Long-awaited new builds, nature conservation projects and regenerative travel initiatives are among the sustainability projects leading the way in 2024 and beyond
Bambu Indah, Ubud
Bambu Indah, meaning “beautiful bamboo” in Indonesian, intertwines luxury with sustainability. Each house is crafted from bamboo, a rapidly renewable material with carbon sequestration capabilities. Plants cleanse natural swimming pools, eliminating the need for chemicals. Rainwater harvesting systems and permaculture gardens supply organic produce for the kitchen. Guests can immerse themselves in Ubud’s natural beauty while contributing positively to the environment.
bambuhindah.com
Bamboo architecture – Moonhouse, Bambu Indah, Indonesia
Forestis Dolomites, Italy
Staying at this eco-friendly retreat, you’ll enjoy panoramic mountain views and luxurious amenities. Forestis has achieved carbon-neutral construction and is powered entirely by renewables, including wood pellets, hydropower, and wind turbines.
Construction materials were locally sourced to enhance harmony with its surroundings, using local wood, with two saplings replanted for every tree felled. The hotel also features minimalist interiors with recycled and repurposed furniture.
forestis.it
Sustainable hotels: Forestis Penthouse
Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya
Maroma has undergone an environmentally sensitive renovation featuring a sea turtle sanctuary, a nursery for rescuing endemic plants, and a conservation program for endangered bird species. The hotel combines luxury with environmental stewardship, offering a unique and responsible travel experience. It uses locally sourced products and has eliminated plastic. Guests can enjoy luxury accommodations and a range of sustainable activities, including a sustainable ocean golf experience.
belmond.com
Belmond Maroma Spa – poolside
Soneva Secret, The Maldives
Soneva Secret, which recently opened on the Maldives’ Haa Dhaalu Atoll, features 14 overwater and island villas with retractable roofs for stargazing. The resort has a 2 per cent environmental levy on all stays, which goes towards the Soneva Foundation’s conservation projects.
It supports marine biodiversity, partners with NGOs for marine conservation, and grows up to 150,000 coral fragments annually.
Guests will experience opulent accommodations and bespoke service while supporting eco-friendly practices and sustainability efforts.
soneva.com
Soneva Secret – Destination Dining_Stevie Mann for Soneva.
Opera35 Hotel, Turin, Italy
Located in a neoclassical building from the Belle Époque, Opera35 combines historical preservation with modern sustainability. The hotel has implemented efficient energy use and waste reduction measures. It features contemporary Italian design furniture and modern fixtures alongside frescoes and stucco.
The hotel’s respectful building recovery highlights the monumental character of the building while promoting sustainability.
opera35.com
Opera35 Turin. Source: https://opera35.com
Six Senses, Bhutan
Six Senses’ five lodges in Bhutan each emphasise a holistic approach to sustainability. In Punakha, guests can donate to the monks’ learning programs at Chorten Nyingpo Monastery.
The Thimphu Lodge offers crafts at the Earth Lab using leftover materials. Paro and Gangtey lodges have on-site vegetable gardens, with harvested crops distributed across the lodges. Six Senses also supports environmental conservation and community education through various initiatives.
sixsenses.com
Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, Maldives
Bulgari Resort Ranfushi, set to open in 2025, is the latest addition to the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts collection. This luxury resort, designed by ACPV ARCHITECTS, sits on 20 hectares of pristine natural beauty in the Maldives’ Raa Atoll and adheres to the highest sustainability standards possible.
Guests will have a choice of 54 keys, including an exclusive Bulgari Villa on its own island, 33 beach villas with individual swimming pools, and 20 overwater villas.
The resort will offer four signature Bulgari culinary experiences: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, the Chinese fine dining restaurant Bao Li Xuan, the Japanese concept Hōseki, and the relaxed La Spiaggia.
Facilities will also include The Bulgari Bar, The Bulgari Spa, a Bulgari boutique, and La Galleria, ensuring a comprehensive luxury experience amid the Maldives‘ breathtaking landscape.
Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada
Six Senses La Sagesse on Grenada’s southern coast mimics a local village, blending seamlessly with its surroundings.
Pathways made from cocoa skins and nutmeg shells, 56 split-level pool suites, and 15 villas made from natural materials are just some of the eco-friendly practices employed in its design.
Guests can experience treatments using Indigenous ingredients at the Six Senses Spa or take part in activities such as sailing, forest bathing, or cooking classes.
Six Senses Grenada
Highland Base Kerlingarfjöll, Iceland
This off-grid retreat in Iceland’s remote interior is a mecca for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking and promotes the latest in sustainable tourism. Sustainable design features by Basalt Architects include aged wood and concrete in pods and A-frame huts with sunken living rooms and Polaroid-like windows. Activities include geothermal baths, viewing the northern lights, and dining on Arctic char and Brennivín schnapps.
highlandbase.is
Dolce Vita Hotels, South Tyrol, Italy
These five new family-run active and wellness hotels in South Tyrol have made sustainability and ecological construction a key focus, along with promoting e-mobility and eco-certified products.
The hotels have replanted over 30,000 native plants, use sustainable construction design, and support local producers and farmers. Guests can enjoy luxury accommodations while contributing to climate protection through a partnership with Plant-for-the-Planet, which involves planting trees to combat climate change.
The hotels also offer a range of activities and dining experiences that highlight regional and sustainable practices.