The Luxury Travel Magazine
The Luxury Travel Magazine
Online searches for ‘sustainable travel’ have been rapidly increasing over the past few years with more than 80% of travellers actively seeking more eco-friendly options for their next holiday. Sustainable stays are springing up all over the world and often offer guests a delicious proximity to nature otherwise neglected by many urban properties. Holidaymakers are discovering an exciting new dimension to tourism as we know it that is here to stay. To many, however, the words luxury and sustainable are somewhat paradoxical but this doesn’t have to be the case. Beau Monde Traveler reveals five of the world’s most sumptuous sustainable stays to add to your list.
Bambu Indah is an ethereal jungle retreat located in Bali’s popular town of Ubud. However, the property departs from the hectic quality typical of many Balinese tourist traps to offer a more intimate and unique stay; with only nine organic bamboo structures and one bridal house, Bambu Indah is naturally exclusive.
The bamboo houses are all different and each possesses a distinctive character defined by design and location within the property. Guests can find themselves floating above the trees or grounded beside the river, but all will experience the expansive views of Ubud’s verdant landscape that is integral to the stay. The handmade bamboo structures cocoon guests within charming hideaways but don’t conceal the otherworldly elements; moonlight glints through the canopy on a clear night and fireflies seem to dance to the soothing sounds of the night that drift through on the tropical breeze.
Despite the use of traditional materials and the undeniable connection to nature, guests are never far from luxury. From free-standing copper baths to private plunge pools and mini fridges to air-conditioned mosquito nets, Bambu Indah is a traditional retreat with modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a holistic experience with a focus on wellness and relaxation. Natural spring-fed swimming pools, morning yoga and baths in flower-filled tubs offer to soothe the senses and meals comprising produce from the property’s organic vegetable and herb gardens provide visitors with a healing and traditional culinary experience. This boutique hotel has its green finger on the pulse of the sustainable tourism scene. Among other initiatives, eco-design, natural pools, minimal light pollution, and linen reuse programmes mean that guests can enjoy an ecologically mindful stay. There is all to discover in this bamboo paradise.
Azulik is a beach-front collection of creative villas and habitable sculptures in Tulum. Here, guests are encouraged to reconnect with their surroundings and feel in touch with nature. Artisanal design, organic materials and a comforting proximity to the waves create this intangible connection that defines a stay at Azulik. While there is an internet connection throughout the property, technology should be used at a minimum. Equally, there are no electric lights at Azulik, instead, candlelight illuminates the villas at night, aided only by moonlight. This is designed to foster harmony with nature and limit light pollution.
The 48 wooden villas are categorised by theme. Guests can choose from Aqua, Sea, Sky, Moon, Jungle, Mayan and Aztec villas, each differentiated by style and placement. The striking Sea villas, for example, feature an outdoor Mayan bath – as well as an indoor tub – and an ocean view that can be enjoyed from a hanging Balinese bed. The enchanting Moon villas, however, are geared towards a more romantic experience with an outdoor plunge pool, a round king-sized bed and an outdoor swing among other enticing amenities. This option also includes a private staircase to the beach, a 24/7 butler and a second-floor villa. Perhaps the most luxurious of all is Azulik’s Aqua villa, which is more like a work of art than a hotel room. This habitable sculpture features indoor waterways, a sea-facing hot tub and an outdoor sea-view swing.
Azulik offers an exceptional culinary experience that doesn’t stray from its sustainable values. Guests can explore medicinal gastronomy, personalised meals, ancestral cuisine and immersive dishes. Among a host of additional experiences – including wellness treatments and sunset spaces – the on-site City of Arts offers an interdisciplinary creative sphere in which to reflect and enjoy a striking collection of works.
Soneva Kiri is a luxurious beachside resort just 90 minutes from Bangkok. Thirty-three private villas ranging from one to five bedrooms welcome parties of all sizes and spill out from the tropical hillsides towards the quintessential white-sand beach. This secluded hideaway champions unparalleled sustainable luxury and boasts a sumptuous dining experience provided by some of the world’s greatest chefs.
