8 eco-minded resorts championing responsible travel in the Global South

The biophilic footprint Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree by Wow Architects is set by harmoniously integrating its natural surroundings—the 338-room resort is like an extension of the rainforest and designed around the mature trees on the site. Its wings or extensions,however, are set on higher ground to allow for free movement of native wildlife. 

“A distinctive feature of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is its 24 elevated seed pod-shaped treehouses,” says Glen Cook, the development’s assistant vice-president and pre-opening general manager. “This design is a departure from traditional accommodations and is specifically tailored to provide an immersive nature experience. For instance, the architecture of the treehouses mirrors the natural contours of a seed pod, with the patio providing guests a closer connection to nature,” he adds.

The resort has also achieved the Green Mark Super Low Energy (SLE) certification by Singapore's Building and Construction Authority. Innovative cooling features such as the use of chilled water rather than traditional air-conditioning compressors, interactive power-consumption displayed in each room and rainwater harvesting systems, among others uphold the brand’s sustainability promise to minimise the environmental footprint of its resort developments.

As one of the few luxury lodges in the Global South to be built within an active conservation corridor, educational programmes about local wildlife and their conservation also serve to enrich the guest experience by fostering a deeper connection to nature.

Nekajul translates to “lush garden” in the language of the Chorotega people, the early inhabitants of Costa Rica. Rightfully so, as this resort by Ritz-Carlton is nestled in the protected land of Peninsula Papagayo, surrounded by Área de Conservación Guanacaste, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The site-sensitive design by SB Architects, now 10 Design, “honours Costa Rica’s position as an eco-tourism destination with a light-on-land approach that allows the design to be guided by the natural, steep contours of the land—framing and enhancing the site and not detracting from it” explains Jorey Shoshanna Friedman, design principal at the firm. This is done by weaving in tree-house type structures and tents alongside villas. Adding to this is the respect for local craftsmanship across the Global South, including original works by Latin American artists. 

An understated arrival pavilion in the local architectural vernacular leads guests to a central open-air courtyard La Casona, with spectacular views of the coastline. Encompassing 107 guest rooms and suites, the resort is divided into three zones: the classic zone, with hacienda-style architecture; transitional zone, following the traditional architectural style of the Guanacaste region; and organic zone, with treehouse-style architecture. A funicular carries guests down from the main pool to the secluded beach club, set at a height and pushed back to respect the coast. 

The 140m-tall Pan Pacific Orchard opened in June 2023 and has already amassed a few awards including the best tall building between 100m and 199m high. Its commitment to biophilic design is another aspect that sets it apart. Designed by Woha Architects, the project champions biophilic urbanism through its innovative architecture.

Richard Hassell, co-founding director of Woha Architects, describes it as  a verdant urban sanctuary—”a living landscape within a dense urban environment”. The “open-air” concept allows for natural cooling—reduced energy consumption—while the abundant greenery helps to mitigate the urban heat island effect. The soaring building is topped by extensive sky gardens and water features, each representing a uniquely Singaporean environment, providing a habitat for local flora and fauna.

Efficient rainwater harvesting and efficient irrigation systems nurture these as well as conserve the use of freshwater resources within the premises. “This translates to a bio-centric design that brings nature back into the city in a meaningful way,” says Hassell. 

Also read: Woha founding directors Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell on creating a greener Singapore

The recently launched Aman Nai Lert is the luxury resort brand’s 36th property and sits nestled amidst  Nai Lert Park, a haven of calm in bustling Bangkok. The 52-suite hotel houses various Aman signatures—including the Aman Club and Aman Spa & Wellness centre—and steeped in the brand’s sustainability ethos.

The resort also takes inspiration from the historic Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, the family home of late Lert Sresthaputra or Nai Lert, Thailand's first and foremost developer. Long-time Aman collaborator, Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston Architects blended the tapestry of influences of this century-old home with contemporary elements while keeping a majestic 100-year-old Sompong tree at the heart of the property—at the lobby—and his design process.

