ASIA
Agoda.com's TOP 10 Asian eco resorts
Online hotel reservations service Agoda.com reviewed hundreds of properties on its books to come up with this list of Top 10 Eco-Friendly Asian Resorts.
- The Tongsai Bay, Koh Samui Pioneer of sustainable policies long before the global trend caught on.
- Alila Ubud and Alila Manggis, Bali Lauded for their eco-friendly design and earth-friendly activities for guests.
Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Cambodia The only hotel in Cambodia to win an ASEAN Energy Award - awarded in 2005, 2007 and 2009.
- El Nido Resorts, Miniloc Island, Philippines Surrounded by forests and mangroves this resort is widely recognised for its nature conservation activities, including waste management, coastal clean-ups and an intensive five-day "green" training course for staff.
- The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, Malaysia has developed daily operations programmes designed to minimise ongoing impact. These include cleaning waste water through surrounding wetlands - a natural biological filter.
- Banyan Tree, Bintan During its development, architects designed the resort around the existing landscape, minimising the number of trees felled and taking special care to preserve trees aged 50 to 100 years - including rare species.
- Hotel de la Paix, Cambodia has a strong focus on supporting its surrounding communities. Skills training, such as sewing courses, are provided to disadvantaged Khmer women and an award-winning capacity building programme has been created to support young Cambodians from high-risk areas. Guests can sponsor students or donate bikes, wells and pigs to local families.
- The Orchid Hotel, Mumbai, India, Asia's first property to receive ECOTEL certification, has won 61 environmental awards. An on-site Environment Officer leads green teams that have developed initiatives such as worm farms and an onsite water treatment facility. Upon check-in you're briefed on environmentally-friendly practices you can adopt in your room.
- Soneva Fushi by Six Senses, Maldives follows a Slow Life policy, reminding us to readjust our pace to the steady rhythm of nature. Tree planting projects, a stance against shark fishing, a carbon offset programme, which works towards the purchase of a wind turbine in India, and an in-house marine biologist are evidence of this resort "walking the talk".
- Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village, Fraser Island, Australia Winner of the inaugural Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award, this resort runs a research and education centre in partnership with the University of the Sunshine Coast monitoring the island's ecology. Attend one of several eco tours offered and learn about the surrounding mangrove ecosystems or Aboriginal culture.
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Posted Aug 2010
