Going green in style!

The Eco goal is to provide an ecologically sustainable approach to holidaying, whilst encouraging conservation and appreciation of the local community. Translate this to a villa holiday experience and I’d say that as long as you and the holiday home owner have a clear commitment to eco sustainability, from bio-architecture and renewable energy and a full recycling programme that shows evidence of commitment to community and environment, then you're almost there!

The eco holiday home owner typically provides visitors with fun and innovative ways to enjoy and learn about the local/natural environment. They employ best practice bio-architecture, implement renewable energy alternatives and are conscious about recycling and energy wastage. They also tend to contribute to the conservation in some way and support the local communities.

You're role is just as important… if you diligently do your recycling, avoid unecessary car journeys and take care not to waste water or electricity at your holiday home, then you're off to a great start. Using public transport, keep heating, lighting and air-conditioning to a minimum and take showers rather baths. Many island and mountain destinations have very limited waste and recycling facilities, so it is worth leaving all the unecessary packaging that comes with holiday purchases at home. Environment-friendly suncreams, toiletries and wipes can also limit your pollution of sensitive eco-systems. Remember guests should always be aware of and consider their energy consumption during their stay.

Beachlets have some exquisite eco-friendly holiday rentals that not only have their own renewable energy, organic garden and produce onsite, but offer their guests refreshing and innovative ways to appreciate the local and natural environment, all of which have significantly cut overall carbon emissions. To name but a few, take a look at our Lanzarote or Cornwall eco holiday homes:

Lanzarote - Eco Garden Cottage: An idyllic eco cottage on a 30,000 square metre estate of "Finca de Arrieta", with a heated 10 meter long pool and deck with sea and mountain views. The Arrieta boasts two natural wells, mature exotic gardens, an orchard, a vegetable garden and a free range hen coop, all of which guests are welcome to help themselves to! The estate runs on wind and solar power and is a unique example of sustainable living.

Eco Fisherman’s Cottage: A restored beachfront cottage in a fishing village unchanged by tourism where you can still experience the 'Real Lanzarote'. Solar Panels provide all of the electricity for the cottage and you can even use the cottage's fishing rods to join the local fishermen and try and catch your own supper! Failing that just help yourself to the onsite organic produce or freshly laid eggs.

Eco Yurts: A number of unique luxury Eco yurts powered by solar and turbine. There is a pool and chill out area. The garden has wells, fruit trees and a vegetable patch, as well as a chicken coop and children’s play area.

Cornwall - Eco Holiday Apartments: These beautiful contemporary bungalow apartments are perched on the cliff tops of Watergate Bay with stunning ocean views. They have high spec facilities with cutting-edge environmental credentials. Ecologically sustainable features such as sedum roofs, air source heat pumps and `bris soleil` temperature control makes this apartment both comfortable and environmentally sound. All of the great dining, shopping, sports facilities and miles of sand at Watergate Bay are just paces away from the apartments.

So it is possible to be environmentally aware and still have a stylish holiday!

Sophia - Marketing