As the summer months roll in across the Middle East, travelers can beat the heat with the wind in their face and the sun on their back as Fairmont invites guests to explore the world’s forests - from the mangroves of Abu Dhabi, to foothills of Mount Kenya’s National Park and the urban landscape of London’s Royal Parks.
Guests can bike, hike, paddle and zip-line through the many parks, forests and wilderness trails that make Fairmont’s worldwide collection of hotels and resorts the only game in town for serious nature enthusiasts. Paying tribute to UNESCO’s 2011 International Year of the Forest designation, Fairmont has whittled out 'Take Root' at Fairmont travel packages, offers and experiences that reinforce and reflect the brand’s decades-long commitment to combining responsible tourism and environmental stewardship.
Guests become one with nature while kayaking through stunning lagoons beneath a canopy of mangroves and surrounded by a plethora of exotic birds and fish in Abu Dhabi. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr’s Mangrove package provides a tranquil respite from a harried life and includes accommodation, transfers and kayaking tour of Abu Dhabi’s mangroves for two adults and a specially packed picnic breakfast to enjoy after the outing. A relaxing swim in the pool or stroll on the hotel’s private beach is the perfect finish to an active day. For every package booked, mangrove seeds are donated to a nursery plantation on Jubail Island. Available throughout 2011, rates start from AED 1,099.
A country of striking contrasts, Kenya’s spectacular landscapes, birds and tree species found along the equatorial belt provide a destination ripe for discovery. Focused on encouraging guest exploration of the area, Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club created the Nature Safari package. Guided by a resident naturalist, guests learn from the pros as they travel around the Mount Kenya National Park – on foot or by horseback, and always under the protective eyes of Kenya Wildlife Rangers. The package includes two night’s accommodation and a 3-hour guided park tour with an open invitation to guests who want to help plant trees in the nearby Fairmont Forest. Available throughout the year, rates start at $349 USD.
In the heart of Beijing’s ancient hutongs, Chinese Toon trees have provided shade and shelter to area residents for countless generations. Lending its name to 10 of Beijing’s famed and fast-disappearing hutongs, these trees grace the centuries old alleys and courtyards accessible only on foot or by bicycle. For exploratory-types with a yen to check out the foliage and discover unique and less visible landmarks, Fairmont Beijing offers the Travel Green package which includes three night’s accommodation, breakfast for two each morning, daily use of mountain bikes, self-guided hutong map and a 60 minute spa treatment for two at the hotel’s award-winning Willow Stream Spa. For each package booked, a donation is made to China Heritage Preservation. Available through December 31, 2011, rates start at 6,900 RMB.
With a goal of becoming London’s most sustainable luxury hotel, The Savoy developed their Elements package. Included is accommodation, services of the Savoy Green Butler, whose expertise on environmentally sound city venues helps guests plan their daily excursions, a keepsake Green Map of London highlighting the locations of top green places to eat, drink, shop and visit, including London's Royal Parks and details of Kew Gardens, three-hour sustainable walking tour with Context Travel, complimentary parking for hybrid vehicles, use of BMW bicycles to explore the city, one-day travel card for London’s public transportation, pre-dinner biodynamic cocktails in the American Bar, organic dinner for two in the River Restaurant, plus breakfast the next morning. For each package booked, £10 is donated to Thames 21 charity on behalf of the guest. Available throughout 2011, rates start at £825.
Sweeping panoramic views of the Mediterranean ocean and Exotic Gardens of Monaco inspired the Fairmont Monte Carlo’s Deep Blue package. The local Oceanographic Museum’s exhibit “Mediterranean” delves into the wonders of the deep from an environmental perspective and the gardens’ spectacular display of 3,000 species of towering cacti grace the steep and winding mountainside paths. This package includes two tickets for each exhibit with buffet breakfast and lunch for two at the hotel’s “Horizon-Deck, Restaurant & champagne Bar”. Available May 1 -December 31, 2011, rates start at €573, with seven day advance booking required.
