The Alila Villas Bintan resort will be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards

Alila Hotels & Resorts is to open two new properties in Indonesia in 2014 – Alila Villas Bintan and Alila Seminyak in Bali. Ground breaking ceremonies have been held at both properties as work gets underway with both scheduled to launch in 2014.

Set in a beautiful hillside location on the idyllic Lagoi Bay on Pulau Bintan only 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, Alila Villas Bintan will become the third addition to the Alila Villas brand, which has established itself as a leader in design and style at award-winning sister properties Alila Villas Soori and Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali.

Developed by Bukit Uluwatu Villa and designed by architectural firm WOHA, which gained international acclaim for the design of Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Villas Bintan will also be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards, merging with the island’s natural landscape of palm fringed beaches, pristine forest, secluded coves and the South China sea.

The 14.4 hectare gated development will comprise 12, three-bedroom beachfront residences and a luxury boutique resort with 52, one- and two-bedroom guest villas and state-of-the-art resort facilities.

Key to the development will be ‘The Village’ an additional four-hectare hub for arts, culture, culinary and wellness activities for guests and visitors alike.

World class resorts

The resort pool at Alila Villas Bintan

Two- and three-bedroom villas at Alila Villas Bintan are now available for purchase from US$ 1,800,000. Attractive ownership options are also available including revenue sharing and the possibility to the sell the unit back to the developer at the original purchase price.

Alila Hotels & Resorts’ second project, Alila Seminyak, will become the fifth Alila managed property on the island, will be set in the hippest hub of Bali and is planned to be a prime beach frontage resort comprising of 72 suites, 69 residences, extensive events space, a Spa Alila and restaurants. The resort will be distinguished by its innovative design and architecture based on a rice paddy field concept, with green spaces dominating the interiors and exteriors to create both a natural and stylish oasis.

Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are delighted to have made these first important steps in adding two new world-class resorts to our portfolio. Our growth is centred around finding interesting environments and cultures in which to sensitively develop properties that are in tune with the physical environments and both our expansion in Bali and first foray onto Bintan suit this perfectly.”

For further information visit http://www.alilavillasbintan.com and www.alilahotels.com

Lifestyle Collection

The exterior of a two bedroom property at Alila Villas Bintan

Alila Hotels and Resorts offer stylish, relaxing environments with different lifestyle concepts and guest experiences that are continuously redefined by the latest developments in design and living. The name Alila is derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘surprise’.

Alila Villas represent Alila’s new generation of luxurious yet sustainable developments in some of the most spectacular locations offering an unprecedented level of private space, design and architecture, personalised hospitality and destination experiences that set it apart.

Designed by award-winning teams of architects, interior designers and artisans, an Alila Villas project is the only brand that is designed, built and operated to Earth Check standards – integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of its environment.

Currently, Alila is continuing to develop new hotels and resorts in China, India, Indonesia, Indochina, Oman, Vietnam and Portugal.

The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath

Combining leading-edge sustainable design, a boost to the Cornish economy and a shared ownership model which makes 5-star living more affordable, The Residence at the award-winning Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath is an exciting new development designed in harmony with its own and the wider environment.

Green: Each retreat uses timber from sustainable forests, provides hot water courtesy of a heat pump and is fully insulated, delivering energy efficiency to Government code level 4 – 44% better than 2006 BRE (Building Research Establishment) requirements. By swapping flights abroad for holidaying in the UK, owners will also be reducing their carbon footprint.

Affordable luxury: Hot tubs, plush furnishings, scenic views of rugged Cornwall, plus the trappings of a hotel – food delivered from Gwel an Mor’s exclusive restaurant and everything cleaned and ready for your arrival – made affordable thanks to the shared ownership model, where up to 12 people own a piece of the freehold title.

Boosting the local economy: Cornwall has two problems: one that its reliance on tourism leaves its economy struggling in the winter months and two, that a high proportion of housing stock, as much as 60%*, are second homes, and this bumps up prices for locals. The Residence combats both of these issues, employing local staff year-round and providing plenty for guests to do when the sun’s not shining, while delivering an affordable solution for people looking for a second home and one that doesn’t affect local housing.

