While Mother Nature faces unprecedented challenges with record temperatures and deadly natural disasters becoming more and more frequent, the hospitality industry isn’t throwing in the sustainably sourced towel. Instead, luxury properties worldwide are doubling down on their commitment to the planet. Hotels and resorts are doing everything from rethinking room designs to rehabilitating ecosystems, and they’re seeking vacationers’ help with the efforts.
Forbes Travel Guide has a vast list of VERIFIED Responsible Hospitality properties — those that demonstrate a commitment to more than 100 stringent standards to protect the environment and support the well-being of employees, guests and their communities — but we wanted to call out six special places that are doing their parts this Earth Day (April 22) and every other day to protect our planet without compromising the guest experience.
The hotel that promotes reforestation: Sensei Lanai, A Four Seasons Resort
This Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Lanai hotel doesn’t just provide its guests with a wellness haven, it also makes sure the native flora and fauna are cared for. To that end, the breathtaking resort dedicates half of its 24 lush acres to a botanic garden.
Hotel director of landscaping Robert Woodman cultivated and encouraged the regrowth of nearly 1,000 species of plants, with a focus on native Hawaiian- and Polynesian-introduced greenery. To help with these efforts, the resort employs water-efficient landscaping and uses produce grown from an indoor solar-powered greenhouse. These moves are crucial for preserving biodiversity on campus and supporting local ecosystems. As a beautiful bonus, the anthuriums, orchids and philodendrons dotting the grounds guarantee the hotel looks gorgeous all year.
The hotel that protects coral reefs: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
This Five-Star hotel takes great pride in being a responsible neighbor to the reef surrounding its three islands. An in-house marine biologist manages coral nurseries and works diligently to rehabilitate corals for reintegration into the reef.
Additionally, the resort has partnered with Parley Maldives, the Maldivian branch of the nonprofit environmental organization Parley for the Oceans, to promote joint projects that ensure the future of the marine ecosystem. This collaboration ties in well with Hilton’s larger Travel with Purpose initiatives to help drive responsible tourism around the world.
The hotel with eco-conscious design: 1 Hotel South Beach
Sustainability has never looked more stylish than it does at this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel in Miami. Everything from the reclaimed sculptural driftwood check-in desk to the clustered tree stump tables to a striking 12,000-plant vertical garden, sets an elegant, eco-conscious tone.
Design elements such as driftwood wall paneling, warm recycled pine headboards and organic cotton fabric used throughout the hotel’s 426 guest rooms and suites create a space that feels as light as its carbon footprint. Locally sourced cuisine, carbon dioxide-offsetting measures and an electric Audi Q8 house car ensure that an eco-awareness extends to all corners of the property.
The hotel that protects marine animals: Atlantis Dubai
While neighboring sister properties Atlantis The Royal and Atlantis, The Palm’s joint sustainability commitment led them to being named the first in the Middle East to earn the VERIFIED badge, it’s the Atlantis Atlas Project, which implements various environmental and social sustainability initiatives, that may prove the most exemplary move.
With marine conservation a major part of this mission, $1 is donated from every Atlantis Dubai marine animal experience (dolphin kayaking, anyone?) to support partnerships that combat unsustainable seafood harvesting and marine pollution. The projects focus on four vital components of the aquatic ecosystem: sharks, rays, dolphins and coral reefs.
Atlantis Dubai has successfully bred and released 58 carpet sharks and 10 honeycomb rays into a marine-protected area after conducting thorough health assessments and behavioral programs to ensure the native marine animals’ successful transition into the gulf.
The hotel that supports local communities through cultural programs: Capella Ubud, Bali
The cultural programming at architect Bill Bensley’s Four-Star luxury campsite enables guests to connect meaningfully with locals and experience Bali’s rich cultural traditions. Visitors can prepare a traditional meal in the home kitchen of Pak Dewa, a fifth-generation Keliki farmer; sample babi guling (roasted suckling pig) and nasi campur (rice with side dishes)from popular local warungs (small, family-owned businesses); or spend a morning learning Keliki painting from I Wayan Gama, a master known for his colorful depictions of daily rural village life created with Chinese ink.
These immersive experiences foster genuine cultural exchange and provide a deeper understanding of the vibrant world beyond the resort’s walls, enriching the guest’s understanding of the local community.
The hotel with creative sustainable amenities: JW Marriott Hotel Istanbul Marmara Sea
This Four-Star hotel in Turkey gets its youngest guests involved by promoting a more sustainable future with the help of a children’s book. Grape Is in Nature entertains kids with stories of eco-friendly adventures, inspiring them to envision a greener world while instilling the importance of responsible living. Additionally, the book encourages families to do their part in creating a better future together by including foxtail flower seeds for them to plant back at home.
Another sustainable amenity comes with turndown service. The Istanbul hotel gifts guests with a fragrant bar of soap made with lavender grown in its onsite JW Marriott Garden and olive oil. Use it during your stay or take it home as a naturally scented souvenir.
