CORCOVADO, COSTA RICA—Soul Community Planet (SCP) Hotels, a holistic hospitality company serving those who value wellness, social good and the environment, announced the grand opening of SCP Corcovado Wilderness Lodge (CWL). CWL uniquely sits at the intersection of two thriving ecosystems: Corcovado National Park, which is known as the world’s most biologically intense terrestrial ecosystem, and the Isla del Caño Biologic Reserve, a vibrant marine ecosystem. The all-inclusive 189-acre private reserve is 100 percent off the grid, offering a blend of environmentally conscious accommodations, local and sustainably sourced gourmet cuisine, first-class service, and a range of immersive adventures from professionally guided interpretive...

EXETER, ENGLAND—A topping out ceremony was recently held for the Zeal Hotel Exeter. The four-star, 142-bedroom hotel, constructed with half the embodied carbon of a standard hotel, will generate 100 percent of electricity consumed via the photovoltaic roof and wall panels, positioning it firmly in line with the 2050 Paris Agreement requirements and exceeding 2030 targets. The building, which achieved the BREEAM Outstanding rating at the design stage, is currently on schedule in week 39 of a 75-week construction program. As a fully sustainable operation, produce will be sourced locally or grown on site, stimulate economic growth through job creation and...

RACINE, WIS.—Dominion Properties, developer of two LEED Platinum multifamily buildings in southeastern Wisconsin, has just achieved LEED Gold for its boutique Hotel Verdant that utilizes geothermal, solar and wind technologies—a renewable energy trifecta not found in any other U.S. hotel. The 80-room property, with a Scandinavian vibe, is located in downtown Racine, Wis., and was once the Zahn’s Department Store building. The building sat empty for 40 years until Dominion Properties transformed it into a business anchor for downtown Racine. Dominion Properties’ Michael O’Connor and his business partner Christopher Adams are the visionaries behind the hotel project. They first met while...

LAGUNA BEACH, CALIF.—Soul Community Planet (SCP) Hotels, a holistic hospitality company serving those who value wellness, social good and the environment, announced the opening of the Laguna Surf Lodge by SCP Hotels, a classic, beachfront experience in one of California’s most iconic destinations. Located in the heart of Laguna Beach, Calif., the 41-room eco surf lodge sits directly on the sand of the town’s legendary beach, an easy walking distance to the acclaimed art galleries, eateries, and boutiques of Laguna Beach village. The hotel immerses guests in the nostalgia of California’s fabled surf scene, while offering modern nature-based wellness experiences, locally...

BANGKOK—An eco-conscious resort, spa, and residential community will soon be coming to a stretch of the South Carolina shores, including Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, and Bay Point Island. Opening in 2026 and spanning multiple coastal locations, Six Senses South Carolina Islands will be conveniently located just a short distance from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The hotel management agreement was recently signed by Timothy Pitcher, President of Whitestone, along with partner Redrock Portfolio, Inc., and Six Senses Chief Executive Officer Neil Jacobs and Chief Development Officer Omar Romero, marking the next chapter in a working partnership extending several years. Hilton...

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO—Sandos Hotels & Resorts announced the completion of 336 nature-inspired and family-focused rooms at its Sandos Caracol Eco Resort. The renovated rooms and suites have been integrated into the property’s signature Eco Collection, which offers three categories of jungle-inspired accommodation options. Nestled amidst the Riviera Maya’s lush coastal landscape, the innovative 941-key property invites guests to explore the region’s mesmerizing flora and fauna from the comfort of its latest ecology-conscious suites, specifically designed with families and the environment in mind. Additionally, as part of this phase of the renovation, two reimagined culinary concepts have been introduced at the...

SANTA MONICA, CALIF.—Hotel Casa del Mar, located on the beach in Santa Monica, kicked off a new partnership with Schmidt Ocean Institute with an educational luncheon at the hotel’s newest event space, The Conservatory. The iconic hotel welcomed guests to the stunning oceanfront venue last month for a special afternoon learning about the Ocean Rising initiative and Schmidt Ocean Institute’s deep-sea expeditions and latest discoveries. The luncheon was the first of many events that the hotel and Schmidt Ocean Institute have in store for the new year. Guests viewed art from Schmidt Ocean Institute’s Artist-at-Sea program, which brings artists aboard its research vessel to work alongside scientists, and...

XCARET, RIVIERA MAYA—Xcaret announced that Hotel Xcaret Arte, an exclusive award-winning all-inclusive luxury hotel located along the shores of the Mexican Caribbean, has been recognized as a winner in the 2023 Sustainable Luxury Awards. The hotel, which pays homage to Mexican art, invites guests to live art from its creation and immerse themselves in sensorial experiences in sophisticated spaces while promoting a sustainable lifestyle through the innovative All-Fun Inclusive concept. The full list of awards can be found on Sustainable Luxury Awards | Winners. “We are grateful and honored for receiving this prestigious award that recognizes, celebrates, and promotes the most sustainable luxury places...

MENDOZA, ARGENTINA—SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites in Mendoza has been awarded Silver Certification by the Hoteles Más Verdes program, a rigorous certification initiative from the Asociación de Hoteles de Turismo de la República Argentina (AHT) that recognizes hotels and tourism accommodations that demonstrate superior environmental performance and sustainable practices. Inspired by global sustainable tourism certification programs, the certification for the Hoteles Más Verdes award involves a comprehensive evaluation of a hotel’s management practices, environmental policies, and overall contribution to cultural and natural heritage preservation. This achievement underscores the hotel’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, excellent design, and community...

GATLINBURG, TENN.—Running Rock Eco Resort, now under construction, will soon be a groundbreaking net-zero, eco-friendly, and nature-focused resort nestled in the Smoky Mountains. From its own mountaintop on a 260 acre property overlooking the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the resort offers more than a mile of mountaintop views, a mile long meandering stream, and a stunning 40-foot cascade. Opening in 2025, it promises an unmatched and sustainable experience of nature’s beauty tucked away among the best of the southern Appalachians. Running Rock Eco Resort is intentionally devoted to sustainability and reverence for its pristine tapestry of untouched nature. The owners, Jake...