Year-round destination: With a wood burner to keep warm, a club house with swimming pool, spa and gym, a farm and The Terrace restaurant, The Residence offers something at any time of the year. Soon owners will also be able to enjoy tennis courts, 9-hole golf, fishing lakes, a rock climbing wall, indoor children’s and teenagers entertainment centre, event venue and equestrian school.

Investment opportunity: This is not a timeshare, buying into The Residence means actually owning a slice of prime Cornish real estate which owners are free to sell, transfer or bequeath at anytime.

*Office of National Statistics

For more information, go online at: www.ecoholidaylodges.com

Whether you are building a new home or looking at energy saving measures in an older property, do consider the alternatives

“There are three main microgeneration or renewable technologies suitable for providing heating and hot water for domestic properties: solar thermal, heat pumps and wood biomass. Each technology has its pros and cons and may be more suited to one type of property than another.

Solar Thermal

This technology harnesses warmth from the sun and uses it to heat water. Solar power can provide hot water throughout the year and so reduce the energy needed through conventional methods, such as gas. A traditional boiler or immersion heater will also be required when solar energy is low during the UK’s winter months.

Before choosing solar thermal, you need to consider whether you have a suitable, sunny place to put the solar panels. Five square metres of space, facing east to west through south, and receiving direct sunlight for the main part of the day is ideal. The panels don’t necessarily have to be mounted on a pitched roof; they can be fixed to a frame on a flat roof or hung from a wall.

Heat Pumps

Whether buried in the ground and extracting heat from the earth or attached to an outside wall and taking warmth from the air,

every unit of electrical energy put into the heat pump system will generate between 3 and 4 units of heat out, making them extremely energy efficient.

A ground source heat pump circulates a mixture of water and antifreeze around a loop of pipe, absorbing heat from the ground and concentrating it into a higher temperature capable of heating water for a conventional central heating system. An air source heat pump works along the same principles although does not offer the same efficiency or capacity of heat delivery. Air source is more suited to smaller homes however, as the ground source version does require considerable outside space.

Wood pellets, chips or logs can be burned to power central heating and hot water boilers, or a stove to provide warmth in a single room. Biomass is often an ideal solution for rural properties that may have access to managed woodland and the space to store the boiler and associated equipment.

Key factors to consider are that you need dry storage space for the wood, a flue installed that is specifically designed for wood fuel appliances and a readily available source of wood material. Also, while energy and CO2 emission savings are significant when replacing oil-fired or electrical heating systems, this may not be true when replacing gas or solid fuel systems and could even increase fuel costs.

For all these technologies, you may be able to receive payments for the heat you generate through the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), scheduled for launch imminently, or a grant towards the installation costs through the Renewable Heat Premium Payment Plan. Details can be found on our previous blogs and the Energy Savings Trust website: www.energysavingtrust.co.uk.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government approved training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as house builders and specifiers.

A technician fitting solar panels

Most of us know about the environmental and energy saving benefits of renewable technology and we’ve heard there are grants available to homeowners to help fund their installation, but how can be we be sure that ‘green’ improvements will be carried out safely? Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, provides tips on how to pick the right installer.

“With a range of incentives to heat and light your home without fossil fuels – the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) for off-gas homeowners, Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) giving cash-back for green electricity and the soon to be introduced Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) – now is the time to consider technologies such as solar thermal, heat pumps or micro-wind turbines.

“As with all home improvements, it can be a time-consuming and head-scratching task to select a reputable and reliable tradesperson that you can be confident will treat you with respect, recommend the appropriate products for your property and carry out the job efficiently to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

“A key consideration is that, to access any of the Government grants and payback schemes, you must select an installer and equipment that has been Microgeneration Scheme (MCS) accredited. Its website, www.microgenerationcertification.org, is an ideal place to start your search as it contains a wealth of information on relevant products as a well as a list of approved and accredited installers throughout the UK.

“Look out for the Real Assurance Scheme logo. This scheme has been set up by the Renewable Energy Association to ensure consumers looking to buy or lease renewables in their home have a good experience. Members of the scheme have to adhere to a code of practice and be MCS accredited. More information about Real Assurance, plus details of installers in your area can be found on the website: www.realassurance.org.uk.

