Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
As we become more aware of the consequences of global warming and climate change, travelers are more discerning and demanding when it comes to their vacation planning. Even fancy hotels are now going the extra eco-mile to prove that luxury is compatible with longevity. Here are some of the top pioneering hotels in an array of countries that are acting as champions to fair trade, preserving cultural heritage, thinking and acting locally, and being active in biodiversity and conservation efforts to better the environment – all involved in making travel more sustainable.
Photo courtesy of Nantipa Hotel
Looking out on paradise at Nantipa, Costa Rica
Redefining barefoot luxury, Nantipa is a boutique cloud-nine retreat set along Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula coast in the sleepy village of Santa Teresa. The Costa Rican “pura vida” relaxed life motto is on full display at this welcoming and sustainability-oriented property. Every element here is inspired by the ocean and sky – right down to the resort’s name, which means “blue” in the Chorotegan language.
While many luxury properties in Costa Rica are large developments or chains, Nantipa is intimate and everything is local, from the design all the way down to the fresh tropical fruit served at your table. Nantipa sits in one of the world’s five Blue Zones, recognized by UNESCO for the healthy lives and longevity shown by its population, and the resort is a stalwart in reducing the use of single-use plastic and the preservation of local nature.
Beachfront villas here feature kitchens and private infinity-edge pools, and all the suites and bungalows on the property look out towards the miles of stunning coastline that the Nicoya is renowned for. An elongated pool winds through the resort, loungers and pillows right on the beach beckon for the brilliant sunsets that paint the area, and cocktails designed by a famed New York mixologist from the Mulberry Project help you to settle into this blissful spot.
Photo courtesy of Nantipa Hotel
Barefoot luxury in the Blue Zone at Nantipa
As part of the hotel’s effort to raise awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans, every guest is invited to pick up a bucket and spend five minutes on the beach picking up microplastic residue that’s carried in by the tides. Afterwards, guests can tag their efforts on social media feeds and receive a smoothie from the bar in exchange. Other valuable actions by Nantipa include programs to reintroduce macaws to the local ecosystem, as well as limiting the cutting of original trees on the property to six plants which were all recycled into furnishings.
If you’re a surfer or want to be one, you’ll be even more impressed, as Nantipa sits along a top break, and the resort provides lessons to aspiring guests. You’re also near the pristine Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve and Curu Wildlife Refuge, offering plenty of opportunities to see those adorable sloths, howler monkeys and more wildlife that makes this one worthy eco-destination.
Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Enjoying Gross National Happiness in Bhutan at Gangtey Lodge
Bhutan, famed for its Gross National Happiness concept, is the setting for the Gangtey Lodge, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The rooms here feature designs modeled on a traditional Bhutanese farmhouse and are set overlooking the gorgeous Phobjikha Valley. You’re surrounded by forests and mountains, and you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and traditional Bhutanese culture, from hikes and local farms to visiting active Buddhist monasteries or enjoying a revitalizing Bhutanese hot stone bath.
Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Valley view at the Gangtey Lodge
Gangtey Lodge is very active on the sustainability front. The lodge participates in an annual cleaning of the endangered black-necked crane roosting grounds found in the nearby reserve, and it collaborates with the Royal Society for Protection of Nature in biodiversity projects in the Phobjikha Valley. Additionally, the Gangtey Green Team plants over 100 trees in the local forest and takes part in monthly anti-litter activities in the valley.
The lodge also connects visitors seeking spiritual experiences with the local monastery, using donations to further empower the local community. If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-path travel, nothing compares to Bhutan.
Photo courtesy of Monteverde Lodge and Gardens
Looking over the cloud forest at Monteverde Lodge and Gardens, Costa Rica
Some of the most spectacular cloud forests in the world can be found in the Monteverde area of Costa Rica. At Monteverde Lodge & Gardens, you’ll get up into the mist and close to quetzals, hummingbirds and all the magic of the unique cloud forest environment.
