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Luxury Travel

Top 10 responsible Hotels in Asia

These resorts and lodges are leading the way in sustainable efforts, says Charitable Travel’s Ali Nicholls

This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.

Click to read

1. Buahan, Banyan Tree Escape, Bali, Indonesia

Located near the small village of Buahan, a 40-minute drive north of Ubud, Bali’s Banyan Tree Escape is hidden among many layers of flora in the heart of the Balinese jungle with views of the mountain peaks. Banyan Tree Escape has a ‘no walls, no doors’ concept, encouraging guests to reconnect with nature. Follow a local farmer on a tour of his land, foraging for native fruits and edible plants. See how winged beans and peppercorns grow in the wild, taste raw coffee cherries and try raw honey from stingless bees, before rounding off the experience with traditional delicacies hand-made by the farmer’s wife.

2. Gal Oya Lodge, Sri Lanka

Immerse yourself in nature, soak up the local culture and discover an ancient land untouched by time at this eco-lodge that spreads across 20 acres of private jungle in the east of Sri Lanka. Nearby is Gal Oya, one of Sri Lanka’s most remote and least visited national parks – it’s rich in wildlife and home to the Vedda people, Sri Lanka’s forest-dwelling indigenous people. Explore this natural paradise through the experiences on offer, including a walk with Vedda chieftains and boat safaris to spy elephants.

3. Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

A three-way initiative between Minor Group, YAANA Ventures and the Wildlife Alliance, the Cardamom Tented Camp is an eco-tourism project located in the remote and biodiverse Botum Sakor National Park, created to ensure the land and its biodiversity don’t fall into the hands of loggers, poachers and sand-dredging operations. There are just nine safaristyle tents, with simple facilities but a good level of comfort, and guests are encouraged to explore the local area, accompanied by knowledgeable ranger guides to learn about the ecosystem and the valuable work being done to protect it.

4. El Nido Resort, Palawan, Philippines

The northern part of Palawan province is blessed with crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and a wealth of flora and fauna, and it’s here you’ll find El Nido’s four island resorts. Set among spectacular ancient limestone cliffs that tower over marine sanctuaries teeming with innumerable species of tropical fish and coral, as well as five species of endangered sea turtles, check into one of El Nido’s resorts and enjoy experiences and services that promote respect for El Nido’s local people and culture. Take your pick from eco-adventure, ecodiscovery, eco-sanctuary or eco-luxury.

5. Gayana Marine Resort, Sabah, Malaysia

Set on Gaya Island’s crescent Malohom Bay off the coast of Sabah, Gayana Marine Resort is a picturesque destination that balances ecology and indulgent luxury. Its 52 overwater tropical villas boast vistas of the aquamarine sea, mangrove forest or tropical jungle, and each one is designed to make the most of 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 at the on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre. The only one of its kind on an island resort, it propagates endangered giant clams and coral reefs.

6. The Datai, Langkawi, Malaysia

Nature sits at the very core of The Datai Langkawi’s DNA, and when you’re surrounded by some of the best, it’d be foolish not to let it shine. Set on a 46-acre site among 10-million-year-old virgin rainforest that stretches to a perfect crescent of sand, each of the 121 rooms, suites and villas look out on the lush canopy. Expect all the services of a luxury hotel, but with additional experiences centred on its location, including a Nature Centre with mini laboratories to encourage families to learn about ecology, rainforest treks with naturalists and permaculture-garden tours sharing insight into The Datai’s sustainability commitments.

7. Keemala, Phuket, Thailand

Hidden among a canopy of lush tropical trees in the hills of Phuket, Keemala is a luxury resort inspired by the values of Buddhism and designed to respect nature. Built around what was already there, the resort is an evergreen wonderland and has been carefully designed to protect the ecosystem. Guests are encouraged to meet the rescued residents of Keemala, such as the water buffalo, goats and peacocks, and learn about their significance in Thai culture, while on the menu you’ll find no shortage of vegetarian or vegan meals.

8. Six Senses Con Dao, Vung Tao, Vietnam

As a tiny archipelago off the southern coast of Vietnam, Con Dao allures intrepid travellers to its shores to enjoy sandy beaches, coral reefs, and marine life. Inland, much of the island is covered by the jungly Con Dao National Park; the resort is where the two meet with dreamy vistas of both Dat Doc beach and the Lo Voi mountains. A protected spot for turtles, they nest on the beach from May to October, and guests can join Con Dao’s conservation efforts to help hatchlings. from February to July is the best time to visit for diving in Con Dao’s marine protected area.

9. Soneva Fushi, Maldives

Soneva Fushi is a natural treasure. One of the largest islands in the Maldives, it’s in the country’s only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Baa Atoll. Since opening in 1995, no plastic has been used at Soneva Fushi – all amenities are in reusable ceramic bottles and every guest is given a cotton bag to take home their empty plastics for proper disposal. Designed with natural materials, the resort has its own vegetable garden, solar power plant and recycling centre and has put sustainability at the heart of everything it does.

10. Nihi Sumba, Sumba Island, Indonesia

On the remote island of Sumba in south-eastern Indonesia lies Nihi Sumba, a resort that’s setting the benchmark for combining luxury with sustainable tourism. Operating solely on biofuel, it puts considerable effort into its recycling, organic farming, smart composting and water-recycling system. Each of the 27 private villas has been built with sustainable materials and has dreamy views of the turquoise sea and isolated beach, while further afield guests can explore the beauty of the island on horseback, discover unspoilt waterfalls, snorkel the preserved reef and experience the island’s world-famous surf break. Profits from the resort go towards the Sumba Foundation, which provides humanitarian aid through village-based projects.

This is a feature from Issue 19 of Charitable Traveller. 

Click to read

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