More travelers than ever want to travel as sustainably and environmentally friendly as possible. Not only do visitors want to leave their mark on the environments they visit, but they are also more interested than ever in immersing themselves in the authentic culture of their destinations.
according to Latest report compiled by Booking.com, 74% of travelers consider supporting sustainable businesses, and many businesses are pivoting to offer more environmentally friendly options to their guests. Ecotourism is already a $185 billion business and is expected to grow another 15% by 2030.
But if you’re a hotel, resort, or Airbnb host worried about pivoting your business and want an example of how to do ecotourism right, look no further than Stamford Inn by the Sea & Resort. Located in the heart of Mendocino, California, this inn combines rugged cliffs and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean with historic charm and showcases what sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism can look like. It shines as proof of this.
There’s something mysterious about Mendocino
The Stanford Inn feels more like a New England bed and breakfast than you might imagine when you hear the words “vegan resort.”
Mendocino itself is unique. It is a sparsely populated land facing the Pacific Ocean, with little modernization. The community is located a few hours north of San Francisco and has a long history of attracting artists, hippies, and yuppies looking to go off-grid for the weekend.
Artists began gathering in Northern California communities in the early 1960s. What began as a few painters, who Rolling Stone reports worked “in a symbiotic relationship” with an antique shop, has evolved into a thriving hippie haven. Mendocino today doesn’t have the “weird” vibe it had in 1970. Still, there’s something about this area that draws people to it.
“There’s an earthly energy flowing through this property,” Jeff Stanford, one of the owners of Stanford Inn by the Sea, told Nuvo Magazine. “It is said that they are the same energy rays.” [sometimes called a ley line] It passes by places like Stonehenge and St. Michael’s Mount. ”
Believe it or not ley line, there’s more to the air at the Stamford Inn than fog and humidity. Pulling into the driveway feels like walking through a vortex or into a protective bubble. During your stay, nothing else matters except what you came here to do.
“This inn/resort is representative of what people can do, from land use to recreation,” Stanford explained, adding that the energy found in Mendocino will help.
A stay at the Stanford Inn is a stay with the Stanford family
In addition to the serene, mystical beauty of Mendino’s coastline, part of Stamford Inn’s appeal is the feeling of coming home. Of course, this was the Stanford family’s intention from the beginning.
“Joan [Stanford] “I fell in love with the redwood forest that reached down to the Pacific cliffs,” Stanford explained, adding that his wife loved the way the land was “buffered by cypress and bulpine twisted by the onshore winds.” added.
The couple purchased what was then known as Big River Lodge more than 40 years ago. Expecting their first child at the time, they struggled but found help when they needed it most. He explained that the previous landowners were looking for a family member to take over the business and were willing to provide the growing Stanford family with a loan as a down payment. The family still lives on the property.
But it wasn’t just the original owners who helped. “The guests gave us gifts,” Stanford says. Where they found new or renewed purpose. [and] As a place of spirit. ”
Jeff says they were often seen sitting by the fireplace in the lounge with mugs of black coffee in hand, but they hadn’t been in the hospitality industry long before taking over the Stamford Inn. Even when compared to traditional B&Bs, it’s hard to find a space and staff as comfortable as the Stamford Inn.
With all the comforts of home
The main building on the property doubles as a reception area and restaurant, with Ravens Restaurant located in the back corner of the building. Guests are greeted by a crackling fireplace, a smiling face behind the front desk, and a purring cat or two begging for a scratch.
Breakfast is included in your stay and reservations will be taken by the concierge upon arrival. If you plan to have dinner at Ravens Restaurant, please make a reservation at check-in or call us later from your room phone.
As you step through the warm light of the room’s threshold, you regret agreeing to leave. Decorated with pine, redwood accents, and antique furniture, this room feels more like a small cabin in the woods than a hotel or part of a larger building.
Enjoy views of the inn’s many gardens and protected animal meadows. When the fog clears, watch the sun set over the Pacific Ocean from your balcony or warm up in front of a wood fire in the comfort of your own home. The starter log is waiting for you in the fireplace. You can find more information at various connection points outside the room.
You can also de-stress in the indoor, plant-filled saltwater pool (permanently heated to 82 degrees) and spa, or work up a sweat in the dry sauna.
But signs that remind guests of how precious a resource water is to Mendocino remind guests that where they are staying is a real place, a place where their presence leaves a lasting impact. It reminds me of something.
Ecotourism is central to the Stanford Inn’s mission
For Jeff Stanford, “ecotourism” is an easy concept to understand, and he believes it is akin to sensitivity training. “When you’re insensitive, it’s much easier to cause damage to other people, animals, and the environment,” he explains.
“The more sensitive I am, the more aware I am, the less damage I can do.”
Part of the Inn’s mission is to help guests understand why it’s important to be sensitive to their surroundings. This applies not only to the environment, but also to Northern California’s unique culture.
“One of our main tasks is to put our customers, as well as our bus drivers, housekeepers, cooks and other staff, at risk. [the idea of] “Live more easily” and find joy in doing so,” says Jeff.
