Luxury hotels and resorts that make an impact

A biodynamic garden inspired by 12th-century monks 

Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine’s philosophy is inspired by the monks who inhabited the property in the 12th century. The hotel developed its own biodynamic vegetable garden located exactly where the monks had their vegetable garden when they lived on the estate centuries ago. Abadía continuously studies which vegetable varieties are best suited to the soil and other conditions in the garden. The flagship restaurant, Refectorio, holds a Michelin Star and Green Star and works with 35 local producers and uses its own organic garden to obtain ingredients for its dishes.

Supporting 21st-century art

Abadía Retuerta is a proud patron of 21st-century art and is working to improve access to culture and supporting high-quality artistic projects. The estate has an artists’ residency program, its own open-air museum featuring works by the German sculptor Ulrich Rückriem, and a private collection of more than 170 works. Guests can admire these works up-close by joining the Living with Art experience, which showcases the collection and ends with a wine tasting session.

Environmentally conscious approach to winemaking and wildlife 

Abadía’s winery is equipped with rooftop solar panels that have contributed to a 30% reduction in the estate’s energy consumption. Committed to conservation throughout the winemaking process, Abadia packages its wine in biodegradable cardboard cases made from wood chips that decompose quickly and leave no toxic residue. In 2019, the winery was awarded the Wineries for Climate Protection certification which is based on a property’s commitment to four key tenets: the reduction of greenhouse gases, water management, waste reduction, and energy efficiency with renewable energies.

On an electric bike tour, guests can take in the beauty of the vineyard and experience the estate’s varied habitats, from pine groves to wetlands to riverbanks, home to various species including wild boar, roe deer, ducks, red-legged partridges, wood pigeons, rabbits, hares, and foxes. 

Learn more about Abadia Retuerta LeDomaine

Aiding wildlife to flourish

Ashford Castle has created an ARK on its 350 acres, where half of the estate is left to its natural habitat, allowing native wildlife to thrive. It introduced a bug hotel in the gardens and bat boxes throughout the estate to protect dwindling species. The hotel works to boost biodiversity by distributing 10,000 bulbs around the castle grounds for pollination. It is also part of the All Ireland Pollinator group, which supports the native black bee.

Immersive experiences enriched with history

Ashford Castle offers an array of experiences that enable travelers to get a hands-on experience with Ireland’s rich histories, traditions, and trades, while supporting local artisans. Itineraries can include forging metal with an acclaimed blacksmith, joining a ceramicist at her potter’s wheel, trying wool spinning, and so much more. Guests can even forage for food on the seashore with one of the hotel’s food artisans and then take their bounty back to the kitchen to enjoy with a glass of wine.

Learn more about Ashford Castle

Food waste to renewable energy program

In 2009, The Savoy implemented a program to convert food waste into renewable energy, a unique feature for any five-star London hotel at the time. Food waste from the hotel’s restaurant is converted into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion (a process through which bacteria breaks down organic matter). As a founding member of the UK’s Sustainable Restaurant Association, The Savoy is also mindful of the food it sources, with an emphasis on local, seasonal items and a ban on endangered fish species. 

Reducing energy use and single-use plastics

The Savoy is one of 50 founding signatories for Walpole’s British Luxury Sustainability Manifesto, an ambitious and comprehensive initiative to lower carbon emissions and reduce environmental impact in the luxury travel space. As part of this commitment, the Savoy operates a central refrigeration plant that repurposes heat rejected from kitchen refrigerators and freezers to preheat the hot water used in its guest rooms.

The Savoy has been resourceful in other ways too. At the end of 2022, the hotel eliminated all guest-facing, single-use plastic; for instance, individual toiletry bottles were replaced by dispensers and laundry bags are made from recycled parachute material. Their next goal is to eliminate single-use plastic from the kitchen and back of house by the end of 2023.

Learn more about The Savoy, A Fairmont Managed Hotel

A community-focused platform for marine research

Kisawa Sanctuary is the world’s first resort to work in tandem with its own non-profit marine research center. A symbiotic relationship, the resort provides the majority of the annual funding to the sanctuary’s ocean observatory, called the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies or BCSS, while the scientific data obtained from the sanctuary is used by the hotel to inform guest activities, including diving and laboratory visits. BCSS utilizes its location to support environmental management at a community level, and the data it gathers helps to answer questions on the impacts of climate change. This unique and innovative platform is the first permanent ocean observatory focused on multi-ecosystem, time series research in Africa. 

