Small Distinctive Sustainability

 Costa Rica has long been known as one of the  world's "greenest" countries, and is often referred to as an ecotourism pioneer. Indeed, preserving the precious natural environment of this magnificent country has long been on top of the agenda of the Costa Rican government, governmental as well as NGO organizations. Moreover the travel industry in Costa Rica recognizes that succesful tourism is dependent on an intact environmental as well as socio-cultural environment, and therefore engages avidly in its protection.

In line with Costa Rica's sustainability efforts,Small Distinctive Hotels prioritizes sustainability not only by supporting a variety of Costa Rican social and environmental organizations, but also by promoting sustainability among its member hotels. An example for this is that each hotel upon entry, must commit to the National Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST) process.

The Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST) is a product of the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT). The program seeks to categorize and certify tourism companies according to the degree to which its operations comply to a model of sustainability, for which 4 fundamental aspects are evaluated: 

1. Physical-biological Parameters

2. Infrastructure and Services

3. External Clients

4. Socio-economic Development

Accordingly, each of our nine hotels has either gone through the process of certification, is still within the process, or is currently renewing it's certification. Within recent months, the continous and dedicated efforts of our member hotels have begun to show rewards, as positive certification results were being awarded as shown below:

Hotel Casa Turire in Turrialba - 4 out of 5 leaves

Hotel Grano de Oro in San José - 4 out of 5 leaves

Hotel Cuna del Angel in Dominical - 4 out of 5 leaves

Florblanca Resort in Santa Teresa - 4 out of 5 leaves

Hotel Capitan Suizo in Tamarindo - 4 out of 5 leaves

The other hotels likewise rank generally high in the sustainability certification:

Arenas del Mar Resort in Manuel Antonio- 5 out of 5 leaves

Playa Nicuesa Lodge in Osa Peninsula - 4 out of 5 leaves

Peace Lodge in Vara Blanca - 2 out of 5 leaves (currently upgrading)

Hotel Villa Caletas in Jacó - 2 out of 5 leaves (currently upgrading)

At Small Distinctive Hotels, apart from offering a collection of the most beautiful hotels in Costa Rica to journey to, we see sustainability as a journey in itself to which we are continuously committed.

Evening Event on November 10, 2010

Naturally Exclusive...

We are excited to end this year with a brand new corporate design, a new hotel member: Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, as well as continued sustainability efforts which have recently been rewarded by the national sustainable tourism certification program (CST). More information about these developments can be read in the blog entries preceding this one.

To celebrate and communicate all of the exciting changes the hotel group has recently undergone, an evening event was held at Hotel Grano de Oro, one of the group's members. For this event, representatives of the 25 top-selling travel agencies had been invited who received the latest news and developments at our hotel group first-hand. 
  
The evening started with a presentation on the latest developments as well as the strategic route for Small Distinctive Hotels, held by the group's director, Hans Pfister. A unique music band accompanied the gathering, during which travel agents and the  hotels' owners and managers could exchange the latest talks of the industry.

We thank all participants for making this event a successful  one, and for your continued participation and interest in our hotel group. To view the pictures of the event, please have a look here!

Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica celebrates World Tourism Day by giving a hand to local communities and the environment

This September 27th World Tourism Day is celebrated across the globe “(…) to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide”, according to the UN World Tourism Organization.

Sustainability is an increasingly important trend within the tourism industry, which Costa Rica has been catering to for many years. Costa Rica has frequently been named one of the world’s leading destinations in terms of ecotourism, focusing on environmental conservation and education as well as the support and empowerment of local communities.

Small Distinctive Hotels is a select group of eight luxurious boutique hotel members located in the most beautiful natural surroundings of Costa Rica. The conservation of these environments and empowerment of local communities therefore forms a substantial part of the philosophy. In this context each hotel plans to organize an event on and around World Tourism Day in order to raise awareness among staff and tourists equally, on the importance of both social and natural environment for truly successful tourism.

Activities planned by each hotel:

Casa Turire obtains 4 "leaves" in the sustainable tourism certification

Hotel Casa Turire, one of the most distinguished hotels in the Turrialba region and member of the exclusive hotel group Small Distinctive Hotels of Costa Rica, is celebrating the fruits of its arduous work, in order to become one of the few luxury boutique hotels in the country, which are committed to sustainable tourism.



Sustainability is a philosophy which needs to be worked on each day; new goals need to be set, ranging from community trainings to large investments in the improvement of the infrastructure in order to use electricity and water as efficiently as possible. Nevertheless, Hotel Casa Turire hopes to continue strengthening its efforts and remain an excellent example within the Turrialba region.

