Eco Luxury Camps and Lodges in the World

The Whitepod eco-camp is the result of an idea developed by Swiss-born Sofia de Meyer. This unique mountain retreat was created for anyone seeking complete isolation far from the stress and the hustle and bustle of city life and for people who love to ski. Situated in the heart of the Swiss Alps, the camp consists of 8 ‘pods’ (tents) arranged above an old alpine chalet. Each thermally-insulated pod has a single room large enough to accommodate two guests and is produced with advanced-technology, waterproof fabrics. They are designed with oval windows, from which one can admire the surrounding breath-taking mountain scenery. During the evening, a ‘soft’ romantic atmosphere is created by the light produced by oil lamps with a sophisticated modern design. The alpine chalet dates back to 1820. It was restored and restructured to provide the camp with a dining hall, lounge, bar and bathroom facilities. Besides a series of exciting snow and mountain sports activities including dog-sledging, snowboarding and skiing, guests can also make use of the spa, which offers personal therapy, traditional-type massage and the use of natural products.

One of Italy’s most innovative and sophisticated residential retreats is located in a mediaeval village in the Gran Sasso Natural Park of the Abruzzo region. Created as a result of the propriotor’ great interest in art and the popular culture of this mountainous area, the Sextantio - Albergo Diffuso complex represents Abruzzo’s first attempt at completely restoring one of its ancient villages for residential purposes. The hotel - a fusion of refined, imposing mediaeval architecture and modern technology - contains 42 luxury bedrooms, all of which are differ considerably in terms of internal décor and the forms of restructuring adopted. The extreme luxury of the accommodation at S. Stefano di Sessanio is generated by the great care that was taken over every fine detail and by the choice of original and simple, locally-produced fittings, high-quality fabrics and an almost imperceptible use of advanced technology. The underlying ‘philosophy’ of the project can also be dicovered in the cuisine and products offered at the restaurant and wine-bar, breakfasts served with country jams and marmalades, the fresh bread and home-made cakes, and in the lunch and dinners prepared with the typical products and recipes of the surrounding mountainous areas.

LEISURE
Excursions on foot, by bicycle or on horseback through the Parco del Gran Sasso; vintage Italian vehicles popular in the 1960s available for hire; trips to nearby villages; Romanesque churches and hermits’ retreats in the nearby mountains; cultural visits to L’Aquila; tuition in local weaving and craftwork techniques.

FACILITIES
Restaurant, cellars for wines and local products, conference rooms, workshop-boutiques which produce and sell craftwork from the Abruzzo mountain region.

The Shigar Fort Residence was originally known as Fong-Khar, which in the local language means the ‘Palace built on the Rock’. The 17th-century building was restored by Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan (AKCS-P) an institution of the Aga Khan Development Network. The structure is located in the splendid northern Pakistan province of Baltistan and sheltered in the scenic Shigar Valley. The Shigar complex comprises the Old-Fort Palace and the Garden House. The historic structure contains 13 suites all unique, inside the original palace and features traditional, Shah-e-Nasheen architecture, wooden panelling, local artefacts, very comfortable beds and ultra-modern bathrooms. All the rooms are orientated in a way that allows guests to enjoy the nature and charm of the site. Various terraces and vistas provides guests with magnificent views of the Karakoram Park and the enchanting mountainous landscape in the distance The Garden House is a more recent construction, in which the original ambience and style of the Shigar Fort was intentionally recreated. The large rooms are decorated with local fabrics and ancient craftwork objects. From the Residence it is possible to explore the historical villages of Chinpa, Halpapa and Shigar and the ancient Amburiq Mosque, a monument dating back to the 14th century that has recently won a UNESCO award.

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