Sando Caracol Eco Resort & Spa Opens New Fully-Eco Rooms
Most Sustainable Property in Riviera Maya
RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico - February 14, 2011 - Last week, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa (www.Sandos.com), Mexico has just opened its eco-chic ocean view accommodations and facilities, making it the most sustainable hotel in the region. A variety of environmental preservation programs, educational eco-tourism activities for guests and the new eco rooms combine to make Sandos Caracol one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the world.
Upgrading a total of 128 rooms, while maintaining the resort's ecological standard of reducing CO2 emissions by 70%, Sandos Caracol incorporated new modern architectural designs for a more contemporary look. Crisp white bedding accompanies furniture made of certified wood, and accented with calming green artwork and accessories. The bathrooms are sleek and elegant, with a pair of unique 'his and hers' volcanic rock sinks sitting atop the counter serving as the main focal point of the room.
In terms of sustainability, eachroom has an air conditioning system with low power consumption, a solar system to heat the water to eliminate using gas, an Internal lighting system based on energy-efficient LED and in-room water coolers to reduce the use of plastic water bottles. Additionally, there is a new recycling system in place for waste water.
"Sandos Caracol is a ground-breaking hotel and the first of its kind in the Riviera Maya. We are proud of what we have accomplished thus far and plan to continue to promote sustainable tourism and travel that offers families, friends and couples a unique, yet educational experience," said Alex Ferri, CEO of Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa. In addition to the room upgrades, Sandos Caracol has also created a new BBQ Chill Out Cafe with a wedding gazebo located on the beach, as well as a Gaucho restaurant with seating for up to 250 people including a show cooking space. There's a new luxury beach club and bar that will feature live music to provide additional nighttime entertainment.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa was originally built with respect to its surrounding eco-systems in order to preserve the property's pristine nature and wildlife. The resort is the only property on the Riviera Maya with 16 cenotes (underwater caves). Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa has removed sediment from the natural cenotes to allow the fresh water system to flow better which allows nutrients to flow freely to the mangroves and out into the ocean to feed the coral reefs.
Recognizing its responsibility to sustain the region, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa currently practices the following preservation programs:
- Recycling and separating trash
- Use of biodegradable bottles throughout the resort
- Elaboration of compost
- Protecting and reproducing indigenous plants
- Using recycled paper for all printed material
- Improving the flow of the fresh water system
- Wildlife conservation
- Complimentary eco-educational activities including an eco tour, Magic Planet exhibit, snorkel trip, romantic canoe ride and eco workshops in the Kids Club
Providing an atmosphere where guests learn and engage in ecological techniques and practices, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa offers a variety of eco-educational activities, all of which are included as part of an all-inclusive stay at the property.
One of the newest and most innovative eco-educational features on the property is the addition of Magic Planet. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa and the Pelopidas Foundation, in association with The Climate Institute, has become the first resort in the world to offer guests the Magic Planet exhibit, an interactive multi-media platform that can run simulations, display live streaming media from any region of the world and offer real-time games which engage participants in a friendly environment. Using a touch screen module, guests can see climate conditions, carbon pollution, population density and other features for any given point within the globe.
Guests also can enjoy a complimentary Eco Tour which takes them on an interwoven path throughout the property where they can discover nature areas within the eco resort. Guides will help participants learn the extraordinary details that the Mayan jungle holds including treasures such as the 16 natural cenotes, indigenous animals and exotic fauna.
Guests can sign up for one of two complimentary Snorkel Tours held daily where they can explore the resort's largest on-property cenote and discover three unique caves below the surface that connect to other cenotes throughout the resort. Each cenote is contains crystal-clear turquoise waters and home to several species of small fish.
Couples can also enjoy a Romantic Canoe Ride where they board a canoe with a personal captain and enjoy a ride through the natural waterways surrounded by mangroves and lush fauna. Reservations must be made in advance at the hotel's front desk.
Children enrolledin the Kids Club will participate in a variety of Eco Workshops to learn more about the wildlife and fauna on the property. Sandos Hotels & Resorts
Sandos Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Spain, offers a terrific all-inclusive vacation product at a great value in idyllic, tropical settings perfect for singles, couples and families.
Currently there are four products on Mexico's Riviera Maya, housed in two resort complexes - Caracol complex, which consists of Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa and the Select Club Beach Resort & Spa, and the Playacar complex, containing Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa and the Sandos Riviera Beach Resort & Spa.
Sandos Hotels & Resorts recently expanded its presence in Mexico with the acquisition of Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa, located in the heart of Cancun's hotel zone.
International properties include Sandos Papagayo Arena Beach Resort & Spa in the Canary Islands, Sandos Monaco Hotel & Spa in Costa Blanca, Spain and the newly-acquired San Blas Reserva Ambiental Hotel in Tenerife, Spain.
Future openings are planned in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
For more information contact Sandos Hotels & Resorts at 1-866-336-4083 in the U.S. or 1-866-941-0851 in Canada, or visit http://www.Sandos.com.
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