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Exploring Eco-Hotels :: The Maho Bay Camps

Where: Maho Bay, Virgin Islands National Park, Virgin Islands, U.S., 00831,

If you're heading to the U.S. Virgin Islands you don't have to spend your time at some sprawling luxurious (i.e. wasteful) resort.

At the Maho Bay Camps you can pick your type of accommodations from tents to cottages that have all been built with protecting the environment in mind by using recycled  building materials. Of course, the resort doesn't stop there. This eco-resort attracts 20,000 visitors a year and each part of the place is working to protect the environment. Like the elevated walkways that prevent soil erosion and protect the beach and its fragile coral.

Lots of recycled building materials, such as "plastic lumber" and recycled glass tiles, were used in construction that also minimized removal of native plants. Elevated walkways prevent soil erosion and protect the beach and fragile coral. Maho's self-sustaining "eco-tents" and cottages use passive solar design, photovoltaic panels, rain collection and roof scoops that circulate cooling breezes.

The resort also gets rid of your garbage in an eco-friendly way with their Trash to Treasures" program, where artists take glass and aluminun from the trash and turn it into craft items and art.

However, like a lot of eco-resorst, this place isn't for everone:

It's all true.... If you are not a "Camper", this is not a place for you!! If you don't like 200 steps to the beach (from the Registration Desk), this is not a place for you!
If you feel inconvenienced because you have to get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom and climb up 6 flights of stairs to get there... this is not a place for you!!

Related Stories:
· Ecotrips: 'Green' resorts offer choices that make a difference [Post-Gazette]
· Maho Bay Camps reviews [TripAdvisor]