From minimising your plastic consumption to choosing travel activities that invest in communities, let us help you plan your next seven long weekends (and more!) in 2020 with ultimate travel experiences that kinder to the earth and people.
INDONESIA
Bali Eco stay – Ubud, Bali
Have you drifted to sleep to the soothing chorus of tropical jungle sounds and flowing water ?
Check out a plastic-free haven in the jungle near Ubud, Bali Eco Stay has been committed to preserving the local ecosystem in the heart of Bali for a few years now. The resort farms everything from its own organic rice to free-range chickens, along with many fruits, veggies, herbs and spices. As a result, 75% of the restaurant menu consists of local cuisine farmed from its premises.
Water is directly sourced from Mount Batukaru, which means you can even drink it straight from our taps – no chemicals needed, just pure natural goodness that has been oxygenated and mineralised by Mother Nature.
The resort has a strict no plastic bottled water policy, hence hikers are equipped with stainless steel bottles for hydration.
The resort also making an effort to conserve each drop of water as much as possible. They use low water pressure showers and dual flush toilets, and change bathroom towels every 3 days or on request. Each toilet and shower has its own septic system and wastewater garden to help fertilize the plants.
Hydro-electricity powers 60% of the resort, except for refrigeration, which requires a stable and consistent power source.
The Beautiful open-air bungalows (psst they also have open-air overwater bungalow) have been specially designed with locally sourced materials, and are stocked with organic, plastic free handmade local toiletries.
Address :
Kanciana village, Kemetug, gunung Salak, East Selemadeg, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82162, Indonesia.
Website :
www. baliecostay.com
LooLa Adventure Resort – Bintan Island, Sumatra
LooLa Adventure Resort, close to Singapore on Bintan island and accessible by ferry, was crowned the World # 1 Responsible Tourism Operator in London (2015). LooLa chalets are made with beautiful wood from renewable resources while the stunning LooLa Luxury Eco Villas boast the World-First Eco Aircon System which is completely chemical-free and powered by solar panels. Give your holiday purpose by getting involved in one of LooLa’s celebrated community projects.
In addition, there are exciting outdoor family activities for every age – from water sports like kayaking, sailing and boom-netting to rock climbing, ziplines, archery, volleyball, and even coconut tree climbing to name just a few! At LooLa Adventure Resort you get a real sense of being in ‘the real Indonesia’ thanks to the authentic hospitality and Indonesian food offered by LooLa’s fully local staff.
Alila Manggis, Bali
A secluded seaside resort in East Bali, Alila Manggis adheres to a strict Zero Waste policy to ensure all their waste is diverted to an integrated sustainable resource recovery facility. The resort boasts a full composting system implemented for all organic waste, a permaculture organic garden to help develop sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystem on location,and converts their current uneconomic waste plastic into a light green crude oil to be distilled into diesel, kerosene and gasoline for reuse in the hotels.
Of note, plastic-free measures are also implemented across their other locations with eco-friendly water bottling systems and guests being given bamboo straws- this is a resort group that is seriously eco-minded.
MALAYSIA
Gayana Island, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Nestled on Gaya Island’s crescent Malohom Bay off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, Gayana Marine Resort is a picturesque destination that strikes a balance between ecology and indulgent luxury. Our extraordinary 45 overwater tropical villas boast vistas of the aquamarine sea, mangrove forest or tropical jungle. Each abode is designed in such a way that enhances the lulling sounds of the surf beneath the villa. At the heart of the resort is the protection and regeneration of the island’s precious marine environment – the on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre, the only of its kind on an island resort, propagates endangered giant glams and coral reefs. The resort’s dining venues present palate-pleasing and soul-satisfying local and international cuisine, while the spa beckons with an array of pampering treatments. (source :
Website :
www.ecoresorts.com
Address :
Malohom Bay Pulau Gaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
CAMBODIA
Song Saa Private Island
A gorgeous environmental and socially conscious resort along the Koh Ring Archipelago coastline, Song Saa Private Islands is the first luxury ecotourism destination in Cambodia.
Built with reclaimed timber and materials from the mainland, salvaged wood from factory yards and fishing boats have been reconstructed as decks, floors and beams of the opulent facilities. Upcycled decor and repurposed furniture adorn each villa. Old oil drums are refashioned into lamps and discarded driftwood become new tables or benches.
Sourcing local and seasonal culinary ingredients that can be catered to guests with dietary restrictions, this award-winning retreat hosts a slew of fun water sports as well as informative ecological and cultural programs.
THAILAND
Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Island, Thailand
Located on the tranquil white sand Laem Tong Beach. The barefoot luxury experience at our Phi Phi Island hotel allows you to unplug and reconnect with yourself amidst spectacular tropical beauty.
Zeavola Resort is accredited as a Green Fin resort by the Phuket Marine Biological Centre and has launched a reef watch and regeneration initiative Project ‘Coral Freedom’.
