Black Sheep Inn
Black Sheep Inn is a long-running, award-winning Andean eco-lodge where every bathroom has a composting toilet and every meal is vegetarian.
Google reviews
Google rating · 4.9/5 · 241 reviews
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Environmental evidence and weighted assessment
3.4/5 Accommodation Eco Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 63.8%
Green flags
- Nature, biodiversity and regeneration, level 3/4.
The permaculture page says over 1000 native trees were planted in terraced swales, and the water page says ponds were built to increase biodiversity.
“We have planted over 1000 native trees in terraced swales and will continue to reforest in this manner.”
Source · 2026-11-03 - Waste and plastic, level 3/4.
The recycling page says trash is separated in every room, scraps are composted, a community recycling centre was built, and bottled water is not sold.
“We do not sell bottled water, but instead let guests fill their bottles with ozone purified water for free.”
Source · 2026-11-03 - Buildings, heritage reuse and land use, level 3/4.
The permaculture page says the lodge builds with straw and adobe, and the recycling page says wine bottles become bottle walls in the sauna and showers, and the greenhouse is passive solar.
“We build from traditional materials such as straw and adobe.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature, biodiversity and regeneration | 30% | 3/4 · Several evidenced systems, such as protected habitat on site, native restoration and a wildlife programme, with no synthetic pesticides on the land | 22.5 / 30 points | The permaculture page says over 1000 native trees were planted in terraced swales, and the water page says ponds were built to increase biodiversity. “We have planted over 1000 native trees in terraced swales and will continue to reforest in this manner.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Energy and climate | 15% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as solar hot water, a stated photovoltaic share, or buildings designed to need no air conditioning | 7.5 / 15 points | The off the grid page describes a solar panel pump that lifts pond water for irrigation, with a hybrid solar and wind system still at the design stage. “Two 85-watt solar panels directly power a ShurFlo submersible pump with no batteries.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Water | 10% | 2/4 · One specific system, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, or taps and showers at or under 8.5 litres a minute | 5 / 10 points | All bathrooms use composting toilets, which keeps sewage out of the local water and saves flushing water (reservation page, 2026). Source · 2026-10-29 |
| Waste and plastic | 10% | 3/4 · Composting plus recycling plus no single use plastic in rooms and food service | 7.5 / 10 points | The recycling page says trash is separated in every room, scraps are composted, a community recycling centre was built, and bottled water is not sold. “We do not sell bottled water, but instead let guests fill their bottles with ozone purified water for free.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food, farming and sourcing | 15% | 2/4 · A named own garden or named local farms supply part of the menu | 7.5 / 15 points | All three daily meals are vegetarian, with vegan menus on request. Source · 2026-10-29 · Corroborating source |
| Buildings, heritage reuse and land use | 15% | 3/4 · Several practices, such as reuse of existing structures, local natural materials, passive design and a small footprint on the land | 11.25 / 15 points | The permaculture page says the lodge builds with straw and adobe, and the recycling page says wine bottles become bottle walls in the sauna and showers, and the greenhouse is passive solar. “We build from traditional materials such as straw and adobe.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Measurement, transparency and certification | 5% | 2/4 · Specific practices, systems and named suppliers published | 2.5 / 5 points | The off the grid page publishes specific electricity figures and costs, and the water page publishes daily water use. “After having monitored electrical use since 2003, Black Sheep Inn has lowered electrical use from an average of 12.5 kilowatt hours” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Accommodation Eco Score weights: Nature, biodiversity and regeneration 30%, Energy and climate 15%, Water 10%, Waste and plastic 10%, Food, farming and sourcing 15%, Buildings, heritage reuse and land use 15%, Measurement, transparency and certification 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years. Guest travel is not scored; everyone gets there how they can.
