MICRONESIA

MICRONESIA The Village Hotel The island of Pohnpei and The Village Hotel—one is a creation of nature, and the other of man influenced by nature. Both lie beyond the realms of the most idealistic imagination—yet together they exist. The combination is so striking yet so subtle that its powerful environmental message is delivered gently, eloquently, but without equivocation. Bob and Patti Arthur, an entertaining American couple who have written themselves and their hotel into Pohnpeian folklore, built the entire complex from local materials. Built on and atop a steeply sloping, lagoon-front site, the hotel is amazing in its simplicity, yet unbelievably comfortable and elegant. The construction techniques may be rustic, but the result is understated luxury in comfortable huts built almost entirely from local materials. The spacious individual huts contain two king sized, canopied waterbeds, white wicker furniture, whirling wooden fans and island print fabrics. The windows are covered only with insect screens but huge eaves extending from the thatched roof ensure the Pohnpeian rainfall does not intrude. There's little that will beat sitting in the room and reading a good book during a midday tropical shower. Keeping alive the legend of how Irish castaway James F O'Connell had himself tattooed back in 1828 and entertained natives with an Irish jig to save his life, The Village Hotel calls its bar and restaurant complex, the largest thatched roof structure in Micronesia, The Tattooed Irishman. Completely open to the elements, it is the hub of all social activity at The Village where it is possible to order a drink, snack or meal at anytime. The menu at The Village changes regularly and the food is a clever interpretation of tasty Pacific Rim cuisine designed to appeal to both Eastern and Western palates. The Village Hotel provides a full tour service to its guests, specialising in day trips to Nan Madol and neighbouring islands, cultural dances and land trips as requested—including friendly certified scuba and snorkel guides. The Village is a hotel built to fit the times, people, local economy and the romantic mood of Micronesia's most beautiful island. So much is it part of Pohnpei that it won the OPIC's inaugural 1991 Ecotourism Award for projects undertaken with sound environmental values ensuring environmental sustainability and preventing environmental degradation. Guests may be tempted to never leave the hotel. The inland sights, the lagoon and the cultural treasures will undoubtedly lure visitors to experience Pohnpei's delights. PO Box 339, Pohnpei 96941 MICRONESIA Tel: + 691 320 2797  Fax: + 691 320 3797  Email: thevillage@mail.fm  www.thevillagehotel.com

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