ECO FRIENDLY AND LUXURY HOTELS AROUND THE WORLD
Finolhu Villas, Maldives
Dubbed as the world’s first “fully solar-powered resort”, the entire facility is equipped with 2,000 square metres of solar roof panels that meet all of its energy needs. Set either over water or on the beach, the 52 eco-friendly villas are spread across 12 acres on the private island of Gasfinolhu. The island is said to generate around one megawatt of energy per day, due to its location on the Equator, and any excess energy generated each day can be stored for use on another day. The resort is also said to run on an advanced self-sufficient water supply and efficient waste management system and is claimed to have been built in a way that would minimise erosion on its beaches.
You know what they say, location is everything. That’s one of many things that The Hix Island House, Puerto Rico has gotten right. Situated on a hilltop, you can expect a constant flow of wind to never break a single sweat. The entire hotel is also built specifically to let in as much wind as possible so as to cut down on energy usage as well as maximise its natural surroundings. What’s more is the absolutely innovative use of solar panels to provide power as well as hot water, which is then effectively used to water the guavas, bananas and papayas growing nearby. This is sustainability to the max.
Andaz Maui at Wailea resort, Hawaii, USA
Perched along crescent-shaped shores, the beach-front Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort radiates luxury. Each one of hotel’s 290 guest rooms and suites, and seven residential villas, blends the hip, contemporary Andaz style with the feel of a luxury resort community. It is also Hawaii’s first LEED-certified hotel. The resort has a design approach that minimizes waste and harmful emissions, reduces energy and water consumption, and stresses sustainable design as an integral component of its overall strategy. Sustainable elements throughout the resort include a solar hot water system, variable speed chillers, motion sensor lighting controls and low flow plumbing fixtures. Environmental practices continue in-room, with automized temperature control and guestroom glassware made from recycled wine bottles.
Fogo Island Inn, Canada
The brainchild of local gal turned tech entrepreneur turned hotel visionary Zita Cobb, Fogo is sensational for all sorts of reasons. First, there is the design, a startling white structure high up on stilts that straddle the rocks of this remote Newfoundland landscape. Then there are the rooms – cosy, Scandi-chic, with enormous windows looking out over the ocean and all filled with custom-made furniture created by re-employed fishing-boat builders. Then there is the social enterprise: the inn is essentially a blueprint for how a lodge should/could be run, working entirely to benefit the wider community and pouring 100 per cent of the profits back into its Shorefast Foundation.
Karijini Eco Retreat, Australia
Hidden away in the awe-inspiring Karijini National Park are the deluxe eco tents that take glamping to a whole new level. Not only do they have their own private ensuite bathrooms and some seriously stylish interiors, but there are some stunning front and rear decks on which to relax while you take in the exquisite views. There’s minimal power available (just enough so you can charge your phone) and rechargeable lanterns, as the tent relies on solar power. It’s all natural products only – bedding is made from 100% cotton, and there’s natural ventilation and a floor made from composite timber for minimal disturbance to the ecosystem.