water, use geothermal ground source heat pumps for central heating, use wood-chip or wood-pellet boiler for central heating, are heated by heat-store ceramic stoves heated by logs from own sustainably managed woodland.
Water Rating:*** (3)
Only fit low water flush toilets, only supple eco detergents, wash bedlinen using eco detergents, most properties on private drainage systems, some even have reed beds.
Disposal Rating: *****(5)
Recycling facilities for guests, compost bins, also provide maps for guests to show them recycling can and bottle banks in the local area to use while they are out and about.
Eco-Active Rating: *****(5)
All profits go into rescuing historic buildings and making them economically viable for the communities.
Won Best Environmental Business in Ceredigion 2007, runners up in the National Wales Sustainability awards 2007.
Protection Rating: *****(5)
Minimum 85% occupancy each year, due to practice of dropping prices to zero profit in low season to ensure each property makes an economic benefit on its local community all year round.

The Schoolhouse Rental Homes
China
The Schoolhouse Rental Homes at Mutianyu Great Wall are original peasant dwellings that have been transformed into luxurious getaway homes with spectacular, close-up Great Wall views.
 
Overall Rating: ***(3)
Energy Rating: *(1)
Peasant dwellings and footprints have been retained. Passive solar heating, and thermal-paned windows and doors.
Water Rating: ***(3)
Houses have showers only, avoid chemical cleaning products as an operational principle.
Disposal Rating: ****(4)
Bulk oils are recycled. Proceeds from recycling sales are used for staff benefits. Organic kitchen waste is composted by farm provider. Solid toilet waste is collected in septic tanks and is recycled.
Eco-Active Rating: ** (2)
Train staff regarding how to operate with basic environmental principles.
Protection Rating:***** (5)
Each house contains a booklet that explains the history of that house.

968 Park Hotel
USA
968 Park Spa Resort is mixes modern architecture with a stylish rustic Zen feel and works towards environmental preservation, around Lake Tahoe. 
 
Overall Rating:*****(5)
Energy Rating:****(4)
Hotel and spa are fully insulated using material made from recycled jeans, motion sensor lighting in some public areas.
Water Rating:*****(5) 
Toilets are dual-flush, faucets and showers are low flow. Erosion control methods to filter rainwater and reduce sediment.
Disposal Rating:*****(5)
Hotel remodelled by a local company specialising in use of recycled material.
Eco-Active Rating: *****(5)
All old linens, furniture and mattresses donated in the community. All staff receive a comprehensive orientation outlining the practices implemented.
Protection Rating: *****(5)
Partnerships have been developed with local companies offering discounts to our guests when they visit the local businesses.