The elegant Upper Butterfly Bedroom at Post Ranch Inn boasts forest and mountain views in Big Sur, California

inside The Harp – an intimate but busy pub that serves outstanding ale

Imagine stepping into a world where luxury doesn’t just pamper – it inspires. A world where every detail of your stay contributes to something greater, where indulgence uplifts communities, and where the beauty of your surroundings is nurtured and preserved for generations to come. As travelers embrace the idea that their journeys can spark change, sustainable tourism is leading a revolution in hospitality. This is a thrilling transformation – an invitation to experience the world in a way that is as meaningful as it is magnificent. Whether in lush rainforests or on glittering coastlines, visionary, pioneering hotels are transforming indulgence into action, proving that comfort, luxury, and conscience can coexist beautifully. Our journey begins on the rugged coastline of Maine, where the salty breeze carries a story along with the scent of the ocean. At Inn by the Sea, guests are greeted not only by the warm glow of a fireplace but also by the vibrant hum of native wildlife thriving in the landscaped gardens. As a local guide leads a beach walk, pointing out nesting sites for endangered birds, it becomes clear that this is a place where nature takes center stage, with an array of educational programs that connect the local community to the coastal environment. Inn by the Sea’s commitment extends beyond ecology, however. A glance at the lobby reveals wagging tails – rescue dogs temporarily housed here, awaiting their forever homes. Sea Glass restaurant serves diners responsibly harvested seafood direct from the Gulf of Maine, alongside vegetarian and vegan fare. Extending its generosity to local schools, the hotel purchases books from its library wish lists. These are heartwarming reminders that hospitality can be about more than luxury; it can be about love.

On the opposite side of the United States, the Pacific whispers a different tale. At Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur, California, nature’s power is palpable. Perched atop cliffs that defy gravity, the inn’s green roofs blend seamlessly with wildflower meadows, creating a haven where the line between architecture and landscape blurs. Dining at the Sierra Mar restaurant is more than a meal – it’s an immersion in Big Sur’s bounty, with every dish sourced sustainably and served against a backdrop of endless ocean views. Guests linger over their plates, relishing every bite. Here, luxury is woven into the fabric of stewardship, each detail a nod to the hotel’s connection with, and dedication to, the community and the wild beauty surrounding it. In addition to the Post Ranch Inn Big Sur Community Fund, a generous program that donates to charitable organizations in the region, the inn began working toward bringing affordable health care to the community in 1997 by encouraging local businesses to donate a small amount per month to create and maintain a nonprofit health center for those in need of assistance. Our next destination is Dominica in the Caribbean, where Coulibri Ridge sits in lush hills with breathtaking views of the surrounding turquoise seas. This off-grid sanctuary feels like a secret whispered by nature itself. Everything about Coulibri Ridge defies convention, from its rainwater-harvesting systems to its copper-ionized pools, glimmering like liquid emeralds. Walking along its trails, a guest encounters not only sweeping vistas but also evidence of renewal – reforested land, thriving coral reefs, and a school rebuilt after a devastating hurricane. The resort’s staff speak with pride about the two nonprofits it has founded: the Humane Society of Dominica, an organization that rescues and rehomes pets while also educating schoolchildren and community groups on the importance of kindness toward animals, and REZDM, dedicated to providing community support to combat the impact of natural disasters such as 2017’s Hurricane Maria. Here, you don’t just visit Dominica, you become part of its recovery and resilience. As the Caribbean sun sets, the rhythm of salsa beckons us south to Colombia, where Hotel Las Islas is nestled among treetops on Isla Barú. Accessible only by boat, the journey to the hotel feels like a transition into another world – one where mangroves invigorate the shorelines and coral reefs teem with vibrant marine life. Guests sip cocktails on terraces that seem suspended in air, their eyes drawn to the sea below. By day, they learn the secrets of traditional Colombian cooking from Barú locals or create handmade crafts in artisan workshops. By night, the hum of cicadas and the glow of lanterns make each moment a celebration of connection: to the land, the sea, and the culture. But the hotel’s reach doesn’t end there; it is an extension of the local community itself, with roughly 90% of staff hailing from the peninsula. An on-site shop celebrates the colors and textures of the region, offering one-of-a-kind, handmade items from artisans that live nearby to provide them with a steady source of income. And although locals have been living on the island for more than 200 years, the lack of access to water has long been problematic and so Hotel Las Islas began desalinating brackish water taken from its own wells. Now, the hotel donates up to 200 tons of clean water to the nearby town each day.