In order to obtain the certification one needs to prove a balanced development within the 4 areas of evaluation: the interaction of the hotel with its biological surroundings, the dissemination of information to create awareness among guests, the social-economic development of the community as well as the efficiency of its installations.

Some examples of the good practices developed by Casa Turire:

* Recycling Program - This is a process of separation of wastes, including organic waste from the hotel and farm are treated to convert into organic compost.

* Local and sports sponsorships as well as organizing activities for educational and social boards that give support to the community.

* The hotel belong to the Cámara Nacional de Ecología (CANAECO), promoting and supporting the nature conservation and cultural values of the country.

* Hotel has reforestation area (12 hectares) and trails area.

* In our farm we produce a lot of fruits and vegetables that are fertilized using compost that is produced by organic waste to the hotel and farm, besides these products the hotel produces eggs, marmalades, cheese and are used in the kitchen to serve the different dishes that are offered at the restaurant.

* Casa Turire works with Jenaro Bonilla Aguilar School of Turrialba supporting the Ecological Blue Flag Program, giving talks and training to school staff.

For further information, please visit the following websites:

Hotel Casa Turire

or

Small Distinctive Hotels - Casa Turire

Enjoy Your Stay at Florblanca while Enjoying a Good Conscience

Sustainability at Florblanca

Hotel Florblanca is located in Santa Teresa, one of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Visitors to this hotel will not only be able to enjoy the natural beauty, tranquility and biodiversity this area has to offer, but especially can enjoy their holiday with a clear conscience, knowing that Florblanca has many efforts in place to sustain its natural surroundings. For instance monthly beach clean-ups are organized as well as a recycling and waste program as well as resource conservation. Apart from environmental activities, the social aspect of sustainability also plays a big part at Florblanca; sponsoring English classes for the local school, organizing a first aid course, salsa classes, sponsoring uniforms for the local soccer team are among a few of the various activities undertaken. Read more about Florblanca`s interesting sustainability philosophy and activities below:

At Florblanca we understand that we can´t be simple observers, we need to become involved. We have been inspired by a phrase of Albert Einstein “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”

The more we get to know and relate to this environment, the more we understand how deeply fragile it is. We don’t have all the information nor all the answers, but we are sure thirsty for knowledge and very enthusiastic of every step we make.

We are constantly brainstorming for new ideas that come from everywhere; our guests, our partners and mainly our staff. We get great joy in every step we make forward on this endless but exciting journey towards sustainability.

Auto analysis

Understanding the patterns of our behavior, the way we do business and our environment has become a fundamental roll of this process. On this area we are:- Measuring our water and energy consumption:
• Weighing the amount of waste
• Analyzing each month our waste water
• Enlisting data on all the electric equipment, its working schedule and its maintenance
• Implementing emergency plans
• Investing in training for our employees
• Carefully analyzing the comments of our clients, and trying to implement their ideas with regard to sustainable tourism
Being evaluated through the most serious certification program for Sustainable Tourism in
• Costa Rica, called CST. http://www.turismo-sostenible.co.cr/

Recycling and Waste Management Program

• We are aware that pollution is one of the main threats to our environment and to our society; therefore, we have decided not only to implement a large effort in the waste management program of Florblanca, but to be promoters of this program in our commun ity: We clean daily our beach in front of the hotel and once a month we do a beach clean up of one kilometer.
• Complete recycling program in the hotel and in the beaches nearby.
• Recycle our organic waste through composting or arranging with pig breeders of the community to take advantage of our “left overs” to feed their animals.
• Help create a recycling business owned by a local member of the community who picks up the community recyclable goods (glass, aluminum, plastic bottles and tetra brick packages), to sell them to the recycling companies.
• A system of recycled paper from our office paper waste to present messages for the staff on sustainability subjects.
• Installation of water filters in different strategic locations and giving our guests biodegradable drinking devices to diminish water bottle consumption.
• The construction of a water treatment plant for the hotel is about to start, meanwhile we have built a bio-filter to treat the residual waters from the kitchen.
• We are using biodegradable cleaning products and reusable containers for soap, shampoo and rinse throughout the hotel.
• The packaging of “to go” food in the restaurant is with biodegradable containers.


