Casa Ceibo Boutique Hotel & Spa Makes Hospitality History

BAHIA DE CARAQUEZ, Ecuador, Nov. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- When a hotel makes history, it's a good reason to give multiple parties in honor of such groundbreaking news. That's what happened at the close of October. Casa Ceibo Boutique Hotel & Spa (http://www.casaceibo.com) officially received the first Green Star Diamond Award in all of South America.

In July, the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences (AAHS) announced Casa Ceibo as the recipient of the prestigious award, recognizing this new standard for "green" hospitality. The first official award ceremony and reception took place Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Quito's Alma Restaurant, which also received a Star Diamond Award in the restaurant category. Over 150 distinguished guests from the travel/tourism industry, local officials and key players in the hotel's design, building and overall success celebrated the joint awards. On hand were Casa Ceibo's co-owners, Charles Van Diver of Destin, Fla., and Daniel Jacome, Galapagos guide and drummer for Ecuador's rock band, Tercer Mundo. Karen Dixon, International General Manager of AAHS, bestowed them the award. (See photo, left to right, Jacome, Dixon & Van Diver. http://www.ereleases.com/pic/CasaCeiboAward.jpg)

"Casa Ceibo has received The Academy's attention for its complete dedication to protecting the environment, plus its commitment to excellence," Dixon says. "For this reason, it's the first time that a South American luxury hotel has received this special type of award -- the Green Star Diamond Award. Aside from being a five-star property, the hotel helps its community create recycling programs, conserve energy and work with the goal of implementing green practices throughout the property."

Following the Quito event, the AAHS once again presented the prestigious award at another ceremony two days later -- but this time at Casa Ceibo. There, hotel staff members were recognized and celebrated, in light of Casa Ceibo's extraordinary achievement. The hotel's award-winning chef put on a brilliant display of his culinary talent at the reception for a crowd of 100+, including local guests, regional officials, Bahia's mayor, and all hotel employees.

"When I came to Ecuador, I fell in love with this country and its people," Van Diver says. "That passion has become Casa Ceibo, which is dedicated to excellence in everything we do. We deliver a true luxury experience, but we're committed to social and environmental responsibility. It's not just our fine boutique hotel and spa that is the destination, but the people, their culture and a very unique community -- not to mention a breathtaking place -- within our world."

Because of the hotel's contribution to the community and environment, Casa Ceibo is certified by Smart Voyager (http://www.ccd.org.ec/). This Ecuadorian program gives its green seal of approval to hotels for meeting strict conservation and sustainability guidelines.

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

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SOURCE Casa Ceibo