Hike the property’s 10 acres, canoe on the Big River (canoes and bicycles are available for rent), or relax in the fresh air on an Adirondack chair. Many of them are spread out within the Inn’s grounds.
The person who answers the phone at the front desk will be happy to recommend hiking trails if you can’t decide where to go or what to do.
Meat is a must at Ravens Restaurant
Food is another important aspect of sustainable living that Stanford Inn prioritizes. That’s why Raven’s Restaurant doesn’t even have steak or eggs on its menu.
The pre-pandemic inn/resort’s transition from vegetarian to vegan was an ethical decision that Stanford University follows at home and at work.tourism global carbon dioxide emissions It increased between 2009 and 2019 and accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, four times more than predicted.
However, choosing not to serve animal products does not simply mean the treatment of animals.a recent research It shows that a vegan diet helps reduce wildlife destruction by 66% and Mendocino’s already rare water use by 54%.
“Our dietary choices have a huge impact on the planet,” the study’s author, Professor Peter Scarborough from the University of Oxford, explains to the Guardian. “Reducing the amount of meat and dairy in your diet can make a big difference in your dietary footprint.”
A completely plant-based diet may sound daunting, but even the most meat-eater will have a new appreciation for vegan cuisine after eating at Raven’s.
The Inn features a bar stocked with bottles of wine from local vineyards, many available for purchase in the gift shop in the lobby. “Being vegan doesn’t mean denying yourself,” explains Sid Garza Hillman, a nutritional consultant and director of the Mendocino Center for Living Well at Stanford Inn. At least for Hillman, veganism is about making choices that benefit your overall health.
A vegan diet supports health
Eating a plant-based diet is beneficial for both mind and body.Scientists believe that many plants rich in antioxidants Phytochemicals that repair damage and reduce inflammation.
a Medical research in 2022 Consuming arachidonic acid, a fat found in meat and eggs, was found to increase inflammation and other unnecessary immune responses. When this inflammation reaches the brain, patients complain of “anxiety, stress, feelings of hopelessness, and depression.”
But converting to veganism doesn’t mean leaving the Stamford Inn. At least, that’s not their goal. “We don’t sell supplements or special foods. [or] Services that go beyond the inn experience. “We’re not saying, ‘Don’t eat fries,'” says the cover of the Stamford Inn newsletter. “We are saying nothing other than that we are seeking greater awareness within ourselves. We create our own vitality and joy, and nature is our refuge. There is nothing else.”
According to nutrition expert Walter Willett of the Harvard School of Public Health, you don’t have to convert to veganism to reap the health benefits of a plant-based diet. “A diet that includes moderate amounts of dairy, fish, and even poultry and meat can be healthy, as long as you avoid refined starches and sugars and focus on vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.” he said.in NPR 1A’s 2019 interview.
The health benefits of a plant-rich or plant-based diet include reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and “overall mortality.”
Complete list of amenities at Stanford Inn by the Sea and Resort
However, you will be leaving the Standford Inn with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and love for plant-based cuisine. From breakfast buckwheat waffles with fresh berry compote to Ravens ravioli stuffed with hemp and sunflowers, there’s no wrong choice on the menu.
Additionally, the restaurant follows Northern California’s farm-to-table tradition, with many dishes featuring ingredients grown in the inn’s gardens. “We have to protect and manage the land to the south during our time here,” Stanford says. Agriculture has a long tradition on the Inn’s grounds, dating back to his 1800s when Chinese farmers operated “China Gardens.”
If you need meat, Patterson’s Pub is less than 5 minutes away and stays open later than Raven’s.
Dinner reservations at Raven’s must be made by 7 p.m.
In addition to a healthy and balanced menu, the Inn offers a wealth of experiences and amenities available to guests. These include:
nutrition class
cooking class
gardening class
breathwork
play shop
meditation workshop
acupuncture
Full-service herbal medicine pharmacy
yoga workshop
Massage and spa treatments
Guided nature walk and mushroom foraging
Access to fully equipped fitness room
tai chi
EV charger for customers traveling by electric vehicle
canoe rental
Bicycle rental
Additionally, Stanford Inn is pet-friendly. Whether you’re taking a road trip down Route 1 with your four-legged friend or you don’t want to leave your fur baby behind on a romantic weekend, they can accompany you.
This article was created and distributed by Wealth of Geeks.
Nicole Tommasulo is a Buffalo-born writer and editor based in Boston. Typically covering all things lifestyle, her beats range from food to the latest news, travel, mental health, and everything in between.
She holds a master’s degree in writing from Savannah College of Art and Design and has previously published books. list, heels down magazine, Hello, Couscousand some websites that are now defunct but not forgotten. xo jane and femme plain.
In addition to working at Wealth of Geeks, Nicole founded and runs a travel and food magazine. Taste + Wander. For more information, follow Nicole on Instagram at @nicoletommasulo or @savor_roam.