Resource Conservation

• All villas offer an infrastructure that invites natural light into restaurant and villas.
• Sola tube technology on the roofs to lighten the offices with natural light.
• Energy efficient light bulbs and equipment.
• Messages and friendly reminders throughout the hotel to create awareness of light and water conservation.
• Dimmers to manage different light intensities.
• Giving the option to all guests of changing the linens and towels every three days rather than daily in the villas.
• Special devices to diminish water use in toilets.
• Kitchen faucets with pressure to reduce water consumption.
• Electric cars to transport laundry and merchandise.
• Encourage our clients to visit the National Park Cabo Blanco, the Wildlife Reserve Arío-Caletas and the Animal Shelter Rainsong Sanctuary. http://www.rainsongsanctuary.com
• We have supported the “Bandera Azul Ecológica Program” for Santa Teresa and Hermosa Beach through our participation on the Environmental Commission of Malpais-Carmen-.Santa Teresa-Hermosa. http://www.comisionambiental.net

• Our security guard, located at the beach entrance of the hotel, has instruction s on how to protect the turtle nests.
• Grounds lights are installed taking into consideration turtle nesting and wildlife.
• A system of rock drains manages rain water runoff on the property.
• Trees and palms on our property are properly named for a self-guided tour.


Interaction with the community

• Provide uniforms to the local soccer team of Bello Horizonte Community.
• For the past three years on Christmas, the Florblanca staff donates money to buy presents for the most humble families of the community.
• We have a bulletin board that has become a communication channel where the local community can invite staff and guests to social and recreational activities
• English classes have been provided to the staff
• A teacher sponsored by Florblanca has given the English course at the Public School of Santa Teresa

• We have organized activities to collect money to pay for the English books the children use in the Public Santa Teresa School.
• With the Hermosa Valley School, we have organized different events for the community:
• Sports Fair Recycling Fair Community Security Fair
• First aid course with the Red Cross
• Training to the staff on using extintors and other trainings to prepare our emergency plan
• We offer Sunday Salsa Classes during some seasons.
• We contribute with the Harmony Music School of Pochote Beach by donations, and by hiring its orchestra to host a concert at our hotel. http://escuelademusicaharmony.blogspot.com/ and http://cim-pochote.blogspot.com/
• Certified organic coffee and teas are offered in the restaurant and gift shop. We also always strive to sell certified organic produce, free-range chicken, local pork, and sustainable fish in our Nectar Restaurant when available.
• With the proper assessment, we offer our help when we find injured animals.
• We signed the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. http://www.protegiendoles.org/codigo.htm

“We want to use our webpage not only as source to present you a glimpse of what we have been working on, but also we want to use it as a tool where you can get to know our amazing initiatives that are enriching our community and are helping to preserve our environment.”

For more information on Florblanca and its sustainability efforts, visit:

http://distinctivehotels.com/our_hotels_florblanca.html

Hotel Casa Turire continues towards sustainability - Hotel Casa Turire continúa en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad

This boutique style hotel, located in Turrialba Valley, shows one more time its compromise with sustainability. Hotel Casa Turire is proud of its contribution to the local school “Jenaro Bonilla” which obtained Ecologic Blue Flag prize for third year in a row.
Part of Casa Turire´s philosophy is to represent a colonial style farm. For this reason besides to avoid the acoustic pollution and gas consumption, Casa Turire picks the garbage up inside its property with an cart.
On May 22nd, Hotel Casa Turire made a donation of materials and staff of its maintenance department worked voluntarily to improve La Marta Wildlife Refuge´s facilities.
On the other hand, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health organized a Emergency Simulation to be prepare its employees in case of an emergency.
Hotel Casa Turire continúa en su camino hacia la sostenibilidad

Este pequeño hotel, estilo boutique localizado en el Valle de Turrialba, demuestra una vez más su compromiso con la sostenibilidad. El Hotel Casa Turire está orgulloso con la colaboración brindada a la Escuela local Jenaro Bonilla de Turrialba la cual obtuvo por tercer año consecutivo la Bandera Azul Ecológica.
Como parte de la filosofía del Hotel, de mantener y representar una finca colonial, Casa Turire recoge la basura de su finca con una carreta para evitar la contaminación acústica y el uso de combustible.
El pasado 22 de mayo, el Hotel Casa Turire donó materiales y personal de mantenimiento trabajó voluntariamente en el mejoramiento de la infraestructura del Refugio de Vida Silvestre La Marta.
Además, como parte del compromiso con los colaboradores y clientes del Hotel, el departamento de salud ocupacional realizó recientemente un simulacro de emergencia (evacuación).

Emergency Simulation

Ecologic Blue Flag prize

to avoid the acoustic pollution and gas consumption

La Marta Wildlife Refuge

Arenas Del Mar Obtiene la Más Alta Certificación para el Turismo Sostenible

Marzo 2010, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort ha alcanzado su sueño de lograr conseguir la calificación más alta para el turismo sostenible con solo 2 años de operación al ser premiado con cinco “hojas” la semana pasada por el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT), siendo así el primer hotel en alcanzar esta distinción tan rápido luego de abrir.

