Earlier this year a five star eco-friendly guest house Skyhouse made history by becoming the first zero carbon accommodation in the south east. Senior reporter Flora Thompson finds out if staying somewhere green really can be as every bit as luxurious.

THE SNOW-covered mountains, arid deserts and canyons of Colorado are a far cry from the rolling hills of the South Downs.

Nevertheless businesswoman Amy Burgess fell in love with the Sussex countryside while on trips to see friends away from her native America.

Living off the land from her ranch in the western state she found a love of nature. When she came to a point in her life when it was time to move, her mind fixed on her visits of Sussex.

After driving the length of the south coast, falling in love with Brighton and its vegetarian and 'green scene', she found herself wandering up Lewes high street.

"I looked around and thought to myself 'I could really live here'."

With the help and advice of friends, she found a hilltop piece of land overlooking the town and a house that was past renovation.

She realised this was a chance to make a difference to the environment by building a modern home that was environmentally friendly in every possible way.

"I feel passionate about our earth and think we can all help reduce climate change so I just could not build a normal or traditional style house. Once I knew the impact, I just could not look the other way," Amy said.

"People in their 20s and 30s have a lot more understanding on sustainable measures but they haven't worked their whole life and may not have the means to build a sustainable home. I had the means but did not know about the sustainable measures. It was a steep learning curve.

"I discovered you can have a mainstream home that is eco-friendly."

The structure took four and a half days to build before work began on the interior, using natural paint, non-toxic materials and no solvents. Triple glazed windows help keep the heat in while natural ventilation keeps the house airy.

Solar panels provide electricity, a biomass boiler gives heat and hot water, LED lights switch on when you come into a room and rainwater is used to flush toilets, run the washing machine and water the garden. Six months later it was complete.

Amy said: "I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. When I also found it reduced by energy bills by 40 per cent I thought 'wow'. I started becoming aware of other eco-friendly measures and thought 'I can do this'."

The 60-year-old was eager to share her style of living - and the fantastic views which she confesses still make her feel like she is on vacation - with others and decided to open up her home to guests a year ago. They can now stay in the south east's first zero carbon guest house - a five star guest house 'Skyhouse' which has three bedrooms and is dog friendly, wheelchair accessible and on the doorstep of the South Downs.

It has already won praise and awards for its green approach to hospitality and is already booked up for this year's Lewes bonfire celebrations.

It is a place to retreat, but also an invitation to learn more about reducing your carbon footprint.

Amy said: "Our tag line is 'sumptuous yet sustainable' and we hope guests enjoy our experience. We also focus on health and wellbeing."

Research suggests a trend among travellers for accommodation with eco-friendly practices who do not want to forgo comfort and luxury.

"People are seeking that more and more by the year. People are picking Skyhouse because it is unusual, comfortable and luxurious.

"We call it the 'big sigh' when people step in the door as they relax. Once they are here they want to know more and that's how we get onto the topic of eco-conservation."

While cars are not banished from the grounds, guests who arrive by foot, and public transport or electric transport are rewarded with a discount on their stay.

Guests can recycle rubbish and biodegradable products are used where possible. It even features an instant hot water tap to reduce the energy used to boil kettles.

Littlehampton-based toiletries with re-usable pumps to avoid packaging waste feature in the rooms and guests are treated to local produce, free range, and fair trade foods.

Amy believes even with an existing home small steps can be taken to save money and be better for the environment - like insulation and window glazing.

"This is an emerging industry and things are progressing all the time. It is exciting to witness what is happening. It is going mainstream and we have got to get on board. If I can do it, we can all do it and I want to inspire people."

GUEST HOUSE AWARDS PILE UP

SKYHOUSE made history earlier this year by becoming the first zero carbon guest accommodation in the South East.

It means it generates as much energy as it uses. The accommodation won the gold award from worldwide accreditation programme Green Tourism and platinum award from TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders programme.

Its eco-friendly measures include:

• 32 solar panels for electricity

• Biomass boiler for heat and hot water

• Mechanical heat recovery ventilation system to keep the air fresh and natural insulation and triple glazing keep warm air in

• No toxic building materials were used when the house was constructed

• LED lights with movement sensors in hallways and bathrooms

• Rainwater collected to flush toilets, run the washing machine and water the garden

• Recycled paper

• Kitchen and garden waste is used for compost so it can become mulch for gardening

• Recycle bins for guests have biodegradable bin liners

• Biodegradable green products are used for cleaning and laundry

• Littlehampton-based toiletries with re-usable pumps to avoid packaging waste.

PEACEFUL RETREAT IS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES

A WAVE of calm sweeps over you as you step in to Skyhouse. 

The combination of glorious views over Lewes and the peace which comes from being footsteps away from the expanse of the South Downs almost forces you to stop, take stock and recharge your batteries. 

A retreat it is. But it is also only five minutes’ walk from the hustle and bustle of town. 

The three double en-suite rooms available have subtle hints of eco-friendly measures – all have underfloor heating and LED lights operated by movement sensors – but nothing obvious which might impinge on your stay. This banishes the myth that being green has to be inconvenient and primitive. 

Water heated by a biomass boiler runs just as hot and quick, rainwater collected to flush toilets is not an alarming colour, the towels washed in eco-friendly detergent are just as soft and fluffy and the rooms are filled with a good mix of warmth and natural air. 

The rooms – two of which are dog friendly and one which has been sealed for guests with allergies – are practical too. All are wheelchair accessible and electric lamps by the bed avoid the stumble for the remote to turn on the lights in the night.

For those who cannot switch off from the outside world, there are smart TVs and wifi at the flick of a switch as well as remote-control blinds so you can lie in bed and soak up the view. 

If you’ve had enough of sinking into plump linen on a deep, large, comfortable bed and taking in the view through the floor-to-ceiling windows in front of you, the guest lounge is just as welcoming with complementary refreshments, music, reading material and an instant hot water tap replacing a kettle.

The breakfast "smoothie bowl2 is a filling, tasty start to the day with a healthy twist. It was something specially invented for Skyhouse guests and something owner Amy is particularly proud of. 

Skyhouse would not be out of place on Grand Designs and every effort is taken to allow you to slip into a blissful bubble of tranquility with the peace of mind that comes from a carbon footprint that is next to nothing. 

  • Prices start from £160 a night for an en-suite double. Find more details at skyhousesussex.com.