Posts Tagged ‘Eco Chic’

By Dian Hasan | November 15, 2009

Good things come in small packages. If the Robinson Crusoe in you beckons to a getaway on a remote tropical isle, secluded yet close to modern civilization, Nikoi Island is just for you.

A private island with only 6 beach villas, off Bintan Island in the Riau Archipelago, eco-friendly luxury on a serene private island in Indonesia just 2 hours from urban Singapore. Read the rest of this entry »

Pestana Angra Beach Bungalows is located in Angra dos Reis, one of Brazil’s richest ecological areas along the coast.

Sitting on the edge of a forested area of 55.000 sqm, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean’s serene turquoise waters, Pestana Angra Beach Bungalows takes comfort, wellness, and hospitality to new heights. Conveniently located near Rio de Janeiro, the tropical-style property features 27 charming bungalows.

Outside, thatched roofs, terracotta tiles, and limestone walls blend nicely into the natural landscape. A warm ambiance greets you at the reception area, as does an affable staff ready to answer all your questions. Without question, this hotel was designed to provide the highest standard of comfort for even the most discerning of travelers. Read the rest of this entry »

By Dian Hasan | July 27, 2009

If there’s any similarity between Hollywood movie-making and hotel creation, it’s this: they take years to plan, scout and develop, and require so many logistical challenges along the way that simply to finish one, to say nothing of a whole trilogy, is possibly enough achievement for a lifetime. The trilogy here comes from Francis Ford Coppola whose movie-making accolades now include the new roles of vintner and hotelier.

And a very specific hotelier at that, creating exquisite eco resorts. Coppola is now on his third and last of trilogy of eco resorts in Central America, with La Lancha, on Lake Peten Itzá, near Tikal, in Guatemala.

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By Dian Hasan | October 5, 2009

Her treetop accommodation may be getting all the attention, but there’s more to the chic Hapuku Lodge and Tree Houses. It takes its eco-responsibility very seriously, in interesting eco-friendly activities such as having every guest plant a tree while staying at Hapuku.

First it’s the beautiful setting, nestled between Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range and the famed Mangamaunu Bay, on New Zealand’s South Island.

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By Dian Hasan | September 29, 2009

The fact that Galápagos Island is among the most coveted places in the world to see nature at its best, is well known. The other fact that many experienced travelers realize is the lack of accommodation on the island, resorting to a boat-stay which is the main means of traveling to the island. This of course is deliberate, and for a good reason, to ensure that Galápagos remains the same and to avoid any unnecessary impact from overdevelopment.

So here’s a novel choice of accommodation on the island, glamping! Galápagos Safari Camp is a new hotel breed, more commonly found in African Safaris.

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By Dian Hasan | September 29, 2009

Chile is on the upswing! The small but narrow country has earned the nickname “Tiger Economy” likened to the other export-oriented economies of the Far East.

A healthy economy has spilled into other areas of Arts and Architecture. Chile’s stunning natural beauty and diverse landscapes provide the perfect inspiration. The past few years have seen a steady flow of new hotels across Chile that have raised the bar in style and design language.  This hotel is no different.

The Arrebol Patagonia Hotel is located in the forest area of Puerto Varas, Chile just on the south-east border of Llanquihue Lake. The area is an amazing array of natural beauty, full with native trees, lagoons, ravines and little creeks and rivers.

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By Dian Hasan | September 26, 2009

It used to be that experiencing the Amazon, or most other nature parks, was all about “roughing it” with accommodation that always bordered on the rustic, quaint, and heavily ethnic. One important element always seemed to be absent from this equation: “Style”.

Fast forward to today, when travelers are more inclined towards eco-friendly, where “Green” is the new “Black”, style has pervaded into the design vocabulary of eco hotels across the globe. From Ecuador to Ethiopia.

Regardless of what we call them: Resort, Lodge, Cabin, Retreat, or Escape… being both green and chic is possible. And it’s here to stay. Introducing the new crop of stylish abodes: Hamadryade Eco Lodge, in Amazonian Ecuador (you probably weren’t aware of this fact either!).

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Inkaterra has been a fixture on Peru’s ecotourism landscape for quite some time. Renowned for their eco-hotels and tours that have set the standard for what it means to be “earth-inclined”.

Departing from accommodating the needs of world travelers and concurrently educating them about the sensible manner of enjoying Peru’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Machu Picchu, and setting up accommodation along the way.

With hotels that echoed old-world reminiscent of sturdy Colonial Mansions, or rustic eco lodges that were defined by their spartan surroundings, and screamed… well, rustic and quaint!  All of which Inkaterra have done exceptionally well, except perhaps… bring style to Peru’s premier travel destination. The wait is over. Introducing the very stylish but down-to-earth Inkaterra Titilaka, near Puno on Lake Titicaca.

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Australia is one of a handful of countries at the forefront of green buildings and green architecture. From alternative energy to organic food and tent structures using the latest light-weight materials.

With its vast land mass, and so little people, there’s plenty of nature to draw inspiration from. What’s exciting for the world of travel is this green approach is being practiced by the country’s hospitality industry. Here’s a look at Australia’s new breed of eco-hotels: Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa ~ New South Wales, just outside of dynamic Sydney.

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Australia is one of a handful of countries at the forefront of green buildings and green architecture. From alternative energy to organic food and tent structures using the latest light-weight materials.

With its vast land mass, and so little people, there’s plenty of nature to draw inspiration from. What’s exciting for the world of travel is this green approach is being practiced by the country’s hospitality industry. Here’s a look at Australia’s new breed of eco-hotels: LONGITUDE 131° ~ Ayers Rock (Uluru), Northern Territories.

Read the rest of this entry »