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ECO CHIC GOES: FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD
Wednesday, 17 Apr, 2010
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This week, we visit a selection of eco chic properties spread geographically over Africa, India and China with locations as diverse as a tropical resort, an exclusive island, a desert, the Indian forest and Chinese mountains. The common factor in the midst of such variety is an opportunity to explore the beauty and mysticism of Africa and Asia, far from the madding crowd. Writes Marisah Smith
MADAGASCAR Anjajavy l’Hotel, Anjajavy, Menabe Sakalava Territory
A 4-star boutique island resort on the west coast of Madagascar only accessible by plane; Anjajavy l’ Hotel offers the discerning eco traveler complete serenity in a 450-hectare nature reserve. A member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux organisation, guests can stay in one of 25 sea-facing, luxurious villas built with traditional rosewood and covered in ‘satrana’.
The nature reserve is home to over 1,800 floral species and indigenous wildlife. The Association des Amis d’Anjajavy is an organisation that provides the local population from the surrounding towns of Anjajavy and Ambondro-Ampassy with financial assistance to purchase tools to earn a living like canoes and nets for fishermen, hives for future bee-keepers etc. and it is partially funded by the Anjajavy Hotel.
Anjajavy Road, Anjajavy, Madagascar Villas from £339 per room per night on a full board basis.
TANZANIA Mnemba Island Lodge, Mnemba Island, Zanzibar
A romantic retreat and nominee for a World Travel Award 2010 as Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge, Mnemba Lodge is located on an exclusive island 4.5 kilometres off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar. Mnemba Island, as a marine reserve, offers only 10 palm fronded ‘bandas’ to limit visitor numbers as it is home to environmental projects like monitoring and protecting threatened green turtles.
The establishment of Mnemba Island and its surrounding reefs as a Marine Conservation Area was a great ecotourism success. Set up as a partnership between the resort owners, the Zanzibar government and local communities, this programme protects the marine environment and improves the quality of life of the local Kijini and Matemwe communities in Zanzibar.
Mnemba Island, GPS coordinates S 05°49.218′ E 039°22.959′, Bandas from £715.00 per person per night on a full board basis.
EGYPT Adrère Amellal, Siwa
An eight-hour drive away from Cairo, you will encounter the Adrère Amellal dessert escape in the Siwa Oasis. Adrère Amellal is a member of the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection and recipient of the Tatler Award for best Eco-Hotel in 2008, offering visitors simple but high quality accommodation.
Each of the 40 rooms and suites were hand-built by Siwan labour, employing traditional building techniques using indigenous materials like sun dried salt rock mixed with straw to minimise the impact on the environment.
Best you leave your laptop at home since there is no electricity at Adrère Amellal with candles and oil lamps used for light and on chilly winter evenings, guests will have use of coal-filled braziers for heating. Visit the tombs of Jabal el Mawta and Cleopatra’s bath during your stay, go on a 4×4 tour of the Great Sand Sea, have a massage with Siwan oil, go horse riding in the desert or have dinner under the stars.
Siwa Oasis, Gaafar Mountain, Egypt Rooms from £295 per room per night.
INDIA Banjaar Tola Kanha Tented Camp, Balaghat
A partnership project between &Beyond and Taj Hotels, Banjaar Tola was destined to deliver on the promise of conservation and class. Located on the banks of the Banjaar River overlooking Kanha National Park, the property consists of two camps with only nine tents each.
Camping at its most glamorous, the tents are made with canvas walls and roofs, the clean lines of the tents are juxtaposed with the rustic furniture hand made from fallen trees for each unit. Experiences to indulge in during your stay including tracking tigers, a visit to nearby crafters at Chattisgarh and enjoying traditional Indian cuisine in the jungle.
Kanha National Park, Manjitola, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh, India, Tented unit from £280 per person per night on a full board basis.
CHINA Banyan Tree Ringha, Shangri-La
In keeping with our literary theme, our last property is located in a town with the same name as Hilton’s secluded paradise from ‘Lost Horizon’, Shangri-La. The 32 suites were originally discarded Tibetan farmhouses that the resort bought, relocated and rebuilt to preserve historical touches like detailed woodcarvings, fireplaces, handmade wooden bathtub and verandah’s that overlook the valley or river.
Banyan Tree Ringha was nominated for the award Top 10 Glamorous Hotels in China in 2009. Community and responsible projects aside, the resort works with local communities on waste management projects and have provided 14 families in Geino village with solar panels to ensure that they have year round hot water but not at the expense of the sensitive environment that surrounds the hotel.
Hong Po Village, Jian Tang Town,, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, Suites from £230 per room per night.
Marisah Smith
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