Mindful Traveling 2020
How will things change after COVID? Will we learn from our experience through the slowdown? Did we see the change in mother earth, when we were forced to take a step back. Will we take responsibility for our actions and notice how our decisions affect our beautiful planet? How can we make an impact while traveling? We are all fully aware traveling by airplanes is not ideal for the environment, but at the same time we don’t have months of free time to get to a destination via boat. What we can do is be mindful of where we chose to spend our precious time in places that are striving to make a difference.
Sometimes it’s the little things in life.
We’ve decided to put together an annual list of hotels worth knowing about and keeping on your radar.
Shipwreck Lodge off the coast of Namibia
What are they doing?
In collaboration with Puros Conservancy and Sesfontein Conservancy, they cover over 6,000 km2 and are predominantly made of the Ovahimba and Herero people who depend heavily on tourism. Shipwreck Lodge recruits their lodge staff from these conservancies to further help the communities. The Conservancies are paid monthly fees based on 8% of turnover in the overall success of the lodge and the support they provide to the tourism business. It is a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
What makes their property unique?
The dunes are scattered with lions, antelope, bleached whale bones, debris from centuries of shipwrecks, and geologically-remarkable Clay Castles. Here you will find beauty and solitude, a new way to discover yourself. There is nowhere on earth like this.
La Granja Farmhouse in Ibiza, Spain
What are they doing:
They are focusing on pushing the boundaries of how to grow food with new biodynamic farm techniques. Also some of the funds from your stay go to supporting the Ibiza Preservation Fund. Community and sustainability are key components of La Granja.
What makes their property unique?
It is tucked away in the middle of Ibiza that feels more like a home than a hotel. La Granja, a restored farmhouse boasting 9 beautifully designed rooms, creating a very intimate ambiance. It has a very bohemian feel to it that is very inviting. Similar like minded souls gather to relax in the natural surroundings, sitting together in a communal setting dining on food grown on the property. There you can find live music, workshops and yoga.
The Scarlet in Cornwall, UK
What they are doing:
They focus on going above and beyond improving their GREEN credentials, focusing on sustainability and reducing their environmental impact. A true luxury eco resort for ADULTS only. Sourcing responsibly, monitoring their annual carbon footprint, use of solar panels, biomass boilers and local produce used at their restaurant are just a few things they do. Their sister hotel set up a community fund to help support the cleanliness of their seas and beaches.
What makes their property unique?
You will need a good reason to make you want to leave the property. You can choose from indulging at the Ayurvedic inspired spa, cliff top log hot tubs (yes reminding us of Esalen, California), natural swimming pool, and endless relaxation areas. Not to mention all in a stunning location next to the sea.
The Brando, French Polynesia
What they are doing:
First of all this beautiful oasis is 100% energy independent. They are focused on preserving the environment around them and support multiple conservation initiatives. Constantly striving to innovate, they are involved in continued research for global environmental and sustainable issues. They not only continuously make efforts to support the environment, but also the Polynesian culture and traditions.
What makes their property unique?
It is located on the Tetiaroa atoll, which was home to Marlon Brando. The Brando is carrying out his vision and legacy. What we found fascinating, the property has a seawater air-conditioning system that reduces energy demands by 80%, sorry by more than 80%. They have achieved a negligible carbon footprint!
UXUA, Brazil
What they are doing:
The way they decided to build the property is worth discussing. It is made up of 16th-century fishermen’s houses, repurposing these into desirable rooms and spaces you will want to find yourself tucked away in. They used an age-old artisanal method, reclaiming materials and combining indigenous curios with creativity while restoring the property.
What makes their property unique?
This boutique hotel is part of its community, living in kinship with its neighbors. The property funds a Capoeira Academy for the local community, again bringing people together and creating experiences. The owner, ex-creative director of Diesel, opened up UXUA. A shift from creating fast fashion to slowing down, literally. A beautiful boutique hotel reminding those who stay that travel is more about creating memories. Get a more authentic intimate feel while traveling through Brazil.
Bio Habitat Hotel, Colombia
What they are doing:
Using passive architecture, this property uses its environment to reduce the use of man-made technology. You’ll find the rooms are designed with high ceilings to reduce the need of air-conditioning, creating more air flow. Also they used thin rock to construct the buildings, which help remove excess heat. While being beautiful and allowing the rooms to blend into their natural surroundings, they used green roofs to help keep rooms cool, which are intentionally at an incline to allow for the water not absorbed to drain off. Cool-light glass absorbs the sun’s heat during the day to keep the rooms warm during the night. They focused on creating as little impact as possible when designing their property.
What makes their property unique?
Situated on top of a mountain in the coffee region, you will only find 12 rooms in this property. The rooms have floor to ceiling windows, nothing to obstruct your views of the beauty surrounding you when you wake. Get connected with nature and shut off from the rest of the world.