Embark on a journey to discover five exceptional sustainable hotels that are not only providing unforgettable experiences but are also making a positive impact on the world. First, venture to Fogo Island Inn, an award-winning Canadian retreat located on an island off Newfoundland. As one of the only 100% social projects globally, it operates with the highest environmental standards, reinvesting all surpluses back into the local community. Next, head to Colombia's Calanoa Jungle Lodge, nestled in the heart of the Amazon. This art and adventure retreat, built with minimal impact on the rainforest, connects travelers with indigenous cultures and offers creative workshops while contributing to the conservation of the Amazon through the Calanoa Amazonas Foundation. Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador awaits, a luxury design hideaway in a private reserve with strong ties to the local community. Song Saa Private Island Resort, situated in Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, offers an untouched private retreat surrounded by rainforests and coral reefs. The Song Saa Foundation, a non-profit organization, works diligently to protect the archipelago's habitats and improve the welfare of its communities. Finally, escape to Nihi in Indonesia, a hidden gem with rustic luxury villas on the edge of Sumba Island. Here, your stay contributes to the Sumba Foundation, providing humanitarian aid to the island's people while preserving their culture and traditions. These sustainable hotels not only offer unforgettable experiences but also empower local communities and protect the environment, making your stay even more meaningful.
Fogo Island Inn
Canada
You will find yourself in the most eastern part of Canada. Surrounded by jagged rocks and a powerful ocean, Fogo Island Inn is located on an island off Newfoundland and is a destination in itself. The award-winning hotel is one of the only 100% social projects in the world, using the most forward-looking and responsible environmental practices, with all of its operating surpluses reinvested back into the Fogo Island community.
Fogo Island Inn is a social business and a community asset founded by Shorefast, a registered Canadian charity with the mandate to promote cultural and economic resiliency for Fogo Island. The Inn is a 100% social business: all operating surpluses are reinvested in the community of Fogo Island through the projects and programs of Shorefast. The Inn was built using primarily private philanthropic funds with the addition of some government grants, and there are no financial contributors seeking a return on their investment. The success of the Inn benefits no individuals, but rather the larger community of Fogo Island.
In this way, Shorefast strives to use business-minded ways to achieve social ends. This “not-just-for-profit” approach to business is a model for a more positive and productive relationship between capital and community. Money spent at Fogo Island Inn directly contributes the well-being of one of Canada’s oldest European settled communities, and is an investment in a different way of thinking.
Images property of FOGO ISLAND INN
Photos by Alex Fradkin, Kristopher Grunert, Bent René Synnevåg, Coffee Abroad, Michael Hayter, Paddy Barry.
Calanoa Jungle Lodge
Colombia
Calanoa Jungle Lodge is an art and adventure retreat in the heart of the Colombian Amazon. The space offers travelers a unique experience of connecting with the indigenous environment and cultures through creative workshops. The lodge is located inside the Calanoa Natural Reserve on the banks of the Amazon River, close to indigenous villages of the Tikuna, Cocama, Huitoto, and Bora people, as well as Amacayacu Natural Park. Calanoa has been built with minimal impact to the Amazon forest using wood, raw earth, and ceramic in partnership with the local communities. Hardwood trees, fruits, and palms have been planted in order to supply building materials and food.
The owners, Diego and Marlene Sampler, have created the lodge and The Calanoa Amazonas Foundation to help conserve the biological and cultural diversity of the Amazon Region through sustainable tourism, art, community education, and research. The hotel is a place to truly experience the native environment and make a positive impact.
“The Calanoa Foundation intends to contribute to the conservation of the biological and cultural diversity of the Amazonian region, supporting the improvement of quality of life and sustainable development of the communities around The Calanoa Natural Reserve. To contribute to the awareness of environmental issues, the improvement of the quality of education and the quality of life, the Foundation's programs explore creative processes of regional communication, through visual and performing arts, communication design, the production of teaching materials and the support of local schools.”
*Photos property of Calanoa + Guillaume AMAT
MASHPI LODGE
ECUADOR
Mashpi Lodge is a luxury design hideaway 3 hours away from Quito, Ecuador. Sitting 950m above sea level between a rainforest and a cloud forest in the middle of a lush private reserve, the retreat is part of National Geographic's Unique Lodges of the World. With views to the surrounding jungle through floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows and open-air terraces, you will experience nature and wildlife like never before.
Stay in one of three spacious Yaku Suites (meaning "water"), located on the first floor and featuring king size beds and bathtubs-with-a-view or in one of twenty Wayra rooms (meaning "wind"). Visit the spa and receive a treatment to the sounds of hummingbirds. Practice yoga at the outdoor deck. Relax in an open-air hot tub after a day of exploring.
“Mashpi would not be what it is without the collaboration of the local community. From the outset, they have sought to work hand-in-hand with those living in the areas surrounding the reserve, implementing an innovative program in which they, as well as Lodge employees, become shareholders in the enterprise. Mashpi offers numerous job opportunities for members of the neighbouring communities including professional training and English classes. These same people will go on to share their unparalleled knowledge of the surrounding lands and wildlife. And Mashpi takes it one step further: the communities are also the primary providers of agricultural and other food products and supplies that are used at the lodge.”
*Images property of Mashpi Lodge
SONG SAA PRIVATE ISLAND
Cambodia
Song Saa Private Island Resort is located in Cambodia's Koh Rong Archipelago, on the islands of Koh Ouen and Koh Bong, connected by a hanging bridge over a marine reserve. Choose the Over-Water, Jungle or Ocean-View villa, all built with local sustainable materials with bamboo roofs and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean. Surrounded by virgin rainforests, coral reefs and white gold beaches, Song Saa is a truly untouched private retreat. The staff's hospitality is genuine, immediately making you feel like a part of the family.
“The Song Saa Foundation is a non-profit organisation established in 2013 to protect the habitats of the Koh Rong Archipelago and improve the welfare of its communities. The Foundation continues the conservation work we began in 2006, when we first came to Koh Ouen, and at present we are proud to have launched a broad range of conservation and humanitarian initiatives that go well beyond the borders of the archipelago. From establishing the kingdom’s first marine reserve, we have grown to become a preeminent coastal marine NGO, helping improve the lives of local people and promoting the protection of the environment wherever our work takes us.”
*Images property of Song Saa Private Island
NIHI SUMBA
INDONESIA
Two surfers looking for the perfect break in 1988 is how Nihi Sumba came to life. This very special, off-the-beaten path resort, is still considered a secret in the travellers' community. Located on the edge of Sumba, Nihi Sumba is surrounded by tropical forest, rice terraces and grasslands, offering exquisite landscapes and breathtaking sanctuary. Choose between 12 beautiful private villas, each with a panoramic view. Rustic living at its finest, where the luxury is in the details. One of the most intriguing facts about Nihi Sumba is that its own fuel is produced through harvested coconut meat. There is nothing quite possibly as tropical as that. When choosing to stay here you are contributing to the Sumba Foundation and providing humanitarian aid to the people of the island. The staff love Nihi Sumba as much as you do and it shows.
“The Sumba Foundation is deeply committed to lessening the consequences of poverty on the island of Sumba. Our aim is to provide humanitarian aid through village-based projects that measurably impact local health by establishing access to clean water, creating educational programs, and lessening the effects of Malaria. While these are our top priorities, so too is preserving and respecting the fragile culture and traditions of the Sumbanese people.”
*Images property of Nihi Sumba
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