“The Energy Savings Trust, www.energysavingtrust.org.uk, is another source of valuable information with details of grants, tips on saving energy and recommended products – you can apply for the RHPP here too.

“To make sure the trades people you choose for any job around the home are reputable, visit Trustmark, www.trustmark.org.uk, a not-for-profit organisation, licensed by Government, to maintain standards and prevent rogue traders. Trustmark-registered workers will have met the scheme’s stringent criteria giving end-users peace of mind. Through the website you can find tips to spot a good tradesperson, plus search for Trustmarked businesses in your area.

“Going down the renewables route will save you pounds on your fuel bills if they’re installed correctly; badly fitted equipment won’t meet energy efficiency claims and may even be dangerous, plus without an MCS accredited installer, government funding won’t be accessible.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government approved, MCS-recognised training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as homeowners, house builders and specifiers.

Insulating your home needn't involve spending a fortune altering your property

According to new research from E.ON, one in 10 UK households is missing out on huge savings by not having their cavity walls and lofts insulated, claiming that they simply ‘can’t be bothered’. Other excuses given include having too much clutter in the loft (9%), not having a ladder (3%), and not knowing how to go about it (15%).

Insulation experts at E.ON calculated that the average home can save up to £390 a year on their energy bills by insulating homes with cavity wall and loft insulation, yet over half of the UK (57%) had no idea that such savings are possible.

Surprisingly, 17% of respondents felt they couldn’t afford to insulate their homes when it can cost from as little as £99 and can pay for itself in just four months.

For those unaware of the £99 professional installation offer, DIY-laziness was cited as a major cause for missing out on the huge savings available, with almost one third of men making excuses to avoid the perceived hassle.

Kevin Bryant, Energy Fitness Instructor at E.ON, said: “When we feel the cold, it’s very tempting to turn on or turn up the heating, but there are other long-term solutions which can make a big difference and help you save money on your bills.
“With a quarter of heat lost through uninsulated roofs and a third through uninsulated walls, installing cavity wall or loft insulation is one the best long-term approaches you can make to getting your home more energy fit. It’s easy. Just give us a call and we’ll make sure everything is taken care of from measuring up to the installation itself.”

Breaking a widely-believed myth that insulation only provides vital savings in winter, 60% of respondents didn’t know that as well as keeping their homes warmer in the colder months, insulation also helps keep homes cooler in the summer.

The E.ON Energy Fit Survey offers households a tailored plan to help them become more energy efficient, and most importantly, make valuable savings off their energy bills.

To take a short survey and find out how much you could save, go to www.eonenergyfit.com.

Solar thermal - Kingspan renewables

The Government is offering money towards the cost of heat-based renewables for some homeowners, under the Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP). Launched on August 1st, the scheme is designed to get those UK homes paying the most for fuel benefitting from the savings to be made from ‘green energy’.

The RHPP involves the Government giving money to householders towards the cost of renewable heating technologies, including solar thermal heating and hot water, air and ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers. Running in a similar way to the Boiler Scrappage Scheme, qualifying customers will get a fixed payment voucher for installing a renewable heating device:

• Solar Thermal – £300, valid for three months
• Air Source Heat Pumps – £850, valid for five months
• Ground Source Heat Pumps – £1,250, valid for six months
• Biomass Boilers – £950, valid for six months

The RHPP is not open to everyone: preference will be given to off-gas customers, so therefore people currently relying on expensive oil, or electricity-based heating. Basic energy-efficiency measures will also have to be in place, including loft insulation to 250mm and cavity wall insulation, where practical. The exception to these rules is solar thermal, which is available to any household.

What’s the catch?

There is no catch as such, but the intention of the RHPP is to inform Government about end-user’s experiences of these technologies and how much money they save. Later this year the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is being launched for domestic customers, providing cash-back for renewable energy produced – the findings of the RHPP will help finalise the details of the RHI.

Participants will be asked to provide detailed feedback through a set of surveys. The Government will also provide, for a significant sample of participants, additional meters for their heating equipment so the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) can compare manufacturers’ and installers’ claims about performance with real data on energy use.

