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There is growing disaffection with large impersonal corporate style hotels. Not only is a discerning denied any sense of place or location, they are frequently appalled by the mindless squandering of scarce and diminishing resources. This small family run hotel could not be further removed from this category. It is constructed by traditional materials and blends perfectly into a truly idyllic location. The best traditions of Cypriot hospitality, the use of fresh seasonable food and the best village wines combines with a thoroughly 21st century sensibilities and amenities. Respect for nature and a recognition of its fragility is the driving force behind this establishment. The spectacular beauty of the mountain, the forest and the view of chrysochou bay is celebrated and not taken for granted.
Environment:
The traditionally low level stone built building is a visual delight but its also deflects the fierce summer sun and conserves heat during the often harsh winters. It is also carefully sited to maximise the moderating effect of the mountain breeze. Therefore although there is air conditioning, back location and design largely obviate the need for its use. The growing eco friendly reputation of the hotel inevitably attracts environmentally conscious visitors who support the management in their consistence and vigorous attempts to conserve resources, in particular water.
The hotel has its own bore hole, but every attempt is made to reduce consumption particularly in the maintanence of the grounds and swimming pool. Where ever possible water is recycled. The profligate practices used by many hotels have no place here. The hotel has its own organic vegetable and herb gardens and as the restaurant specializes in authentic Cypriot cooking the menu always features local and seasonable produce which helps the local economy and the environment by reducing packaging and transport. The rural location is rich in wildlife. The hotel has a policy in raising the awareness of both guests and local community of our responsibilities to nature. This has is done by occasional formal lectures but also encouraged at a very minor level such as preserving the clay nests of the migrant birds.
The hotel hosts meetings and cultural activities often instigated by the village. These events are used to raise awareness of environmental issues such as water conservation and recycling. Paradisos Hills is fortunate in that it attracts a large member of visitors who are environmentally aware and happy to subscribe to the managements policy of conservation. The activities that the hotel promotes such as hiking, cycling and horse riding are friendly to the environment and can be indulged throughout the year as the hotel celebrates the beauty of the changing seasons.
Community:
The hotel is owned and managed by a family born in the village of lysos where the hotel is built and they recruit local staff. Whenever and wherever possible the hotel uses local resources and produce to boost the local economy and reduce waist. Local restaurants, bars and places of interest are recommended by the hotel, and the staff are always happy to use their extensive local knowledge to help or explain. The village of Lysos, which like many mountain villages underwent serious decline during the hungry post war years has been reinvigorated. The hotel with its regular influx of visitors aids this process. The hotel provides a unique opportunity to experience and preserve the best of Cypriot rural life without compromising style or comfort.
Staff training is low key, informal yet vigorous. Because of an efficient and relax atmosphere is crucial to the ethos of the hotel relations between management and staff must be positive. A weekly meeting that provides a forum for opinions, debates and the resolution of any problems. The hotel also hosts regular meetings to discuss local concerns. The agenda is invariably set by the village and increasingly many of the issues discussed are environmental. These meeting are a valuable opportunity to raise the consciousness of the local community and encourage basic yet vital innovations such as recycling and water conservation. The practice of recruiting staff from the surrounding area means that guests can be given cultural information which is often colourful and anecdotal as well as instructed. All supply to the hotel are, where ever possible, locally sourced.
The local economy is boosted by the influx of visitors who visit the nearby villages. The hotel is increasingly popular as a venue for special events, particularly weddings. These events generate increase demand for local labour and goods. Guests are encouraged to visit local restaurants and places of interest not only in the near by beach resorts but also in the more remote mountain villages. There are leaflets available but as the staff are all local they have a fund of helpful and relevance advice and suggestions.
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