1. Name of Lodging:  

Cashew Hill Jungle Cottages

2. Owner/Manager’s Name: 

Wendy & Erich Strebe    

3. Phone #:

2750-0001 or 7250-0256

4. Fax #:

2750-0256

5. Email: reservations@cashewhilllodge.co.cr

6. Web site address: www.cashewhilllodge.co.cr

7. Physical Address:  100 meters west of the public school, soccer field, Puerto Viejo central

8. Type of business:     Rental house        

9. How long in business?  Cashew Hill has been here informally for 15 years.  We have been here, legally, for 5 years.

10. Total Capacity?  32 people

11. How many units do you have? 7 houses with a total of 12 bedrooms

12. Rates: (high season, low season?): $75 to $125 per night; $400 to $625 per week; $1,200 to $1,875 per month.   Rates are the same year round.

13. Do you take reservations? Yes

How?  Email or telephone

14. A bit about your employees …
A. Do you hire locals?  100% locals 3 full-time, 1-2 part-time

B. Train them in conservation minded ways? How so?   
Cashew Hill trains our employees in recycling, composting, cleaning with green products, checking garbage cans, not using Clorox, etc.

15. Please indicate which of the following you have (Give details where possible)?
A.    A/C    --Nope                
B.    Fridge YES - all houses have refrigerators
C.    Fan YES – all houses have multiple ceiling fans                
D.    Kitchen YES – all houses have fully equipped kitchens
E.    Hot water YES – all showers have hot water                
F.    Bar – beer & wine for sale            
G.    Telephone – calls within Costa Rica plus international telephone    H.    Beach towels – can be borrowed—recommend use sarongs.
I.    Meeting room - NO    
J.    Internet – FREE Wi-Fi
K.    Transportation – we can make arrangements        
L.    Parking – safe and secure parking
M.    Balcony/porch – YES all houses have verandas        
N.    Hammock – YES all houses have hammock(s).
O.    Ocean View    - ocean view from property, pool area and 5 houses        
P.    Jungle view     - jungle view all around
Q.    Private reserve—describe: 2,500 mters in private reserve full of sloths, iguanas, etc.
R.    Gift shop—we sell locally roasted coffee and natural insect repellant.
S.    Laundry service-cost? $6 wash, dry, fold
T.    Rental Equipment—what do you offer? none
U.    Breakfast – not included
V.    Tours?   We always recommend ATEC’s tours
W.    Tourist info
a. Local attractions - yes
b. Local Activities - yes
c. Other Costa Rican destinations/experiences - yes
d. Books – yes exchange or lending library
e. Security Advice - yes
f. How to be a responsible Tourist– we go over everything with every guest
X.    Restaurant:  NO, catering available upon request
Y.     Garden
Labels on plants? Or personalized tours available of the grounds?  Tours always available, some labeling.
Do you use Pesticides? NO
Do you make an effort to plant and maintain Local flora?  YES
Languages spoken:   English / Spanish
Pool? Use chlorine?  We have a pool with salt water sanitizer system – NO CHLORINE
Solar technology?   Not yet

Other?  Recycle bins in every house and by pool.  We compost
State of the art water treatment system, so guests do not have to purchase plastic water bottles.  All of our water is filtered 3 times and goes under ultraviolet light.

16. Quiet, family, or party atmosphere?  Quiet

17. Pets allowed?  occasionally

18. Do you have a pet?  3 dogs, 1 cat

19. How far from:
A. The beach?  4 blocks / 400 meters

B. Nearest restaurant?
Which restaurants might you recommend?  Loco Natural, Chili Rojo, Lydias, Mission, CafÈ Viejo, Patagonia, Veronicas, EZ Times

C. Nearest pulperia?  Supermercado Old Harbor

20. Recycle? :    Yes    
A. Signs posted in room to inform guests?  Yes, it is mandatory
B. Are all employees trained to separate recyclable waste?  Absolutely – and they now do it at home
C. Is there separate container with a label for recycling in the room?   YES

21. Compost?   Yes and we show the guests how to do so properly.

22. How do you deal with your sewage?  5 well-maintained septic systems on property

23. How are guest safety issues dealt with?  We tell them all the possibilities and ask them to be careful, before anything happens.

24. To which local associations do you belong or financially support any local associations:
ReciCaribe
Chamber of Tourism of Puerto Viejo
The LifeGuard Program
Arte Viva
Donate to the Schools when requested.
Collect clothing for locals from guests
Working on forming a non-profit for solid waste issues

25. Do you take action to conserve? How so?
Water YES – we ask each and every guest to be careful with water use very specifically, we have a rainwater catchment system.

B. Energy
Outside lighting?  Compact fluorescents
Efficient light bulbs?  Compact flourescents
What is your water heating system?   “suicide shower” =efficient on-point water heating
Natural ventilation  YES
Efficient Fridge  Yes
Efficient laundry
Non-daily washing    YES – only upon request
Solar drying  - every house has drying racks and lines
Biodegradable laundry soap - yes
f.    Consumption
Guest supplies – no white linens to bleach, only brown papers, large bars of soap that are re-used            
Safe cleaning supplies (EM, vinegar, Eco-Klin?)  EM

26. Do you make an effort to work with and support neighboring responsible and or local businesses?   YES

27. Would you be willing to house a community service volunteer at a discounted rate (how much?) or for work exchange?   We have done so.

28. What’s your favorite thing about your hotel?  It is safe, comfortable, quiet and well thought out.  We built a place that we would love to stay in.

29. Is there any other way that your business promotes sustainable tourism and development or social consciousness?  In every way.  In everything we say and do.  In conversations with guests.

30. Any suggestions on what the community could do to promote sustainable tourism and development?  Set better examples – less trash, hire locals, compost and recycle.  Everyone should harvest rainwater.  Everyone should have a septic system appropriate for our climate. Activities for tourists – tree plantings along main roads/beaches. Limit access to beaches for vehicles.  Trash bins more readily available.  Promote low impact activities.  Stop price-Gouging for the Holidays. Pay a living wage, plus benefits.

31. What have you done as far as sustainable practices in construction or remodeling?
Used a local contractor.  Used only legally harvested wood.  Built for a tropical climate.  Eco-friendly swimming pool.  Harvesting rainwater.

32. Rooms decorated w local art?  YES

33. Are you familiar with Effective Microrganisms (EM) for use in environmentally friendly gardening and cleaning or the products offered by Bio-Soluciones? We use EM, it is fantastic and beneficial for the garden and ensures a chemical free home and guest homes.

34. What else do you want to tell us about you or conservation/cultural/security/etc. issues?
Have good, positive energy.  Love your neighbors.  Treat EVERYONE in the community with respect.  SHOP LOCALLY.  


THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  THANK YOU!!!