Luxury meets Sustainability: Top Eco-Hotels Around the World

At the core of everything that Dulce Salerno stands for is sustainability. We carry this word, or should we say this value, every day with us whether through our eco-fashion choices or daily habits. It’s only natural therefore that it follows us in our travels as well.

There are many ways that you can make your travels as sustainable as possible, and the best place to start is with where you’ll be staying. So as many of you might be planning your next destination now, we thought we’d share with you four hotels and resorts that practice sustainability at its finest. That way, you can wanderlust without any guilt and indulge in luxury without compromising your ethical standards.

Whitepod Eco-Luxury hotel & Alpine Experience:

Located at a drastic 1400m altitude in the beautiful city of Valais in Switzerland, stands one of the most beautiful eco-friendly hotels in the world. Sustainability certainly does not disappoint at the Whitepod Eco-Luxury hotel & Alpine Experience where you can enjoy a unique experience at the heart of the Swiss Alps in one of their eco luxurious PODS. What makes the PODS so eco friendly you ask? Well, all their PODS are equipped with wood-burning stoves and organic luxury beds. But that’s just the PODS doing their eco work, and this Hotel truly proves that hospitality and environmental conservation can co-exist in a positive manner. It does so by following sustainable practices such as controlling water and energy (more on that in a bit), recycling waste, purchasing ALL their ingredients locally and making sure their staff lives close by so automated transport is brought to a minimum. WhitePod provides you with a natural environment and forces you to walk from the reception to the POD, as they are very serious about maintaining their sustainability, just as we are. So how do they control their energy and water consumption? Simple, they use closed fireplaces to slow down wood pellet consumption, they promote the use of class A electrical devices, they’ve installed timers on water boilers and shower heads, and use local spring water from the surrounding forests! It really cannot get more sustainable than this. Oh wait, it does! WhitePod limits night lighting and use 100% biodegradable cleaning products. If only we had more hotels like that!

 Jumeirah Vittaveli:

Located on the Bolifushi Island in the Republic Of Maldives, the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort has been highly recognized as one of the most sustainable and eco friendly places on this planet and has been re-certified by Green Globe. What does it mean to be a Green Globe certified member? The membership is reserved for companies and organizations who are committed to making positive contributions to people and planet. As per the words of Jumeira Resort’s General Manager: “as a globally recognized organization, the Green Globe validates our efforts when it comes to environmental initiatives”. So, what it is that makes Jumeriah Resort worthy of the Green Globe membership? For one, installing water dispensers and distributing free reusable water bottles to colleagues so that the resort can move closer to become a plastic bottle free island in the near future. They’ve got a ‘green team’ that is always brainstorming new ideas for the resort to be as sustainable as possible. To preserve the marine environment and preserve its natural resources, Jumeira’s on site marine biologist, Emily Armstrong-Smith, surveys the local reefs and works on planting coral frames to support natural growth and counter-act the EI Nino effect that usually causes bleaching and coral dieback. Emily also teaches both children and adults about the significance of coral protection and marine habitats.

Spice Island Beach resort:

A resort that also attained the Green Globe certificate and is considered one of the best in the world is the Spice Island Beach resort. Sitting on the world-famous Grande Anse beach of Grenada, this spectacular resort is surrounded with lemon, almond and sea-grape trees. The resort enforces sustainability through several ways: the swimming pools are generated by Salt Chlorine, herb gardens are home-grown, beachfront trees always replanted, and placement of garbage containers are set up along the beach. Internally, they practice energy conservation, reuse of office paper for internal printing, recycling plastic bottles to local medical clinic, paper shredding and composting program. Furthermore, their products are locally produced and are all environmentally friendly. It is very apparent that the resort is attempting to follow an eco-friendly way of life for the environment and its customers.

CAMPI YA KANZI:

Finally, located in the heart of Africa, Kenya, we find the famous Campi Ya Kanzi, a community owned and operated eco-tourism lodge that sets a new standard for the experience of true luxury that is also truly ecologically low-impact. People usually go there to pursue the African Safari of their dreams, since the area is also called “The Green Hills Of Africa”. What makes it so sustainable? The entire camp has been planned and built with the goal of having the lowest impact on the environment. Firstly, they offset all the carbon emissions produced to host its guests and for their safari activities. Carbon credits are purchased from REDD+ Chyulu Carbon Project.  Secondly, local building materials have been used, such as lava rocks and lumber from the environment. Thirdly, hot water is supplied by solar boilers; electricity, by solar systems and the food is prepared with eco-friendly charcoal produced by a UN project. Fourthly, waste is collected and properly recycled. Furthermore, the needs for water are met through rain cropping which entails that the black and grey waters are purified through natural filtration and recycled into a pond for wildfire. It is no surprise that the camp is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly camps in Africa.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had more hotels with the likes of WhitePod, Jumeirah Vittaveli, Spice Island and Campi Ya Kanzi that successfully demonstrate how community, tourism and conservation can go hand in hand for a mutual benefit? Do keep these hotels in mind the next time you’re planning a luxurious yet sustainable getaway and do share with us your favorite eco-hotels as well! Oh, and don’t forget to pack your Dulce fashion essentials for the ultimate sustainable vacation!