Climate change is something on everyone’s minds and is impacting on all aspects of everyday life – from what we are eating to how we travel. In response to this, the travel industry is evolving, adapting and searching for ways to protect our precious environment. The team at Elegant Resorts has compiled a list of the hotels and resorts at the forefront in the fight against climate change, who aim to have a positive impact on our planet, whilst still offering unforgettable holidays.
Europe
Rocco Forte Hotels – No Single-use Plastic by 2021
Verdura Resort, a Rocco Forte Hotel, Sicily, Italy – Self-sufficient by Summer 2020
Keen to make the brand as sustainable as possible, the Rocco Forte group has an active Sustainability Committee, led by Irene Forte, who are committed to eradicating single-use plastic by 2021. A lot has already been achieved, including the use of eco-friendly accessories such as bamboo toothbrushes and combs, corn starch razors and shower caps; all packaged in post-consumer recycled plastic. The group has also engaged with Clean the World to recycle unfinished amenities to give them a second life. When it comes to sourcing produce, Rocco Forte Hotels use local, organic and seasonal suppliers wherever possible, whilst the olive oil used is made using the resort's own olives. Verdura Resort also leads the way with its solar panels, harvested water and organic farm, with the plan to be completely self-sufficient by summer 2020.
Stay 7 nights in a Grand Suite, including breakfast, and receive up to a £380 rate reduction if you book 60 days prior to arrival. Travel until 22 Nov 20 inclusive, blackout dates apply. From £7,385 per family. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 23 May 20 departure date. Based on a family of 4.
Kasbah Tamadot, Marrakech, Morocco - Local Sustainable Tourism
Sir Richard Branson’s luxury Moroccan retreat, perched on the hills surrounded by the Atlas Mountains, is a strong supporter of the local community. The Eve Branson Foundation aims to improve living standards in the Berber communities surrounding the property, by promoting educational enrichment, employment opportunities and better healthcare for the women and young people, while English classes benefit locals, whether they choose to work at the resort or not. Taking care of the environment is also a high priority, with Kasbah Tamadot committing to the sustainable development of the local tourism industry whilst also continually looking to identify new methods of waste disposal, recycling, and energy saving.
Stay 3 nights in a Superior Room, including breakfast. Travel between 1 Nov-21 Dec 20 inclusive. From £1,265 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 2 Nov 20 departure date.
Borgo Pignano, Tuscany, Italy – Farm-to-Fork Cuisine
Set amid 750 acres of organic farmland, this 18th century villa has been recently renovated and redecorated using environmentally friendly products and materials. On-site, the full working farm uses both innovative and traditional farming techniques to harvest fresh produce used for the farm-to-fork menus, as well as organic soaps and spa products. The heating and water systems are fuelled by solar panels whilst chip-fired boilers are heated by wood harvested from the estate’s forest. The gardens are fed with filtered, harvested rainwater and natural and manmade lakes supply irrigation for the farmland.
Stay 3 nights in a Villa Room, including breakfast. From £1,075 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 13 Oct 20 departure date.
Asia & Australasia
The Brando, French Polynesia - Protecting the Wildlife Diversity and Educating Younger Generations
Leading the way in sustainable, barefoot luxury, The Brando is located on the private island of Tetiaroa. Once the personal retreat of Marlon Brando, this chic, eco-conscious resort is committed to protecting the natural splendour and precious diversity of Tetiaroa – home to turtles, rays and tropical birds – as well as offering guests a variety of cultural experiences, which showcase the vibrancy of the French Polynesian lifestyle. The Explorer Centre offers an array of workshops on the local wildlife, whilst the restaurants, including Les Mutinés from Michelin-starred chef Guy Martin, serve locally sourced, organic produce. When it comes to research, on-site scientists continuously work on new environmental strategies whilst the Lagoon School teaches younger guests about the importance of conservation and sustainable travel.
Stay 7 nights in a One-Bedroom Villa, all inclusive, and receive up to a 15% rate reduction. Travel until 31 Jul 20 inclusive. From £12,995 per person. Price includes return economy flights, UK airport lounge passes, Tetiaroa aircraft transfers and is based on a 1 Jun 20 departure date.
Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia - Protecting the Habitats of Koh Rong and the Welfare of its Communities
Song Saa Private Island lies in the Koh Rong Archipelago in Cambodia. Tropical reefs, deserted stretches of beach and lush rainforest are all on the doorstep, offering guests a true escapist experience. It spans two islands, is connected by a footbridge over a protected marine reserve and is as sustainable as possible. The vast majority of materials used to build the resort are recycled, or locally and responsibly sourced. Song Saa has its own purpose-built sewage and irrigation system, ensuring that no waste enters seawaters, whilst 100% of waste is recycled. Most of the food is also locally sourced, with the herbs and vegetables used in the restaurants supplied from the in-house garden. Also, Song Saa has its own Foundation, a non-profit organisation established in 2013, to protect the habitats of the Koh Rong Archipelago and improve the welfare of its communities. Guests can donate to this foundation directly.
