Costa Rica is well known around the world by its nature, during the last months Costa Rica were awarded as one of the 10 more environmentally conscious countries in the world on November 2007, according to the last edition of the Brand Country ranking, carried out annually by Future Brand Company. In addition, during January 2008 the recognized University of Yale designed Costa Rica as the American country more respectful of the environment.
Many years ago Costa Rica understood that its beauty and tourism success were the nature, and our respect and love for our own every green landscapes, pristine waters and wonderful wildlife, the Costa Rican people have taken the path of conservation.
For that reason Small Distinctive Hotels is aware of the importance to become part of the solution, our hotels are proving that the comfort, luxury facilities and world-class services can be successfully combine with sustainability. Our 7 properties are working in this moment including in their operations good practices to obtain a Certification in Sustainable Tourism, which is a guarantee for responsible companies.
Our properties are really commitment with all this process, currently recycling programs are developing at each property, all of them are supporting social and environmental programs, those hotels have become a base of job opportunities to their communities, all invite guest no using excess of electricity and water, promote among their employees environmental awareness among others measures.
HOTEL ARENAS DEL MAR
Arenas del Mar seeks to demonstrate that the combination of a world class resort in terms of quality of facilities and services can be successfully combined with the highest levels of sustainability using the Costa Rican Certification for Sustainable Tourism as a model. This combination of quality and sustainability can be seen in Costa Rica at Lapa Rios and Finca Rosa Blanca, the only two hotels in Costa Rica that have achieved the highest possible five levels from the CST. The president of Arenas del Mar is the owner and manager of Finca Rosa Blanca and the Administrators of Arenas del Mar are also the management team for Lapa Rios.
Arenas del Maris more than one of the most beautiful spots on Earth. It is the manifestation of the first 100% sustainable development project in Costa Rica, utilizing all the concepts and requirements of the CST manual (Certification for Sustainable Tourism).
The hotel uses solar heating panels coupled with super efficient energy saving auxiliary water heaters, underground electrical system, copper–silver ionization systems to clean the pool water, energy efficient bulbs, and a complex but efficient recycling program including the use of waste water treatment plant which require no leech lines, solar drying areas and low wattage high efficiency lighting to protect the fauna and the use of fossil fuels. Only electric cars will permitted on the property to avoid noise contamination. The roof tiles are actually recycled plastic that are made from discarded plastic bags from the banana industry. For more information on our efforts to create a low impact project, please write and we will send you a list of our achievements in construction.
The total construction (footprint) covers less than 25% of the land and the remaining part, which is secondary forest, will become a private nature reserve. This will act as an ecological corridor for the species of mammals that travel through this jungle. Arenas del Mar will be planting over 7000 native species of trees and thousands of native plants in the next years. Furthermore, the involvement of the local community is an essential part of the lodging concept. Employees will be recruited primarily from the Quepos and Parrita area and purchases made locally whenever possible.
A sample list of some of the details of this effort are the following:
HOTEL VILLA CALETAS
Hotel Villa Caletas developed a course which allows us to grow in a harmony with nature and the lowest possible interference with the environment, saving water, electricity, resources etc. Our hotel is in the heart of a beautiful secondary forest with a wide presence of animals, like smaller mammals, birds, insects and reptiles as representatives of fauna and wide range of trees, bushes, and huge variety of native flora, which we try to preserve in the best possible way.
With a deep support from our management and owners some important changes were made during the hotel’s construction and development:
- We have a special separate area from the hotel named “Collection Center”, designated to collect all kinds of a garbage, produced during the hotel’s operation. There, we separate it to recycle it, reuse it and dispose it in the best possible way, taking into account that birds, raccoons and other animals need to be kept out of this area, so we don’t interfere with their natural diet.
- Villa Caletas Hotel is sponsoring a lombriculture project what will allow to produce one of the richest fertilizers in a natural way.
- Villa Caletas Hotel has a special water drainage system, which does not alter in any way the soil, avoiding erosion, the rain water goes straight to the ocean
- While the road to the beach was built thanks to the owner’s vision, more than … ??? palms were planted on its side to diminish the risk of landslides and erosion
In most of the rooms we have dispensers for shampoo and conditioners, allowing us to save more than 50% of product and 80% of packaging for these products.
- As mentioned before, our hotel is located in the transitional zone between the tropical dry forest and the tropical humid forest, where insects, spiders, scorpions, snakes and other animals are naturally present all year round, we try to use non-odor repellents, and relocations of spiders to keep them in non-accessible areas. Our spiders are very special, they create a spider web that is stronger than steel, and of course they are non-poisonous. These kinds of spiders are not dangerous for humans and pets and are non aggressive, so observe them, enjoy them and don’t be afraid!
