Conserving water and energy. Protecting wildlife and habitats. Whether we’re on a city break or kicking back in a luxury hotel, we all want to lessen our environmental impact. So, to help, we’ve put together three eco-conscious resorts that are leading the way in eco-tech – so you can start your next trip on the greenest foot.
1. NATURAL CHEMISTRY AT WORK: PACIFIC RESORT AITUTAKI, COOK ISLANDS
Very few places come close to the tranquillity and beauty of the Cook Islands. You can experience both at the award-winning Pacific Resort Aitutaki, where you’ll have over 19 acres of tropical gardens and 1.5km of pristine white sand to call your own. Rooms come courtesy of thatched beachfront bungalows, while days can be spent lounging by the infinity fresh water pool or indulging at the Polynesian style spa.
Feeling in touch with nature here, however, goes further than enjoying beauty treatments on the beach. It even goes beyond cruising around Aitutaki Lagoon and feeding the native electric blue needle fish. This boutique resort is committed to the highest levels of hospitality and environmental initiatives. These include treating water by using a harmless electrolysation process and hypochlorous acid which is naturally produced in the human body. The hotel also offers oxybenzone-free ‘reef-safe’ sunscreen – a clever invention where any cream not absorbed by the skin doesn’t wash off in the ocean.
2. THE HEIGHT OF CHIC AND GREEN LIVING: ARIMA HOTEL, SAN SEBASTIÁN
Sitting among the leafy canopy in this Miramón Forest retreat, it’s easy to feel like you’re floating on air. Located in the heart of Spain’s Basque Country, Arima Hotel boasts two gastronomic restaurants serving locally-grown ingredients and the most stylish spa in the region. Above all, this is where sleek, contemporary architecture and floor-to-ceiling windows beautifully complement the ‘live green, love green’ philosophy.
Designed to run on clean energy systems, the hotel meets the stringent Passivhaus standard of energy efficiency in a building. It does this by regulating heat and ventilation through slats on the walls which open and close like a set of blinds. And when it comes to water conservation, guests can indulge in a drenching shower, safe in the knowledge that their bathroom is using clean and filtered rainwater, collected nearby.
Share this article
Latest stories
A wellness-boosting itinerary through Portugal: from the Algarve to Alentejo
Beyond the Algarve’s beach umbrellas and Lisbon’s tiled alleys lies a version of Portugal where nature leads and wellbeing follows. These wilder corners offer stillness, slowness and something that’s increasingly sought-after by today’s travellers — a deep and meaningful connection to nature.
Why sailing the Nile by dahabeya is the most timeless way to experience Egypt
Aboard the beautiful Storia the Dahabeya, a four-day journey down the Nile comes to life with a thousand senses, from the snap of linen sails to the scent of sun-warmed papyrus drifting on the wind. We glide past palm-fringed banks and golden temples that continue to glow at dusk. Gentle
In with the new: from vineyard retreats to island hideaways these are the hotels on our radar in April
Spring brings a renewed sense of movement and with it, travel that feels both restorative and enriching. Some stays are steeped in nature, from Finland’s forested stillness to Corsica’s sunlit groves, while others unfold among the vineyards of California, Piedmont and beyond. Elsewhere, island rhythms take hold in Rhodes and
A pocket guide to Roma Norte: Mexico City’s most creative district
Full of characterful, colourful neighbourhoods where culture and cuisine thrive, Mexico City is a magnet for creatives to reside and visit. Condesa remains the go-to for Art Deco architecture and buzzy brunch spots. The bohemian enclave of Coyoacán has long been a refuge for artists. Burgeoning Juárez brings in a
