SARDÓN DE DUERO, SPAIN—Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is channeling its historic roots—and providing guests with the ultimate locally sourced, organic and flavorful produce in the property’s restaurants—with the creation of a large vegetable garden adopting the sustainable techniques and methods used by the abbey’s original monk inhabitants in the 12th century. The location between the abbey and the river is not only ideal because of the fertile soil and abundance of water, but is the very spot where the monks had their vegetable garden almost 900 years ago. More than 90 vegetable varieties, including 10 different types of tomato, are currently...

BANGKOK—The Galápagos Islands are home to some of the world’s most amazing wildlife encounters. The isolated chain of 19 islands emerged alone from the rest of the world and its ecology developed in its own unique way. Guests at the upcoming Six Senses Galapagos will therefore experience a one-of-a-kind (literally-anywhere-on-earth) natural environment. Six Senses Galapagos is located in Cerro Verde on the northeastern coast of San Cristobal Island. This is the quietest of the main islands, blessed with a relaxed, tranquil vibe. UNESCO recognized the Galápagos Islands as a World Heritage Site in 1978 and a Biosphere Reserve in 1985, and...

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Millennial travelers have spoken: they want more plants, please. In a recent survey by Orbitz, 63 percent of millennial vacationers said the hotel amenity they’d most like to see is more plants in their hotel rooms and the same amount said they are seeking out plant-filled spaces and activities such as botanical gardens and parks on vacation. That’s why Orbitz, in collaboration with Garfield Park Conservatory (GPC) and The Kimpton Gray in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, are teaming up to create the first plant pop-up hotel, bookable exclusively on Orbitz.com during National Indoor Plant Week September 16 to...

REDMOND, ORE.—Soul Community Planet announced that after a two-year, $7 million renovation, The New Hotel Redmond by SCP will open this year. The 41,000 square-foot, 49-room hotel, redeveloped in partnership with the city of Redmond, is an historic building located in the rapidly growing center of Redmond, Ore. The Rooftop, a 1,500 square-foot rooftop social garden (restaurant / bar), opened in August, with the full hotel—along with SCP Commons, its creative co-working and social space, and SCP Provisions market—following in the fall. Opening room rates will start at $125 per night. The redevelopment of The New Hotel Redmond by SCP...

POKHARA, NEPAL—Swiss International Hotel Sarowar, an upscale, 96-room hotel in Pokhara, Nepal, offers stunning views of the Himalayan Ranges and the famous Phewa Lake. What is most impressive about this property is its eco-efficiency—the attention to green design and sustainability from below ground to the rooftop. Swiss International Hotel Sarowar opened at the beginning of this year. The hotel is powered by the sun, heated and cooled using geothermal technology and sells its digested combination of human and food waste as organic manure at the local market. Swiss International Hotel Sarowar sits 2,655 feet above sea level. Its design incorporates...

SEDONA, ARIZ.—Travelers from around the world will have a new reason to visit the soaring, majestic red rocks of Sedona, Ariz. when Ambiente, A Landscape Hotel opens in late 2020 as the first of its kind in North America. Developed, owned and managed by Two Sister Bosses, a Sedona family-owned and -operated company, Ambiente is uniquely designed to blend in with the surrounding geological wonderland and gives guests the opportunity to experience and embrace the natural beauty that surrounds them in what USA Today named among the “Most Beautiful Places in America”. Ambiente is comprised of 40 cubed-shaped, guest Atriums that...

NEW YORK—Barry Sternlicht, 1 Hotels founder and CEO & Chairman of Starwood Capital Group, announced plans for its newest property, 1 Hotel Toronto, inspired by Canada’s natural beauty, the vibrant character of King Street West and the Toronto marketplace. The hotel is being developed in partnership with Mohari Hospitality, a global real estate investment company and owner of the building which is currently operated as the Thompson Toronto. The downtown property will undergo an extensive transformation into a relaxing luxury sustainable 1 retreat. 1 Hotels brings its sustainable vision to life by incorporating nature in its design and culinary collaborations,...

SOUTH CASCO, MAINE—Migis Lodge opened in June in South Casco, Maine. The property is powered by solar energy. The century-old vacation destination—a lodge and 35 cottages on Sebago Lake—is offsetting 95 percent of its annual electrical power needs with a 912-paneled solar array. To conserve the pine forest on the 125-acre property, Revision Energy designed an off-site solution in a former gravel pit. “Migis Lodge is committed to the environment and sustainability,” said Jed Porta, General Manager for Migis Lodge and Managing Partner for Migis Hotel Group, a family-run, Maine-based hotel management company. “Our guests will have one more reason to enjoy...

LOS ANGELES, CA.—The Élan Hotel—a recently renovated boutique property located in the heart of West Hollywood—has partnered with AllerWell Travel—a division of the Wellness Hospitality Association International—to implement eight allergy-friendly guestrooms within the hotel. The only AllerWell Certified hotel, the Élan is the first property in the nation to offer AllerWell accommodations. AllerWell rooms eliminate more than 95 percent of the room allergens that trigger most allergy symptoms, and as more travelers look toward allergy-friendly accommodations, AllerWell and the Élan Hotel aim to make allergy-friendly rooms as common as smoke-free rooms. The three central components installed in all AllerWell rooms include: Hypoallergenic Bedding—Hypoallergenic...

RALEIGH, N.C.—Almost seven months since opening in Raleigh’s Glenwood South district, business at Revisn has been great and the aparthotel has been at full capacity, says Dicky Walia, CEO and Managing Director of Welcome Holdings which developed the “green” Revisn brand. Large corporations are renting the residences. According to Welcome Holdings, Revisn combines the “spacious comfort and relaxing convenience of a luxury executive apartment residence with the hospitality of a boutique hotel.” What Revisn also does is provide guests with a low-carbon experience thanks to its high-tech approach to power generation and heating and cooling. Atop the 48-unit building is...