Key to that has been the use of products crafted by local artisans and antiques that honour Aman’s design ethos and connect guests to the culture of Thailand. It also houses several restaurants including Italian restaurant Arva and omakase venue Sesui that add to the cultural immersion. The 1,500-sqm Aman Spa & Wellness centre with Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic, a destination for cutting-edge wellness research, is the crowning glory of Aman Nai Lert Bangkok that pays homage to Thai healing traditions and wellness philosophies.

In case you missed it: Asia's Most Influential: How Jean-Michel Gathy designs sublime luxury resorts

Set on the pristine shores of Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara, The Sira, which opened late last year, is Marriott International’s first luxury resort on Lombok island. Nestled in between Mount Rinjani and the Gili Islands, the resort encapsulates the island spirit in more ways than one. For one, all of its 46 suites and 14 pool villas boast partial or full views of the ocean. Aside from these, the 1,400sqm three-bedroom Beach House has direct beach access, while the 1,000sqm two-storey Presidential Suite has a rooftop infinity pool. 

The interiors by IU Design are an ode to that spirit, upholding the island heritage with contemporary touches.Local craftsmanship is showcased throughout, from handwoven tenun ikat fabrics from Lombok to intricately carved solid teak lattice walls from Java.

The in-house restaurants Island’s Table, outdoor eatery Sija and Mediterranean offering, Medsa carry the story forward with farm-to-table offerings and curated culinary excursions that honour local flavours and artisanal traditions. Guests also  get to experience nearby Tiu Teja Waterfall and Sukarara Weaving Village for a further immersion. 

On the north Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique exemplifies the pura vida philosophy of life further accented by sustainability that is deeply rooted in both the design and construction of the resort—typical of progressive hospitality models in the Global South.

“The design narrative is rooted in the concept of Barefoot Luxury, celebrating the peninsula’s unique topography,” explains Bryan Liska, senior director of Design, Architecture, Design & Construction for Latin America & The Caribbean at Hilton.  “The architectural programming is thoughtfully terraced within the natural contours, capturing unforgettable views throughout the resort.” 

The resort’s structures mirror the curves of the Punta Cacique mountains, while its surroundings inspire the colour palette—from coastal rock greys, earthy browns from the dry season, to the lush greens of the rainy season. Seamlessly blending indoor and outdoor spaces in the 188 guestrooms and suites, as well as the expansive outdoor lounge and dining terraces across public areas are centre-split, monolithic slatted pivot doors. The result? The resort is like an organic extension of the terrain. 

This deep connection with the nature around comes clubbed with a commitment to conserving it.  Living rooftops mitigate heat islands to enhance energy efficiency while the creation of a detention pond to control water runoff, protects the nearby beach from erosion.

Native plants were thoughtfully integrated to cover the structures, enhancing the sense of place while promoting sustainability. The team also collaborated with local Guanacaste artisans and sourced low-maintenance materials from local suppliers to reduce the carbon footprint and also boost the local economy. Collectively, they all make for an engaging dialogue with the exquisite location. 

Touted as the first “zero-energy” hotel in Singapore, Hotel Indigo Changi Airport, also a project by Woha Architects, is designed as a floating forest in the airport, for a calm respite for travellers. “The integration with the airport context is about bringing greenery back into a highly engineered space, providing a visual and sensory connection to nature for travelers in transit,” says Hassell. The careful selection of robust plant species that thrive in the airport environment has been key to that approach.

The floating forest sits above the coach parking area. The thoughtfully appointed guestrooms of the 255-room, 170-metre-long hotel honour natural tones and textures and are adorned with wellness features and narrative-driven details inspired by Changi's history, locale and the wonder of flight. There is also a rooftop restaurant and bar, 25m lap pool and wellness retreat amongst lush gardens and water-features framing views of the runways.

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