The hotel has been featured as part of National Geographic’s Tours of a Lifetime and has its own private cloud forest reserve teeming with exotic local wildlife, along with its own local expert naturalists to provide advice and lead tours. There are only 28 rooms here, all featuring breathtaking cloud forest views and offering private balconies and terraces from which to check out all the greenery.
Photo courtesy of Monteverde Lodge and Gardens
A green home at Monteverde Lodge
The team at Monteverde Lodge & Gardens hires and buys locally, employs a solar energy system for heating, has gotten rid of single-use plastic (even providing 100% biodegradable straws made out of local avocado seeds!) and is even moving to the use of kelp algae for fertilizer in the gardens, as well as switching to insecticides made of tobacco and smoke.
You’re sure to have a green stay here, and while you’re in a wonderful natural oasis, you’re also within walking distance of downtown Monteverde. Additionally, you can avail yourself of all the Monteverde must-see attractions while here, ranging from hanging bridges to canopy zip lines to tours of the Santa Elena and Monteverde reserves, coffee tours and much more.
Photo courtesy of CatchOn, A Finn Partners Company
The stunning Laamu Atoll, home to Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
At the Six Senses Laamu, as the resort brochure says, “Welcome to an atoll utopia where sensuous meets sustainable.” Not only do you get an incredibly gorgeous palm-fringed tropical paradise to call home for your holiday, where your over-the-water villa is part of the only resort on the stunning remote Laamu Atoll, but you also get to be part of an award-winning marine conservation initiative.
The MUI, Maldives Underwater Initiative, is a collaboration of three NGO partners: Manta Trust, Blue Marine Foundation and Olive Ridley Project. They’re working to protect Laamu Atoll, which has been designated as one of the planet’s Hope Spots by the non-profit agency Mission Blue. It’s a place that has a unique marine ecosystem and is critical to the health of the ocean.
Photo courtesy of CatchOn, A Finn Partners Company
Sustainability in action, Laamu Atoll
The Laamu Atoll features rich reefs, vast seagrass meadows and culturally significant mangroves. The Six Senses Laamu team works with marine biologists and scientists to conduct coral reforestation projects, monitor and protect seagrass meadows, and monitor sea turtles and manta rays. Visitors here have the opportunity to go on dolphin cruises and turtle hatching expeditions with qualified marine naturalists, and budding conservationists (ages 6-16) can join the Junior Marine Biology program, where they get mentored by local marine biologists and go on guided snorkeling expeditions.
Guests here have a choice of beachfront or over-the-water villas, some of which feature their own pools. It’s pretty hard to get bored here because, in addition to all of the natural beauty and activities on tap, you’ve got a seaside library with beach reads and movies, as well as a waterfront gym and yoga classes. There’s even a Jungle Cinema set up under a forest canopy complete with warm popcorn and chilled champagne.
Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
A luxury mountain lodge in the Dolomites, Italy
Italy’s Dolomites have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site for their incredible scenic mountain beauty. And it’s here that you’ll find Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti, a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, and one of their Considerate Collection for actively sustainable luxury. Aesthetic architecture and design are on full display at this modern mountain lodge, with huge pyramid windows showing off the natural beauty outside. Natural bio-architecture materials, such as Italian wood and native stones like tonalite, were used for the Dolomite-inspired interiors.
Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
At one with the elements at Lefay Resort Dolomiti
If you come to Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti in winter, there are 100 miles of slopes, four snowboard parks and a single ski pass valid for the entire ski area. Summer offers hiking and mountain biking, and the spa here is a temple of wellness year-round, with indoor and outdoor sports pools blending in with the landscape.
There are a selection of pools and relaxation areas set to match the various elements, from a saltwater lake to an ice waterfall, dry and wet saunas, a steam bath and plenty of signature spa treatments. This is truly a wonderful spot for rejuvenation.
Photo courtesy of Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Hot spring bliss at Tabacon Thermal Resort, Costa Rica
Awarded five out of five leaves for its sustainability by the Costa Rican Tourism Board, Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa is one blissful sanctuary. Set near the foot of the majestic Arenal Volcano, the resort is noted for its 18 natural hot springs. Ranging from river pools to cascading thermal waterfalls to a spring-fed Jacuzzi, you can spend days here just soaking and taking in the sounds of the adjacent rainforest.
