Breathtaking vistas, warm hospitality, and convenient locations are just some of many considerations on our checklists when choosing the perfect hotel while traveling. But what about its eco-friendly credentials? With growing concerns about carbon footprint, this is now a crucial aspect of sustainable travel. Which is why we work with sustainable hotel brands where possible and are continuously developing long-lasting relationships with partners who share our vision and values.
There are many simple things you can do to make your next vacation a little bit more sustainable. As well as shopping responsibly and booking experiences that build meaningful connections, you could also make a conscious effort to stay in sustainable hotels.
Need a little inspiration? From luxury eco-resorts in South America to enchanting tree-top lodges in rural New Zealand, here’s a handful of stunning green hotels to add to your personalized itinerary.
Pench Tree Lodge, India
Picture a dozen treehouse-style cabins nestled within lush greenery and you have Pench Tree Lodge. This wonderful woodland retreat sits within Central India’s Pench National Park and its owners have truly gone above and beyond when it comes to their sustainable hotel practices.
All-natural materials (including local Sal wood) have been used to construct the treehouses to ensure they blend seamlessly with their jungle surroundings. Plenty of luxurious features have been weaved into their design too, from private decks with panoramic forest views to a shared infinity pool that’s the perfect place to cool off on sunny days.
A stay at Pench Tree Lodge also gives you the perfect opportunity to enjoy a Farm to Fork dining experience. Sit under the stars and savor fragrant, fresh dishes made using ingredients from the lodge’s organic garden. Want to fill your itinerary with responsibly-minded activities? Bird-watching trips, guided nature walks in the hills, and shopping excursions to local village markets are all potential options.
Sango Safari Camp, Botswana
Set on the edge of Botswana’s incredible Okavango Delta, the delightfully traditional Sango Safari Camp offers just six luxury safari tents overlooking the sparkling Khwai River.
Each tent has been designed to cause minimal impact on the environment. The furnishings are all handcrafted out of local scrap wood, while open-air bucket showers are heated by the camp’s solar power system. Sango Safari Camp also makes a conscious effort to only stock eco-friendly toiletries that don’t harm the Earth or pollute local waterways.
Step into Sango Safari Camp’s communal tent which features an indulgent lounge, a spacious dining room, and an outdoor terrace complete with a plunge pool. The adjoining kitchen is the only permanent structure in the entire camp, and it’s staffed by friendly, local chefs who use homegrown vegetables to whip up wholesome meals three times a day.
Sango Safari Camp is ideally located for all kinds of exciting activities, too. The Khwai River is a hotspot for animal sightings and wonderful water-based activities such as mokoro (canoe) safaris. A guided excursion to nearby Khwai village is highly recommended.
Alila Villas, Indonesia
Stunning island scenery and a warm tropical climate make Indonesia an obvious choice for a relaxing getaway. Bali is well known for its outstanding hospitality, vibrant culture, and is a great pick for a wellness vacation. Journey to the southern end of the island and you’ll come across the stunning coastal area of Uluwatu. It’s the domain of dozens of dreamy beach resorts, including the eco-friendly Alila Villas – the only hotel in the country to hold a Platinum EarthCheck certificate for its sustainable practices.
Each one of Alila’s 56 open-plan villas has been consciously designed to be eco-considerate. This includes the use of locally-sourced rattan furnishings, as well as interior detailing crafted from reclaimed wood. What’s more, the villas’ roofs are lined with black lava rocks to help absorb excess heat from the sun which is, in turn, used to power the air-conditioning systems.
Alila Villas’ eco-friendly accolades extend to its food offering and general facilities. An organic onsite farm supplies fresh fruit and vegetables to the hotel’s outstanding kitchen, while verdant rain gardens help conserve and store water for use in the dry season.
Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses, New Zealand
Your inner child will adore the idea of slumbering in a treehouse in the New Zealand wilderness. Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses sits on the South Island, just a few miles from the eco-friendly coastal city of Kaikoura, and sandwiched between Mangamaunu Bay and the dramatic Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range.
Hapuku is owned and run by a family of architects, so both the main lodge and the tree houses have all been exquisitely designed using locally-grown or salvaged materials. The rustic aesthetics are in sync with the lush surroundings, and there are plenty of eco-friendly features for guests to enjoy – from energy-efficient fireplaces to a solar-heated swimming pool. Feeling peckish? Don’t skip dining in the restaurant where dishes are crafted using seasonal ingredients sourced from local farmers and the lodge’s organic garden.
Hapuku’s main goal is to become a zero-waste hotel, with recycling and composting already practiced throughout the site. All of the hotel’s activities have been chosen to limit the impact on the surrounding area, too, with mountain hiking, bird-watching, surfing, and olive picking being just some of the options.