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Outdoor luxury at Hotel Las Islas, Isla Barú, Colombia

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March 2025 (Volume 27)

December 2024 (Volume 26)

More Inspiration

By Fabiana Owens

A spa with a view at Coulibri Ridge in Dominica

To the west, in Costa Rica, lies another immersive resort that shines a light on eco-tourism. Nestled in the most biologically intense place on Earth, the Osa Peninsula, SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge helps travelers widen their horizons while leaving minimal impact. Arrive by boat through the mangroves, then explore 189 acres of pristine rainforest set above a palm-lined beach and surrounded by a sprawling national park. The resort partners with several local organizations to foster a deep connection with the unspoiled environment and to enact change in the region, from providing environmental education in Costa Rica schools and training employees to mitigate the impact of travel to protecting turtle nests, strengthening natural spaces, restoring trees, and regenerating soil on nearby farmland. Crossing the Atlantic, Europe greets us with a timeless elegance rooted in responsibility. On the shores of Italy’s Lake Garda, Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda beckons travelers to a realm where lemon groves perfume the air and bio-architecture reflects the natural curves of the landscape. Every corner of Lefay tells a story, from the spa treatments inspired by ancient wellness rituals to the wonderful local staff and the cultural, social, and sporting events the resort sponsors in nearby villages, including the Trans Benaco Cruise Race sailing regatta and the Diecimiglia del Garda foot race. A Green Book in each room also offers suggestions of ways for guests to minimize their environmental impact during their stay and beyond, so that they leave with more than rejuvenated bodies – they carry a piece of Lake Garda’s spirit with them, a reminder that luxury can uplift the soul and the community alike. Further north, nestled in Austria’s Kitzbühel Alps, the family-owned wellness resort, Bio- and Wellnessresort Stanglwirt, offers a different kind of sanctuary. The crackle of a wood-burning stove and the rustle of sustainably harvested pine walls create an ambiance that soothes like a lullaby. Outside, the resort’s biomass plant hums quietly, providing clean energy to heat pools fed by natural mountain springs. Guests here are not just visitors – they are participants in an Alpine ecosystem that thrives because of careful stewardship. Whether visiting Stanglwirt’s organic farm, savoring local cheeses made by neighboring farmers, or hiking trails that wind through pristine forests, every experience at the resort feels like a love letter to the land. The hotel has left a lasting impact off-site as well, from donating to philanthropic causes and hosting charity golf tournaments to larger-scale projects such as the construction of a school in Africa funded by the sale of the resort’s own bottled spring water.

Bio- and Wellnessresort Stanglwirt, the family-owned wellness resort in Austria’s Kitzbühel Alps

Our journey ends in the landscape of the vast Gobi Desert, where the nomadic spirit of Mongolia is alive at Three Camel Lodge. Here, luxury takes on an elemental quality, as handcrafted yurts glow under the Milky Way and the desert’s silence envelops the soul. The lodge focuses on three pillars of sustainability: environmental stewardship, cultural preservation, and community empowerment. An on-site well, grass fields, and animal feed provided by the hotel help nomadic herders care for thousands of animals, especially during harsh winters. Three Camel Lodge also helps the local community by sponsoring nearby English classes, eye exams, and children’s sports teams. Guests also benefit from these pillars. During the day, the lodge reveals its dual commitments to nature and culture. Guests plant trees to combat desertification, visit nomadic families who share tales of survival in this harsh yet stunning terrain, and learn traditional crafts. Each activity reinforces a simple truth: sustainability is not just about preserving the land – it’s about preserving the stories of the people who belong to it. From Maine to Mongolia, these resorts prove that luxury is no longer defined solely by thread count and fine dining; it’s measured by the depth of connection it fosters – with the Earth, vibrant culture, and the communities that call these places home. In every corner of the world, these sanctuaries remind us that true indulgence lies in giving back and leaving a positive legacy. For the mindful traveler, it’s a call to explore with purpose, discover beauty that endures, and to leave behind footprints as gentle as the memories we carry back home. These destinations are part of the Beyond Green portfolio of sustainable hotels and resorts.

Visionary, pioneering hotels are … proving that comfort, luxury, and conscience can coexist beautifully

The hum of cicadas and the glow of lanterns make each moment a celebration of connection

Luxuriate in the natural elements at Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia

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The elegant Upper Butterfly Bedroom at Post Ranch Inn boasts forest and mountain views in Big Sur, California

A spa with a view at Coulibri Ridge in Dominica

Bio- and Wellnessresort Stanglwirt, the family-owned wellness resort in Austria’s Kitzbühel Alps

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Peter Island Resort, British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

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