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Jamaica: Eco Style, Port Antonio Charm with a Conscience

Posted by CaribShout on August 3, 2009 at 9:30pm

Hotel Mockingbird Hill Since its opening 14 years ago, Hotel Mocking Bird Hill near Port Antonio has been in the forefront of sustainable tourism – even with only 10 rooms. Today, the owners, environmentalists Shireen Aga and Barbara Walker, are still forging ahead with additional innovations that appeal to concerned visitors — the kind of people who want to enjoy sustainable luxury with guiltless indulgence. Here’s their latest report. “An oasis for birds.” That’s how the National Wildlife Federation in the United States described the 60-acre garden at Mocking Bird Hill when awarding its coveted designation as a Wildlife Habitat. With more than 40 endemic species, our garden is also listed in “The Birds of the West Indies” as one of the best places for bird watching in Jamaica. Our guests frequently comment on the beauty and tranquility of our hillside garden but we have decided to make it still more inviting and rewarding by installing a new Sculpture Park, outfitted with artworks by co-owner Barbara, an artist of international acclaim, and other outstanding local ar­tists. “We’re kind of passionate about ensu­ring the peace and solitude of our guests,” say the owners, “but since bird watchers tend to tread softly and speak quietly we’ve intro­duced a special package that gives them access to our garden for the day.” The cost is $125 per person, including break­fast and a 2-course lunch with beve­rages (fruit juices and a glass of wine) in our highly rated Mille Feuille Restaurant. The restaurant of a “thousand flowers” overlooks the garden – so bird watchers can spot birds and listen to birdsong while they enjoy delicious Creative Caribbean cuisine. Advance reservations necessary.

To reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint still further, we have introduced photovoltaics in four guest rooms, the offices and the gallery. Constant efforts to reduce energy usage, together with this conversion to solar power, have enabled us to trim last year’s peak of 6,500 Kwh per month to a current average usage of 4,600 Kwh per month. As a result we have reduced our energy surcharge from US$6 to US$5 per person per night We have also increased the capacity of our water tanks by 48,000 litres/12,680 US gallons so that approximately 90% of the hotel’s water needs now come from rain harvesting. Our goal is to reduce our guests’ demands on the public water supply to zero. Featured tours include visits to mountain plantations producing the world’s most ex­pen­sive coffee beans, orchid farms, potteries and workshops creating traditional hand-sewn hem-stitching. There are mountain hikes and cooking classes, birders’ tours and river rafting on the mountain stream where river rafting was invented. A brand-new website, introduces independent travelers to dozens of unusual historical, soft adventure, educational and eco-cultural tours that explore the heart and soul of Eastern Jamaica. Beach Bonus Nights

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