Environmental responsibility is becoming an increasingly important factor for conscious travelers. Luxury resorts are undergoing a green revolution, with Solmar Hotels & Resorts, Majestic Hotel & Spa and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts leading the way.
Environmental responsibility is becoming an increasingly important factor for conscious travelers. Luxury resorts are undergoing a green revolution, with Solmar Hotels & Resorts, Majestic Hotel & Spa, and Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts leading the way. Forget the outdated image of luxury travel harming the environment – these resorts are proving you can have an unforgettable experience while minimizing your carbon footprint. Here are five ways these resorts are making every day Earth Day:
1. Endangered Species Conservation: Resorts are actively contributing to wildlife preservation. For example, Solmar Hotels & Resorts in Baja California participate in sea turtle protection programs, while Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts in the Dominican Republic focuses on reforestation and native plant restoration. These efforts ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
2. Waste Management and Reduction: Responsible waste management is paramount. Initiatives like recycling programs (including Solmar‘s unique Plastic Bottle Cap Bank that benefits children with cancer) and partnerships with certified waste disposal companies are becoming standard practice. These programs demonstrate a commitment to minimizing environmental footprint.
3. Third-Party Sustainability Certifications: Luxury goes beyond aesthetics. Resorts such as Barcelona’s Majestic Hotel & Spa hold certifications like ISO 14001, an internationally recognized standard for environmental management systems. These certifications provide independent verification of a resort’s commitment to sustainability.
4. Sustainable Operations Beyond Guest Areas: Environmental responsibility extends beyond the immediate guest experience. Solmar Golf Links’ Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program certification exemplifies how even golf courses can be eco-friendly. This program ensures courses are designed and maintained with minimal environmental impact while offering exceptional playing conditions.
5. Environmental Education and Community Engagement: Spreading awareness is critical. Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts‘ environmental education programs target guests, staff, and local communities. These initiatives foster a culture of sustainability that has a lasting impact beyond the resort itself.
By prioritizing these key initiatives, luxury resorts can offer guests an exceptional experience while safeguarding the environment for the future.
ST. LUCIA – Jade
Mountain and Anse Chastanet in St. Lucia have been recertified for
the internationally renowned Travelife Gold Certification for Hotels and
Accommodations. The twin properties are the only Gold-certified accommodations
on the Caribbean island, the luxury resorts’ owners, Nick and Karolin
Troubetzkoy, announced.
Travelife, the sustainable tourism certification system, has
reassessed Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet’s performance in responsibly
managing their socioeconomic and environmental impacts. The resorts first
achieved certification in 2017 and have worked hard to maintain the title.
To gain a Travelife Gold certification, Jade Mountain and
Anse Chastanet were assessed against 88 sustainability criteria that take into
account the following environmental issues and positive social impacts:
Protecting the environment, by minimizing the
amount of energy, waste and water used;
Respecting and treating employees fairly;
Respecting the local community, including its residents and
the safeguarding of children;
Protecting the local culture, heritage, and wildlife of the
destination; and
Supporting the local economy and its businesses.
The Troubetzkoys said of the accolade: “We are
absolutely delighted to have achieved Travelife Gold Certification once again,
as environmental efforts have always been at the heart of our resorts. It is
incredibly important to us that we continue to commit to sustainability and to
supporting the local community year-over-year.”
Environmental concerns, sustainability and community efforts
are at the epicenter of Jade Mountain and Anse Chastanet, with daily practices
set up to conserve water and energy and increase recycling efforts. These
include but are not restricted to the following:
The design of Jade Mountain reinforces the connection to the
natural environment with passive ventilation of the rooms and natural
day-lighting. Heating and cooling of the sanctuaries (rooms) are based entirely
on the natural rhythms and cycles of the world. Not being dependent on
artificial cooling or lighting of the rooms decreases the use of precious
energy resources and minimizes the carbon footprint of the resort.
The exterior plaza of Jade Mountain was designed to capture
all the rainwater in Koi ponds and planting areas. The plants are then
harvested for use in the resort’s restaurants.
A natural coral tile was used for exterior walkways and roof
areas. It is highly reflective and effectively diminishes any “heat
island” effect in the local micro-climate.
Potable water for the resorts is produced by collecting it
in a reservoir that was originally constructed and used by the British and
French to power the water wheels that crushed sugar cane. The reservoir was
repaired after decades of not being used and now collects over 1.5 million
gallons of water annually that is gravity-fed to a state-of-the-art water
purification system.
Only local, indigenous plants were used in the landscaping,
which minimizes the need for watering and protects a precious resource.
The resorts were the catalyst behind the coral reefs of St.
Lucia being declared a marine reserve to protect this valuable resource.
The resorts provide alternative transportation for its
employees. On a daily basis, shuttles are scheduled hourly to transport workers
from the resort to the local community, keeping carbon emissions to a minimum.
During the construction of Jade Mountain, any left-over
construction materials were distributed to the local workforce for use on their
own properties.
Construction materials that were used primarily came from
the island, reducing the use of fossil fuels for transportation and the
resultant pollution. For example, wood used was harvested from a managed
forest.
During construction, the workers were protected through the
implementation of an Indoor Air Quality plan that minimized worker’s exposure
to harmful airborne compounds.
Low emitting materials (paints, adhesives, etc.) were used
throughout the resorts, which effectively eliminated volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) that are detrimental to a person’s health.
Guests are given the opportunity to learn about the resorts’
sustainability programs and actively participate in environmental
activities such as reef cleaning and tree planting.
Nightly rates at Anse Chastanet and Jade Mountain start at
$375 and $1,080, respectively, per room based on double occupancy. Rates
are subject to 10% service charge and 10% VAT. To book visit www.ansechastanet.com or www.jademountain.com.
Rising majestically above the 600-acre beachfront resort of
Anse Chastanet, Jade Mountain Resort
on St. Lucia’s southwestern Caribbean coastline is a cornucopia of organic
architecture celebrating the island’s stunning scenic beauty. Architect owner
Nick Troubetzkoy has expanded upon his philosophy of building in harmony with
Caribbean nature in his creation of Jade Mountain. The bold architectural
design – individual bridges leading to exceptional infinity pool sanctuaries
and rugged stoned-faced columns reaching towards the sky – makes Jade Mountain
one of the Caribbean’s most mesmerizing resort experiences. For more
information, visit www.jademountain.com.
Anse Chastanet is set amid a lush 600-acre estate with two soft-sand beaches and breathtaking views of St. Lucia’s twin Pitons mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amidst St. Lucia’s lush tropical beauty, activities range from jungle biking, hiking and bird watching to snorkeling on the reef within swimming distance of the beach. The environmentally friendly, award-winning resort comprises 49 individually designed rooms, 37 of which are scattered about a lush hillside, and 12 that are nestled within a tropical garden at beach level. Innovative menus – one of which is entirely vegetarian – are offered in four different locations and feature fresh produce served up from the resort’s organic farm. Guests can partake in interactive chocolate-making classes in the resort’s chocolate laboratory and a variety of water sports are also on offer. For further information, visit www.ansechastanet.com.
