Go Eco Part 1

Whether you're looking for your honeymoon or just a great trip for 2009 - here are some suggestions for resorts that are Eco-Friendly.

Bucuti Beach Resort, Aruba

"Environmentally aware couples who want a healthy dose of green with their luxury should head to Bucuti, an upscale couples resort where a dedicated employee Green Team encourages guests to participate in beach cleanups and recycling contests. All of the water used in showers, sinks and baths is collected in a grey-water recycling system, treated and then used to irrigate the grounds.
Bucuti is held up as an eco-friendly example in the travel industry, and managers from other resorts often visit to learn how to implement cutting-edge environmental practices at their own destinations."

Machaca Hill Lodge, Belize

"Machaca Hill Lodge at the Laughing Falcon Reserve is an 11,000-acre private nature reserve with plenty of opportunities for eco-tourists: miles of marked nature trails to explore; bird and wildlife watching; and kayaking and canoeing on the Rio Grande. The Lodge's environmental practices include composting, recycling and using non-toxic cleaners and pest control. Machaca Hill also has its own organic farm to supply vegetables, herbs and Valencia oranges to its restaurant."

Hyatt Regency Bonaventure, Weston, Florida

"The Bonaventure was the first property in its county to earn certification from Florida's Green Lodging Program for its eco-friendly initiatives. Within a month of replacing the incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs in all 501 guest rooms and common areas, the resort's energy bill was cut by more than $30,000. The hotel uses Smart Cars to ferry guests around, and the kitchen staff recruited a local elementary school to plant an organic herb garden."

Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club, Hawaii

"The Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club has tackled a massive energy drain common to resorts: It heats a 26,000 square-foot swimming pool solely via renewable energy. A power plant that consists of two propane-fueled Caterpillar engines produces 30 percent of the resort's power. The cast-off heat generated by the engines warms the 850,000-gallon swimming pool year-round. And at the Aupaka Terrace restaurant, guests use biodegradable, potato-based plastic flatware at the beachfront dining patio and tote take-out orders in containers made out of 100 percent biodegradable corn-based plastic."

Crystal Mountain Resort, Thompsonville, Michigin

"A year-round resort often presents more environmental challenges than one that opens seasonally, due to extreme changes in temperatures and diversity of activities. Resorts with a golf course and downhill skiing can consume an inordinate amount of energy to maintain the trails and greens. Crystal Mountain Resort buys enough wind credits to power their high-speed chairlift entirely with wind power, which keeps 174,000 pounds of carbon dioxide pollution out of the atmosphere. The resort's golf courses have been certified by the Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Stewardship Program, a statewide program with environmental guidelines that exceed state requirements."

Stop back tomorrow for 5 more resorts!

text and images from fineliving.com