Unusual Hotels of the World – Ewok Style Ecosphere

Travel

About Unusual Hotels of The World

A hotel that you can own!
Here’s a fresh idea from Our Planet Retreats. They plan to set up these “eco” resorts in places like Vanuatu, The Philippines and Papaua New Guinea. The scheme goes something like this: One buys a share (or more) at $30 each. Once the company raises $55,000 then the first retreat will start paying dividends back to shareholders. Local labor is being used to build the retreats and investment by the local people is being encouraged as to build a vested interest in the retreat amongst the locals and bolster local economies.

The spheres themselves are constructed of fiberglass and have spiral stairs leading to them. Each spere can hold four guests. Sustainable features include small solar panels and a solar water heating system.

I’m struggling a bit with what seems to be an increasing marketing trend of tacking “eco” on to the front of any word to make it sound more….well, ecological friendly. Building something out of fiberglass and hanging it in a tree seems a bit harmful to me, but I guess they can make some claim to the “eco” thing by using solar heat.

Eco-friendly or not, it looks cool as hell. Apparently you can purchase an unfurnished sphere for $2500. Surely there’s no requirement for it to be hung in a tree. Wouldn’t it be great to go zorbing in your living room?

Will @ August 6, 2008