Monthly Meeting and Lunch

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Last week we had our monthly Cayuga Corporate Meeting and, as it is a little hard to get together for all our team since we are usually at the hotels, we had lunch and celebrated Silvia's birthday.

Happy Birthday Silvia!

The Pottery Workshops

During her most recent visit to the newly opened Jicaro Island Ecolodge on the Isletas de Granada in Lake Nicaragua, Silvia Vargas had the chance to visit the pottery workshops in San Juan del Oriente. Guests of Jicaro Island Ecolodge have the chance to take this tour and get a hands on experience working with the local artesans. Join us!

Planning on visiting Granada?

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Why not stay on a secluded island getaway a short 20 minute boat ride from the colonial town of Granada. Jicaro Island Ecolodge is located on an isleta in Lake Nicaragua boasting nine private casitas that serve as the setting for a romantic escape filled with peace, tranquility and relaxation. Morning yoga on floating decks and birding are two favorite activities. There is also easy access to a wide variety of activities off the island ranging from kayaking and hiking to zip-lining on volcanoes, bathing in hot springs and exploring colonial treasures. The culinary experience is focused on local ingredients prepared in a creative and healthy way in an open kitchen concept.

www.jicarolodge.com, info@jicarolodge.com, Tel. (505) 2552-6353

Starting in October 2009 and ending in March 2010, the Hotel School together with the Johnson Business School at Cornell University in Ithaca New York is offering a course on sustainability in the hospitality industry. One of the company’s featured as a case study is Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, based in San Jose, Costa Rica. Students from Cornell will come to Costa Rica to do on the ground research at the hotels, lodges and resorts in January and in March, there will be final presentations at the Cornell Hotel School to the owners of Cayuga. This is a great way to bring more information on sustainability to the Cornell Hotel School and to make sure it maintains its hospitality leadership in the years to come.

Our first guest at Jicaro Island Ecolodge

In late December, Cayuga has successfully opened Jicaro Island Ecolodge. The 9 room ecolodge is located on Jicaro Island, one of the Granada Isletas in Lake Nicaragua with stunning views of the Mombacho volcano.

On December 22^nd, we had our first guest at the hotel. Kathryn Maier stayed for one night and enjoyed a Sunset Kayaking with Fabian, our onsite guide.

This is the second opening of an Ecolodge for Cayuga in Nicaragua after Morgan’s Rock near San Juan del Sur in 2004. Cayuga operated Morgan’s Rock from 2004 to 2006 and after almost three years of absence in Nicaragua is happy to be back operating in this beautiful country.

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Last week, Marijke (Assistant Manager) and Arnay (Administrative Manager) recognized Antonio Zuniga for 10 years of working with Lapa Rios. He received a watch as a sign of gratitude from the owners John and Karen Lewis for his years of service in the cleaning department, kitchen and as guard. We hope he will stay many more years with us as he is an exemplary employee with a great attitude always willing to help out. Thanks Tonio!!

New Jicaro Island Ecolodge will Help Showcase the Amazing and Sustainable Experiences Awaiting Tourists to Nicaragua

Jicaro Island Ecolodge will not only open its doors January 1st, 2010, it will also open up a wealth of new experiences for tourists to Nicaragua looking for a soft adventure and wellness retreat, built around the principles of sustainable tourism.

An experience at Jicaro Island Lodge includes transfers to and from Granada’s Asese Port, all meals prepared in the open kitchen using local, fresh ingredients, and accommodation in one of the nine, beautifully designed and private two storey casitas. Rates start at US$380.00, based on double occupancy, and until January 31, 2010, people who book three nights only pay for two, a savings of over 30 per cent.

Managed by the team at Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, (the company also behind the management of award winning eco-luxury resorts like Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn, Arenas Del Mar Beach & Nature Resort, Harmony Hotel and Latitude 10 Resort in Costa Rica), Jicaro Island Ecolodge is set on a private island just a short boat ride from the colonial town of Granada, Nicaragua’s top tourist town. Along with the nine casitas, Jicaro Island Ecolodge includes an open kitchen and restaurant, large patios, pool and lounge area, and large yoga decks, all offering spectacular views of the Mombacho Volcano across Lake Nicaragua.

A signature tour of the ecolodge includes a short boat ride across the lake to the foot of the Mombacho Volcano where guests can hike up to hidden hot springs, the Mombacho cloud forests and be immersed in the areas abundant wildlife. Other ecolodge activities include yoga, extensive wellness treatments, kayaking and swimming. Day and half day tours to explore the nearby attractions such as Canopy Tours (zip-lining), Horseback Riding, Colonial Granada City, Masaya Artisan Market and the Masaya Volcano, boat tours to Ometepe or Zapatera Island, are also available.

Travel to Jicaro Island Ecolodge is straightforward as it is strategically located so close to Nicaragua’s most important tourism destination Granada and just north of the Costa Rican boarder. Guests may choose an international flight into Nicaragua’s capital Managua, Costa Rica’s capital San Jose or the northern Costa Rican city of Liberia.