Introduction
Travel has been a foundational part of my life since I entered adulthood. It fulfills me and makes me a more creative, more accepting, and more curious person. Another foundational element of my lifestyle, however, can sometimes contradict travel.
I was raised by gardeners and recyclers. We used our food scraps to create compost to feed next year’s harvest, collected rainwater, bought local, and repurposed decades-old glass containers as Tupperware. I spent every summer season enjoying the outdoors in some capacity and now, as an adult, I participate in and promote sustainable initiatives within my local community. My appreciation for Mother Earth and her generations and generations of free entertainment, has fueled a deep-seeded love and protectiveness for the natural world around me.
I’m aware of the environmental impact of frequent travel and strive for carbon neutrality at home. To reconcile these values, I’m also exploring eco-friendly travel options, such as eco-lodges. Read on as I provide an overview for this unique type of accommodation and give a bit of free advertising to some eco-lodges I admire.
What Is An Eco-Lodge?
An eco-lodge, as the name suggests, is a type of vacation rental that is designed to have minimal impact on the natural environment where it's built. These unique accommodations grew in popularity during the 1990s and have grown even more popular with the rise of “eco-tourism”. This ambitious concept aims to promote travel while also sharing the benefits of tourism with the people and places that we are visiting. As a result, eco-lodges have sprouted up, often in remote areas like forests, to provide sustainable lodging options for people who want to experience nature and also support eco-tourism.
Like most effective forms of environmentalism, eco-lodges are holistic in their approach. They are often embedded into the community around them and provide economic and social benefits to local people.
For more information on eco-lodges, as well as advice on what to look for when booking, check out Worldwide Ecolodges. This free, online resource is the most comprehensive one I’ve found. The site outlines different eco-lodge types and common definitions. Worldwide Ecolodges has also curated an extensive list of eco-lodges from all over the world to help you plan your next trip.
Here are 5 eco-lodges I’d like to visit someday:
$$$ | Fogo Island Inn | Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Photo courtesy of Bent René Synnevåg.
Fogo Island Inn is the eco-lodge that inspired this article. It’s a work of art located on the Canadian island north of Halifax, and I have admired it for years. Fogo Island, which was settled in the 18th century by English and Irish immigrants, has a rich maritime heritage and a strong community spirit. Its rugged landscapes and historic fishing villages reflect the island’s resilient culture. Today, Fogo Island blends its storied past with modern sustainability through projects like the Fogo Island Inn.
Sustainability
Fogo Island Inn is committed to sustainability and social equity through a range of innovative initiatives, including its New Ocean Ethics Initiative. This program emphasizes the preservation of the marine environment surrounding Fogo Island by promoting responsible fishing practices and supporting conservation efforts. The Inn integrates eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy, minimizing waste, and sourcing local materials, to reduce its environmental impact.
Furthermore, the Inn engages with the local community by providing fair-wage jobs and supporting traditional crafts, ensuring that tourism benefits are shared and that the Island’s cultural heritage is preserved. All of the revenue surpluses are reinvested into the community through the work of the Inn’s parent charity, Shorefast. Through these efforts, Fogo Island Inn not only offers a luxurious experience but also contributes to the broader goals of environmental stewardship and social equity.
Accommodations
The Fogo Island Inn is a luxe escape. It’s designed to harmonize with the Island’s stunning natural landscape, and each of the 29 guest suites features floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular views.
Each reservation is full-board, meaning your rate includes all meals at the Inn and anywhere else on the Island. When you book, your experience also includes complimentary WiFi, a yoga and fitness center, sauna, hot tubs, cinema, library, art gallery, tea room, bar, and lounge, as well as outdoor guides and personalized itineraries for land-based excursions and hikes. Guests have access to complementary bicycles, and a range of seasonal or year-round activities.
You can choose from a range of accommodations, including Ocean View Suites, Harbor View Suites, and Forest View Suites. The Outport Rooms reflects the island’s maritime heritage. to create a cozy, rustic charm For added luxury, the Suite with Balcony provides private outdoor space with stunning views, while the Suite with Living Room offers extra space for relaxation and socializing. Each room option is designed to offer a blend of luxury, comfort, and a deep connection to the Island’s natural beauty. Whether you’re watching the sunrise over the ocean or enjoying the peaceful forest surroundings, the Fogo Island Inn provides a distinctive and immersive experience in one of Canada’s most remote and breathtaking regions.
