Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby Season 1 Episode 2 Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador

In the second episode of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby, viewers are taken on a journey to the heart of the Ecuadorian cloud forest to visit Mashpi Lodge. This eco-lodge is nestled within a private nature reserve and boasts an impressive array of wildlife and natural wonders.

Presenter Giles Coren and chef Monica Galetti are welcomed by the hotel's general manager, Jorge Perez, who proceeds to give them a tour of the property. Guests are completely immersed in the natural environment, with rooms featuring floor to ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The lodge is built using sustainable materials and features a state-of-the-art water treatment plant which recycles waste water to provide drinking water for the guests.

Next up, viewers get an inside look at the kitchen, where chef Monica Galetti is shown how to prepare a traditional Ecuadorian dish by the hotel's head chef, Israel Donoso. They use locally-grown ingredients to create a delicious chicken and plantain stew. Galetti is impressed by the quality of the food and the use of sustainable practices in the kitchen, such as composting and using produce from the hotel's own organic farm.

The lodge's location in the heart of the cloud forest offers guests the opportunity to see an incredible array of wildlife, including toucans, howler monkeys, and even the elusive ocelot. The lodge employs local guides who take guests on a range of nature walks and hikes, providing educational insights into the unique flora and fauna of the region. Viewers are given a glimpse of one of the many stunning waterfalls that can be found within the reserve, adding to the overall sense of awe and wonder that guests experience during their stay.

In addition to the natural wonders, the lodge also offers a range of luxury amenities and activities. Viewers are shown the hotel's stunning spa, which features a Jacuzzi and outdoor yoga platform, as well as the hotel's observatory which offers incredible views of the night sky. For more adventurous guests, there are canopy zip lines and a sky bike that takes riders through the treetops. The hotel also works with local communities to provide cultural experiences such as traditional dances and crafts.

Overall, the second episode of Amazing Hotels: Life Beyond the Lobby provides viewers with a captivating look at the impressive and sustainable Mashpi Lodge. From its commitment to sustainable practices to its stunning location and range of luxury amenities and activities, this eco-lodge truly offers guests a unique and unforgettable experience in the heart of the cloud forest.