Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa

Overview

Description

Arikok National Park -- The stillness of untouched environs is accentuated by the vastness of Arikok National Park, the boundaries of which encompass 18% of the island's land area. The slow rise of biking, walking, and hiking trails reveals a landscape full of surprises with cactus-studded views opening up to reveal a stretch of rock-hewn coastline, rolling white sand dunes, and impressive cave and rock formations. Also housed within the park are significant historical and cultural sites, including examples of the homes of early settlers as well as rock drawings left behind by the island's very first inhabitants. The highest points in Aruba are located in the park - the Arikok and Jamanota hilltops.

Historic sightseeing tour -- A lone chapel surrounded by windswept vistas of the coast and cactus-studded hills, the evidence of a once-bustling gold mill found in still-standing walls of hand-cut basalt blocks, and the riches the island found in the humble aloe plant, as detailed by an aloe factory tour, all provide views into the island’s rich past. Aruba is revealed to adventurous travelers who want to experience the island’s winding roads on horseback, ATV, or air-conditioned coach. Tour guides can combine activities such as swimming and snorkeling, while providing snacks and interesting narrative during explorations of the island's natural, historic, and cultural sites.

California lighthouse -- The old stone California lighthouse stands as a silent sentry in the area known as "Hudishibana" near the island's northwestern tip. The lighthouse is named for the U.S ship the California, which sunk about two years previous to its construction in 1910. The site offers spectacular sunsets as the final shades of sunshine give way to a brilliant azure canopy. Perched on a high seaside elevation, the lighthouse has become one of Aruba's scenic trademarks and offers a picture-perfect view of the island's western coastline of sandy beaches, rolling sand dunes, and rocky coral shorelines.

Rooms

71

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 75

Percentage of local employees: 100%

The senior management of Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa has shown their continuous commitment to Green Globe standards by implementing and targeting key performance areas, such as:

• Reduction of annual electricity consumption.
• Reduction of annual water consumption.
• Maximizing recycling efforts (paper, cans, cardboard, glass, and garden waste).
• NO TOXIC CHEMICALS ARE EVER USED.
• Collecting and reusing air conditioning water runoff throughout the hotel.
• Interacting with the community and bringing Green Globe Actions “closer to home” by giving practical tips and incentives to employees as to how to save electricity, water, and gas at home as well.
• Ensuring the compliance of the standards, procedures, and checklists for all departments to coincide with Green Globe requirements.
• Enhancing our Web site to promote our achievements in sustainability.
• Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa organizes various charity events in cooperation with the local community and works closely with the A.H.A.T.A.’s (Aruba Hotel & Tourism Association Environmental Committee Board).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: Aruba (AUA)

Travel time to nearest airport: 20 minutes

Additional Information

Date This Information Was Provided

January 2008.

Photos courtesy of Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, Aruba, for SustainableTrip.org.