Guests to the new luxury lodges use wood RFID wristbands and bamboo keycards to access the facilities, surrounded by giraffes and zebras.

Conservation is at the heart of everything at Chester Zoo. Opening to the public for the first time in August 2025, The Reserve offers guests a unique opportunity to stay in a choice of luxury lodges set around the giraffe habitat or overlooking the nature lake.

The Reserve has been carefully designed to blend comfort with the rich colours, textures and natural beauty of the African Savannah.

Every visit directly funds Chester Zoo’s groundbreaking conservation work out in Africa and in key regions around the world, helping nature not just survive, but thrive.

From our first discussions with Chester Zoo, it was clear that their access solution needed to balance both practicality with sustainability. Bamboo RFID Wristbands offered just that — a natural alternative to plastic that delivers simple, secure keyless entry for every guest.

But most importantly, they needed to convey the ethos of The Reserve and blend in naturally with their surroundings.

The Reserve also chose matching Bamboo Hotel Keycards to complement their Bamboo Wristbands. Both are laser engraved with The Reserve’s
monogram logo, bringing a smart, consistent look across their access solutions.

Wood and bamboo as materials are tactile and warm, and the nature of the product means that each wristband and keycard are unique: just
like every guest and every experience.

The Reserve is more than a place to stay — it’s part of Chester Zoo’s wider mission to create a sustainable future for wildlife and people. By replacing plastic with bamboo, they’ve chosen materials that are renewable, biodegradable, and in harmony with their conservation values.

Plan your stay at The Reserve