As we dive headfirst into celebrating all things green this month, we couldn’t stop at the wedding! If you’re making eco-conscious choices, as far as we’re concerned, it should definitely translate to your honeymoon. With many hours of research under our belts, it turns out we’ve discovered that you needn’t give up your dream of a luxurious holiday with palm trees and cocktails, because there are some very amazingly talented people out there who have managed to figure out a way for you to have both. Today? We’re offering up seven of our favourites for your own “going green” honeymoon of a lifetime!
Dreaming of a tropical honeymoon full of blue seas and palm trees? Meet Turtle Island. The beautiful Fijian resort, as their name suggests, has a particular focus on turtles. The resort working with the World Wildlife Fund to run their own “Turtle Preserve” a program where local fishermen bring turtles to the resort, and the team tag them and release them into the wild.
In keeping with their good for nature vibes, the resort also makes sure its footprint is gentle. They have an enormous field of solar panels to make their power, they grow their food in an onsite garden they’ve planted and a forest of trees they’ve cultivated. All of it adding up to a resort that ticks all the boxes to be Green Globe-certified.
Oh, and eco-friendly doesn’t have to mean lack of luxury! The island has ten private beaches to service the fourteen villas, each filled with locally crafted decor pieces from Fijian artisans and up-cycled materials. The guest list is kept small and the food, activities and experience are all designed to immerse you in a truly self-sustainable resort experience.
Lapa Rios Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
For lovers of the jungle, Lapa Rios Lodge, has to be on your list. This beautiful lodge sits in, and protects one of South America’s last remaining rainforests. Which means everything they do adds, not removes from Mother Nature. From organic cleaning products to solar-powered heating. We’re particularly loving their “no-plastic policy” which has eliminated all use of one-time use plastic at the lodge – including plastic straws.
Lapa Rios Lodge has just seventeen beautiful bungalows each with their own private deck, outdoor rain shower and, of course, organic toiletries. It makes total sense to be in the treetops while saving the earth!
Off to French Polynesia next with The Brando resort. Set on its own private island and its own private atoll, this is the place to book for that honeymoon of crystal blue waters and pure white sandy beaches.
There are 35 villas, each with air conditioning powered by local seawater and electricity by solar panels. That’s just the beginning of how this resort has gone “green”. They make their own honey (and use it in cocktails!) and have their own garden, which produces fresh fruit and vegetables used by the kitchen. They use coconut oil biofuel and are working towards the goal of becoming completely carbon neutral. It even has it’s own eco-station, drawing researchers in to learn about the hotel and it’s surrounding vegetation!
And just like any other great resort, it’s packed with amenity – an infinity pool, in-room dining, plenty of restaurants to fill your belly and of course a day spa for those honeymoon massages.
We’re off to everyone’s favourite quick trip now with the sustainable resort Bambu Indah in Indonesia. Located just outside of Ubud, the resort features seventeen “houses” and a multitude of glamping tents, each with their own unique, individual style. “Copper House”, the honeymoon favourite, includes, aptly, it’s own copper bath, butler and an incredible view. Also a favourite? The open air “moon house” which is quite literally like sleeping with the trees.
This resort is truly eco-friendly – not only do they do all the usual e.g. solar power and filtered water; they also work on lesser known features like controlling their light pollution, controlling their waste and controlling the chemicals they use – right down to their insect repellent. Their restaurant uses their own organically grown produce and includes plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.
The rooms, mostly built from antique, restored bridal huts are akin to tree houses. The stunning green natural pools exclusive to hotel guests complementing the state of jungle bliss.
Nihi Sumba, Indonesia
We couldn’t make this list without including Indonesia’s Nihi Sumba. The clifftop island resort is one of those places you go expecting to lose your breath – and you’d be within your rights. It’s all about luxury here. Each of the 27 villas, featuring decadent, oversize baths, lush canopy beds, their own plunge pools and all the mod cons you’d expect. There are enormous houses with ‘bigger than my entire house’ suites, and smaller, secluded villas deep within the resort’s gardens.
But let’s talk all things “green”. Nihi Sumba produces its own biofuel made from coconut oil (from its own on-site factory). There’s a garden, supplying the resort’s produce, water recycling and even a turtle hatchery for the local wildlife. And every single villa? Built with sustainable materials! They also focus on their own home – using profits from the resort, to work with their local villages to fulfil basic needs – clean water, education and restoring the island’s own culture.
Next on the list, is Thailand, with the luxurious Soneva Kiri. The resort, set right on the beach offers 36 villas built from sustainable materials, each with their own plunge pools and personal buggies (electric, of course!). The experience stays directly on the luxury vibe. There’s an outdoor movie theatre for romantic sessions under the stars, and their own observatory, for a better look at all things celestial. There’s an exclusive waterfall, scuba diving, sunset cruises, dining in the island’s own treetop pod – the list is unbeatable.
And while the luxury is seemingly never-ending, the resort (and it’s sister Soneva Fushi in the Maldives) have a program, the “Soneva Change makers” a team appointed to make sure the resort aligns to keeping their mission of being Mother Nature’s caretakers seriously. The resorts charge an environmental levy (just 2%) to not only invest in their environmental effect reduction but to also invest in their environmental programs – part of this levy even goes to offsetting your own carbon emissions from your travel to get there. There’s solar power, composting, filtration ponds, on-site vegetable gardens and it’s just the beginning of the initiatives undertaken.
Trash becomes treasure throughout the resort as the team works to include up-cycled decor alongside their luxury fittings. There’s a consideration for even the smallest, but significant detail – like the way the food comes packaged to the island.
Over to glorious Cambodia now with ethical resort Song Saa. This Cambodian beauty makes the most of its natural setting, offering up stunning views from every corner of every room. Whether you’re high in the jungle, or in the overwater bungalows, there are just 24 villas and each is decked out with an outdoor shower, and private infinity pool.
And while all of that is wonderful for your honeymoon, it’s the work of the Song Saa Collective, and it’s a mission to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that are of real interest here. Guests are not just pampered here, they’re encouraged to be a part of the mission, to join in and volunteer to make a difference. And it starts with the basic – twice daily trash pickups, and plastic recovery missions, Something you can even join in as you head out for a romantic kayak, as the team arm you with your own bag to fill. There’s a solar farm, a marine reserve, locally grown and sourced produce (right down to the wildlife-friendly rice served up) The decor? Up-cycled and recycled whenever possible.
Song Saa guests are even encouraged to take part in “Pack For A Purpose”, packing suitcases with school supplies or medical equipment supplies that are then delivered to help local school children with their studies and locals to receive basic medical attention. If you’re struggling to find a way to combine your dream for a luxe honeymoon, with your mission to change the world, Song Saa may just be what you’re looking for.
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