Whale song recording and reef diving 

Kisawa offers guests the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and partake in science with experts at BCSS, physically adding critical data to inform environmental decision-making. This includes whale song recording and diving in unique reefs that house hammerhead sharks, giant manta, and groupers which have been 3D mapped by BCSS technology. 

Learn more about Kisawa Sanctuary

Rebuilding a refuge for wildlife

Nayara Tented Camp is replanting native plants in the surrounding forest, creating not only beautiful grounds for guests to enjoy, but also a natural refuge for birds, monkeys, and sloths. Ample space was left between tents to allow for trees to be planted, as reforestation is the most important action Nayara Tented Camp is taking to protect the rainforest and its wildlife.

Designed to keep a light footprint

Nayara Tented Camp was specifically designed with the goal to have a light environmental footprint on its rainforest property. Each structure was built as a modular kit on stilts, using eco-conscious materials such as bamboo and local Tekal stone, energy-saving lighting, and natural hot springs to feed the plunge pools. The tents are elevated and open, immersing guests in the surroundings and maximizing the effects of sunlight and ventilation to reduce heating and cooling needs.

Learn more about Nayara Tented Camp

Designed to coexist in harmony with nature

Nayara Bocas del Toro conducted five different studies before it was built to ensure its existence would minimize harm to the native mangroves and coral reefs of Panama. This is why the hotel is on stilts and off the grid. From its stylish water window villas to its treehouses, accommodations provide breathtaking views of the surrounding nature. The hotel is also committed to helping the local community, providing staff with free transportation, health services, and early education for their children.  

Reusing rainwater

Nayara Bocas del Toro designed its own clean water and energy infrastructure. This means the hotel’s fresh water for drinking, bathing and cooking is provided by harvested rainwater. Large custom gutters funnel rainwater into catchment basins that can store as much as 100,000 gallons. The water is then purified using an advanced ultraviolet purification method.

Coral reef restoration

In 2022, Nayara Bocas del Toro partnered with the locally-based Caribbean Coral Restoration to install 10 fish habitats, or artificial reef structures. These were seeded with genetically resilient coral for faster growth and recovery, and have already resulted in marine life returning to the bay.

Learn more about Nayara Bocas del Toro

Hiring from all backgrounds

Conrad Los Angeles partnered with and hired over 30% of its team through Homeboy Industries, a local non-profit organization that helps formerly incarcerated people reclaim their identity and become contributing members of the community. The hotel has also hired team members from the Downtown Women’s Center, a nonprofit which empowers and serves women experiencing homelessness.

Helping to clean and feed those in need

Conrad Los Angeles partners with Clean the World, collecting and donating used soap that is sanitized and redistributed to developing nations. The hotel also partners with FoodCycle LA to send excess food to those in need, including single mothers and the elderly.

Learn more about Conrad Los Angeles

Healthy Habitats, Goat Gardeners, and More

Guests of Inn by the Sea have the opportunity to experience the property's conservation efforts firsthand. Since 2007, the Inn has partnered with the State of Maine to help remove invasive species (like Japanese knotweed), replacing it with native plants for a healthier and safer habitat for endangered species like the New England Cottontail rabbit. Every summer for the past 3 years, the Inn has brought in a small herd of hungry goats to eat through the invasive knotweed in the neighboring Crescent Beach State Park, and plans to continue these efforts over the next couple years. Guests can wander down the Inn's boardwalk into the park to watch the goats, and have the opportunity to play with baby goats during the manager's cocktail events.

Classes like How to Plant for Wildlife teach guests about the importance of biodiversity for healthy coastal ecosystems, and Bug's Life Garden Tours gives younger guests an opportunity to dress like bugs and learn about local ecosystems from a bug's perspective. There are also guided beach ecology walks with local naturalists where guests can learn about coastal environments and sustainability. The property's conservation efforts extend beyond their gardens and goats to renewable energy. As of October 2023, the Inn is proud to be powered by 100% renewable energy from a community solar farm in Maine.

