Eco-lodges, alternative hotels and special accommodations: My favourite unique stays worldwide
The one accommodation that stays in your memory for so long after a trip. For some it's the coolest hotel in the world, for others a particularly heavenly property. For me it was these special seven accommodations in Morocco, Sri Lanka, South Africa, India, Peru, Kenya and Mexico. Because they really stood out from the crowd and had that special extra. And above all: because they made me realise in which direction sustainable tourism can go.
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One of the places I haven't forgotten: The Shaka Surf Club in the small fishing town of Kodi Bengre in India
L'ane vert: a unique eco-lodge in Morocco
Accommodation in the eco-lodge L'ane vert
Somewhere between Essaouria and Agadir hides L'ane vert (English: the green donkey) - an eco-lodge that not only values keeping the ecological footprint low, but also promises comfort for travelers. The heart of the lodge is the roof terrace with a view of the desert-like landscape and the Atlantic. This is where travelers, locals, employees and volunteers meet, enjoy spectacular sunsets, art, concerts and unique fusion cuisine. L'ane vert is a pioneer in eco-tourism in Morocco. The property is 100% solar powered. There are compost toilets and an ecological waste water system. Mainly natural building materials are used and plastics are avoided as far as possible. L'ane Vert also offers nature trails, conservation workshops, beach cleaning and surfing lessons. By the way: the journey alone is worth a visit. With the rental car, me and two friends went off-road over gravel roads, which were sometimes blocked by donkeys or camels.
L'ane vert offers accommodation for every budget (between 10 and 75 euros).
Note: The property is temporarily not accepting reservations.
More Joy: a hip accommodation away from the crowds in Sri Lanka
After arriving at More Joy in SK Town
A small design paradise is located in the remote town of SK-Town on the south coast of Sri Lanka - near Matara. Titled Surf & Sleep, however, the accommodation should rather go through as Chill, Eat, Marvel & Repeat. The friendly owner Ashan designed the cozy bed and breakfast himself and partly built it himself - with natural materials, lots of greenery and a lot of attention to detail. He knows Sri Lanka very well and is happy to share his insider tips with others. SK-Town itself is a small beach town that still offers the cold shoulder to mass tourism. The long, uninhabited beach is not only a paradise for surfers looking for the perfect wave, but also for everyone who wants it quiet and, above all, authentic. The south coast of Sri Lanka can be explored by bus and tuk-tuk from SK-Town.
Budget: 13 to 17 euros per night
Bulungula: Community Based Tourism on the Wild Coast in South Africa
View of the wild ocean from Bulungula
My first real long-distance trip was to South Africa in 2013. A little nervous, I set off with a friend towards the Wild Coast. The way to the Bulungula Eco-Lodge was not easy. The car that picked us up was shared by six of us, a pregnant woman and a dog were also there. But when you first stand in front of your small, round clay hut (rondavel) and look out over the raging ocean, you know: the stony bumpy path behind was worth it. What makes the lodge so special, in addition to the breathtaking landscape and a strong focus on sustainability: It is 100% owned by the residents of the Ngileni village, a Xhose community, who also organize excursions and activities. So we were led through the village by a woman and were allowed to drink what is probably the strongest home-brewed schnapps of our lives in a small kiosk in a circle of plastic chairs. We explored the hinterland and the beach on mules. And ate local pancakes on the big dunes while watching whales. We ended the evenings with delicious food, a campfire under the stars and music. Locals and travelers can hardly connect better and fair tourism doesn't get any better.
Bulungula offers accomodation for every budget (between 10 and 75 euros).
The Shaka Surf Club: A social community in India
The Shaka Surf Club in the South of India
Only 20 minutes from Udupi train station, but a completely different world. The Shaka Surf Club is located in the small fishing town of Kodi Bengre, which is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Swarna River on the other. Here you can immerse yourself in Indian culture and experience village life up close. As a community within the community, the founders Ishita and Tushar actively involve the people of the village: seven families take turns cooking local delicacies for the guests, young people are called upon to actively participate and, for example, organize beach cleaning or swimming courses for children. As one of the first surf schools in India, The Shaka Surf Club also has a very clear mission: The club wants to make surfing culture in India better known, get more local people into the water and thereby empower them. Above all, they want to take away their fear of the ocean, which is deeply rooted in Indian society. They offer free surfing and skating lessons to children in the village.
