Popup Asahram and Bicycle-Powered Blenders Coming to Papaya Playa

A DESIGN HOTELS™ PROJECT

Berlin, July 23, 2012 – Last December, Design Hotels™ launched the Papaya Playa Project, its first pop-up resort on a beautiful strip of Caribbean coast in Tulum, Mexico. The project’s creative vibe and off-beat hospitality struck such a chord with both residents and visitors that Design Hotels™ was compelled to keep on going. A post pop-up phase has now been launched to continue the quest for alternative modes of living and being. “We’re taking the same energy and intensity that we had for creating one of the world’s first pop-up hotels to steer the Papaya Playa Project to the next level: of bringing about a deeper consciousness of the environment and one’s inner-self. We hope to get off the grid, both as a property and as people,” says Claus Sendlinger, founder and CEO of Design Hotels™. Expect more surprises and out-of-the-box solutions in the next phase of the Papaya Playa Project.

www.designhotels.com/papaya_playa_a_design_hotels_project

TWISTING AND CHANNELING TO A HIGHER STATE OF AWARENESS

Exploring different spiritual paths can be a daunting endeavor. Not so at the world’s first PopUp Ashram™, launching September 15 – November 5 at the Papaya Playa Project. Michael Liss, concept creator, spiritual explorer, and former Managing Director of Butterfield & Robinson, explains the idea, “We want to create a spiritual retreat for people who are drawn to yoga or are simply asking the larger questions about life, but haven’t figured out where to turn, what to try, or found a practice that speaks to them. PopUp Ashram™ acts like a wading pool where you can test and experience many traditions without having to dive into the deep end.” A full program of conscious exploration will be offered, both planned and serendipitous, ranging from ceremonies with Indigenous Grandmothers, various types of yoga, to transcendental music and art. Choose from Five-and Eight-day Packages for the complete effect or contact the spiritual concierge on site to customize a schedule.

Rates for the PopUp Ashram start from US$1,095 for the 5 Days / 4 Nights and US$1,935 for the 8 Days / 7 Nights packages.

www.designhotels.com/popup_ashram, www.popupashram.com

PURSUING SUSTAINABILITY WITH FINDING INFINITY

The Papaya Playa Project is partnering with Finding Infinity, an international grassroots ecological initiative to implement renewable sources of energy and get the resort completely “off the grid”. At the project, this means innovative wind power technology to minimize noise production and impact on local wildlife, bicycle-powered blenders, solar-heated water, hyper local food served at the resort’s restaurant and bio-diesel fueled staff vehicles.

As part of Design Hotels™’ commitment to enriching and empowering communities through education and example, regular talks will be held by local and international speakers on topics ranging from water, energy and waste, to community projects throughout the world and seminars on the installation of solar power systems. Regular events also serve to raise funds to benefit schools within Tulum and the region. The Papaya Playa Project’s 2011 New Year’s Event and closing party for the pop-up project in May 2012 have already helped raise funds to outfit two schools with solar power. A wide range of actions will continue to help the local community and inspire its residents to maintain and protect the natural treasures of the Tulum region.

NOTE TO THE EDITORS

For additional information, please contact:

Vidula Kotian Anja Voparil

v.kotian@designhotels.com a.voparil@designhotels.com

tel: +49 30-8849 400 33 tel: +49 30-8849 400 30

High resolution images and a hotel fact sheet are available from our Online Press Office: www.designhotels.com/press

Design Hotels™ Best Rate Guarantee
For reservations, please refer to the webpage www.designhotels.com/papaya_playa_a_design_hotels_project or the appropriate Design Hotels™ toll-free numbers:

USA & Canada: 1800 337 4685

Brazil: 0021 800 3746 8357

Argentina: 00 800 3746 8357

Mexico: 1800 1233454

If your country is not listed please refer to the general reservation number +49 30 884 940040

ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™
Design Hotels™ represents and markets a curated selection of more than 200 independent hotels in over 40 countries across the globe.

More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories. Each property reflects the ideas of a visionary hotelier, an “Original,” someone with a passion for genuine hospitality, cultural authenticity, thought-provoking design and architecture. Each “Original” stands for the individual, aesthetic and service-driven experience that his or her hotel provides.

Founded by Claus Sendlinger in 1993, Design Hotels™ offers its members insightful travel industry knowledge, from market trend consultancy to international sales representation. The company has its headquarters in Berlin and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore and Perth.

www.designhotels.com and www.madebyoriginals.com