Accessibility
Fogo Island Inn is remote, and that’s what will make your stay so magical. However, that means it’s a journey to get there. The island sits off the northeast coast of Newfoundland. The journey starts with a flight to Gander International Airport, followed by a 1-hour drive to Farewell Harbor, where you will take a ferry to Fogo Island. Alternatively, private charter flights or helicopters can be arranged directly to the Island ( I assume that’s how David Letterman got there).
$$ | Grand Fiesta Americana | Cancun, Mexico
Photo courtesy of Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún Resort
When planning a trip to Mexico, a lot of travelers opt for an all-inclusive resort. I understand the appeal of an all-inclusive resort and, luck for us, the Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún promotes several eco-tourism initiatives.
Sustainability
This resort is part of the Posadas Group, which is the only hotel chain in Latin America to have environmental certifications for all of its locations. The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún resort earned the prestigious Green Key award by reducing water and energy consumption, managing waste through recycling programs, and measuring its carbon footprint. Employees are trained in “Good Environmental Practices,” according to the hotel, which include recycling towels and sheets, minimizing food waste, turning off lights, etc. The resort participates in International Beach Clean-Up Day and has a thriving Turtle Protection Program. In partnership with UGA Soluciones, the resort also collects burned vegetable oil to be repurposed in the production of biodiesel.
The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún Resort also supports the local community through its Fundación Posadas initiative, which helps students at any age from primary school to college get access education scholarships. The resort also assists the community with urgent healthcare needs, including surgeries, and offers disaster relief to families.
As of August 2024, Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún is pursuing the Distintivo Hidrosustentable award, which is granted by the Alliance for Water Sustainability in Tourism to honor hotels employing the bestwater use and car practices.
Accommodations
The Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún offers 5-star accommodations with stunning ocean views from 602 oceanfront suites. You can also opt for an all-inclusive package. It appears to cost the same as any other resort of its kind. So why not go with the most sustainable option?
Like most resorts, you have a range of amenities within walking distance, including a 4-star Gem Spa, pools, fitness center, a private beach, and stores. The resort is also pet-friendly.
Each suite is designed for comfort and elegance, with private balconies, spacious living areas, and marble bathrooms. Guests can choose from a range of room types, including Master Suites with separate living rooms and Presidential Suites with exclusive amenities. The decor combines modern luxury with tropical influences, creating a serene retreat in the heart of Cancún.
Accessibility
Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún Resort is just 30 minutes north of the Cancun International Airport. For added convenience, the resort offers a free airport shuttle when guests book at least four nights per room through the official website.
$ | The Elementum | Bali, Indonesia
Photo courtesy of The Elementum.
Bali, Indonesia is perhaps one of the destinations most damaged by overtourism. I understand the desire to visit a place as beautiful as Bali, but I encourage you to do so with sustainability in mind. In response to the overtourism epidemic, many Balinese people have shifted their focus to eco-lodges. The Elementum is one such option.
Sustainability
Upon arrival, you’ll note the lack of plastic amenities and individual packaging. In place of these single-use items, The Elementum provides guests with bamboo toothbrushes, wooden Q-tips and combs, take away containers made from cornstarch, metal straws, and bags made from biodegradable cassava rather than plastic.
The resort uses solar panels to supplement its power usage, collects rain water to supply the toilets and showers, and features an ionized pool that doesn’t rely on the use of harsh chemicals.
The Elementum also partners with local organizations like the Bali Life Foundation to create income opportunities for local women and the Terartai Enterprise to repurpose damaged linens into pouches, beach bags, and more.
Accommodations
The Elementum is an award-winning 3-star boutique hotel with 8 rooms, 1 Suite, a restaurant, bar, and spa. Single rooms cost about $150 USD per night with complimentary breakfast and air conditioned included.
Whether you book a deluxe or regular room, they will feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of either the pool or the sea. Each room features a King Size bed, a Day Bed and in-suite bathroom with mural shower and indoor bathroom garden. The Suite overlooks the ocean and adds on a living and an outdoor sitting area.
