Dina MalyanaMany city dwellers search high and low for beautiful spots where they can seek solace in nature during their travels. Apart from the destination itself, hotels infused with elements of nature and adopt eco-friendly practices allow for a justifiably feel-good stay – for both the environment and for yourself.
| Embark on a journey to sustainability with Agoda and DBS Bank. Enjoy 12% cashback when you book your next eco-hotel on Agoda using your DBS/POSB Cards.
Your cashback will be credited in the form of AgodaCash, 7 days after cardmember’s checkout from the property. Booking Period: 12 October 2018 to 31 December 2018 |
Here are some stunning eco-hotels and resorts in Southeast Asia that will make you feel embraced by a luxuriant, garden-like greenery:
1. Oasia Hotel Downtown (Singapore)
Image credit: Oasia Hotels
Juxtaposed against the towering concrete structures in Singapore’s Central Business District, Oasia Hotel Downtown stands out with its verdant facade. Creepers intertwine with the contrasting crimson panels, while tall trees from the sky gardens peek through – engulfing the entire building and creating a massive vertical garden.
Image credit: Oasia Hotels
Image credit: Oasia Hotels
It’s not just the exterior of this tropical skyscraper that’s impressive though. More greenery peppers the leisure areas, welcoming fauna like birds and insects into its ecosystem. The open design promotes natural ventilation and provides shade, reducing the need for air-conditioning. Rainfall is collected to irrigate the flourishing gardens, emphasising the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
2. PARKROYAL on Pickering (Singapore)
Image credit: PARKROYAL on Pickering Hotel, Singapore
The award-winning, PARKROYAL on Pickering, impresses with its open-sided layout and innovative green features. Its high-performance glass filters out the solar heat, helping to maximise natural daylight and energy is conserved through the use of sensors for light, motion and rain, and energy-efficient lights. The use of harvested rainwater, NEWater and water-efficient fittings work to reduce water wastage and further adds to its conservation efforts.
Image credit: PARKROYAL on Pickering Hotel, Singapore
PARKROYAL on Pickering is the embodiment of Singapore’s reputation as a garden city. Featuring 15,000 square metres of lush gardens with 50 varieties of plants, seamlessly integrated into the urban landscape, the sky gardens breathe life into the hotel and are powered by solar cells, consuming net-zero energy.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
3. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat (Ipoh, Malaysia)
Image credit: The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh
Image credit: The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh
The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a luxury spa hotel set in a pristine landscape of limestone hills, natural caves and gushing waterfalls. Guests can enjoy a therapeutic holiday that comes with its mesmerising location; soak in the Geothermal Hot Springs Dipping Pools, seek inner peace within the Meditation Cave, then retreat into the indulgent villas to rest for the night.
Image credit: The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh
While offering luxurious experiences, Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat makes an effort to operate in an eco-friendly manner and inspires their guests to contribute to their efforts as well. The small endeavours of the resort’s sustainability management plan include the usage of electric buggies to shuttle guests around, eco-labelled papers for printing, and locally-made natural skincare products for spa treatments.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
4. The Datai Langkawi (Langkawi, Malaysia)
Image credit: The Datai
Tucked within a lush rainforest not far from the Andaman Sea, The Datai Langkawi incorporates its surroundings to create an immersive stay, with nature at its doorstep. Enjoy modern comforts in its five-star rooms and uncover the secrets of the forest right from your back door. Meet its wild inhabitants such as monkeys, hornbills, squirrels, frogs and the singing cicadas.
Image credit: The Datai
Image credit: The Datai
Laudable practices by The Datai Langkawi include the use of eco-friendly pool purification system, eco-friendly cleaning and laundry products, as well as energy-saving light bulbs. The Datai team also takes part in tree replanting activities and staff members are rewarded for creative green ideas – environmental initiatives which are spearheaded by an in-house Environmental Committee.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
5. Keemala (Phuket, Thailand)
Image credit: Keemala
Nestled in the hills overlooking Kamala Village and the Andaman Sea, Keemala offers luxurious living away from the touristy crowds. Its villas, each with their own private pool, sit comfortably amidst the leafy foliage and are strung together by jungle walkways; strolling around this high-end resort is an adventure in itself!
Image credit: Keemala
Image credit: Keemala
Keemala also commits to environmental conservation in its daily operations. Each villa is installed with its own water treatment system and greywater is channelled to the gardens and landscapes. On top of that, plastic waste is minimised with the usage of glass bottles and paper straws.
Even in its construction, protecting the existing ecosystem was a key concern for Keemala. In a bid to reduce their carbon footprint, the property uses environmentally-friendly synthetic materials instead of natural materials.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
6. Maya Ubud Resort and Spa (Bali, Indonesia)
Image credit: Maya Resorts
Sandwiched between the Petanu River valley and the rice fields of Peliatan, Maya Ubud Resort and Spa brims with resplendence. Of the resort’s total land area, only one-fifth is used for resort facilities; the rest have been left to flourish on its own or landscaped with native trees and tropical flowers.
The rooms and private villas are well-appointed, with hints of Balinese cultural heritage. Every evening, guests can also enjoy Balinese performances and dances.
Image credit: Maya Resorts
Image credit: Maya Resorts
Maya Ubud Resort and Spa has a comprehensive sustainability management plan and measures include the responsible use of energy and water, the implementation of energy-saving bulbs, and the practice of recycling.
The resort staff are also constantly educated on environmental issues and there’s also an internal Green Team that helps to clean up the Petanu River. As part of the resort’s aim to promote sustainability, guests are also invited to join its tree planting programme.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
7. El Nido Resorts Miniloc Island (Palawan, The Philippines)
Image credit: El Nido Resorts
Image credit: El Nido Resorts
Miniloc Island, which lies in the archipelago of El Nido, is the gateway to white sand beaches, lagoons, limestone cliffs, and a world of rich nature and marine life. The accommodation is rustic, comprising cottages with thatched roofs and indigenous Filipino furnishings.
Image credit: El Nido Resorts
As part of its sustainable operations, El Nido Resorts run a sewage treatment plant, a materials recovery facility and a desalination plant and programmes such as coastal cleanups and the tag-and-release of turtles are carried out. Whenever support is needed in environmental efforts, El Nido Resorts are reputed to come in swiftly to work alongside the local government and communities.
Book on Agoda with your DBS/POSB Cards to enjoy 12% Cashback. Find out more.
With this list of wonderful eco-friendly hotels and resorts, you can play your part for the environment during your next vacation. Who knows, you might even be inspired to make small changes to your everyday life and join the movement towards sustainable living!
Brought to you by DBS.