Stay 7 nights in a Jungle One Bedroom, including breakfast, and receive up to a 10% rate reduction if you book 21 days prior to arrival. Travel between 1 Apr-31 Oct 20. From £3,295 per person. Price includes return economy flights, shared speedboat transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 5 Jun 20 departure date.
Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam - Protecting Green Turtles
This barefoot beachfront property is located in the stunning archipelago of Con Dao in southern Vietnam and is committed to improving the ecological and carbon footprint of the resort and spa operation. The beach has recently been restored to optimise egg-laying for green turtles, there is an organic farm and the resort collects bio-waste from the kitchen, which is then added to garden waste to make compost. Guests are provided with re-mineralised water, from an on-site reverse osmosis plant, in reusable glass bottles, whilst solar panels have been installed on all guest villas to reduce the consumption and reliance on electricity for heating water. The resort also contributes to the education of the 7,000 islanders, via English and environmental awareness classes, as well as life skill activities.
Stay 7 nights in an Ocean View Duplex Villa, including breakfast, and receive up to a 35% rate reduction if you book 45 days prior to arrival, a complimentary spa treatment, a two-course dinner and a Con Dao City Tour. Travel between 15 Apr-31 Oct 20 inclusive. From £2,795 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 3 Sept 20 departure date.
Soneva Kiri, Koh Kood, Thailand - SLOW LIFE (Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences).
The rustic laid back chic of Soneva Kiri, on the remote island of Koh Kood in the East of Thailand, offers a combination of luxury and environmentally friendly design which complements the natural surroundings. Villas have been built with sustainable materials, in keeping with the Soneva SLOW LIFE philosophy (Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness, Learning, Inspiring, Fun, Experiences). A changing menu reflects the tradition of slow-food, and organic ingredients are grown locally. The resort takes their environmental and social responsibilities very seriously by recycling waste materials, conserving water and preserving delicate eco-systems.
Stay 7 nights in a Bayview Pool Villa Suite, including breakfast, and receive up to a 28% reduction and two complimentary experiences. Travel until 20 Dec 20. From £3,195 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 3 Jun 20 departure date.
Indian Ocean
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives -Education and Awareness of the Marine Environment
Six Senses Laamu offers beach and overwater accommodation that combines elegant, organic design with eco-awareness, to great effect. The marine team strives to inspire by promoting education and awareness of the marine environment. The team works with Manta Trust UK, who look after and research turtle hatching habits, whilst marine biologists embark on sunset and dolphin cruises to share information and develop a Dolphin Code of Conduct. Six Senses Laamu tries to avoid creating waste by reducing printing, packaging, banning plastics and recycling organic waste for mulching. There is the organic LEAF garden where herbs, vegetables, micro greens and sprouts are grown, a chicken farm, an onsite tailor, a carpentry workshop and a desalination plant. The resort also donates 50% of the water sales in all restaurants to a fund, to provide clean water to local communities in need. It has already donated a reverse osmosis water plant to the regional hospital and large water filters to 23 schools.
Stay 7 nights for 6 in a Lagoon Water Villa and receive complimentary half board and up to a 10% rate reduction if you book 45 days prior to arrival. Travel between 21 Apr-30 Sep 20 inclusive. From £3,400 per person. Price includes return economy flights, domestic flight transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 11 Jun 20 departure date.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru - Pioneering Plastic Reduction
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is located in the remote Baa Atoll UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Conservation at Landaa has been a serious topic since the resort opened in 2006. Plastic reduction has always been high on the list with refillable toiletry dispensers introduced at opening, paper straws in 2010, glass water bottles in 2012 and ECOLAB cleaning supplies the following year. The resort has its own Marine Discovery Centre, which works in conjunction with environmental agencies where pioneering projects include turtle rehabilitation, coral propagation, manta research, sustainable fish breeding, dolphin and turtle ID databases and the historic “flying turtles” project. In 2018, the resort implemented one of the Maldives’ largest resort based solar projects, saving up to 300,000 litres of diesel and 800 tons of CO2 annually, and in partnership with Parley for the Oceans, it has to date sent over 9,185 kg of plastic to Taiwan to be transformed into yarn for sports clothes and shoes.
Stay 7 nights for 6 in an Oceanfront Bungalow with a Pool, half board, and receive up to a 5% rate reduction. Travel between 18 Apr-30 Sep 20 inclusive. From £4,895 per person. Price includes return economy flights, shared seaplane transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 11 Jun 20 departure date. Book by 29 Feb 20.
