Who says you have to choose between luxury and sustainability? From adventure spas in the Chilean mountainside to ecolodges near French volcanoes, there are plenty of eco-friendly spaces to escape to that don’t compromise on quality.
1 Hotel Central Park, NYC, USA
1 Hotel Central Park is situated in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Lush green ivy covers the first three floors of the hotel, bringing a touch of green to the grey area around it.
From top to bottom, the hotel has been designed with sustainability in mind. Bathrooms look and feel like a greenhouse, complete with fixtures made from eco-sourced materials. Ceilings and furniture are crafted from reclaimed wood. But it’s not simply the decor that’s environmentally friendly.
Innovative features such as paperless rooms and electronic check-ins, preservative- and paraben-free cleansers as well as a sand timer built into the showers are gentle reminders of the kinds of environmentally conscious behaviors master hotelier Barry Sternlicht hopes guests will continue after their stay.
1 Hotel Central Park, 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY, USA 10019
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia
When it comes to breathtaking environmental design, few resorts incorporate a location’s natural environment more perfectly than the Alila Villas Uluwatu resort in Bali. Designed by award-winning Singapore architectural firm WOHA, this 5 star resort sits atop a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean.
The resort’s private pools create a seamless visual line from pool to endless sea. In addition to the brilliant indoor/outdoor design, their sustainable approach to hospitality includes a water-conserving rain garden, locally sourced and recycled materials, and a wastewater management system. Alila Villas Uluwatu is the first resort in Indonesia to receive the highest level of certification from EarthCheck.
Alila Villas Uluwatu, Jl Belimbing Sari, Banjar Tambiyak, Desa Pecatu 80364, Bali, Indonesia
instants d’Absolu Ecolodge & Spa, Chavagnac, France
Situated in the peaceful wilderness landscape near the Auvergne volcanoes, the instants d’Absolu is a getaway unlike any other. The converted farmhouse sits on Lac du Pêcher, nestled between the surrounding volcanoes and neighboring forest.
Mornings begin with the native bird calls of the Chavagnac region, and afternoons can be spent enjoying a luxurious volcanic massage or exploring the nearby forest and villages. The ecolodge’s green initiatives include tree planting and sustainable energy consumption, as well as participation in bird and animal protection. The result is a truly harmonious experience with nature.
instants d’Absolu, Le Lac du Pêcher – Fons Nostre, 15300 Chavagnac, Auvergne, France
Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland
The Blue Lagoon spa is located at one of the world’s most fascinating natural phenomena. Since the lagoon was formed in 1976, people have bathed in the blue silica-enriched water to experience its healing properties, which have led to the creation of Blue Lagoon skincare products. Guests can enjoy the famous silica mud mask, or receive the ultimate luxury of an in-water massage at the geothermal energy–powered spa.
Nearby accommodations include the Silica Hotel, which has won awards for its thoughtful integration with the natural landscape. Hotel guests enjoy views of the surrounding lava fields as well as access to the hotel’s private lagoon.
From the main highway that connects Keflavík and Reykjavík, turn at the sign marked “Blue Lagoon” and drive aprox. 10 km/6,5 miles.
Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Napa Valley, USA
In the heart of Napa Valley, Bardessono is reimagining the classic wine country experience through a sustainable lens. Each room is built to accommodate seasonal in-spa services.
Luxury amenities include fireplaces and 100% Egyptian cotton Fili D’oro linens as well as champagne bath tubs. The only hotel in California to receive LEED Platinum Certification, Bardessono incorporates responsibly sourced woods and organic fabrics, and the restaurant menu makes use of the freshest local Napa Valley ingredients.
Bardessono, 6526 Yount St., Yountville, CA, USA 94599
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Patagonia, Chile
Action seekers, rejoice—the spirit of the Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa in Chile is one of adventure. Informed by the natural environment of the surrounding landscape, the unconventionally designed hotel perches atop a bluff overlooking the Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Much of the hotel’s interior features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the arresting views of the Chilean mountainside, inspiring guests to go out and explore. The Tierra chain also proudly supports Reforest Patagonia, which aims to contribute one million native trees to Chilean Patagonia.
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Once thought to occupy totally separate realms, these exquisite spaces demonstrate that true luxury and sustainability are perhaps most effective in tandem.
Photos courtesy of 1 Hotel Central Park, Alila Villas Uluwatu, instants d’Absolu Ecolodge & Spa, Blue Lagoon, Bardessono Hotel & Spa, Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa
