18 | LUXlife Magazine haka Lodge was established in 2020, with the aim of breaking the traditional hospitality model. When founding the resort, Co-Founders Nathalie Beernaert and Patrick Goas imagined a disruptive eco-resort concept – a new type of nature hotel that focuses on the customer experience in the largest sense of the word, inspired by their many travel experiences. Determined to succeed, the pair followed their vision and saw it through to completion, without making concessions or shortcuts throughout the process. Today, Whaka Lodge stands as an eco-resort renowned for combining comfort, modernity, and ecology. The resort responds to the consumers’ strong desire to disconnect from the world and reconnect with themselves amongst nature, situated in the heart of the Gers in the Occitanie region. With 90 rooms across 48 original, eco-responsible accommodations, Whaka Lodge blends elegance with nature against the impressive backdrop of 12 hectares of surrounding nature. “Nestled in an immersive natural environment, Whaka Lodge invites guests to recharge their batteries and live at the rhythm of nature,” Nathalie told us. “The concept behind Whaka Lodge is to make guests travel, combining ecology, change of scenery, and lifestyle to create a holistic touristic experience. Every day, our guests say that the concept is surprising, unique, and entirely different from anything they have ever known.” Every detail of Whaka Lodge has been meticulously chosen to emulate its distinct vision of luxury experiences steeped in sustainability: whether guests are visiting for a family holiday, a romantic weekend away, or a business seminar, Whaka Lodge offers them a range of eco-conscious accommodation made of wood and canvas, from luxury cabins with private Jacuzzis to comfortable waterside cottages and luxury lodges, all sporting cultural décor and an eco-friendly, chic design. Alongside its unparalleled accommodation options, Whaka Lodge also offers its guests a comprehensive range of hotel services, a wide choice of leisure and wellness activities, travel-themed catering, and festive evenings. From the warm welcome received upon arrival to the party atmosphere reminiscent of Ibiza, the Nature Kids Club to its worldwide cuisine, every aspect of the Whaka Lodge experience is designed to offer guests a taste of holistic wellbeing and total immersion. With a wide array of unique offerings, Whaka Lodge is targeted towards two distinct consumer groups: MICE tourists and leisure tourists. The originality and strength of the resort lies in its ability to cater to these Most Tranquil Eco Getaway 2025 – South West France The travel and tourism industry has undergone a significant shift, in alignment with the populations’ rising awareness of their environmental impact. Now, travellers are increasingly seeking travel experiences that are as sustainable as they are luxurious, and establishments around the world are working to accommodate for this rising demand. Located in the Gers, France, Whaka Lodge is an innovative eco-responsible lodge hotel dedicated to promoting ecology and sustainable development through its unique offerings. To find out more, we caught up with Co-Founder Nathalie Beernaert. target clienteles, always working to ensure that their paths never cross. This unique business model requires a high level of agility in the organisation of human resources, regarding the ways in which marketing is approached and how spaces are managed. Each common area is kept modular, allowing for the spaces to be used for a number of different occasions, whilst retaining a strong decorative DNA. From Monday to Friday, the resort caters to MICE tourism, or Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions. Whaka Lodge offers MICE tourists a unique seminar experience comprising exclusive teambuilding activities, immersive evening events on the beach or in the forest, various surprises through themed settings and travel, and the freedom to work surrounded by 12 hectares of stunning nature. The weekends and school holidays are reserved for leisure guests, typically consisting of couples and families seeking a relaxing break in the heart of nature. Activities and entertainment are available free of charge during these periods, including the Nature Kids Club; kayaking and stand-up paddling on the lake; tennis, table tennis, and pétanque; fishing; yoga; and evening concerts and DJ sets. For five years, Whaka Lodge has succeeded in making its mark on the travel and tourism industry through the implementation of sustainable yet luxurious hospitality. Committed to protecting the environment through operations that are environmentally focused whilst remaining entirely client-centric, the resort stands as a beacon of hope for those hoping to enact real change and reshape the industry for the better. We at LUXlife would like to congratulate Whaka Lodge on its incredible achievements, named the Most Tranquil Eco Getaway 2025 in South West France, and cannot wait to see what is next for the resort as it continues to champion exceptional environmental endeavours throughout the wider tourism industry. Contact: Nathalie Beernaert Company: Whaka Lodge Web Address: www.whakalodge.com W
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