Purity, what touches your body
2.2/5 Purity Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 30%
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water you drink and bathe in | 25% | 2/4 · Public supply filtered at the tap or a refill station, with no single use bottled water as the default | 12.5 / 25 points | The water page lists the town system, a spring reserve, a pond and rainwater, and the food page says guests get free purified water, so the drinking supply is treated public water. “We do not sell bottled water, but instead let guests fill their bottles with ozone purified water for free.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Food on your plate | 20% | 2/4 · Named organic or own garden produce in some meals, and plant based meals available | 10 / 20 points | The organic gardens page says terraced gardens supply the kitchen and every meal is vegetarian. “We fertilize the terraced gardens with animal manure and compost/red-worm castings.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Grounds and pest control | 15% | 2/4 · A specific no spray policy, such as no herbicides or glyphosate, or biological mosquito control | 7.5 / 15 points | The organic gardens page says pests are handled with natural remedies and repellent plantings instead of sprays from a shop. “We combat plagues and insects with natural remedies, such as aji (red hot chili peppers), garlic and tobacco sprays.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Cleaning, laundry and fragrance | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Linen, towels and mattresses | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Air and quiet | 10% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 10 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Pool and bathing water | 5% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 5 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. Purity Score weights: Water you drink and bathe in 25%, Food on your plate 20%, Grounds and pest control 15%, Cleaning, laundry and fragrance 15%, Linen, towels and mattresses 10%, Air and quiet 10%, Pool and bathing water 5%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
People, ownership, work and community
2.9/5 People Score · Evidence coverage 100% · Evidenced performance 47.5%
Green flags
- Community benefit, level 3/4.
The community page lists a public library, school donations, scholarships, workshops, a staff education programme and a loan for a neighbour's horse business.
“We also provided an interest-free loan to a neighbor enabling him to start a horseback riding business.”
Source · 2026-11-03
| Pillar | Weight | Level and what it means | Contribution | Evidence, quote and source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership and control | 30% | 2/4 · A named owner, with the share held locally or by the family stated | 15 / 30 points | The community page names Michelle and Andres as the owners who have lived in Chugchilan since 1993. “We (Michelle and Andres, the owners of Black Sheep Inn) have lived in the town of Chugchilán since 1993.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Local work and fair pay | 25% | 2/4 · A stated share of staff from the island or nearby communities | 12.5 / 25 points | The community page says a local staff of nine full time workers runs the inn, many for years. “A competent local staff of 9 full-time workers run the Black Sheep Inn.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Community benefit | 20% | 3/4 · Several programmes plus named local suppliers and makers | 15 / 20 points | The community page lists a public library, school donations, scholarships, workshops, a staff education programme and a loan for a neighbour's horse business. “We also provided an interest-free loan to a neighbor enabling him to start a horseback riding business.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
| Access to beach and land | 15% | 0/4 · Not disclosed on the stay's own pages | 0 / 15 points | Not disclosed on the stay's own pages, checked 2026-11-03. Page read · 2026-11-03 · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read · Page read |
| Culture and heritage | 10% | 2/4 · Local food, crafts or language presented with named makers | 5 / 10 points | The community page says locally knit crafts are sold at the lodge with proceeds going to the artisans, and an instrument lending library supports Andean music. “Locally knit crafts are displayed and sold in the lodge and proceeds go directly to the artisans.” Source · 2026-11-03 |
Throne Standard for stays 2.2. People Score weights: Ownership and control 30%, Local work and fair pay 25%, Community benefit 20%, Access to beach and land 15%, Culture and heritage 10%. Each pillar earns its weight times its level divided by four. The score is 1 plus 4 times the evidenced performance, shown to one decimal, so 0% is 1.0 and 100% is 5.0. A pillar the stay does not disclose, after we read its own pages, counts as 0 and is shown as Not disclosed, with every page we read linked, because silence is an answer too. Every finding quotes its source word for word. Below 85% coverage, below 70% performance, or with less than half the weight at level 2 or above, the score is held under the next whole number (3.4 or 2.4). A 5.0 band needs 90% coverage and performance, level 4 evidence on half the weight and the key pillar at level 3 or above. Green flags are pillars at level 3 or 4. Every level can be earned from public, dated evidence; no score requires a visit. Evidence must be rechecked within two years.
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