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Sustainable Travel Tourism With Eco Friendly Green Hotels And Their Impact

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Many business have put heavy emphasis on becoming green. Usually the phrase green refers to products or, some say, a new ideology which includes the environment in most of the manufacturing process. The hotel industry is the same,even thought they have been opposed to change,it has just recently caught up to similar industries who have managed to incorporate green strategies. The growth of tourism itself is one of the primary causes of damage to the environment. The goals of sustainable travel are to diminish the negative effects locally and globally. Eco tourism puts equal attention on energy, conservation, ecology, and community as well as issues that are important to almost all eco-lodges.

An Eco hotel is one that has been built to, or made modifications that will leave a smaller environmental footprint. These hotels have to be certified for green strategies by an independent third party, or on basis of its location, it can be certified by the concerned state. Location of these hotels were mostly presented as Eco lodges by tradition (many times in temperate rain forests) according to the design they own. The lodging business is a principal user of resources and goods. Land, furnishings, construction materials, food, cleaning supplies and equipment, these are included in the consumption. There is the every-day usage of water and power. Water and power is consumed all day by hotels, working non-stop, for general operations, cleaning, and guest use.

The goods that are used in the hotel must be made and used with a concern for the environment. The legal tender worn stereotyped like bathe, holy spirit, newspapers, and cleanup stores, are minimized to cut the coercion on the surround. While booking a hotel, people are careful to select the ones which are environmentally supportive, as in the case of purchasing products that are harmless to the environment. When new water-saving techniques and equipment is implemented water bills are drastically cut back.

Consumers prefer to choose hotels have an enviromental awareness and the also prefer to buy products according to their enviromental sensitivities. Water bills are sure to reduce drastically if latest techniques are implemented. Recycling and avoiding wastefully packaged products can prevent loss drastically in hotels caused due to waste hauling If there is no suspended particulate in air or on food or thing we touch, which may be poisonous or toxic leads to the conception that we not breathing or absorbing them.

Green labeling should now be utilized to a far greater extent in the lodging business. Ever since 2003, European Eco-labels have been able for all tourism accommodation operators in the EU. There are strict standards that must be met by each operator in regards to both environmental performance and standards of health. Eco hotels make considerable contributions to all aspects of the local communities environmental, economic, cultural, and ecological provisions.

HotelMavens.com has a worldwide directory service that connects those who want to stay in an eco friendly and healthy environment, with hotel owners who have realized the benefits of building and owning “green” hotels. Numerous guest will want to visit a green hotel simply because they take steps to make the environment better. Recycling and reducing the consumption of natural resources like water or energy can be done through simple steps.

Bali Boutique Hotels Provide Comfort and Luxury In A Land of Festivals

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Bali has long been referred to as the “Island of the Gods”, and numerous tourists flock to the island each year. While any time of year will be filled with different sights and activities, those who visit during certain times will experience an added bonus to their visit. Bali is host to several different festivals that occur each year, and some of these bring excitement and sights that are unmatched anywhere else on the planet. Knowing when these festivals occur and what to expect can make planning or enjoying your stay in Bali boutique hotels even more enjoyable than normal.

Small festivals occur with regularity, due to the over twenty thousand Hindu temples that cover the island. Each temple holds its own celebratory festival twice each year, sometimes more. Funerals that occur on the island are also colourful affairs and often see the dead being cremated in extravagant rituals. While these small festivals and events are common and hard to pinpoint an exact time for, other festivals that are much larger and more significant are easier to predict and much more of an event. In some cases the Bali boutique hotels may even take part in the festivals, for better or for worse.

Every two hundred and ten days, the ten day festival known as Galungan occurs. This celebration is held in honour of the death of the ancient tyrant Mayadenawa, and bamboo poles bear gifts for the returning spirits of Gods and ancestors alike who visit the island over the course of the ten days. This is truly a spectacle and a unique experience, and you’ll likely see the signs of it from any of the Bali boutique hotels that dot the area. But all of these festivals pale in comparison to Nyepi, the Hindu New Year. This is both an extravagant celebration worth seeing but can also create hassles that travellers may not be prepared for.

Nyepi is known as the Day of Silence, and the days leading up to it will be filled with the creation of huge colourful giants and will culminate in a massive parade. The spectacle is incredible and will create a lasting memory, but the following day will not be as enjoyable. No flights will leave the island, no businesses will be open, and guests at Bali boutique hotels will be asked to remain inside and keep as quiet as possible. It can be a great excuse to relax and unwind, but you should be prepared for it if you’re visiting during the time that Nyepi falls within.

Meru Kenya Town Hotels, Accommodation And Lodges

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Located on the Eastern slopes of Mt Kenya, Meru has hotels that can be classified as town hotels and luxury lodges. In Meru National park accommodation is offered by luxury lodges, budget bandas and campsites. The town is catered for by town hotels in the categories of mid range and budget properties. Luxury lodges in the park like Leopard Rock, Elsa’s Kopje and offbeat will cost on average 800-1000 dollars per night on full board basis for double room, while mid range hotels in Meru town will cost on average Ksh 2500 per night.

