Hotel Fouquet's Barrière Offers 5-Star Eco-Luxury

Parisian haven at the corner of the Champs Elysées and Avenue George V, Hotel Fouquet's Barrière, has a new VIP package -- but this time, VIP stands for Very Important Planet.

Luxury travel is starting 2010 off on the right foot, with a bevy of eco-friendly options for savvy, conscientious travelers. One of these options is the five-star Hotel Fouquet's Barrière's VIP package, which includes:

• Luxury accommodations
• Special "Fitness Breakfast" for two (includes freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice, an egg white omelet, multi-grain bread and a blend of pumpkin, linseed, sunflower and sesame seeds)
• One 50-minute natural oil treatment at the hotel's U Spa, per person
• Organic lunch for two at the hotel's Joy Gallery
• A bottle of eco-friendly Pop Earth Champagne in-room upon arrival
• Carbon offsetting through the non-profit organization "Action Carbone"

Though carbon offsetting has been skewered by critics for functioning as a sort of "indulgences" payment for the wealthy, it's better to offset than not to offset (and the wealthy are going to travel anyway). This package is part of the hotel's "Dignified Luxury" plan, one which implies that environmental responsibility is noble and honorable. The hotel also decorates with fair trade flowers and participates whenever possible in events which benefit environmental organizations, such as Neoplanet and GOODPLANET Association.

Further amenities can include pickup in a hybrid limousine, organic meals at La Diane, electric E-solex bikes for exploring Paris and, of course, room upgrades for an additional cost. The VIP package starts at €990 (approximately US$1,436), based on double occupancy, and is available through December 28, 2010.