The RHPP is being run by the Energy Saving Trust. Visit: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/RHPP, or call 0800 512 012 for more information. Applications are being taken from now until March 2012, allocated on a first come, first served basis.

To access the RHPP you must choose an installer and equipment that have been Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accredited.

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government approved training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as house builders and specifiers.

Alma Verde Village & Spa is a Sustain Worldwide member

Energy provider E.ON’s announcement last week that gas bills will increase by an average of by 18.1% and electricity prices by 11.4%, with effect from 13 September 2011 supports the huge rises in energy prices confirmed by the UK’s other major energy providers in the last month.

Set against these rises, new homes purchasers will find the increased energy costs will have little impact on them because their new houses are built to be extremely energy efficient. In fact, new properties in England and Wales are legislated to be 25% more energy efficient than houses built in 1996. Many new constructions being built today are at least 44% more energy efficient than most existing homes.

Overseas, a number of properties are equally energy efficient. In Portugal, the villas at Alma Verde Village & Spa, a Sustain Worldwide member, have been independently verified to be 94% more energy efficient than conventionally built homes in Portugal due to the installation of the innovative Coolhouse system. Commensurately, homeowners’ energy bills are reduced by 94% while the villas’ interior temperature is maintained at 26C year-round without the need for energy hungry air-conditioning.

Not only are homeowners’ energy bills reduced by 94%, several residents are generating electricity through solar PV panels, which further reduces their bills. In the UK, residents who have installed solar PV benefit from payments from the Government’s Clean Energy Cash Back Scheme. The initiative pays homeowners 43.3p per KWh they generate. The average resident will earn and save in the region of £1,100 per year on their electricity bill.

Homeowners who have installed solar PV will be interested to read the new research by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, which finds strong evidence that homes with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems sell for a premium over homes without solar systems.

The research finds that homes with solar PV in California have sold for a premium, expressed in dollars per watt of installed PV, of approximately $3.90 to $6.40/watt. This corresponds to an average home sales price premium of approximately $17,000 (approx £10,500) for a relatively new 3,100 watt (kWh) PV system (the average size of PV systems in the Berkeley Lab dataset), and compares to an average investment that homeowners have made to install PV systems in California of approximately $5/W (kWh) over the 2001-2009 study period.

The villas at Alma Verde Village & Spa have been independently verified to be 94% more energy efficient than conventionally built homes in Portugal

The Berkeley Lab research is the first to explore empirically the existence and magnitude of residential solar PV sales price impacts across a large number of homes and over a wide geographic area. The research analysed a dataset of more than 72,000 California homes that w eresold from 2000 through to mid-2009, approximately 2,000 of which had a solar PV system at the time of sale.

Anwar Harland-Khan, CEO of Sustain Worldwide, which is a membership organisation of sustainable property developers and architects, said: “The Berkeley Lab research supports our long-held contention that energy efficient and energy generating new homes have a value premium over conventionally built existing homes.

“At a time when energy prices are rising rapidly, new home buyers with installed solar PV are saving a considerable amount on their energy bills and can look forward to a higher sales price.”

Sustain Worldwide’s members, who have committed to develop sustainably and in consideration of their impact on the environment and local communities, are creating luxury and investment and retirement homes that are amongst the finest to be found in today’s international property market. Set in outstanding locations in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Morocco, Brazil, Kenya, Montenegro, Thailand, Switzerland and the UK, the properties are priced from as little as £175,000 to several £million in some cases.

For more information about Sustain Worldwide’s members’ luxury sustainable homes, resorts and communities, visit www.SustainWorldwide.com or call +44 (0)20 7754 5557

Tallinn, Estonia's capital city

Estonia is no longer Europe’s best-kept secret, with increasing GDP growth, record numbers of tourists and a commitment to renewable energies and eco developments. The smallest of the Baltic countries is certainly making its presence felt.