Africa
Cheetah Plains - Eco-safari Experience
Contemporary, charming and nestled within South Africa’s renowned Sabi Sand Reserve, Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve offers an exceptional eco-safari experience, alongside ultra-luxurious, exclusive-use Bushveld Houses. Cheetah Plains has partnered with some of the world’s pre-eminent minds in the renewable energy field, to provide clean energy solutions, whilst the game drives are taken in prototype Land Cruiser Electric safari vehicles. The camp is off grid and uses solar power while the use of grey-water recycling systems ensures water consumption remains as frugal as possible. Cheetah Plains is also creating local employment and supporting early childhood development in the neighbouring community.
Stay 4 nights in a Plains House, all-inclusive. Travel until 19 Dec 20 inclusive. From £7,500 per person.
Price includes daily game drives, return economy flights, domestic flight transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 1 Jun 20 departure date.
Caribbean
Rosewood Bermuda - All About the Water
Enjoying a prime location on 200 magnificent waterfront acres, Rosewood Bermuda is a palatial resort oozing colonial charm, with a strong commitment to the environment. With water being a precious commodity on the island of Bermuda, the management invested in a $1million green initiative that includes a rainwater collection system, solar water heating and a seawater reverse osmosis plant. The grounds provide a natural habitat for nesting Bermuda bluebirds, the kitchen harvests herbs from on-site gardens and all kitchen oil is collected and refined for use as alternative fuel around the property. This dedication to sustainable operations earned the resort the Green Globe Certification in 2012, and to-date it remains the only property in Bermuda to hold these credentials.
Stay 7 nights in a Superior Room. From £2,330 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 10 Sep 20 departure date.
Jamaica Inn, Ocho Rios, Jamaica - Sea Turtle Recovery Programme
Situated on one of Jamaica’s premier private beaches, Jamaica Inn offers an intimate and elegant hideaway with all suites overlooking the beach or the sea. The property receives high praise for its commitment to creating eco-friendly and eco-aware programs, which engage both staff and guests. Each year, the resort’s crescent of beach and nearby Oracabessa Beach are the sites of the Sea Turtle Recovery Programme, which protects hundreds of nesting sites and releases thousands of Hawksbill Turtle hatchlings into the sea. Earth Day brings tree planting throughout the property, with the goal of creating new wildlife habitats. On the conservation front, Jamaica Inn recently added solar panels, a recycling initiative and an on-site composting system that repurposes food scraps to the garden, while flowers used throughout the hotel are grown at the on-site greenhouse.
Stay 7 nights in a Balcony Suite. From £1,845 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 19 Jun 20 departure date.
Petit St Vincent Private Island - Coral Restoration
A 115-acre private island resort enveloped by two miles of soft sand and only accessible by boat, Petit St Vincent Private Island is the perfect place to escape and unplug – there’s no Wi-Fi, TVs, or phones. The resort is part of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World collection and is dedicated to sustainability, not only enacting measures like eliminating plastic water bottles on the island (reusable glass bottles are filled via an on-site reverse osmosis desalination plant), but also working on a coral restoration and reef monitoring project around the island. The resort also has an ever-expanding organic garden, which supplies a large portion of the produce to the resort’s kitchen. The island owners have also set up a Children’s Scholarship Fund to assist the children of the employees with financial support for education.
Stay 7 nights in a One Bedroom Cottage, full board. From £4,039 per person. Price includes return economy flights, transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 17 Jun 20 departure date.
Latin America
Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador - Research and Rainforest Protection
Mashpi Lodge is a contemporary eco lodge that sits on a plateau 900 metres above sea level in the Mashpi Rainforest Biodiversity Reserve. This unique position offers nature lovers the opportunity to discover the plethora of plants, birds and mammals that have made the rainforest their home. Mashpi Lodge is as environmentally friendly as possible and has been built using sustainable techniques and materials, whilst water comes from the local rivers and is biologically filtered before it returns to the forest. Bathroom soaps and shampoos provided for guests are all biodegradable too. Mashpi Lodge is also a research station at the forefront of rainforest protection, where a biologist has set out to discover as much as possible about the diverse local ecosystem, in order to share the knowledge gathered and ultimately underline the importance of conserving this fragile region. The research station has been involved in different projects with several universities and has also discovered new species. Guests are welcome to volunteer their time to help the research, donate equipment or provide funding.
Stay 7 nights in a Wymara Room, full board. From £4,730 per person. Price includes return economy flights, private transfers, UK airport lounge passes and is based on a 10 Sep 20 departure date.
Managing Director of Elegant Resorts, Lisa Fitzell commented: “We are proud to be working with these incredible partners that invest in their communities, look after our planet, and provide incredible holidays whilst minimising the impact on the environment. There is still so much that needs to be done but these are steps in the right direction.”