At the same time, the resort is pursuing its goal to become the Andaman’s unquestioned home of ‘Five Star Diving’, combining luxurious accommodations with thrilling diving adventures that also offer an opportunity to ‘give back’ and get involved for guests.
As the leading Koh Phi Phi’s leading luxury boutique dive resort in Koh Phi Phi island, Zeavola Resort is also bringing its commitments to conservation and environmental education above the waterline with a captivating birdwalk, offering holidaymakers and budding ornithologists a glimpse into the private lives of the island’s intriguing tropical bird population.
Rabeang Pasak, Treehouse Resort, Chiang Mai
Started out as a single treehouse for the family, Rabeang Pasak Treehouse Resort has evolved into eight suites in the sky.
This humble accommodation is located just north of Chiang Mai, in a remote village packed with dense forest. These magical treehouses, some small and others big enough for families, create secluded spaces in quiet surroundings where you can hear the gentle sounds of running water and birds flitting around in the canopy.
As part of their efforts to reduce their carbon-footprint, the treehouses are designed to minimally impact the surrounding environment and most of the facilities have a low environmental impact.
It is apparent looking after nature comes naturally to this family-owned resort.
Akyra TAS Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Opened in May 2018, the Akyra TAS Sukhumvit Bangkok is stylish, innovative boutique hotel that rebuffs any single-use plastic.
50-room luxury accommodation uses biodegradable plastic and specially designed amenities done with rice and bamboo material.
The hotel provides guests with stainless water bottles which can be refilled anytime. Self-service drinkable water is also located on every floor for your convenience and ease. In addition, toiletries are locally manufactured in celadon containers filled with essential oil-based products and biodegradable big bags for rubbish. As shopping is a must in Bangkok, reusable shopping bags in the wardrobe closet are available on loan.
Website :
Address :
7 Sukhumvit 20, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
INDIA
Hara House,Bikaner, Rajasthan
Hara house is a zero waste, social enterprise guesthouse and hostel located in Bikaner Rajasthan. This social enterprise invests 20% of profits into community projects, such as community hub for youth to access environmental action and social justice education and resources.
As a guest, there are plenty of zero-waste experiences waiting for you :
- Have no single-use plastic cutlery or disposable products
- Enjoy interiors that are adorned with upcycled furnishings and reused goods
- Enjoy a scrumptious vegetarian meal prepared from locally grown / sourced organic produce served at the roof-top cafe
- Hunt for local arts, crafts and souvenir shopping with a cloth tote bag provided by the host
The zero-waste philosophy reflected on both the way guests would live as well as the means and resources it operates on – their goal is to achieve a minimum of 90% landfill diversion rate.
Website :
Address :
Korio Ko Mahalla, Purani Ginani, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India 334001
Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad, Kerala
Nestled on a 35 acres of eco-friendly farm in Vellamunda in Kerala’s lush Wayanad district, Banasura Hill Resort has 31 rooms, twin villas and suites predominantly constructed from mud, known as rammed earth. Maximum use of natural light and CFL lamps are used to minimise energy consumption, while a bio-gas plant recycles organic waste and fires the resort’s kitchen.
Banasura Hill Resort offers an aura of luxury and comfort that is small enough to be intimate and homely, but spacious and expansive enough to let you feel absolutely unconfined.Guests can enjoy hiking through the countryside to visit thundering waterfalls, rippling streams, magnificent mountains, panoramic views and visiting a tribal village.
It is an enriching experience than a mere vacation.
SRI LANKA
Gal Oya Lodge, Ampara
Gal Oya is a hidden gem ! Spread across 20 acres of private jungle in the remote Gal Oya National Park, this eco resort has been constructed from sustainable, local materials wherever possible, with each of nine spacious bungalows created in harmony with the natural features of the landscape.
Comprising 10 spacious bungalows and Wildlife abounds; Gal Oya is the only place in Sri Lanka where you can see a wide variety of wildlife, take a boat safari and possibly spot an Asian Elephant in its natural habitat, swimming from island to island in search of the freshest grass.
Polwatha Eco Lodges
Located 19 kilometres east of Kandy, this eco resort encourages every guest to plant a tree, and demonstrates its dedication to sustainability by sourcing all materials and purchases from within a 5km radius. Guests can trek through local rice fields, tea plantations, and waterfalls, or support local school projects for a day or longer. Standard Lodges are constructed from a variety of materials found on the land, including wood, clay and brick.
Polwaththa is also a hidden yoga retreat which is perfect for yogis looking to immerse themselves in nature and have a positive impact on the environment and its people.
Website :
Address :
69/1 Wepathana – Gomagoda Rd, kandy 20184, Sri Lanka
Have you spotted any other eco-friendly resorts around Asia ?
Let us know in the comment below!
Never miss a story. Join us on social.