The bar and restaurant menus were curated with locally-sourced ingredients. All guests receive complimentary amenities like tea, coffee and water bottles.
Accessibility
Just a 40-minute drive from the international airport, The Elementum is easy to access. Guests can take advantage of a convenient airport shuttle. Plus, the eco-lodge is just a 5-minute walk to the desirable Bingin Beach, which offers white sands, crystal waters, and striking cliff views.
$$ | Hidden Hotel | Paris, France
Hidden Hotel in Paris is one of the rare urban eco-lodges available. If you want to stay in a bustling city center, while also being conscious of your carbon footprint, Hidden Hotel is a great option. Note, however, that many guests comment on the small room sizes so this would work best for solo travelers, couples, or groups of singles/pairs.
Sustainability
The Hidden Hotel has implemented a range of eco-initiatives aimed at sustainability that set it apart from other urban hotels.
For starters, it was constructed with environmentally friendly construction materials like natural stone, wood, and organic cotton. The hotel also prioritizes energy efficiency through the use of LED lighting, low-energy appliances, and solar panels.
Hidden Hotel emphasizes water conservation with rainwater harvesting systems and uses eco-certified cleaning products to maintain the rooms. Additionally, the hotel actively reduces waste by recycling, composting, and avoiding single-use plastics, while promoting local and organic food sources to support sustainable agriculture.
Accommodations
Hidden Hotel in Paris has a 4-star rating and offers 35 unique rooms and suites that blend natural materials like stone, wood, linen, leather and slate with modern elegance. Each room is designed to create a warm and cozy atmosphere and features high-quality COCO-MAT bedding made from natural latex and coconut fibers for a restful sleep.
The hotel also features a lounge that can comfortably accommodate up to 8 people as well as a bar serving bespoke cocktails. The breakfast menu, which is available for a fee, features vegan and gluten-free options. Room service is available, offering small plates, drinks, and desserts.
Accessibility
Hidden Hotel is conveniently located in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. This area is a true Parisian neighborhood, full of local restaurants and a high-class feel. It is just a 6-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe and also 5 minutes the Charles de Gaulle-Étoile metro station, which connects to the metro that takes you to and from the international airport.
$$$ | Tswalu Kalahari | Northern Cape, South Africa
Photo courtesy of Tswalu Kalahari.
When most North Americans like me think of an African vacation, we picture a Safari. We want to take a photo of elephants and giraffes in their natural habitat and possibly camp out under the stars. Tswalu Kalahari is my top suggestion for an African Safari experience. Its name translates to “a new beginning” and that ethos drives every aspect of its business model.
Sustainability
Tswalu Kalahari is the largest privately-protected conservation area in South Africa (282,000 acres) and also incredibly sustainable thanks to its regenerative conservation project that aims to protect and restore the Kalahari’s biodiversity.
Tswalu Kalahari is a member of The Long Run, a global eco-tourism organization that holds privately protected areas accountable for conservation, community, commerce, and culture regarding sustainable and regenerative practices. At Tswalu Kalahari, all the food is ethically sourced within 300-kilometers of the reserve.
Accommodations
Tswalu is ideal for a range of travelers because you can opt for a range of accommodations, from luxury private villas to tented safari campsites. Whether you are a family with young children, honeymooners, or a large group of friends, you can tailor this Safari adventure to best suit your needs. You can even opt for all-inclusive packages.
No matter your accommodation choice, all guests get access to a private 4×4 vehicle, a pair of binoculars, a guide, and a tracker. The luxurious expanse of the reserve, combined with all the advantages of being a Tswalu guest, ensures that every safari expedition will be exclusive, personalized, and private. Plus, thanks to its noble biodiversity efforts, Tswalu Kalahari is home to 80 species of mammals and 240 species of birds.
Accessibility
Though remote, on the southernmost edge of the Kalahari, Tswalu Kalahari is accessible by both land and air. The reserve has a private airstrip that offers direct, scheduled, charter flights (about 2 hours in length) from both Johannesburg and Cape Town international airportds. The reserve is also accessible by road, about a 7-hour drive from Johannesburg.