Sometimes a holiday can be beneficial to more than just you.  Some accommodations have projects to help the community around them.  Often picking independently owned small hotels is a more responsible choice than a large hotel chain: keeping the profits in the local area.  An American charity called Hotels That Help asks participating hotels to add $1 per night to a guests bill and the money raised goes directly to the hotel's chosen charity.  Some hotels use their space to highlight to guests a cause, or to work with nature.  Clean the World partner with US hotels to collect and sanitize used hotel toiletries and then forward them to impoverished countries.  Visit www.travelersphilanthropy.org to look at other ways to contribute through travel. 

Lemartis Camp, Kenya (NOW CLOSED)  Visiting the majestic African landscape of Laikipia and being amongst the Maasai people of this region, where their lifestyle largely remains unchanged over time, would be an unforgettable experience. This stunning camp is a venture that was embarked on with the local community.  A cultural and community fee is added to the nightly fee so by staying here you are directly contributing to the wellbeing of the people.

Chole Mjini, Tanzania (click) -  7 individual and private treehouses all have sea views on this jungle island retreat.  Watch turtles hatch, dive, go sailing at sunset and visit one of the village projects (providing education and health improvements on the island) in which, by staying here and paying the night levy, you help provide funds for. 

Flush Hotel, South Korea  - otherwise known as the Haewoodjae, this is actually the home of a very motivated Korean politician, Sim Jae-Duck, who wishes to promote the need for better toilet sanitation worldwide.  His specially designed eco-home is not only shaped like a vast toilet but has a transparent room with one in the centre of the living room.  Once you have entered it, the glass frosts over.  If you have $50,000 to donate to the Toilet for Humanity Campaign you would beable to stay here.

La Loma Jungle Lodge, Panama (click) - Through this small, remote island lodge on a tropical farm the Hooda Chi programme was started in 2004.  It strives to empower the community through defending indigenous rights, meeting basic emergency needs, education, sustainable projects and micro enterprises.

The Monasterio, Cuzco, Peru - Though part of a large group, this hotel takes its local responsibilities seriously by supporting local farmers - buying directly from them, supporting local artisans - allowing them to sell within the hotel, and buys ceramic pieces used within the hotel from the Santa Rosa Orphanage.

Birds and Bees Resort, Pattaya, Thailand - The restaurant and resort were created to provide financial support through providing underpriviledged children with a school and a good education in the northeast of Thailand.  Also through Village Development Partnership with another village in the northeast it works to eradicate poverty.

Playa Viva, Mexico - (click) This place is not only a sanctuary to its visitors but it also provides one to endangered baby turtles.  When you are staying here you can participate in the collection of eggs, storing of them until they hatch safely and in the returning of them to the waters edge where predators are less likely to find them.

Jungle Bay Resort & Spa, Dominica - Here 35 wooden cottages are nestled beneath the jungle within reach of the Atlantic surf.  The owners, staff and guests have raised around US$50,000 towards the development of a community operated facility for indigenous children with severe disabilities from Dominica's southeast.

Mandina River Lodge, The Gambia - 15,000 trees have been planted on the site, as well as 70 wells made to help water the new trees.  The local people remain on the land and are included in the tourism project.

Selva Verde Ecolodge, Costa Rica (click)- is surrounded by vibrant, tropical nature, in the Sarapiqui Canton.  It works to create a sustainable future for the people and wildlife around it.  Amongst other projects they support the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center (who look out for long and short term volunteers if you fancy a real adventure.)

The Gagudju Crocodile, Kakadu National Park, Australia - part of the Holiday Inn group. The hotel has developed and operates an indigenous Employment Program which provides education and employment for the local indigenous population.

The project Save the Beach (sponsered by Corona) has created a hotel made entirely from the rubbish found along our distressed coastlines to bring this problem of pollution to our attention. What this video.