Things are changing in luxury travel. There was a time where monolithic resorts and extravagant hotels were the epitome of luxury holidaying. However, if someone was to visit their favourite travel agency they would notice that there has been a dramatic shift in emphasis from the decadent and ostentatious holiday packages of the past to excursions that are stripped back, discreet, and, perhaps most importantly, eco-friendly and sustainable.
What does “eco friendly” mean in the context of holidaying you may ask? Surely, it cannot mean hotel furnishings made of recycled water bottles or compost heaps in restaurants. In fact, it means venturing off the beaten-track, connecting with natures unspoilt, and cultures untouched. These holiday destinations, designed to be harmonious with nature, actively promote and protect its beauty. Here are three of the best:
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali,
Located on the Bukit Peninsula, each villa is designed and constructed to be environmentally sustainable. The walls are made from batu palimanan sourced from Jogjakarta, the bamboo ceilings and rattan interiors are locally sourced and crafted in Bali, and wood materials are recycled from railway sleepers and telephone poles. Each villa’s architecture is supplemented by its interior design and, subsequently, the resort blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, the difference between indoors and outdoors becoming indistinct.
For more information, visit Alila Villas
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Chile,
This hotel and spa is located by Lake Sarmiento, Patagonia. Practically everything is made of natural wood; the furnishings and textiles are hand-made by Chilean craftspeople, using natural materials from the region. The main emphasis here is connecting with nature, not lying in bed watching TV. In the bedrooms, instead of a TV, there is a huge open window that offers incredible views of the Torres del Paine. Cutting edge modern architectural design complements the geological flow of the region and practically submerges the hotel into the landscape.
For more information, visit Tierra Patagonia
Treehotel, Sweden,
The Swedish penchant for strong, functional, modern design and their love of the outdoors has led to the creation of the Treehotel. Located in the area of Harads, near the Lule River, Treehotel offers a unique experience: tree houses with contemporary design in the middle of a forest. Again, the emphasis is on the outdoors. Harads is known for its magnificent surroundings and the views from the hotel of the Lule River valley are incredible.
Using materials and construction techniques that have little environmental impact, each tree house is built on a living tree by a local construction company, and furnished with functionality and modesty in mind. Treehotel also uses modern architecture to blend into nature. For example, one of the tree houses is concealed within mirrored walls that reflect the surrounding trees, making it practically invisible.
For more information, visit Treehotel
So there we have it, three of the top eco-friendly holiday destinations in the world. While each destination varies in both location and format, they all share certain characteristics. They all emphasise the beauty of nature, stripping back the interior furnishings to encourage interaction with the outdoors. They all use locally sourced materials and craftsmanship, to promote local cultures and make the best of the surrounding nature. Finally, they all use innovative modern architecture to immerse themselves into their natural surroundings, leaving the surrounding landscape looking untouched.
By Ben Clark
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