Luxury properties in Meru include, Signature Hotel, Mwangaza White House Hotel and Gatimene Palm Springs. Located near Nakumatt, the Ornate signature Hotel has set up new standards for luxury hotels not only in Meru but the whole of Mt Kenya region. Neighboring Simba Wells Restaurant is the Mwangaza White House Hotel. From the hotel Balcony one enjoys Panoramic views of Nyambene Hills. The luxury Senator Suite at Mwangaza complete with a sauna machine and a treadmill goes for about Ksh 7000 per night. Single rooms will cost about Ksh 4000 per night for bed and Breakfast.

In a class of its own is the Gatimene Palm Springs. Located along the Meru Maua Road at Kaaga the hotel Luxury suites going for between Ksh 8000 to Ksh 10000 per night on BB. The hotels has a well tended garden where guests can relax and enjoy their meals. NOTE: Some of the hotel owners are very sensitive when it comes to photography. Do not ask me why.

Mid range properties in Meru town include, Meru Slopes Hotel (from KES 4000 per night), Nevada Palace Hotel, West Wind Hotel, County Hotel, The Blue towers, The white star, Hotel Royal prince, Safari Hotel, Hotel incredible and Hotel three steers. Budget properties in town are Brown rock, Ntugi lodge, Pig and Whistle, Hotel Milimani, Stansted hotel and Jaslee Guest House.

Slightly outside of town you will find, The Spa, Thiiri Centre, Camp David and
Rocky inn. Only Thiiri centre offers mid range accommodation.

Though budget in nature, Thiiri Centre is the only property in Meru with a swimming pool (Other swimming pools are to be found at Freds Academy and Meru Golf Club). Thiiri also has an expansive garden ideal for weddings and other outdoor meetings. It also has conference room, cyber cafe. Being a cultural centre at Thiiri is an ideal place to visit if you want to learn about culture. Music lessons are conducted daily.

The Nevada is among the new property in Meru Town. It is located at Makutano. It has well appointed rooms -Singles or Doubles going for between Ksh 1800 and Ksh 3500 for BB. The hotel also has conference facilities and secure parking.

Also new is the Meru West Wind Hotel. Located along the Meru Mau Road. It has exceptionally clean double single or twin rooms, private parking, conference facilities and secure parking. Conference is free to residing guests. Rooms go for about Ksh 2000-Ksh 4000 on BB

The Meru County.
Located in the town centre along Meru Nanyuki/Isiolo road opp district headquarters. Hotel has conference facilities, restaurant, bar, Nyama choma ranch. Room Rates on BB are Single Ksh 1500; Double Ksh 2500; Delux single Ksh 2000 ; Delux double Ksh 3000; Studio Suite Single Ksh 2500; Double Ksh 3500 ;Junior suite Single Ksh 3500; Double ksh 4000
Executive Suite Ksh 5000

Blue Towers hotel
Located at Makutano on Meru Mau Junction. Rooms with Tv, private bath with showers or bathtub. Suites have two bed rooms and writing table. Hotel has conference facilities, fitness centre, car park. No beer served.
Room Rates BB-Single Ksh 1500; Doubel ksh 2000; Delux Double occupancy 2300; Suite Double occupancy 2800

White Star hotel
Along Meru Mau Road. Hotel has conference facilities, conference room, restaurant. No beer served. Hotel rooms have private bath with showers, satellite tv. Room Rates BB-Single Ksh 1500; Doubel ksh 2000; Delux Double occupancy 2300

Three Steers Hotel
Located at Makutano. Hotel has conference facilities, restaurant, bar. Rooms are well appointed, individually built with private showers.
Room Rate BB (Approximately)-Single Ksh 1600, Double Ksh 2000

Inside Meru National park, one can get accommodation at the luxury game lodges of Leopard Rock, Elsa’s Kopje and Offbeat Camp. These will cost you USD 500 per night on full board double. Budget accommodation is provide by Kws bandas at Kina, Murera and bwatherongi. Bandas cost ksh 3500 and you need to organize your own meals. Murera bandas, located on the banks of Murera river have swimming pool and a campsite.

Top 5 Hotels With Underwater Rooms

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Fancy spending a luxury holiday in a room with a view? How about an underwater room? With the establishment of the following luxury resorts, your dreams have been made a reality. Welcome to the modern age, where anything is possible. These are our Top 5 destinations around the world with underwater rooms.

1. Huvafen Fushi, Maldives
For the ultimate in relaxing vacations, Huvafen Fushi resort offers 43 overwater bungalows decorated in sleek lines and minimalist colours.

In 2004 the hotel owners took this concept to a whole new level and constructed two underwater treatment rooms for Huvafen Fushi’s Lime Spa. These treatment rooms reflect the spa’s philosophy, that ‘water is the equilibrium and elixir of life.’ The spa complex is laid out in a series of bungalows, with the underwater rooms accessible via a staircase.

