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Situated on the shores of Sri Lanka’s largest natural lake, Tri
Lanka takes contemporary sustainable design to new levels. The 11
beautiful suites were created using entirely local materials and
the interiors and exteriors blend into the landscape with living
walls, green roofs, edible gardens, solar arrays and recycled wood
throughout. To ensure minimal impact, every last detail has been
considered: it’s a completely plastic-free zone, the lighting is
LED and even their boat is electric.

If you’re looking for a completely unique hotel experience,
White Pod may just be the ticket. Their eco-luxury pods nestled
high up in Swiss Alps allow you get back to nature without forgoing
any luxuries. Sustainability is high on the hotel’s agenda with
pods heated by pellet stoves, all the furniture reclaimed or
recycled, and the panoramic restaurant serving food that is all
locally sourced. The highlight? The incredible view from your pod,
as well as the private lifts and slopes on your doorstep.

If you’re planning a trip to Peru
look no further than Inkaterra, a small travel company pioneering
sustainable tourism across the country. Of their five hotels, our
favourite is the Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica. Located deep in the
Amazon jungle, this eco-lodge is the perfect base for exploring the
lush jungle and spotting the incredible wildlife – don’t miss the
treetop canopy walkway or a night spent in the tree house. Best of
all, your stay funds ecological research and conservation projects
alongside providing planet-friendly jobs.

Perched upon a cliff in north Cornwall, The Scarlet is top of
our list for a UK-based eco-escape. The unique glass structure
truly makes the most of its stunning location, and you’ll have a
hard time dragging yourself away from the hotel itself thanks to
the Ayurvedic spa, natural swimming pool, cliff side log hot tubs
and endless relaxation areas. When it comes to sustainability, The
Scarlet has taken 101 steps to improve their green credentials. To
name a few, there are solar panels and biomass boilers throughout,
local produce dominating in the restaurant and the all-natural spa
runs an upcycling towel program.

Worlds away from the all-night clubs and flashy beach resorts,
La Granja, a restored farmhouse come nine-room agriturismo, is much
more in keeping with the original bohemian vibe of the white isle.
The Design Hotels project markets itself as a members-only retreat
where like minded souls can come together to relax in the rustic
surroundings, enjoy food fresh from the farm via communal dining,
and partake in weekly rituals including music, workshops and yoga.
From pioneering biodynamic farm techniques to supporting the Ibiza
Preservation Fund, sustainability and community is at the core of
their ethos.

When it comes to five-star luxury with an eco edge, look no
further than Six Senses Ninh Van Bay. Located on a secret bay in
southern Vietnam reachable only by boat, this sustainable
masterpiece blends beautifully with its natural environment, and
the collection of villas (all with either direct beach or sea
access) make for a truly magnificent stay. Like all Six Senses
properties, the hotel sticks to strict sustainability standards as
well as supporting a number of local community projects – at Six
Senses Ninh Van Bay your stay benefits the Ninh Van Village Primary
School and the Dao Orphanage Coral project.

Cast aside your thoughts of organised bar crawls and dodgy
dorms, this hostel is much more like a boutique hotel – and a
sustainable one at that. From the coconut-fibre mattresses to the
recycled furniture and automatic water saving taps, every effort
has been made to implement its sustainable intentions. Slap bang in
the middle of Barcelona’s buzzing historic district, style has not
been scrimped on either, and the simple yet chic rooms provide the
perfect bolthole for a weekend exploring the city.

If you wish to live out a Robinson Crusoe fantasy and really
escape from it all, Jicaro Island Lodge is for you. This island
getaway just minutes from the colonial town of Granada consists of
nine two-storey casitas on stilts, a lovely private beach and
floating yoga deck. Built entirely from timber reclaimed from trees
blown down during Hurricane Felix, its eco-credentials are
impressive. Not just successful when it comes to leaving minimal
impact, they also prioritise supporting their local community
through training and education based projects.

Set amongst the rainforest of Bahia, northern Brazil, this is
picture-perfect paradise at its finest – think white sandy beaches,
warm turquoise waters and coconut trees as far as the eye can see.
This idyllic eco-resort are big supporters of sustainable tourism
and every care has been taken to preserve the natural environment.
Additionally, the hotel runs a number of socio-environmental
projects that guests are encouraged to learn about through
activities such as boat trips and trekking.

In the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro in the Chyulu Hills of
southern Kenya lies boutique eco-lodge Campi Ya Kanzi. Offering
luxury accommodation and incredible wildlife spotting, it is its
forward-thinking approach to sustainable tourism that makes it
stand out. From using renewable energy and offsetting carbon
emissions to employing local people of the Maasai tribe, it is
hardly surprising that they were first camp in Kenya to be gold
rated by Ecotourism Kenya.

Escape the crowds of tourists in neighbouring Ipanema and
Copacabana beaches at the casual yet chic Janeiro Hotel, situated
in the heart of leafy Leblon. In a city known for over-the-top
glamour, this hotel (designed by Brazilian lifestyle impresario
Oskar Metsavaht – dubbed the “Green Pope” by Eco-Age founder Livia
Firth – of Osklen clothing label) places its focus on being as
sustainable as possible. Rooms are simple and elegant, in line with
the Osklen aesthetic and ethos; guests can eye up sustainably and
locally sourced furnishings in every room. You’ll be able to get up
close and personal with the ocean-front hotel’s eco initiatives
including energy-efficient air conditioning and support of a
foundation that works to revitalise the beach environment in
surrounding neighbourhoods.

Nestled within a tight-knit fishing community off the
northeastern coast of Newfoundland, Fogo Island Inn is the ultimate
rural retreat. The hotel’s dramatic structure puts a futuristic
spin on local outport architecture, while its environmental
initiatives are just as progressive (think: rainwater catchment
systems and renewable solar and wood-burning energy sources
throughout the property). Locally sourced, sustainable building
materials were chosen whenever possible for everything from the
floors to furniture. In the restaurant, local, organic and seasonal
food is a priority – the hotel even established the Fogo Island
Agricultural Co-op to supply the kitchen.