6 tree planting hotels for a forest-friendly stay

1. FORESTIS, South Tyrol – Italy

Located in the thick of the forest in the UNESCO-protected Dolomites, FORESTIS is a back-to-nature retreat which weaves the elements through every guest experience. For every tree felled in the hotel’s construction, two new trees were planted, or the wood was repurposed into fencing and furniture to preserve and re-grow as much of the precious woodland as possible. Guests are also encouraged to go without housekeeping where they can, and for every day this service is waived, FORESTIS plants a tree in South Tyrol.

The forest cuisine at FORESTIS is overseen by native South Tyrolean Executive Chef Roland Lamprecht, who foraged his way through the forests and meadows as a child and now expresses his love of the woodlands in the most delicious way. Using essences from the surrounding forests, such as herbs, nuts, and berries, as well as shrubs, barks, and fir needles, each plate becomes a little work of art dedicated to the Dolomites.

Wrapped in an untouched landscape of mountains and forests, Gangtey Lodge is an all-suite Himalayan hideaway which encourages guests to emotionally, spiritually, and physically connect with their natural surroundings. The farmhouse-inspired lodge celebrates the coronation of His Majesty the Fourth King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuck on the 2nd June each year by planting 100 trees, inviting guests to join in with a ‘planting and picnic’ experience in a nearby meadow at the edge of the forest. Return to your Farmhouse Suite for an evening beside an energy-efficient fireplace, fuelled by sustainably sourced firewood from government managed forests.

3. Grove of Narberth, Pembrokeshire – Wales

Overlooking the rolling Preseli Mountains and Narberth Hills in Wales’ picture-perfect Pembrokeshire, the Grove of Narberth is a lovingly restored traditional Welsh house with 26 acres of sustainably-maintained grounds. During the hotel’s recent woodland project, over 5,000 trees were planted using local species like sessile oak, ash, birch, willow, alder, holly and hazel to create a new natural habitat for wildlife, flora and fauna – with the added bonus of beautiful walks for Grove guests. The Grove have also created a wildlife pond, hung bird boxes, and planted wild meadows and trees to promote increased biodiversity, while retaining the ancient hedgerows which sustain the habitat of the many species of birds, butterflies and other local wildlife.

4. Hotel Arima & Spa, San Sebastián – Spain

Rising above the treetops of the Miramón Forest is Hotel Arima & Spa, a ‘soulstainable’ retreat which seems to float amidst the leafy landscape. While laying down its roots in the Miramón Forest, Hotel Arima branched out into the Basque Country community by collaborating with local landscapers who select native plants and trees especially for the surrounding environment. The ‘live green, love green’ hotel also takes advice from the accumulated experience of gardeners based in the area and purchases plants from local nurseries with a high level of biodiversity in regional plant production.

As a certified Passivhaus property, this sustainable-from-scratch hotel has been entirely constructed according to eco principles, and is a prototype of zero energy buildings. The savings in CO2 emissions are similar to what 15,000 trees would absorb annually.

5. Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, Bel Ombre – Mauritius

Set on the wild south coast of Mauritius in a protected nature reserve, in an area which was once home to celebrated Irish botanist Charles Telfair Heritage le Telfair has the feel of a private village – with beautifully renovated villas scattered throughout its tropical gardens. The resort has partnered with Mauritius Wildlife Foundation to preserve native species present in the forests of Heritage Nature Reserve, while running a reforestation programme in partnership with Rogers, its parent company, to restore the nearby Jacotet river banks. Heritage Le Telfair takes guests on a Mindful Nature Walk at Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a tropically tranquil introduction to forest bathing.

Explore lush jungle, natural hot springs and wake up to a dawn chorus of tropical birds at Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa, an eco-friendly base for discovering Costa Rica’s astounding Arenal Volcano region. Set in more than 900 acres of verdant rainforest reserve, this forward-thinking resort has been awarded five out of five leaves for its sustainability initiatives by the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) – including planting over 1,500 trees on property as part of an ongoing reforestation project.

Recharge your batteries in the palm-thatched spa which centres around the life-giving properties of its natural springs, using raw materials such as coffee, lemon grass, pineapple, cocoa, yucca, and rice to create a true ‘Tico’ wellness experience.