Luxury Caribbean Resort Launches Sustainability Competition

*An aerial view of Eden Roc at Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic.*

Part of the Dominican Republic’s 30,000-acre Cap Cana enclave at the eastern tip of the island, the luxurious Eden Roc hotel is surrounded by a tropical forest and boasts pristine white sandy beaches. And a long time champion of eco-friendly initiatives, the exclusive resort has just launched a search for a ‘sustainability advisor’, who in return for advice on how to further reduce the hotel’s impact on the environment will win a five-night stay.

A multiple award-winning property, the resort’s blue-flag certified private beach has officially been recognized for its environmental management, and keen to reduce its carbon footprint, all transport within the gated community in which the hotel is located, as well as to nearby amenities, is via electric golf buggies that are assigned to each suite.

Other eco-friendly initiatives already in place include an extensive recycling scheme, with the hotel working closely with local governmental agencies to ensure that cardboard, plastic and glass is reused rather than dispersed into the environment, with the oil used at the resort also being transformed into soap and fuel. And in addition, the hotel has banned plastic straws across all six of its restaurants and bars, and provides guests with glass instead of plastic bottles during its turndown service.

*Eden Roc chef Gianluca Re Fraschini created a five-course tasting menu for World Oceans Day that showcased the region’s sustainably sourced, indigenous sea products.*

But it is perhaps in its kitchens where the commitment to sustainability is most in evidence. Chefs select fish from local, small-scale fisheries to promote artisanal fishing, creating ‘head to tail’ zero waste menus, and use local, seasonal produce to reduce food miles and prioritize the importance of oceanic biodiversity. Slow Food Monday and Menus for Change dishes, which include a variety of sustainable, signature recipes, also feature across the hotel’s restaurants. And indeed, a food-sourcing trip with one of the resort’s chefs is just one of the experiences the successful competition applicant will be able to enjoy.

The competition is open until 31st August 2018, and is being held via Instagram using the tag @edenroccapcana and hashtag #EcoEdenRoc. Full details can be found here.