five new sustainable luxury hotels for your next getaway
Tara Harrison
despite all the challenges of the past few years, the hospitality sector continues to make great strides towards innovation and modernity. as we excitedly make plans for international travel, we’re always on the look out for transformative stays that make the journey just that extra bit more special. part of groundbreaking hotel group small luxury hotels of the world, a new slate of unique, sustainable stays have just been added to their collection of considerate, ecologically-minded hotels. all partners in this brand new collection have been certified by a GSTC accredited certification body or certified to a GSTC recognised from spa retreats in the arctic to idyllic farmstays in the dutch countryside, here are five new stays that sit at that perfect sweet spot between sustainability and luxury.
arctic bath, harads, sweden
inspired by viking boat houses, arctic bath sweden is a weird and wonderful nod to its scandi roots. running on 100% renewable energy and constructed from eco-friendly materials, the accomodation offers a minimal yet luxe stay. as its name implies, the arctic bath is the highlight - a strange, nest-like formation jutting out from the land that conceals an open air bath under the northern sky.
housed in a gorgeous venetian palace, ca’ di dio is a sustainable twist on italian grandeur. the restored palace draws water from the surrounding lagoon to power its heat exchange and cooling system, invests in work integration paths, and supports a social impact project that empowers italian inmates. conveniently located in the heart of venice and at the entrance of the arsenale district where the floating city’s famous biennale is held, ca’ di dio is a luxurious stay for the conscious traveller.
tucked away in the spanish countryside, torre del marques is a secluded escape that offers all the charms of a rustic farm stay. housed in a converted 18th century tower, the hotel is underpinned by a strong ecological ethos. completely powered by solar panels, torre del marques boasts an on-sitre restaurant with a zero waste, zero kilometre approach to food where only produce sourced in the immediate surrounds is served.
owned by a metsovian family, grand forest ensures the epirus region continues to thrive by exclusively hiring staff from the local area and furnishing its rooms with local, handcrafted furniture. the alpine retreat, perched on the slopes of pindus mountain range, boasts floor to ceiling windows, a terrace pool, and on-site spa for the ultimate taste of luxury.
housed in a converted 18th century farm life, op oost is a charming retreat in the stunning dutch countryside. free range chickens roam the property’s verdant gardens, whilst its restaurant cooks up local produce that’s farmed, foraged, or fermented in the hotel’s immediate surrounds.