The spa is also one of the best in Central America, featuring unique treatments utilizing local ingredients, such as a volcanic mud wrap or native coffee and cocoa exfoliations. It’s a romantic and chilled-out spot to spend a night in, and the hot springs are a bit like traditional Japanese onsen, ensconced in nature and in harmony with the surroundings.
Photo courtesy of Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Nature’s bounty: Water and rainforest at Tabacon
At Tabacon Thermal Resort, also a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s Considerate Collection, there is a big focus on sustainability. Every drop of Tabacon water is thermal, heated by the Arenal Volcano and mineralized underground. The resort uses 836 solar panels as a source of renewable energy and has planted 1,500 trees onsite as part of an ongoing reforestation project.
Other endeavors include a local bike path project, as well as a meal project for workers in the Costa Rican tourism industry affected by the pandemic crisis. The focus here is on clean and green, and you’ll get plenty of both with a visit to this magical water- and plant-heavy abode.
Photo courtesy of Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, a Banyan Tree Group property
An isle to oneself at Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique
At the soon-to-launch Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, you’ll be on an island that’s part of a marine protected area and a world-class diving site, which is home to 20% of Mozambique’s intact living coral. Set off the coast of Mozambique, this 100% solar-powered resort also desalinates all of its water and is Banyan Tree’s first African venture, aiming to combine a private luxury vacation with environmental sensibility.
The formerly uninhabited island lies in the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, Africa’s largest marine reserve, and is home to abundant sea turtles and intact living corals. The resort plans to open its doors in 2023.
Photo courtesy of Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, a Banyan Tree Group property
Island luxury on Ilha Caldeira
There are 40 private pool villas at Banyan Tree Ilha Caldeira, showcasing local materials and blending into the tropical island setting. Besides enjoying the pristine beach and gorgeous water of the Mozambique Channel, visitors here can avail themselves of a Marine Conservation Center and diving school. Kayaking and whale watching are also on tap, as are excursions further afield, to other islands in the beautiful archipelago.
Photo courtesy of Small Luxury Hotels of the World
Unwind with nature at GAÏA Riverlodge, Belize
Named after the Greek goddess of Earth, GAÏA Riverlodge is a Green Globe Award certified hotel and member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. It’s also part of Belize’s tucked-away Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, where guests have access to the breathtaking Five Sisters Waterfall, can plunge into freshwater pools and pamper themselves with real rainforest luxury. A hydro-powered electric tram transports guests from the lodge to the river, and GAÏA is the perfect place to unwind and explore the wildlife and natural attractions of the Belize jungle.
The casitas have been built to blend into their environment, with thatched roofs, sustainably harvested palmetto sticks and locally-sourced stone and wood. Lodge tours encompass plenty of local and traditional culture, from visits to Mayan archaeological sites to introductions to Mayan farming, baking and cooking techniques.
Make sure to visit the spa, set in a private rainforest cabana, where you can choose from locally-sourced treatments, such as papaya or banana facials.
Photo courtesy of Urashima Village
A gateway to the timeless and traditional at Urashima Village, Japan
One of Japan’s most famous fairy tales is that of Urashima Taro, in which a fisherman saves an injured turtle and is taken to an undersea Dragon Palace. When he returns, he realizes that 300 years have passed and that his home and family are gone. He inadvertently opens a box that he had been given at the palace, and he instantly ages as well. The story is a metaphor for how places irrevocably change with time. This story was the fuel for the creation of Urashima Village, a new resort on the Shonai Peninsula of the Seto Inland Sea.
The beautiful minimalist luxury villa is designed to blend in with the environment using locally-sourced materials, and 90% of its electricity is supplied via solar panels. The resort is set just opposite the uninhabited Maruyama Island, where the Urashima Shrine stands and pays tribute to the fabled fisherman’s tale. You can only reach the shrine at low tide. You’re certain to be in harmony with nature here.