If you can’t manage to get a reservation, don’t panic. Huvafen Fushi’s other spa-treatment rooms have glass-bottomed floors so you can still gaze off into the deep.

2. Jules’ Undersea Lodge, Key Largo
The Jules’ Undersea Lodge, named for science fiction author Jules Verne, is the only undersea hotel currently in existence. To enter the lodge, guests must scuba dive 21 feet beneath the surface, swimming past all manner of marine life on their way.

This destination is aimed at avid scuba divers. Thus, the decor focuses on functionality, as opposed to extravagance. There are two guest rooms and a common room which doubles as a galley, dining and entertainment area.

Breakfast and dinner are served in the underwater rooms, but for something a little bit extra, guests can request the services of a “mer-chef” who dives down to the hotel to prepare and serve a gourmet dinner.

3. The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa
The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa is spread over two islands and is famed for its overwater villas, each a massive 1,600 square feet in size and featuring their own private sun decks and outdoor Jacuzzis. Also available are spa villas, which have their own private treatment room with sea views.

But to truly experience the treasures of the deep guests can book a table at Ithaa, an all-glass, underwater restaurant. Ithaa is situated five metres below sea level. Diners enter from an overwater platform so they never even get their feet wet. The room has a domed glass ceiling and 180 degrees views of the sea, with accommodation for 12 diners.

To cap off a truly aquatic experience guests can head to the spa, which is built on stilts 110 yards out to sea.

4. Hydropolis, Dubai
Scheduled for completion late 2009, Hydropolis will be the world’s first luxury underwater hotel. Architect Joachim Hauser’s futuristic vision is taking shape 20 metres below the surface of the Persian Gulf, just off the Jumeirah Beach coastline in Dubai.

The original idea for Hydropolis developed out of the architect’s passion for the sea. It will include three elements: the land station, where guests will be welcomed, the connecting tunnel, which will transport people by train to the main area of the hotel, and the 220 suites within the submarine leisure complex. It is one of the largest contemporary construction projects in the world, covering an area of 260 hectares.

This undersea resort even features a children’s SeaWorld.

5. Atlantis the Palm, Dubai
Today, the Atlantis holds the prime spot on the outer rim of the Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island that juts from the coast of Dubai.

The 1539-room Atlantis consists of two towers, a conference centre, a spa, a private beach and the water park. Taking the mythological sunken island of Atlantis as its theme the resort aims for the wow factor right from the start, with terraced water gardens at the entry and an ornate, high-vaulted lobby.

The Neptune and Poseidon suites, which face that three-story aquarium, have private floor-to-ceiling underwater views from the bedrooms. If guests are unable to tear themselves away from watching the 65,000 marine animals, a 24-hour private butler is available to serve refreshments.

Then there are the Lost Chambers Suites – with bed and bath views directly into the underwater world of the Ambassador Lagoon.

Sandos Takes Over Le Meridien Cancun With New Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort

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Starting 1st March 2012, Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa will be transformed into the new Sandos Cancun Luxury Experience Resort, as the Sandos brand takes over the hotel property to add yet another gem to their luxury collection of Cancun hotels and resort.

The former Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa has been owned and operated by Sandos Hotels & Resorts since 2010 and ever since then it has been upgraded and adapted to be ready to offer the Total Gourmet Experience – a High End All Inclusive Programme by Sandos to all its guests.

In conjunction with the new deluxe all inclusive programme, Sandos has fully renovated the resort’s Lobby Bar, which opened this past December 2011. By March 1st 2012, when the hotel’s full name change takes effect and the re-branding process is completed, the hotel will have added two brand new restaurants to delight the palates of guests with luxury culinary creations and a superior gourmet experience.

These changes will have a positive impact on all stays and as such the resort will be providing a special price to upgrade from European Plan (room only) to Total Gourmet Experience (AI) for those guests who already booked their Cancun holidays at the resort under the former European Plan for dates from March 1st 2012 onwards.

As stated by Mr. Alan Duggan in his recent communication, both companies, Starwood Hotels & Resorts (former owners of Le Meridien Cancun) and Sandos Hotels & Resorts, are fully committed to the smooth transfer of brands and the satisfaction of their guests for better and enhanced luxury experiences during Cancun holidays at the new Sandos Cancun.

Before the takeover, Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa was already a highly successful and acclaimed luxury resort with a Four Diamond restaurant and a distinctly glamorous French touch. Offering the best of Mexican hospitality perfectly complemented by timeless elegance with the finest European-style spa in Cancun, Le Meridien Cancun already had a reputation as one of the top Latin American resorts, as judged by Conde Nast Travellers’ Reader’s Choice Poll. The new takeover by Sandos will only add to the property’s prestige, with renovated interiors, upgraded rooms and a new set of lavish facilities for truly luxurious holiday experiences in Cancun.