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MASHPI LODGE, ECUADOR When scientists discover not just one but three never-before-recorded species of flora or fauna on-site, it’s a good sign that a hotel is existing in total harmony with its environment, and that’s exactly what this Ecuadorean eco-lodge can claim. The 24-room, glass-fronted lodge is set on Mashpi Reserve, which more than doubled its size last year to 2,500 hectares to create more ‘wildlife corridors’ through the heart of the Andean Choco cloud forest. It takes its community responsibilities seriously too, promoting conservation efforts on local land, employing more than 80% of


staff from the surrounding area, and pledging to sell 15% of its shares back to the community. Book it: Rates start from $1,340 per room per night, including activities, meals, guiding and transfers from main hotels in Quito. mashpilodge.com


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FOUR SEASONS RESORT MALDIVES AT LANDAA GIRAAVARU Going green isn’t just about appeasing guilt for affluent guests – in the low-lying atolls of the Maldives, it’s about ensuring survival in the face of climate change. So it should be no surprise that this Four Seasons property was at the forefront of eco initiatives long before they went mainstream: it has used refillable toiletry dispensers rather than plastic bottles since opening in 2006, introduced paper straws in 2010 and glass water bottles in 2012, and set up a solar energy project in 2018. Its Marine Discovery Centre conducts research into mantas and dolphins, turtle rehabilitation,


coral propagation and sustainable fish breeding. Book it: Elegant Resorts offers a week’s B&B in an Oceanfront Bungalow with a pool from £7,295 per person, including flights from Gatwick, seaplane transfers and UK airport lounge passes, departing December 2. elegantresorts.co.uk


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16 APRIL 2020


travelweekly.co.uk


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