Staying Green in Bonita Springs

By Kara Chalmers
Published: June 10, 2009
Last Updated On: March 10, 2011

Text Size A A A

Related Cities & Topics:

Parks

Resorts

Dining

Bonita Springs

Green Travel

It's easy being environmentally friendly in Florida, where staying green doesn't mean settling for second-best.

It ain't easy being green, sometimes. But my husband, Nate, and I agree that it's up to our generation to work harder to preserve mother Earth, and thus ensure it will always be there -- for our 18-month-old daughter Gabriella and for her daughters. What better way to do this than by taking environmentally conscious family vacations?

Because in Florida, staying green doesn't mean settling for second-best. In fact, many of Florida's most eco-friendly hotels also happen to be the most luxurious, the most beautiful, the most romantic, as well as the most family-friendly in the state.

This is certainly true of the hotel we chose for our latest family vacation, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa in Bonita Springs.

Ecologically Aware Accommodations

In 2004, Florida began its Green Lodging program to encourage hotels, motels, resorts and inns to voluntarily become more environmentally friendly. Since then, the state has certified 670 properties, which is achieved by eliminating wastes and reducing energy and water consumption.

In Florida, staying green doesn't mean settling for second-best. In fact, many of Florida's most eco-friendly hotels also happen to be the most luxurious, the most beautiful, the most romantic, as well as the most family-friendly in the state.

Among its many eco-friendly practices, the hotel landscapes with drought-resistant Florida native plants and uses low-flow dishwashers, toilets and showerheads; paperless check-in; a paperless purchase order system; high-efficiency lighting; garbage compactors; non-toxic cleaning products; and an energy-efficient thermostat system in guest rooms. Recycling bins are all over the property, including in guest rooms. On the roof, "energy recovery units" use exhaust air to warm water before it goes to the boiler. Even the resort's golf course, Raptor Bay, deserves eco-conscious kudos -- it is the country's first resort course to receive Audubon International's Gold Signature certification for preservation.

When I set out to take a green vacation, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point was a no-brainer. Not only is it Florida's greenest lodging, its Southwest Florida coastal location would offer us countless natural treasures to enjoy.

Environmentally Friendly Experiences

Upon entering the resort, the sweet smell of coconut hits me right away, making me feel like we washed ashore on some remote tropical island. But one look at the elegant decor and furnishings -- all rich, dark woods and calming creams and tans -- confirmed we are at a first-class resort. So did the flutes of champagne, we receive upon check-in.

Too enchanted with the resort to go straight to our room, we walk outside, where magnificent pools, fountains and waterfalls light up the night sky. A roaring "s'mores pit" is encircled by kids holding marshmallows on sticks over the flames. Nearby is a rock climbing wall, and next to that the entrance to the wooden boardwalk leading through a mangrove preserve to Estero Bay and the resort’s marina.

From our balcony on the 18th floor, we take in the gorgeous view of the property, the bay and barrier islands. The spacious room is impeccably decorated and furnished, with robes and chocolates arranged on the turned-down bed. A note in the bathroom states that unless a guest requests otherwise, towels and sheets will be changed every three days, to conserve energy and water. And there is an additional waste basket just for recycling.

After a restful night, and after arming ourselves with breakfast from the resort's market, we take off down the boardwalk through the mangroves, spotting a bald eagle soaring above us. From the marina, we can take a water taxi to Big Hickory Island, the resort’s pristine private island beach, or we can kayak or canoe the bay waters. We sign up for an eco-cruise later in the day and spend the morning playing in the family pool and exploring the resort, letting Gabriella loose on the perfectly manicured lawns.

At lunchtime, we venture off-property to the nearby Ted's Montana Grill, a particularly eco-conscious restaurant chain founded by environmentalist and media entrepreneur Ted Turner. Over bison burgers, we learn the restaurant aims to be 99 percent plastic-free, so it offers paper straws, menus printed on 100 percent recycled paper, to-go cups made of bio-degradable cornstarch, recyclable glass bottles for soft drinks, bio-degradable take-away containers, and recycled butcher paper for lining the dining tables.

Stomachs full and feeling content, we make it back to the resort's marina in time for our eco-cruise. With a knowledgeable guide pointing out the sights, we traverse the bay, passing mangrove islands and Lovers Key State Park, with its dog beach full of canines and their human companions. A bottlenose dolphin follows us for a while, swimming in the boat's wake. We find a perfect spot to view the setting sun, and the entire sky turns pink and orange, the clouds making the spectacle even more beautiful.

Back at the resort, we dine at the seafood restaurant, Tarpon Bay, which boasts an extensive ceviche bar. I sample two types of ceviche -- lobster with citrus and cilantro and Peruvian with scallops and mahi mahi -- and both leave me wanting more. Nate's entree of crispy whole snapper and my grilled mahi mahi with young soy white miso sauce are fresh and tasty.

Excellent Eco-Attractions

Next morning it is time to say goodbye to the resort, but luckily, we have a fun-filled day ahead of us. First stop is Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, where we hike the 1.2-mile shady boardwalk trail through several habitats, including a cypress slough. There, we watch the largest alligator we have ever seen amble right under the boardwalk where we stand, fascinated. The slough is also home to Lee County's first certified green public building, an interpretive center built with materials from local sources and landscaped with native vegetation. At the center, green cleaning products and energy-conserving features like fluorescent lighting are used.

Next and last stop is downtown Fort Myers, home of the brand new Butterfly Estates, a butterfly conservatory and observatory filled with lush, colorful plants, waterfalls, birds and thousands of butterflies. The aim of founders Rob Johnson and Matthew Hoover is to protect and conserve Florida native butterfly species, while giving visitors ideas for creating their own butterfly gardens.

Gabriella loves watching the butterflies fluttering so close by, as well as the finches sitting side-by-side on tree branches. Afterward, we grab lunch at the attraction's cafe, where the utensils, cups, plates and straws are all made of natural, compost-able materials like corn, potatoes and sugar cane. The cafe, as well as an ice cream parlor and gift shop, is housed in fully refurbished historic homes -- yet another sign that the owners are all about preserving and protecting Florida's resources.