Creado por el ICT, el programa de Certificación del Turismo Sostenible fue diseñado para diferenciar empresas turísticas basadas en un modelo sostenible de manejo de recursos naturales, culturales y sociales. La participación en el programa es totalmente voluntaria y está disponible para todos los hoteles de cualquier tipo, así como también, tour operadores y agencias de viajes en Costa Rica.

Administrado por Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, Arenas Del Mar se une a una lista de 4 propiedades las cuales poseen cinco hojas, incluyendo Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn, Lapa Rios Ecolodge y Harmony Hotel.

Además, Arenas Del Mar, el cual abrió en el 2008, fue premiado con 3 estrellas (puntuación más alta) para el programa de la "Bandera Azul Ecológica". Implementado en 1996 e inspirado por un programa similar desarrollado en Europa, la Bandera AzuI apoya el desarrollo mientras que evita el impacto negativo de turismo en masa. Esta impulsa a la comunidad local a reducir la contaminación y a proteger el ambiente. El programa evalúa la calidad ambiental de las áreas costeras, en términos de calidad de las playas y agua de mar, acceso y calidad del agua potable, manejo de desechos, seguridad, y educación ambiental.

Arenas Del Mar fue creado con la sostenibilidad en mente al empezar con los planes y la fase de construcción. El total de la construcción del hotel cubre menos del 25% de la propiedad misma; el resto se ha convertido en una reserva natural que actúa como corredor ecológico para expandir los alrededores del Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. Desde que el hotel abrió sus puertas, ha participado en un extensivo plan de reforestación, plantando alrededor de 7000 especies nativas de árboles en la propiedad. Una de las metas era que Arenas Del Mar casi no se pudiera ver entre el ambiente natural de bosque lluvioso.

Otras características sostenibles de Arenas Del Mar incluyen:

• Trabajo en la conservación y reforestación del Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio.

• Programas de reciclaje extensivos.

• Un avanzado programa de compostaje a base de lombri-cultura para reciclar desechos orgánicos.

• Paneles solares para calentar el agua junto con sistemas auxiliares que ahorran energía.

• Sistemas eléctricos subterráneos que no interfieren con la vida silvestre de los alrededores.

• Sistemas de ionización libres de cloro para limpiar el agua de la piscina.

• Iluminación y alumbrado eficiente en toda la propiedad.

• Sistemas avanzados para el tratamiento del agua que aseguran que el agua que sale de la propiedad no afecte las nacientes de agua natural de los alrededores.

• El uso de carritos eléctricos en la propiedad que reducen significativamente las emisiones de carbono.

• Tejas del techo hechas de bolsas plásticas desechadas por la industria bananera.

• Producción interna de jabón hecho a base de sobros de aceite de la cocina del hotel.

• Productos de limpieza no tóxicos y biodegradables.

• Esfuerzos de educación ambiental en las comunidades aledañas.

• Promoción y motivación hacia las celebraciones locales culturales incluyendo:

- Anfitriones de artesanos tradicionales para promocionar su trabajo.

- Patrocinadores de un grupo tradicional de baile.

- Incorporación de platos locales, sabores e ingredientes en el menú.

• Promoción del concepto del desarrollo sostenible entre los vecinos y miembros de la comunidad local.

Los inspectores del ICT quedaron impresionados de cómo Arenas Del Mar involucra a sus huéspedes en aprender acerca de la sostenibilidad y el hotel. El Tour de Sostenibilidad de Arenas Del Mar permite a los huéspedes ir detrás de escena para ver como el resort ha incorporado elementos hacia el ambientalismo y responsabilidad social en sus operaciones de día a día. Calificaciones altas también fueron dadas al compromiso de los colaboradores en el manejo de las operaciones de sostenibilidad en el hotel mientras se crea un balance en mantener la propiedad en una condición apta que la define eco-lujosa.

Arenas del Mar Beach and Nature Resort: Arenas Del Mar Achieves Highest Certification for Sustainable Tourism

Arenas Del Mar Beach Nature Resort has reached its dream of achieving the highest rating for sustainable tourism within two years of operation, and was awarded five “leaves” last week by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), the first resort to achieve this distinction so soon after opening.

Managed by Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, Arenas Del Mar joins its portfolio now of four properties which have all received five leaves. In addition, Arenas Del Mar, which opened in 2008, was awarded three stars (highest ranking) under the "Bandera Azul Ecológica" (Ecological Blue Flag) program.

 Arenas Del Mar was created with sustainability in mind beginning with the planning and construction phase. The total construction of the hotel covers less than 25% of the property itself; the rest has become a private nature reserve that acts as an ecological corridor to expand the area surrounding Manuel Antonio National Park. Since the hotel’s opening, the resort has been participating in an extensive reforestation program, planting over 7000 native species of trees on the property. Another goal was to have Arenas Del Mar “blend into” the natural rainforest environment.