Each villa feels like its own private retreat. Whether a one-bedroom suite or sunset reserve with room for 10, guests are treated to a rustic-chic stay with spectacular views and all the amenities of a typical luxury hotel, and more. The single-room Beach Pool Villa Suite, for example, is a secluded property with direct access to the beach, a private swimming pool and ocean-front gardens. The signature outdoor bathroom allows guests to bathe by moonlight in a tropical hideaway and enjoy the soporific rhythm of the jungle. Moving up to a three-bedroom reserve, this option includes a waterslide, a separate treehouse, and a spacious dining area under the stars. Finally, with many of the same amenities as the rest of the fleet, the five-bedroom Beach Pool Reserve raises the bar for luxury even further. A private gym, private spa deck and personal treehouse transform this retreat into a resort in its own right.
Much like the previous two properties, Soneva Kiri provides guests with a series of unforgettable signature experiences that are all customisable. With too many activities to complete during one stay, guests will have to return to explore delights including the Mushroom Cave Lunch, the Galaxy Dinner at South Beach, the Rainforest Adventure Tour, Khun Tuk’s Cooking Class and Night Snorkelling with Bioluminescent Plankton.
Mashpi Lodge is a modern rainforest resort just over a two-hour drive from Quito. Placed within a unique mountainous landscape on a striking plateau, the property’s views are enough to gain attention, the unforgettable experience inside is a bonus. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide a seamless connection to the outside world and its thriving ecosystems; the lodge’s engagement with its natural home is breathtaking.
Mashpi Lodge sits on the site of a former lumber mill and was constructed using sustainable techniques to tailor the building to its natural surroundings. The modernist design contrasts with the ancient forest but hardly leaves a footprint. The suites offer an immersive experience and guests can wake up to astonishing views of the thriving jungle from whichever floor they choose to stay. Each room is named using the local Kichwa language and reflects the unique offering inside. For example, the Yaku (water) suites feature luxury tubs perfect for those seeking a tranquil soak after a long day of exploration. The Wayra (wind) rooms are geared towards groups and families as they can be interconnected for a shared stay.
An important cornerstone of the Mashpi Lodge experience is wellness. Spa areas blend into the natural landscape and are immersed in the lush foliage of the jungle. Visitors can treat themselves to a soak in the open-air hot tub, an outdoor yoga session, and any number of wellness treatments and massages. Bird watching, day and night hikes, as well as the signature Dragonfly open-air gondola experience are just some of the activities available at Mashpi Lodge after which guests can enjoy exquisite fine dining back in the refined comfort of the hotel.
Tierra Patagonia integrates seamlessly within the rugged landscape of Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park. The sustainable eco-luxury lodge is one of the most striking stays in the country and is constructed from locally sourced Patagonian materials. Guests can immerse themselves in the park as they enjoy the exquisite perks of this innovative and modern property.
The rooms at Tierra Patagonia are elegant yet warm and feature works by local artists. However, local timber and whitewashed walls provide a perfect neutral canvas that guides the eye to the true focal point of each room: the window onto Patagonia, its lakes and mountains in all their glory. Guests can appreciate the outside from the comfort of a space sprinkled with odes to the land’s rich culture and history. Traditional sheepskin rugs provide extra comfort while soft, handmade blankets adorn the furniture that is delicately stamped with patterns of local natural forms. There are three categories of rooms available culminating with a series of luxury suites. Here, two levels provide ample living space, which boasts rustic fittings including driftwood bannisters from the nearby lake.
Tierra Patagonia’s Uma Spa is a highlight of the property. With the glorious backdrop of the Torres del Paine Massif, the floor-to-ceiling windows act almost as a crystal cocoon in which guests can relax and admire the rugged surroundings. Amenities include a heated indoor pool, a steam room and an outdoor hot tub as well as various all-natural therapies and massages. Locally sourced Patagonian cuisine tops off a great stay at Tierra Patagonia. Contemporary Chilean cuisine featuring stews, soups and other hearty dishes is the perfect fix for the tired traveller.
These unique and sustainable stays are among the best on the planet. Each in keeping with traditions and customs from its local surroundings and dedicated ecological boundaries, these hotels limit their environmental footprint but maximise luxury. Guests can seek refuge from their busy lives in wonderfully distinctive and luxurious accommodation and explore astonishing local vistas from the comfort of their king-sized beds. These properties go above and beyond to provide a holistic experience for guests and exciting trips, tranquil wellness spaces and exquisite dining are welcome extras.
