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8 of the best eco-friendly places to stay around the world

It’s easy being green

Enormous sprawling mega resorts and towering high rise hotels are fast becoming de rigueur in Bali, but the Alila Uluwatu is the exact opposite of this formula. Perched atop the cliffs of Uluwatu in the island’s south west, the property is completely hidden from view by lush towering greenery. The hotel’s sophisticated water saving systems and use of local savannah plants allows the gardens to flourish without causing drought. The low lying villas stay hidden behind the greenery, constructed using naturally insulating Balinese pumice rock and limestone boulders taken from local road cuttings. The first in Bali to be built to Earth Check standards, these are no ordinary villas. Each includes its very own cabanas, day beds, plunge pools and outdoor showers. The resort also supports the local ecosystems with its own water purification system, banishing plastic bottles, and partakes in monthly dives with Zen Bali, pulling plastics from local reefs.

Located 250km from Abu Dhabi and 8km off the western coast, Sir Bani Yas Island is a haven to From flocks of flamingos to herds of endangered Arabian Oryx and the Anantara Desert Islands Resort & Spa. One of three to occupy the open range wildlife reserve that was once a Sheikh’s private nature reserve, the hotel’s highlight is the morning game drive where you can drive alongside sand gazelles, ostrich and cheetahs. Aside from animal conservation, the resort also works to educate its guests on the local culture, and has made a commitment to water preservation, all aiding the survival of this oasis in the desert.

Sprawled along 10km of freshwater canals in the Yucatan Peninsula, the Banyan Tree Mayakoba is a world away from the party beaches of Cancun, just an hour’s drive north. Swap out beach parties for sustainable tourism, without sacrificing on all the fun. The resort’s villas perch along the riverbanks, sit side by side with mangroves and hide away in the Mexican jungle. You’re surrounded by nature on all sides, with the jungle spilling out to a pristine private beach. Join a cruise through the canals on traditional tajinera boats with the resident Biologist, spotting waterbirds and learning more about the Greening Communities program, which to date has planted an impressive 50,000 trees on site. And that’s not all. The Banyan Tree has a turtle protection program and rescues local melipona bees.

You won’t ever feel guilty dipping your toes into the swimming pool at Amsterdam’s trendy Conservatorium Hotel. The water from the pool is recycled into the sprinkler system, keeping this green hotel fresh and fabulous at all times. Housed in the city’s old Conservatorium of Music, the building was brought back to life by designer Piero Lissoni, who opened up the building with an enormous glass atrium. Flooded with daylight, the atrium houses a large garden, alongside a restaurant whose kitchen serves only sustainable ingredients – forget fois gras and deep sea fish. Add in a geothermal heat pump system that keeps things nice and toasty in the cooler months, and you have a hotel that’s perfect year round.

Copenhagen has set its sights on becoming the first carbon neutral capital by 2025, so it’s not surprising to see the city’s luxury hotels taking on the challenge. The Phoenix sits just minutes from the Amalienborg Palace and is fresh from a renovation that combines old world glamour with the latest environmentally friendly practices – water saving devices, sensor lighting, a recyclable packaging only policy and low waste initiatives. The property takes its commitment to the community seriously, supporting local businesses, but also donating left over food to nearby hostels and charities.

Tropical paradise has never seemed so picture perfect than at the Radisson, where everything from the roof to the business strategy is geared towards sustainability. The sprawling lagoon pool makes the Radisson a popular spot for families, but what you probably didn’t realise is the property is also home to one of the largest roof-mounted solar systems in the South Pacific. The system has saved a whopping 10,600 trees worth of energy. Alongside the commitment to renewable energies, water conservation and waste management, the resort takes responsible business seriously, supporting more than 28 local schools, maintaining a 97% local Fijian staff (46% female) and donating funds to in-need communities.

Located at the gateway to one of the world’s most visited UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Sumaq hotel takes its commitment to sustainable practices and preservation seriously. Perched along the banks of the mighty Vilcanota River, the hotel excels at low impact accommodation. Rooms bring the rainforest in, through clever placement of courtyards and skylights. The staff work hard to preserve traditional Andean practices, leading guests in traditional rituals honouring the earth, marriage ceremonies and cooking classes to learn more about the Pachamanca tradition.

Cool and quirky, the Hotel Zetta fits right in with San Fran’s eclectic arts community, and is committed to plugging travellers into the heart of that community. Guests are encouraged to discover the art of the city through an “underground” exhibition – pieces of recycled art, refurbished fixtures, murals, graffiti and other interesting pieces are scattered throughout the hotel, everywhere from the ceiling to the stairwells. Think chandeliers made of reading glasses and funky neon light installation pieces. There’s also a Stay Green program – hang the sign on your door to waive nightly housekeeping and get a $10 mini bar credit. Now that’s good motivation to go green!

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For those who prefer their vacations to be carbon-neutral

In the wake of last weekend's Earth Day and the fact that this is the World Trade Organisation's Year of Sustainable Travel, there's never been a better time to travel without the excess baggage of a carbon footprint. Here is a round of the eight best eco-friendly VIP hotels that celebrate the earth instead of costing it.

And for more eco-friendly hotels, search Expedia.

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Divya Bala

Published

28/04/2017 2:10:35 PM

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