More Than Just Dog-Friendly

Inn by the Sea has been welcoming dogs onto its property for 30 years. For the last seven years, the Inn has collaborated with the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland to bring rescue dogs on-site for guests to walk, play with, and adopt. This has been an incredibly popular program for guests and canines alike — so far, 173 dogs have been given long-term homes by guests at the Inn.

Community Support Projects

The Inn has an annual fundraiser called Hospitality for Habitat, in which guests receive 50% off rooms in exchange for a $35 donation to Habitat for Humanity. It also has a Books for a Booking program which supports local schools—for every December reservation, the Inn purchases a book from the librarian's wish lists. On Earth Day local students are invited to contribute to the property's conservation efforts, visiting Inn by the Sea for environmental lectures and to help clean the beach. The Inn also hosts the outdoor winter Sea Food Celebration, which brings attention to Maine's traditional fishing industry and celebrates local, responsibly harvested seafood. Entry fees for the festival are donated to Full Plates, Full Potential, which helps feed hungry children in Maine.

Learn more about the Inn by the Sea

Coral reef preservation and education 

Guests of Rosewood Baha Mar can immerse themselves in the magical world below the ocean’s surface through Coral Reefs: A Citizen Science Program. In partnership with The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF), this activity allows guests to learn the basics of snorkeling, facts about coral reefs, and how to identify coral and fish.

Participants can dive in for a tour of a living art gallery and contribute to the growth of a coral reef nursery and BREEF’s vital conservation and restoration efforts by “adopting” coral fragments to be planted beneath the sea in a propagation unit. 

Flamingo yoga, tortoise feeding and more animal encounters

Mingle with flamingos and more amazing wildlife during one of Baha Mar’s unique guided tours and experiences. At the Wildlife Sanctuary, guests can watch as the resort’s dedicated animal professionals feed and interact with nurse sharks, stingrays, green sea turtles, and Caribbean fish.

Guests can also partake in some Flamingo Yoga alongside the resort’s colorful residents, feed and take photos with tortoises in an Aldabra Tortoise Encounter, and observe tropical bird species during a Meet the Macaws experience at Baha Mar’s Aviary.

Learn more about Rosewood Baha Mar

Promoting a culture of local consumption

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s Partners in Provenance program emphasizes maintaining a seasonal and diverse menu featuring local fare. Rosewood buys products from nearby farm Via Orgánica and arranges guided tours of the farm to promote a culture of local consumption and natural products.

Showcasing local talent

Chef-led cooking classes at Rosewood incorporate ingredients picked fresh from the farm. Guests can also taste and learn about pulque, or “Mexican kombucha,” which is made onsite from 10-year-old agave plants and flavored with native fruits and herbs including passion fruit, celery, and prickly pear. Sensorial ranch tours, liquor tastings, healing workshops, and horseback riding are also on offer, and the hotel’s art gallery showcases a regularly updated collection of local artists’ paintings and sculptures.

Learn more about Rosewood San Miguel de Allende

Monthly bazaar highlighting local artisans

The Cape, a Thompson Hotel organizes a high-end monthly market called Cape Bazaar that showcases the work of Mexican and Latin American makers. Guests can engage with and support the diverse cultures of the region as they explore handmade goods such as ceramics, apparel, and jewelry, along with specialty food and drink. This cultural event provides a platform for local artisans to amplify indigenous traditions, arts, and crafts, allowing guests to directly experience the vibrant Baja community and support it through purchases. 

Tequila tasting and traditional hat painting 

In another effort to showcase the skill, passion, and craftsmanship of Mexican and Latin American makers the hotel holds weekly hat painting classes with a local hatmaker to give guests a first-hand look at the creative process behind a beloved Mexican-made accessory. Handcrafted straw hats are also available for purchase on property at the Glass Box Boutique. Additionally, guests can enjoy expert-led tequila tastings that offer education around the regional, agave-based spirit. Guests can also explore the history of the product, the traditions of the experts who create it, production methods and more.

