Sandos Hotels & Resorts begins work on an All-Inclusive Eco-Resort in Mexico

Sandos Hotels & Resorts has revealed its latest plans to revitalize 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. Slated to open in 2009, the new Sandos property will focus on environmentalism, wildlife and eco-system preservation. Guests will be able to observe and engage in ecological techniques and practices and participate in wildlife protection efforts. 

The Caracol complex was originally built with respect to its surrounding eco-systems, with accommodations and facilities interwoven and separated by bridges, streams and gardens where guests can discover exotic birds, turtles and a variety of colorful fish.

Situated five minutes from Playa del Carmen, the resort is adjacent to the world’s second largest living coral reef, the Meso-American Barrier Reef. The complex is also home to 16 cenotes; underwater caves that were essential in Ancient Mayan culture as a place to communicate with their gods.

“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.

The new plans outline the Resorts’ focus on carbon reduction by way of alternative energy technology, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 75% by 2012.

Plans also include an “Eco-Zoo”, in which designated areas of the property will be home to a native species, often-times endangered. The resort plans to coordinate these efforts with universities and and other wildlife agencies in an effort to protect and potentially re-establish the species population.

Guests will have the opportunity to attend free lectures and tours in order to learn about the wildlife at the resort, as well as participate in ecological activities including beach clean-ups, saving tortoises in Akumal, Mexico.

“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.”

About 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, visit http://www.sandoshotels.com/.