According to Statistics Estonia, the government agency of the Ministry of Finance, Estonia’s GDP has increased by an impressive 8% in Q1 2011 compared to the same quarter last year, seeing exports of goods rise by 53% with most of the value added growth attributed to manufacturing. Moreover, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) suggests that Estonia’s economy may develop further with a 5.9% increase this year.

Alan Forsyth, director of property investment experts, Property Secrets, which markets investment opportunities in Estonia comments: “Estonia certainly has placed itself on the global investment radar. As well as the welcomed boost in GDP, the National Tourist Board recently announced that Estonia has seen a 41% increase in the number of UK visitors with a record number welcomed in Q1 2011.

“Additionally, more than 259,000 tourists stayed in hotels and other forms of accommodation between January and March this year, a 19% rise compared to the same time last year which could well be attributed to the fact that Tallinn, Estonia’s capital city, has been voted European Capital of Culture 2011. In addition, low cost airline EasyJet recently introducing flights to the Estonian capital from Liverpool making it easier to visit the Baltic country.”

Certainly, the growth in visitor numbers is excellent news, not only for the country’s economy but for potential property buyers as Estonia has seen an increase in population growth according to Statistics Estonia with the biggest attraction being the city of Tallinn, which was able to keep net migration positive for the second year in a row.

Of course, as the population of Estonia grows, a greater need for housing becomes more apparent. According to data from The Global Property Guide, property prices in Tallinn rose by 2.5% over the year-to-end Q1 2011 indicating that the housing market is in good shape. This, along with the Estonian construction industry experiencing 34% year-on-year growth in the number of construction projects underway in Q1 2011 (according to Statistics Estonia), paints a positive picture for potential property investors.

Most interestingly, research by KPMG has stated that Estonia is focussing heavily on eco developments, investing much of its European funding in projects with an environmental appeal. For instance, the production of electricity from renewable sources in Estonia in 2009 increased nearly threefold compared to the previous year according to Statistics Estonia and certainly, the government’s approval of the Estonian Renewable Energy Action Plan last year continuing until 2020, by which time the share of renewable energy is thought to have grown to at least 25% of all domestic consumption, will have triggered further eco efforts of housing developers.

Property Secrets has looked into Estonia’s eco housing market and has a truly sustainable development on offer.

Oxford Park

An interior of an eco-property at Oxford Park, just 30 minutes drive from Estonia's capital, Tallinn

Fully planned and carbon negative, Keble House, built in the beautiful residential complex Oxford Park and priced at only €107,307, with 20% covered by the developer, is the first of its type in Europe, offering a 2-bedroom natural wood terrace house with front and back garden and parking only 30 minutes’ drive from the border of the capital Tallinn.

The Oxford Park complex is the only new community development in Europe to plan its own independent renewable heat and electricity source (allowing it an A+ rating), based on clean biomass renewable energy, supplying all the properties through a smart grid and putting it well ahead of similar developments in the UK.

With a five-year rental guarantee at 5% of purchase price this is the perfect opportunity to reap the rewards from Estonia’s emerging market by investing in a beautiful and sustainable eco-friendly property.

For further information Property Secrets at: www.propertysecrets.net.

Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies

Cathryn Hickey, from the National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies, explains the steps we can take to make a dent in household expenses while doing our bit to cut carbon.

“There’s never been a better time to ‘go green’, with cash-back incentives from government meaning homeowners that choose renewables can save pounds on their fuel bills and even make money in some instances.

“As fuel prices rise and the planet heats up, now is the time to consider the alternative, renewable, options that are available. Apart from saving you money on your utility bills, these ‘environmental technologies’ offer a financially appealing proposition, with cash back from government through Feed in Tariffs (FiTs) for electricity generating equipment, such as solar photovoltaics and the soon to be introduced Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for heat producing ones, including solar thermal and wood biomass.

“Through these schemes, payments are given out over a 20-year period, with the cost of the equipment covered in about five to ten years and a return on investment of up to 12 per cent – much better than putting your money in a savings account. If your property makes more energy than you require, this can be sold back to the national grid or heat network, further increasing the money-making potential.