Learn more about The Cape, a Thompson Hotel

Horse rides and rehabilitation 

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection is located on 3,500 acres of wilderness, which is home to more than 300 wild elk and deer in the winter. There are also 66 horses on the property, many of which have been rescued from farms where they were neglected. They are now cared for by an on-site vet, who ensures their health and happiness. 

Guests can get to know The Lodge’s unique style of natural horsemanship through its popular Equine Experiences program, including Horse Therapy, which helps fund The Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, their rescue horse rehabilitation program. Even the youngest guests can get in on the fun with The Lodge’s Little Vaquero's Kids Camp, which offers a range of programming in nature, including interacting with the horses. 

Supporting the local community in need

The Lodge at Blue Sky supports Voice for the Nature Foundation by giving local inner-city kids an opportunity to take part in nature-based experiences every fall. They also work with local schools to offer guidance on career growth and hospitality education.

Learning about biodiverse farming

The Lodge’s extensive programming includes a vast array of eco-focused initiatives. Guests can harvest and plant crops at farm school, learn about beekeeping, and dive into specialty produce-related classes, including how to preserve fruits and vegetables.

Learn more about The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts Collection

Kuilima Farm agritours

Turtle Bay Hawaii aims to promote responsible food production on the island through its on-site farm known as Kuilima Farm. The hydroponic greenhouse produces 2,000 pounds of produce per week, about 700 pounds of which is used at Turtle Bay Resort. Kuilima Farm has a variety of initiatives that help the neighboring community, such as giving local farmers space to set up roadside farm stands to sell their own fresh produce to residents and visitors. The farm also leases plots of land to local farmers and provides training, with the goal of increasing Hawaii’s food security. Hotel guests can experience the farm through agricultural and cultural education opportunities such as agritours, where they can learn about the land and Hawaiian culture and take part in planting and fruit tasting. 

Marine life encounters and birdwatching

The ocean in front of the resort is a National Marine Sanctuary and guests can gain a greater appreciation of marine life conservation through wildlife encounters. Guests can see endangered or threatened species on every tour at Turtle Bay, including its namesake, the Pacific green sea turtle. During the winter months, humpback whales can be spotted from the hotel. There is also a resident monk seal, which was born at the resort and is frequently spotted on wildlife tours. The hotel’s birdwatching experience also offers many glimpses of rare and endangered birds that are only found in Hawaii.

Environmentally conscious operations 

In 2013, Turtle Bay became the first O’ahu resort to have a solar roof, with additional solar panels added in 2021. The resort also hosts monthly beach clean-ups and sand dune restoration days in partnership with the North Shore Community Land Trust, which has resulted in five acres of dunes being restored. Additionally, resort-wide recycling is in full effect, including the transformation of the kitchen’s cooking oil into biodiesel, through a partnership with Pacific Bio Diesel and the transition to takeaway cups made from corn-based or post-consumer materials. The hotel’s efforts also extend to their golf course, where the resort’s waste water is treated and recycled through their nearby wasterwater treatment plant and used to irrigate the course. Additionally, glass bottles from the restaurant outlets are crushed into sand and used throughout the resort landscape and golf course. 

Learn more about Turtle Bay Resort

Farm-to-table experience

Wildflower Farms has a four-acre organic farm on-site where guests can learn about ecologically sound farming practices. Complimentary experiences include guests feeding the chickens in the morning, gathering eggs, and bringing them to the restaurant to be cooked for breakfast. 

The hotel also models practices such as composting, as much of their food waste forms a closed-loop system, providing food for their plants and their heritage breed pigs. They also leverage their relationship with Tuthilltown Spirits, whose spent grain from whiskey distillation is used as a food source for the hotel’s pigs.

Respecting their environment

Prioritizing land stewardship and conservation, Wildflower Farms placed 54 acres of its 141 acre property into conservation easements which prevent future development and ensures continued agricultural usage of a significant portion of the property. The property also received an ENERGY STAR certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency. This certification is awarded to properties who meet the EPA’s strict energy design criteria through the use of energy efficient lighting, upgraded heating and cooling and energy recovery equipment, among other sustainable design choices. In addition to its eco-conscious design, Wildflower is thoughtful about their energy usage. The hotel participates in Community Solar, a partnership with a local community solar farm in Stone Ridge to put solar powered energy into the grid.

Learn more about Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection