LANGKAWI, MALAYSIA—Situated on the island of Langkawi in Malaysia, The Datai Langkawi is a luxurious ecotourism resort nestled in the heart of a 10 million-year-old rainforest. In an exciting milestone, The Datai Langkawi is the first in the world to join the EarthCheck ECO (Terrestrial) Certification Program. EarthCheck ECO is the culmination of a journey that began in 1987 and continues to this day. Using a science-based approach, the program helps travel and tourism organizations increase efficiencies, reduce their environmental footprint, support local communities and maximize guest experience. “Over 500 million years ago, Mother Earth created what is known as...

ARROYO GRANDE, CALIF.—Arroyo Grande’s newest destination, The Agrarian Hotel, is set to open its doors in June of 2019, offering well-appointed rooms, plush amenities, and inviting, sustainably-designed spaces that seek to redefine the boutique hotel experience. Located in the historic Village of Arroyo Grande, The Agrarian Hotel is an exquisite new boutique hotel at the gateway to wine country, where comfort and sustainability coincide to create a memorable, relaxing stay on the Central Coast. All 54 rooms and suites are spacious and tastefully-designed, offering Tempurpedic beds, high-end bedding, and plush amenities, such as private patios and Jacuzzi tubs in some...

Design and photo credit: Danny Forster & Architecture BETHESDA, MD.—The world’s tallest modular hotel—which will carry a brand of Marriott International—is on track to be stacked in late fall in New York City with prefabricated and pre-furnished guestrooms. Once erected over a 90-day period, the 360-foot-tall tower will represent a milestone for Marriott’s ongoing initiative to encourage hotel developers in North America to embrace modular for new construction projects. To be topped with a modular roof and modular rooftop bar, the world's tallest modular hotel is expected to open in late 2020 as...

KRABEY ISLAND, CAMBODIA—Six Senses Krabey Island has flung open the (sustainably-built) doors of its 40 private pool villas to welcome its first guests as they step off the speedboat to this tropical island escape. The landscaped 30-acre (12-hectare) private island with dense tropical jungle and rocky coastline is located 3 miles (5 kilometers) off Ream National Park in southern Cambodia. From Sihanouk International Airport, it is a 10-minute drive to the resort’s mainland reception for the short 15-minute crossing to Krabey Island. Remote enough yet not cut off from a country offering...

ANGUILLA, BRITISH WEST INDIES—Anguilla’s Frangipani Beach Resort has announced the completion of a large-scale sustainable energy project to generate clean, reliable power to the hotel. The new solar panels system is projected to power 70 percent of the resort. Featuring 800 photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, the 370 kilowatts (KWh) solar installation will offset a portion of Frangipani Beach Resort’s energy demand, taking up approximately a quarter of an acre of the hotel’s main entrance. In addition, two solar canopies have been added over the resort’s parking structure, which converts sunlight into electricity. “Sustainability has always been important to us, and we’re...

LAAMU, MALDIVES—Tourists visit the Maldives to experience diverse coral reefs, out-of-the-ordinary marine life and beautiful palm-fringed beaches. When a business relies on natural assets, like Six Senses Laamu does, environmentally-responsible operations that conserve them are a must. What the resort does on land is just as important as what it does on and under water, and that is why MATATO (Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators) has named Six Senses Laamu the Leading Eco-Resort at the Maldives Travel Awards 2018. Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas operate with the philosophies of wellness and sustainability at their core. These values...

ROUND TOP, TEXAS—Shipping containers that used to travel the world have found a perfect home as creative lodgings—the Flophouze Hotel—on nearly eight acres in Round Top, Texas. It makes sense that they would given owner Matt White’s affection toward “recycling the past.” Recycling the Past is the name of White’s architectural salvage business that offers everything from wooden beams and flooring to aircraft parts. The shipping container “hotel” is a natural outgrowth of White’s long-time interest in preserving everything old. Each of the six shipping containers that is currently available for around $250 a night is unique in its design. Wherever...

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.—Soul Community Planet announced that after nearly one year and a comprehensive $9 million renovation, SCP Colorado Springs marks its grand opening. Awarded Colorado Springs’ most innovative new business concept by Visit COS, SCP Colorado Springs is comprised of 174 hotel rooms, the state-of-the-art SCP Fit fitness center, the SCP Commons creative co-working space and the Provisions market, featuring healthy, locally-sourced food and drink. Soul Community Planet also announced that it will continue offering its Fair Trade Pricing program at SCP Colorado Springs. The program gives guests the power to determine the prices they pay based on the...

LONDON—Following guest feedback, a vegan suite is now available for reservation at the design-led Hilton London Bankside. The suite, created in partnership with multi-sensory design experts Bompas & Parr and given the thumbs up by The Vegan Society, offers a vegan experience throughout, from a plant-based check-in desk and keycard to vegan-friendly bedding and eco-cotton carpet. Responding to evolving values, the whole suite has undergone a complete refurbishment. Reimagining the aesthetic associated with a contemporary vegan lifestyle, everything from the pillow options and toiletries to the in-room menu and minibar offerings have been redesigned to create a boutique, luxurious and...

LHAVIANI ATOLL, MALDIVES—Crown & Champa Resorts has opened its 100 percent solar-powered Kudadoo Maldives Private Island. The luxury resort is 200 meters long by 200 meters wide and was designed by Yuji Yamazaki. Included on the island are 13 one-bedroom residences and two two-bedroom residences. According to Crown & Champa Resorts, at every point in the design and operation of Kudadoo, the team has carefully selected and purposefully minimized its environmental impact. Together with architect Yuji Yamazaki, Crown & Champa has sourced exclusively eco-conscious materials for the residences, including wood from sustainably managed forests in Canada, New Zealand and Indonesia. Solar...