4 of the worlds most exclusive eco-resorts

Increasingly today more and more emphasis is being weighed upon environmentally friendly travel. The tourist industry occupies a unique and decisive role within the global community, not only to enthral and excite but to educate and communicate. It is our task to express the need to embrace greener living habits as part of our every day rituals, to respect our environment and its wildlife and to be more considerate of different cultures and peoples.

In this article I have focused upon some of the most exclusive luxury eco-properties in the world, resorts and hotels that prove resoundingly that it is possible to maintain a greener and cleaner management scheme without compromising quality or service.

Spice Island Resort, Grenada

Renowned across Grenada as a cornerstone of the countrys tourism industry the Spice Island Resort endeavours to blend seamlessly into its surrounding environment; it would after all it be ineffectual to try to upstage the beauty and grandeur of the sweeping Grand Anse Bay. Family run and owned the hotel provides the ideal symmetry between modern and chic architecture with an ecologically sympathetic design. Complete with a spa and a choice of luxury villas and suites the property is ideal for honeymooners and families alike.

Soneva Fushi by One & Only, Maldives

A community with perhaps more to lose than most if we are lead to believe some scientific reports. With the highest point in the Maldives reaching only 2.4m above sea level this country could be under serious threat by rising sea levels. As such, the Maldivian government has stated that by 2020 the nation will be completely carbon neutral and leading the way with this initiative are resorts such as Soneva Fushi. Although n! ot compl etely carbon neutral yet the resort is consistently innovating and reassessing its energy usage policies to create a greener experience for all. The property is itself the epitome of barefoot elegance, quite literally, as after you check in you will be provided with a bag for your shoes and are invited, along with the managers and staff, to stroll around Kunfunadhoo Island barefoot. Beautifully constructed using local materials and traditional methods the resort only has 65 private villas, meaning that the conscientious staff have all the time in the world to attend to your needs.

Chumbe Island, Zanzibar

Recognised as one of the worlds most successful eco-tourism properties, Chumbe Island is also a private nature reserve and coral park supporting a delicate but extensive range of eco-systems both on land and out at sea. Solar power, recycled rainwater, inventive odour-free compost toilets and an education program that concentrates on issues such as sustainable methods of fishing are all features of this eco-mecca. The dramatically constructed bandas (traditional huts) have been likened to the shape of the Sydney Opera house and offer a startling sight when approaching the beach. A palm thatched wall on the bed platform that can be fully lowered offers bedfellows the most romantic view of the starry night sky they will ever see. Meals are cooked by local villagers using freshly caught fish and locally grown vegetables herbs and spices with recipes passed down through the generations. Chumbe truly offers an experience unlike any other.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Situated less than two hours from Cape Town but culturally a world away, Grootbos offers guests matchless levels of privacy and intimacy coupled with unremitting eco-luxury. Set in amongst its own exclusive estate boasting extensive Milkwood forests and over 650 different species of plant the ! various cabins and lodges have been crafted to effortlessly blend in to the beautiful reserve. Guests can also stroll down to nearby Walker Bay and explore the pristine beaches, rock pools and remote sea caves. A multiple award winner, Grootbos really is a must for discerning travellers visiting South Africas famed Western Cape.

James Bell is a Director of Turquoise Holidays.

If you would like to be a guest blogger onA Luxury Travel Blog in order to raise your profile, pleasecontact us.

4 of the worlds most exclusive eco-resorts is a post from A Luxury Travel Blog


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A luxury trip to Machu Picchu

Image
24th July of this year marked 100 years exactly since Yale man and National Geographic explorer Hiram Bingham puffed and sweated his way up to the jungle-covered ruins of Machu Picchu. A century later, travelers who want to take in this true wonder of the world arent limited to explorer-style bivouacking; rather, there are now a wide range of accommodations, dining experiences, spas and adventures that rival the best in the world. So, in honor of Machu Picchu, Hiram Bingham and the incredible cultural patrimony of Peru, I would like to show you what a luxury trip to Machu Picchu looks like today. Most visitors begin their journey in Lima. A short stay allows you to soak in the glorious colonial past of Limas central plaza. Palms, tropical-yellow buildings with exquisitely-carved wooden balconies and Spanish palaces sweep you back in time. Before becoming too nostalgic, head for the modern and very hip Miraflores district. Hugging the green cliffs, Miraflores offers visitors an incredib
Keep reading

Guide to Swahili street slang in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Image
All photos by author. Mambo! Its the classic street slang for whats up? in Stone Town, Zanzibar and in most of urban East Africa. It literally means, things or issues? The upbeat term is often paired with the word vipi (how) as in, Mambo, vipi? How are things? There are at least 20 ways to answer the popular question that I never learned in formal Swahili classes. The gap between school and street could not be wider than in Stone Town, Zanzibars capital city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, that nearly 400,000 residents call home. Here, the lugha ya kisasa slang or lugha ya mitaani street language changes by the minute, mostly by young people who flip or shine an old word, or fashion a completely new one, inspired by hyper-local contexts, meanings, and realities. I thought I knew Kiswahili. Id earned an advanced certificate at the State University of Zanzibar. The program prides itself on teaching a kind of Swahili described as sanifu (standard) or fasaha (clean). It was rigorous
Keep reading

Interview with Kerstin Brand, Director at Dar Fakir

Image
Kerstin Brand is the Director at Dar Fakir since its re-opening in 2011 after an undergoing extensive refurbishment in 2010. Dar Fakir belongs to a chain of successful enterprises in Marrakechsuch as the infamous Nikki Beach, Le Tanjia restaurant and LAvenue, all owned by Nordine Fakir. If someone knows how to create a In place that people want to go to here you are at the right address. Kerstin herself brings with her a wealth of understanding within the travel industry herself from extensive travel around the world and also having set up Bare Minimum Travel an up-market low-mid range accommodation agency for Morocco. Having travelled to Morocco for over 12 years before finally settling over here she has seen the country develope and knows even the far reached corners. Her experience and understanding of Moroccan culture adds valuable insights to anyone being a guest in the Riad. What is it that you do exactly? My name is Kerstin Brand, I am the director at Dar Fakir. before coming
Keep reading