Casa Ceibo Earns First Five Star Green Award in South America

BAHIA DE CARAQUEZ, Ecuador, July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Applying for the American Academy of Hospitality Services' (AAHS) Five Star Green Award is a nail-biting, exciting experience. Ever since it became a new category in 2006, the highly coveted recognition has symbolized industry excellence in its truest form. And this year, it's an honor bestowed to Casa Ceibo Boutique Hotel & Spa (http://www.casaceibo.com) in Ecuador's only "eco-city," Bahia de Caraquez.

The first recipient of the Five Star Green Award in all of South America, Casa Ceibo sets a new standard for hospitality in this region of the world. According to Karen Dixon, International General Manager of AAHS, the prestigious recognition justly rewards the pioneering efforts of Casa Ceibo's founders, Charles Van Diver, a Destin, Florida developer, and Daniel Jacome, Galapagos guide and drummer for Ecuador's top rock band, Tercer Mundo. The Five Star Green Award involves an intensive application and review process, and AAHS has received many applicants this year.

"It's extremely impressive for Casa Ceibo to be the year's first award recipient, as well as the first Five Star Green Award winner in South America," Dixon says. "There's no doubt that we're acknowledging a deserving establishment. Casa Ceibo delivers an exceptionally luxurious experience, yet many aspects of the property, its services and people fulfill a mission of environmental, cultural and social consciousness that's downright extraordinary."

Casa Ceibo "green appeal" shines through in many ways, from its use of local artisans and craftsmen to build the breathtaking property to its efforts to reforest the threatened mangroves, which softly buffer the hotel from the waves of the bay. The owners have taken great care to bolster the native economy by choosing Ecuadorian vendors and sourcing staff mostly from Bahia. Besides developing its own tour programs, Casa Ceibo partners with area guides and regional operations. And it's helping support a clean-water program for a nearby community.

"Casa Ceibo is much more than an exquisite hotel, spa and dining destination," Van Diver says. "We're committed to being 'good citizens' in this region. Receiving the Five Star Green Award is a thrill, no doubt, but our efforts to do the right things won't end with this recognition. Progressive business is process, and we're committed to this mindset as our mission."

Of note, Casa Ceibo is the founding member in Ecuador for the Chaine de Rotisseurs(TM) (http://www.chaineus.org), an elite, international gastronomic society. Additionally, Casa Ceibo is certified by Smart Voyager (http://www.ccd.org.ec), an Ecuadorian program that gives its green seal of approval to hotels for meeting strict conservation and sustainability guidelines. Casa Ceibo is also a Conde Nast Johansens Recommended Hotel (http://www.johansens.com/ecuador).

Photos:

http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2010-Casa-Ceibo-Pool.jpg

http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2010-Casa-Ceibo-Lobby.jpg

For more information, visit: http://www.casaceibo.com.

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SOURCE Casa Ceibo