Eco Luxury Camps and Lodges in the World

The term ‘Eco-luxury’ refers to the ‘production process’ of economic activities that simultaneously promote a sustainable economy and high quality standards. We have already outlined the general concept of sustainability. When we speak of ‘high quality’ in the tourism sector, we refer to constantly-evolving projects that aim at improving customer services, accommodation, architectural style and catering and offer special activities and ‘extras’ such as spas, transportation, shops, libraries and so on in order to provide luxury and ensure high levels of satisfaction. We are not thinking of ‘luxury’ as a ‘superfluous’ or merely expensive commodity but use the term more in the sense of the original Latin word luxus, once used to indicate an object that was more beautiful or precious than others and would stimulate admiration and appreciation. (Read more..)

The aim of Luxury Camps & Lodges of the World (LCL World) is to promote tourism enterprises that aim at combining the concepts of sustainable economics and high quality. But what does ‘sustainable tourism’ mean? According to Herman Daly (World Bank): “New theories concerning sustainable development and ecological economics introduce a new paradigm, in which the economy is no longer based on the two parameters of ‘work’ and ‘capital’ but in which we have an ecological economy that recognizes the existence of three parameters: work, ‘natural capital’ and the ‘capital produced by mankind’.” And if by ‘natural capital’ we refer to natural systems (seas, rivers, lakes, forests, fauna, flora) and also agricultural products, seafood, game captured by hunters and the cultural and artistic heritage of a territory, we can easily understand the fundamental importance of investing in such matters. (Read more..)

Deep in the heart of the Botswana wilderness lies Chobe Chilwero Lodge, one of the most enchanting places on earth. This comfortable lodge boasts elegantly furnished accomodation, gourmet meals and fine wines. Guests can relax in genteel, air-conditioned luxury thatched cottages equipped with mosquito nets, ceiling fans, hairdryer, in- room safe and in-room emergency intercom. En-suite facilities include sunken handcrafted baths, indoor and outdoor showers, private gardens and terraces overlooking the magnificent Chobe River. Activities offered at Chobe Chilwero include thrilling guided drives in open-sided 4×4 vehicles that pass through Africa’s largest concentration of elephants, hippos, buffalos, puku, lions and other magnificent creatures. Visitors can also join the acclaimed professional guides on a wonderous water safari, timed to take in and capture African sunsets.

Read more

No comments

The Turtle Inn is a luxury resort that still retains much of its old Oriental heritage. Inserted as if by magic between the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean and the dark greenery of the Jaguar Reserve, the architecture harks back to the old Bali tradition. Looking out onto elegant gardens, the accommodation contains not only hand crafted furniture but also bathrooms with Japanese style baths and Oriental decor. Outdoor activities are a delight. Stroll around the quaint village of Placenica, swim in the crystal waters of the ocean, admire the abundant birdlife and take a trip to the Jaguar Reserve. For all those who love the sea and enjoy fishing and diving the place is a paradise. Nevertheless, for those who just want to sit back and relax, the Turtle Inn offers a whole
host of unforgettable moments with nature. For all those in search of beauty treatment, the resort offers traditional Thai massage in the spa. In addition, the “Mare” restaurant caters for even the most discerning palate, offering various Italian dishes prepared using home grown bio products.
Read more

No comments

Situated close to the village of San Pedro de Atacama in the environs of Ayllù de Larache, this quaint Chilean hotel is in fact built in the middle of an enormous desert, in an area that archaeologists now believe to be the very cradle of pre-Columbian and Andean culture. The hotel is in fact made up of twenty historic farmsteads, the architecture of which remains virtually unchanged to this day. Built using local materials and conceived in a cosy traditional style, the hotel is in perfect keeping with the natural environment around it. All rooms give out onto a patio and are equipped with a jacuzzi, a sitting area and gracious custom built wooden furnishings. The views from the rooms are splendid as is the cuisine, the latter being prepared using home grown products. At the Hotel de Larache, outdoor pursuits are a must. The Atacama desert is not only breathtaking, but is dotted with fascinating villages, old graveyards, crumbling churches and mysterious archaeological remains.
Read more

No comments

Situated in the heart of Patagonia, deep within the Paine National Park, the Hotel Salto Chico is the perfect location for those wishing to explore the wilder and more remote regions of Southern Chile. The outstanding beauty of this region is legendary, so much so that the Paine National Park itself has now been officially designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Luxury and attention to detail – these are the key words of this establishment. The interior design has been carefully conceived in order to reflect the fascinating surrounding environment and makes extensive use of local wood, slate and copper. All the rooms are spacious and luxurious and boast stunning views over the hills and forests round about. After a hard day’s exploring, guests are able to relax and enjoy a delicious meal in the hotel’s refined in-house restaurant. At the Hotel Salto Chico all meals are prepared using only the very best local products. For those wishing to improve their fitness or just relax, the Casa de Banos del Ona has an indoor heated pool, exercise machines, sauna, massage facilities and a number of open air jacuzzis.
Read more

No comments

The Matetsi Water Lodge is situated in a concession of over 12,000 acres, the entirety being completely unfenced, allowing the free movement of the herds within in it. The whole territory is traversed by the Zambesi River, which during its passage delights visitors by the sheer magnitude and magnificent of its geomorphic features, the most celebrated being Victoria Falls - 1370 meters high and popularly known as the “thundering smoke”. Thanks to the river visitors are able to admire numerous species of fish, birds and mammals. The 18 suites look directly out onto this legendary river. All the accommodation assures the maximum in privacy and comfort. Each suite possesses a private swimming pool, open air shower and a large amount of individual open space. All the communal areas are stylishly designed and benefit from breathtaking views. Meals are served in the open, either on the banks of the river or in the woods surrounding each lodge.

Read more

No comments

Aman-i-Khas is a luxurious camp site pitched in the hills of Aravalli. The camp is located on the outskirts of Ranthambore National Park, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the world, one of the few places where it is still possible to see tigers in their native habitat. All the tents are elegantly furnished and take their inspiration from Mughal architecture, possessing separate “rooms” divided by cotton cloths. Each tent has a living room complete with sofa, table and chairs, an inner bedroom, containing a comfortable four poster bed, a bathroom and a dressing room. Each tent disposes of air conditioning and fans. All other site facilities are equally under canvas. One of the most important is the dining room where Indian and continental food is served. The cuisine is of the very best quality, prepared using only the freshest products biologically grown in the camp itself. Another tent serves as a library, well stocked with a wide range of books, newspapers and CD’s.
Read more

No comments

Located just 45 minutes from the cosmopolitan city of Dubai, Al Maha provides an unrivalled mix of luxury, refinement, culture and technology. Emirates Al Maha’s luxurious accommodation is provided by separate, free-standing suites. The hotel also offers ten additional Bedouin Suites ideally suited to the individual seeking even greater privacy. The en-suite, controlled-temperature swimming-pools in all suites have been significantly enlarged to enhance the pleasure of this wonderfully indulgent attraction. Meals can be taken in the main dining room, Al Diwaan, or on the deck of your own suite. The new Timeless Spa extends seamlessly from the resort’s main swimming-pool, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the Hajar Mountains and surrounding sand dunes. Here, guests can go on desert safaris in four-wheel drive vehicles accompanied by knowledgeable field guides, enjoy displays of the ancient Arabian sport of falconry and go camel or horse trekking. As the Gulf’s first eco-tourism resort, Al Maha ensures that visitors not only enjoy the splendour of the desert, but do so in the knowledge that they are contributing towards the preservation of the ancient heritage of a majestic land.
Read more

No comments

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.

No comments

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.

No comments

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.

Read more

No comments