- As you go through our facilities you may notice that all the light bulbs are energy efficient, allowing us to save electricity in a comfortable way and helping reduce our carbon footprint, also you may see candles and fans to give our guests a choice to save energy in a more romantic way!!!
- In our restaurants, guests enjoy nature at their table having an opportunity to have their meal in an open area, close to nature and the breathtaking views of the blue Pacific.
- In 60% of our rooms we have solar water-heating systems, allowing us to save energy in a regular way.
- These and other measures allow us to grow as a company in harmony with nature, with the special guidance of the Certification for Sustainable Development Program, supported by the Costa Rican Tourist Board.
- As we grow, we intend to expand this special practice in other sensitive areas of our operation.
What does Sustainable Tourism means?
Sustainable tourism in its purest sense is a practice in any activity or industry which attempts to make a low impact on the environment and local culture, while helping to generate income, employment, and the conservation of local ecosystems. It is responsible tourism that is both ecologically and culturally sensitive.
SAVING THE WATER
Saving the water is fundamental in every part of the world. Generally, efficiency depends on very specific measures and plans.
Followed policy
- Support and encourage saving water involving guests and employees.
- Eradicate water leak: check periodically the water system to find and repair it.
- Use water saving gadgets like:
- Aerated showerhead.
- Tap aerators.
- Leaving inside of the WC tank a bottle with just 1 liter of water.
- Use flow regulator which reduces the amount of water coming out of your household taps without you even noticing.
SAVING THE ENERGY
The energy needs to be used efficiently to avoid waste and promote wise management of natural resources
Followed policy
- Develop preventive maintenance for electric equipment to ensure proper functioning.
- Encourage employees and guests to switch off lights and a/c when not in use
- Switch to energy saving light bulbs. They last around 10 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.
- Implement alternative energy sources like solar, wind power, geothermal, tides, hydroelectric for watering, heating and other activities.
- Use new technology to increase efficiency of air conditioning and refrigeration.
- Use efficient electrical equipment
REDUCING WASTE
Solid waste is a form of contamination that needs to be reduced until eliminated. It is a problem that needs to be solved as soon as possible all around a world.
Followed policy
- Start a General Program for the hotel operation.
- Reinforce guests and employees knowledge about it.
- Set up a special place to store and manipulate the waste until disposed.
PURCHASING RULES
The products used in a operation need to be purchased taking in consideration price, delivery, volume, environmental and social elements.
Followed policy
- Select carefully the suppliers and manufacturers. They need to comply with environmental and social policies at a maximum lever, besides quality and efficiency.
- Save products at maximum level, using strictly necessary.
- Not to use or sell environmentally non-friendly products.
- Use recycled, whitened without chlorine paper, use paper on the both sides.
HOTEL FLORBLANCA
Florblanca is fully committed to the protection and conservation of natural resources as well as to the wellbeing of our community, that is why we are implementing the “Certificado de Turismo Sostenible” (Certification in Sustainable Tourism Program) or CST issued by the National Institute of Tourism.
This certificate focuses on sustainability in four different areas:
Physical-biological parameters |
Evaluates the interaction between the company and its surrounding natural habitat. |
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Infrastructure & Services |
Evaluates the management policies and the operational systems within the company and its infrastructure. |
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External clients |
Evaluates the interaction of the company with its clients in terms of how much it allows and invites the client to be an active contributor to the company's policies of sustainability. |
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Socio-economic environment |
Evaluates the interaction of the company with the local communities and the population in general. |
Currently Florblanca has implemented a full recycling campaign, separating our wastes, utilizing the organic waste materials for the hotel´s organic compost and all plastic, glass and aluminum wastes are taken to a recycling plant.
All of our cleaning supplies and cosmetics are biodegradable and eco-friendly, causing no harm to the enviorment or its resources once they are disposed.
Our gardens are composed of native species of plants, acting as an oasis of food, shelter and protection for local wildlife. Our hotel also prevents the artificial feeding of animals by avoiding animal feeders; the plant species in our gardens are planted specifically to provide these animals their natural food sources.
Compact electric cars have replaced ATV´s that were used for work, and our two hotel cars have been certified by The Climate Friendly Program as “cero gas emission cars”.
Energy and water conservation programs are implemented throughout all of the hotel´s departments, and the clients are motivated to join the programs by using towels and bed sheets several times before they are sent to laundry.
We are actively involved in communal activities and act as a channel of information between the locals and the clients of our hotel.
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