Solar PV house. Light from the sun is collected in panels on the roof and turned into power

“FiTs has been going since last year and the RHI is already in place for businesses and will be introduced properly for homes from October 2012. Interested domestic customers can take advantage of the RHI now through the Premium Payment, where the government provides money towards the cost of the equipment in exchange for information about how it works and the savings being made.

“These same homeowners will then be put on the RHI’s payback scheme when it launches in the autumn. More information about the RHI and FiTs can be found on the Energy Saving Trust’s website: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.”

The main contenders

For electricity generation, the most popular choice is solar photovoltaics (PV) and for heating and hot water the main contenders are solar thermal, heat pumps and wood biomass. Each technology has its pros and cons:

• Solar PV: This works best in the south of the country and it is very important that the roof is not shaded. A back-up electricity supply will be required in the winter months.
• Solar thermal: Warmth from the sun is collected in panels with this method and used to heat water. Like PV this is not a year-round solution and a gas boiler, electric heater or alternate renewable solution is needed.
• Heat pumps: Either buried in the ground – extracting heat from the earth, or attached to an outside wall – taking warmth from the air, heat pumps act like a refrigerator in reverse and can provide heating and hot water even on the coldest of days. Smaller homes are more suited to an air source heat pump, as the ground source version requires a considerable area of outside space.
• Wood biomass: Heating and hot water is supplied through a wood burning boiler, which runs on logs, wood chips or pellets. This is an ideal solution for rural properties which may have access to managed woodland and the space to store the boiler and associated equipment.

“Next year, the Green Deal is being introduced. This is a loan scheme for energy efficiency measures, including renewable systems, where homeowners will pay for the equipment through their utility bills. This can be combined with the RHI and FiTs, making renewables an even more attractive proposition. To access these schemes householders must choose an installer and equipment that have been Microgeneration Scheme (MCS) accredited.”

The National Skills Academy for Environmental Technologies (www.nsaet.org.uk) delivers government-approved training for renewable installers, as well as a qualification in understanding the principles of low carbon equipment for anyone interested in making a move to greener alternatives, such as house builders.

The El Gouna Marina on the Red Sea is keeping up with yacht owner's expectations

The Egyptian resort towns of El Gouna and Taba Heights, two luxurious resort towns on the Red Sea, are growing to provide the perfect mooring for yachts of all sizes and developing to keep up with yacht owner’s expectations.

Abu Tig Marina in El Gouna, open since 1999, is a prestigious anchorage for both visiting and resident yachts in the Red Sea. Due to unprecedented demand for space, the Marina has recently expanded and now provides dedicated mooring for super yachts. The new North Basin can accommodate an additional 106 vessels from six metres to 80 metres.

The Marina recently added El Gouna Yacht Club to its repertoire, complementing the marina services with social activities and access to private rooms reserved for members.

Exciting projects underway at Abu Tig Marina include a power boating and sailing school recognised by the Royal Yachting Academy, channel dredging to improve access from the sea and the addition of a new dry storage facility for 100 craft.

Taba Heights Marina, located on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula, was the first official port of entry into the region. Maritime visitors now have direct access and secure moorings, making the Gulf of Aqaba a very appealing destination destination.

El Gouna Marina

The marina currently has 11,500 square metres of water area, with capacity for 50 yachts. The location of Taba Heights Marina is integral to its popularity, as it overlooks four countries – Egypt, Jordan, Israel and Saudi Arabia. Day trips to Petra and the Dead Sea are available, making it the ideal base from which to explore the region, all while moored in a luxurious resort town with excellent amenities.

Environmentally friendly resort

Spread across pristine islands, unspoilt lagoons and ten kilometres of sandy beach, El Gouna is the Red Sea’s premier leisure destination. Renowned as one of Egypt’s most environmentally friendly resort, El Gouna is committed to the long-term sustainability of its beautiful scenery, award-winning architecture and breadth of accommodation.

Situated against a natural backdrop of desert, mountains and sea, Taba Heights claims an exceptionally picturesque location on the Sinai Peninsula. With an idyllic climate, the destination boasts an array of luxury 5-star hotels, award-winning architecture and golf courses and some of the world’s best diving, making it the ideal leisure retreat year-round.

For more information please visit www.elgouna.com and www.tabaheights.com