One of the best trends to happen in travel is the growth of eco-friendly properties and practices. Now more than ever travellers are concerned with their impact on the environment when they travel -- especially when it comes to visiting destinations where nature is the focus. Hotels are quickly adapting to their requests, be it a locally-driven restaurant menu to natural spa products.
With nature quickly becoming one of the most valuable travel amenities, we found 10 eco-conscious resorts around the globe that not only respect the environment, but exhibit the beauty of it too.
Image courtesy Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa.
1. Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa, Australia
The property: Australia's first conservation-led luxury resort, the Wolgan Valley estate covers 4,000 acres of pristine beauty, but the actual property only occupies two per cent of that land. Comprised of 40 free-standing suites each with their own private swimming pool, the resort features a world-class spa, a hefty list of outdoor activities and first-class dining.
Eco-friendly highlights: Wolgan Valley regularly maintains eco-centric preservation programs, including restoring native vegetation in key wildlife zones. They also only use bio-degradable cleaning products, serve seasonal and regional fare in their restaurants and use 100% natural and chemical-free products in their spa.
Image courtesy the Wickaninnish Inn.
2. Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, Canada
The property: Found on Vancouver Island's rugged west coast, surrounded by the Pacific on three sides, this rustic retreat boasts panoramic views, large guest rooms and a luxurious spa.
Eco-friendly highlights: All of the hotel's produce, meat and seafood is sourced locally from the island or the province. When it comes to post-meal disposal, the Inn features a multi-unit composter called the "Worminator." For guests who want to explore the island, they offer use of their electrical vehicles.
Image courtesy Ojai Valley Inn & Spa.
3. Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, California
The property: Covering 220-acres, this historic property is known for it's celebrity guests as much as its 18-hole golf course.
Eco-friendly highlights: A Herb Garden Pool was recently added to help with energy efficiency, like dual flush toilets, occupancy sensors and solatube lighting to help reduce then need for electrical lighting during the day. In the restaurants, the produce and herbs come right from the inn's gardens, while other ingredients are sourced from local farmers and ranchers.
Image courtesy Six Senses.
4. Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
The property: Located in an area that has been protected for decades as a national and marine park, Six Senses Con Dao is the first five-star resort in the archipelago islands.
Eco-friendly highlights: The resort itself was built with a very light ecological footprint, keeping in mind that right in front of the resort is one of the prime habitats for the endangered species Dugongs. In collaboration with the National Park, these marine mammals will receive enforced protection in this area.
Image courtesy The Scarlet Hotel.
5. The Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall, England
The property: For adults-only, this luxurious but laid-back property is set on-top a hill making for gorgeous sand and sea views.
Eco-friendly highlights: Features like their "green" roof, energy-efficient lighting, rain water harvesting and locally-made toiletries are just the beginning. Their luxurious spa is one of the greenest in the country, with two chlorine-free pools, including the indoor pool which is headed by solar thermal panels.
Image courtesy Segera Retreat.
6. Segera Retreat, Kenya
The property: In the heart of the Laikipia Plateau, the Segera Retreat lies on 50,000 acres of preserved land, offering guests eight luxurious thatched-roof villas, all with either a private hot-tub or pool.
Eco-friendly highlights: At Segera it's about interactive activities that give back to the community and respect the environment, whether that's planting indigenous trees or tracking wildlife with the Conservation Unit Rangers.
Image courtesy Hoshinoya Karuizawa.
7. Hoshinoya Karuizawa, Japan
The property: At the foot of the active volcano, just an hour outside of Tokyo, 77 chic villas stretch across the natural landscape, with many nestled along the Yukawa river.
Eco-friendly highlights: This resort has its own power plant that generates 75% of its own electricity, obtains its water from the nearby natural hot spring, and even sorts trash into 33 recyclable categories (who knew there were that many!). For food the hotel sources locally or where the affect of Fukushima is said to be benign.
Image courtesy Hermitage Bay.
8. Hermitage Bay, Antigua
The property: A boutique hotel found on the island's west coast, Hermitage Bay consists of 25 individual cottages, eight of which are beachfront.
Eco-friendly highlights: Whenever possible the produce and herbs found in the meals come straight from the hotel's organic garden. They also have a "zero food miles" policy buying only local produce and fish. The hotel uses solar energy for running water and grey water for gardening; donates sheets, towels and linens to local homes and charity organizations; and even uses low lighting on the beach to not disturb turtles laying their eggs.
Image courtesy Park Hyatt.
9. Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Maldives
The property: Escape to a private island in one of the largest atolls in the world just 55 kilometres north of the Equator. Here you can stay at one of 50 villas on land and over water, participate in a tailor-made excursion, enjoy private dining on the beach or get pampered in their luxurious spa.
Eco-friendly highlights: Collaborating with EarthCheck, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa consistently monitors their performance to ensure they're meeting the strict international standards for environmental and social sustainability. This includes employing local residents, and sourcing local products and services (their spa for example uses freshly harvested local herbs and botanicals). Even the property itself was built with the environment in mind rather than the positioning of the buildings.
Image courtesy Saffire Freycinet.
10. Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
The property: From afar the building looks like it could be of extraterrestrial nature, but in fact this boutique hotel, designed in the shape of a stingray, is a hidden natural gem overlooking the Hazards Mountains and pristine Great Oyster Bay. With 20 luxurious suites, a day spa, exclusive restaurant and long list of complimentary activities, this is a hideaway worth finding.
Eco-friendly highlights: From the energy efficient lighting to the air conditioning system, Saffire participates in environmentally sustainable practices. The building itself was designed to harmonize with the environment, using natural colours and fabrics that complement the area. When it comes to dining, you'll not only find local oysters and produce, but wine too.
