Image Source (Pictured Above): www.themilliardaire.co
Luxury Eco-Friendly Hotels You Need to Visit
People all over the world are noticing the change in our climate and recognizing the effects we have on our environment. Although lifestyle changes that benefit the environment are necessary at home, some are taking it beyond their front door. Travelers are seeking ways to continue their environmentally friendly habits while on the road. Because of the interest in sustainable practices, hotels are taking note, making it easy for people on holiday or business travel to continue their efforts in helping keep our planet happy and healthy. Seeing the benefits that come from eco-friendly practices, not only for the environment but also for guests and hoteliers alike, hotels around the world are investing in award-winning sustainable programs and environmental conservation practices. Here we list 7 of our favorite luxury “green” hotels around the world.
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa | Hadahaa, Maldives
The luxurious Park Hyatt is a stylish Maldives accommodation located on the island of Hadahaa. It is an award-winning hotel for its eco-friendly design and architecture and is the only Maldives resort to acquire the EarthCheck certification, from the international tourism and environmental advisory group. The Park Hyatt offers the utmost privacy along with an abundance of activities, including snorkeling and diving near the breathtaking coral reefs. This hotel is constantly updating its conservation practices. The latest update is exchanging the aluminum coffee pods found in the guest villas to biodegradable ones.
Alila Villas Soori | Bali, Indonesia
A posh beach resort with butler service, this hidden gem set on the edge of the ocean offers a serene escape with top-notch environmental values. Each private villa offers the best in eco-friendly amenities with options like morning yoga, afternoon tea, and catered journeys to explore the local landscape and culture. Designed by renowned architect Soo K. Chan, the resort offers a zen-like atmosphere and utilizes local materials as its frame and foundation. Not only does the hotel adhere to the strict EarthCheck requirements, but Soo K. Chan consulted with the locals to incorporate their cultural practices, including ‘subak,’ an irrigation technique that’s been used for centuries.
The Park Hyderabad | Hyderabad, India
This stunning, modern five-star hotel boasts incredible architecture crafted to maximize natural light to reduce energy use. It is also certified as a green building and has earned the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. With its jewel-toned interior, local culture infusion, and green transportation options, The Park Hyderabad is a must when traveling to India.
Hotel Tierra Patagonia | Torres de Paine, Chile
The Hotel Tierra Patagonia provides a serene retreat after a day of exploring the Patagonia outdoors with sustainability at the forefront. The architect, Cazu Zegar had a vision of creating a low-technology resort, with high insulation, and LED lighting to reduce energy costs. The resort is immersed in the land, perched on a bluff and emerges gracefully from the hillside. It exposes unobstructed views of the Torres del Paine National Park, declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. With the use of natural materials for the construction of the interior and exterior and sourcing local textiles and materials for the decor, the hotel features luxurious warmth. Other notable efforts in their eco-friendly program are their support for the Reforest Patagonia campaign, which aims to plant one million trees in the Chilean Patagonia.
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Image Source (Pictured Above): www.lagodigarda.lefayresorts.com
Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda | Lake Garda, Italy
Inspired by lemon groves, this five-star resort’s design is part of the local landscape and is constructed from local, natural elements such as wood and stone. It is nestled on the hillside as individual units, rather than one grand building, to better camouflage as part of the land. Vegetation was applied to cover the rooftops, and a high amount insulation was installed to better adapt to the changing climate. Lefay Resort maintains a theme of wellness through the peaceful culture, award winning spa, and food preparation. Their deep respect for nature is ingrained in their philosophy and daily efforts in environmental conservation. The resort uses renewable resources to provide their energy such as biomass, cogeneration, and solar panels, which reduce their CO2 emissions, harvest rainwater, and have a sustainable approach to waste management.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort | Vanua Levu, Fiji
The Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Resort is an award winning environmentally responsible destination that is family friendly. The property is built on 17 acres of a former coconut plantation and overlooks the crystal clear water of Savusavu Bay with one of the best kids clubs in the world. Each room is made from natural and sustainably harvested materials with traditional construction techniques. The design of each room does not include an air conditioner but rather strategic architecture utilizing high ceilings to allow heat to rise and louvered windows for maximum ventilation. The resort encourages you to be tech-free while on vacation and does not have televisions or radios in the rooms. Their filtration process is used for wastewater, where it is treated and used to irrigate the grounds in filters made from coconut husks. Of course, the luxury resort has a luxury spa, and this spa only uses natural ingredients such as brown sugar and coconut milk. Everything is biodegradable from the complimentary shampoos to the indulging spa treatments.
Proximity Hotel | Greensboro, North Carolina
The first LEED Platinum “green hotel,” Proximity provides a sustainable, four-diamond experience. The building’s construction is made out of recycled content and allows an abundance of natural light to shower the interior. It uses about 40 percent less energy than conventional hotels by utilizing 100 solar panels and saves two million gallons of water per year due to their high-efficiency Kohler plumbing fixtures. The bistro bar is made of restored, solid walnut trees, and the restaurant’s refrigeration equipment uses geothermal energy. This only touches on the Proximity’s sustainable practices. The hotel believes everyone should be educated on being environmentally conscious, which is why they provide an education center for anyone interested in learning more.
Sustainable practices are on the rise due to our climate change and rising tides. For those of us that are eco-conscious but still love to travel, “green” hotels like these are the solution. We can explore and help save the planet by making conscious choices and having a sustainable holiday; every little bit counts.