Hotel Belmar, Costa Rica
If Costa Rica’s magnificent Cloud Forest is a must-see for you, we highly recommend a stay at Hotel Belmar. You’ll discover it on a hillside overlooking the Nicoya Peninsula and it’s easily one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the Monteverde region.
That’s all down to a combination of engaging activities – think local farm visits and educational bird-watching trips – and, of course, the hotel’s outstanding design. Each room features wooden furnishings crafted in the hotel’s cabinetry workshop, plus the bathrooms come well-stocked with organic, eco-friendly products. Thanks to Monteverde’s temperate climate, you’ll spot no energy-sapping air conditioning unit in your room, either.
Foodies will be spoiled for choice by the culinary experiences at Hotel Belmar, all of which incorporate the hotel’s Farm to Table ethos. Go on a self-guided tour of the lush gardens that come alive with seasonal vegetables and herbs. Or, you could even add a horseback tour of Madre Tierra (the hotel’s organic farm in the vicinity) to your trip itinerary.
Explora Sacred Valley, Peru
Get ready to uncover the breathtaking beauty of one of the world’s most intriguing destinations at Explora Sacred Valley. The eco-friendly hotel is perfectly placed for visiting some of Peru’s most storied destinations, including Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cusco.
The lodge has been thoughtfully designed to reflect the area’s past as a corn plantation and to ensure minimal impact on the environment. You’ll find its rooms are spacious, light-filled, and cozily decorated with antique furnishings to help provide a relaxing haven to escape to after long days spent outdoors. Craving some more intense R&R? Explora’s Pumacahua Bath House spa sits within an atmospheric, colonial-era hacienda and offers soothing massages, among other tempting treatments.
It’s hard to beat Explora Sacred Valley’s culinary offerings. The restaurant is headed up by a world-renowned Peruvian chef, with dishes drawing inspiration from local cooking traditions and fresh ingredients. The hotel is additionally a stone’s throw from the wonderful village of Urquillos; a brilliant location to immerse yourself in Peruvian culture and traditions.
Hoshino KAI Aso Ryokan, Japan
Is Japan next up on your travel wishlist? Selecting a tailored itinerary, such as our Kyushu Tour, is a brilliant way to uncover the many delights of this incredible nation’s westernmost isles.
Fascinating excursions to historical Nagasaki, personalized treks around idyllic Yakushima, and culinary-themed tours of majestic Osaka are just some of the wonderful activities you’ll have to look forward to. You’ll additionally have a chance to stay in Japan’s most luxurious and sustainable hotels, including the spectacular Hoshino KAI Aso Ryokan.
The intimate ryokan (family-run inn) sits on a caldera within the Aso Kuju National Park and it houses only a dozen villas. Each one features traditional Japanese architecture and exceptionally-crafted wooden furnishings. What’s more, each villa has its very own luxurious onsen (outdoor thermal bath) that’s filled with fresh water from the region’s natural hot springs.
If you can drag yourself away from the bath, you could uncover the area’s volcanic terrain over a delicious sake cocktail in the aptly-named Caldera Bar. Hoshino KAI Aso Ryokan also has a stylish terrace restaurant where guests can tuck into sensational Japanese cuisine made from produce that’s grown and reared on the caldera’s fertile plains.
Looking to make your next adventure more sustainable? Get in touch with our team of experts and we’ll put together an itinerary that includes stays in some of the world’s most eco-friendly hotels.
Japan’s Onsen Traditions
9 Days: $ 3,390 / person
Get the perfect introduction to Japan’s age-old traditions! Focused on onsen or hot spring bathing rituals, this private tour takes you to the mountain town of Kinosaki, set between Kyoto and Osaka, which is famed for its onsen bathhouses, ryokans (inn) and gorgeous scenery. Details InquireCosta Rica and Panama: Nature and Wildlife
12 Days: $ 4,790 / person
Take a laid-back journey through some of the lush green jungles, volcanic landscapes, white sand beaches, and vibrant cities in two beautiful Central American nations. Apart from Monteverde Cloud Forest and Arenal Volcano, you have the chance to go off the beaten path in Tortuguero, known for its endangered sea turtles, and visit the little […] Details InquireWildlife Safari in Central India
14 Days: $ 6,790 / person
On this India vacation, set out on the trail of the mysterious Royal Bengal Tiger! From Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Pench in Central India to Tadoba, enjoy jungle safaris with experienced naturalists and discover not just tigers but also unique flora and fauna. Details InquireDo you love travel stories from around the world? Sign up for our newsletter or register for one of our free webinars!