All inclusive prices, for example 4 nights for around 200 euros
Punta Luna Surf Lodge: A national park in Peru for you alone
A lone crab on Long Beach in Illescas National Park
The breathtaking Punta Luna Surf Lodge is located in the middle of the unknown Illescas National Park, somewhere between dunes and a kilometer-long beach. No bus goes here and access is restricted. Allowed only: guests of the lodge (limited to seven) and people who take care of the national park. You are picked up by a quad at a dusty gas station (take a small collectivo car to get there). From the gas station you race over sandy roads, steep dunes and an empty beach. Despite tears of joy and sand in my eyes, I eventually glimpsed the outline of Punta Luna Surf Lodge, which is dramatically beautiful. I was the only person visiting and everything felt surreal. Not only the lodge, but also the surroundings. Thousands of birds, flocks of flamingos, ancient whale skulls and hundreds of seals. The Punta Luna Surf Lodge is not only a paradise for nature lovers, but also for water sports enthusiasts (as the name already suggests). Wind and waves for you alone.
All Inclusive Rate: $200 per night
Background information: The founder Wawa discovered this part of the country many years ago during his travels through the North of Peru. He kept it secret for a long time and eventually decided to build a house with friends. It is thanks to him that the area was declared a national park. For a long time he had researched the behavior of the Andean condors there and observed how human behavior affects the ecosystem. Tragically, Wawa passed away in 2012. But his legacy lives on. Thanks to his efforts, illegal fishing in this area has almost completely declined, animals now reproduce undisturbed and nature can preserve its originality. The house has now been converted into a lodge that welcomes guests from all over the world.
Traditional sailing dhows and fishing boats: overnight stays on the water in Kenya
Not super comfortable, but unforgettable: An overnight stay on a traditional sailing boat in Kenya
If you think of accomodations in Kenya, what comes to your mind? Probably safari lodges, hotel castles and maybe even a simple mud hut. The 400 km long coast of the East African country offers a very special type of overnight stay though: boats. In most cases, this is not as comfortable as a 4-star hotel bed, but it is all the more exciting - especially when the water is reflected in the moonlight at night or when you are woken up by dolphins in the morning.
A few secret tips:
Fishing boats and traditional dhows in Lamu
Around Lamu you can spend the night on a fishing boat or a traditional sailing boat (dhow). For one night or more, for example in connection with sailing trips to Manda Toto or Kiwayu.
Discover sailing trips around Lamu.
The largest sailing boat in East Africa
In the Kilifi Channel directly below the Distant Relatives Ecolodge (also a really great place to stay) lies the largest sailing boat in East Africa: Musafir. It has already had a number of adventures and currently guests can stay overnight on the boat. Definitely more dormitory than luxury cruisers, but once in the area, a night here really isn't to be missed.
Who dares? A night on the largest sailing boat in East Africa
Sailing trip from Lamu to Zanzibar
Travel otherways offers sailing trips from Lamu to Zanzibar and from Zanzibar to Lamu. During the trip we spend the night crew-style on board the sailing boat under the open sky - either somewhere with an anchor or sailing through the night. A truly unique experience.
Sailing trip from Lamu to Zanzibar
Sailing trip from Zanzibar to Lamu
Casa Kei: Spanish in a simple tree house in Mexico
Lots of greenery in Casa Kei, in the otherwise gloomy town of Puerto Escondido
Two weeks of educational leave to learn Spanish - in Puerto Escondido, a bustling place on the west coast of Mexico. For the first week I stayed in a nice guesthouse just outside of town. The second week near Punta Zicatela in Casa Kei, a kind of hidden paradise home-stay in tree house style with a view over palm tree tops and the ocean. The language school was somewhere in between. Owner Pepe is the heart of Casa Kei and will do whatever it takes to make your stay a memorable one. Cooking together in the open-air kitchen, great insider tips and long evenings at even longer tables.
Price for a room per night is between 20 and 37 euros.
Insider tip: If Puerto Escondido is too crowded for you, make your way to Laguna de Chacahua. A beach paradise without tourist crowds.
Are you ready to travel otherways and discover accommodations like this one?