Emerging on the hotel scene with an unparalleled environmental focus, Sandos Hotels & Resorts (http://www.SandosHotels.com) unveiled plans to convert Sandos Caracol Beach Resort & Spa and Sandos Select Club Beach Resort & Spa in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, into an unprecedented Eco-Resort and Eco-Versity in which guests will view, learn and engage in ecological techniques and practices. Renovations are currently underway, and Sandos Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa will debut in 2009.
"In order to move towards a sustainable future, we decided to transform our Caracol complex into an Eco-Resort by implementing a variety of 'green' practices that are taken to the next level," said Jacques De Paep, director of sales and marketing, Sandos Hotels & Resorts.
"One of our goals is for hotel guests to take home some of the eco-friendly principles we've put in place at the new Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa, and in this way, everyone can continue to play a role in sustaining the environment," he added.
Plans for the Caracol Eco-Resort & Spa include the following:
• Carbon Dioxide Reduction - The resort aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 75% by 2012. Using alternative energy technologies, Sandos will transform one of the property's structures into one of the hospitality world's first "zero emissions" building. Upon completion, this technology will be used on additional buildings within the property.
• Eco-Zoo - Sandos Hotels & Resorts is pioneering a concept whereby each area of the property will be designated to a type of autochthonous animal. Many of the chosen species have been endangered in the area, and the resort will work with universities and other agencies to implement breeding programs to re-establish the species population.
• Daily Eco-Zoo activities - Once the Eco-Zoo is in place, guests will have the opportunity to attend free lectures and tours in order to learn about the wildlife at the resort. Guests will also be able to interact and feed certain animals.
• Eco-Points - Guests will have the ability to participate in ecological activities including beach clean-ups, saving tortoises in Akumal, Mexico, and setting exotic bird species "free" into the wild to earn points that can be redeemed for free nights at the property.
"We realize that in order to teach our guests how to actively protect the environment, we must lead by example," said De Paep. "Ultimately, we hope to promote responsible environmental and social practices to all of our visitors as well as the all-inclusive hotel industry at-large," he noted.
The Caracol complex was originally built with respect to its surrounding eco-systems in order to preserve the maximum amount of nature and wildlife within the property. Accommodations and facilities are interwoven and separated by bridges, streams and gardens where guests can discover exotic birds, turtles and a variety of colorful fish.
Of particular note, the complex is the only property on the Riviera Maya with 16 cenotes, underwater caves that were used by the ancient Mayans as a place to communicate and contact their gods.
The Caracol complex is located five minutes from the quaint village of Playa del Carmen with complimentary shuttle service to the colorful village offered throughout the day. Located directly off the beach of the resort is the world's second largest living coral reef, the Meso-American Barrier Reef, a fascinating underwater environment perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving.
An all-inclusive Sandos Hotels vacation features: accommodations, all meals and beverages; sporting activities; daily activities program; supervised "Kids Club" and "Teen Club;" nightly entertainment and entrance to the disco; and all hotel taxes and service charges.
Additional activities can be arranged for guests including: babysitting, golf at the nearby Playacar Golf Course, and other excursions such as deep sea fishing, visits to archaeological sites like Tulum, Cobá, Chichen Itza, Ecological Park Xcaret and Xel-Ha, and scuba diving and snorkeling trips. Prices vary according to activity.
Rates range from US$67 - US$132 per person, per night, based on double occupancy in a standard room, based on travel now through April 18, 2009. Rates vary based on availability. Visit http://www.SandosHotels.com for the latest pricing and availability.
Sandos Hotels & Resorts
Sandos Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Spain, has four products on the Riviera Maya, Mexico, 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 which contains Sandos Playacar Beach Resort & Spa and the Playacar Riviera Hotel section - and one resort, the Sandos Papagayo Arena Beach Resort & Spa in the Canary Islands. Future openings are planned in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.
For more information contact Sandos Hotels & Resorts at 40302 Otero Road, Magnolia, TX 77354, USA; telephone: 1-866-887-5601 or visit http://www.sandoshotels.com.
