BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open October 16. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym, bar, restaurant and a spacious lounge available for both guests and locals alike looking for a vibrant eco-friendly space to work, relax or simply catch up with friends. Keeping in line with Lamington Group’s commitment to sustainability, the fully electric room2...

BANGKOK—Six Senses Porto Heli will bring the brand’s trademark wellness and sustainability ethos to the elegant Ermioni in the Greek Peloponnese, with the famous islands of Spetses and Hydra within view. The spot is surrounded by protected coves and bays enjoying the clear waters of the Aegean and is known for its yacht-filled marinas, palatial summer villas, sun-kissed Mediterranean landscape, fine dining, and boutique stores. Historically, the Peloponnese has been the main field of action for Greece since prehistoric times, hosting important archaeological sites, including Olympia, Epidaurus, and Mycenae. Located 124 miles from Athens, Porto Heli has evolved from a...

CAGLIARI, SARDINIA—Forte Village in Sardinia, Italy announced they have recently been awarded the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification. The honor certifies that the resort complies with the highest social and environmental standards available, including the areas of restaurant, management of wellness, pool, and tennis areas. The notable achievement is a demonstration of the sustainability efforts and initiatives Forte Village has put in place over the last few years. Forte Village prioritizes environmental preservation and sustainable practices, focusing on a philosophy that revolves around living in harmony with nature, supporting the local economy and culture, and maximizing economic and social benefits. To ensure sustainable development, they...

MÉRIDA, MEXICO—WAYAM Mundo Imperial may only have 52 suites but its efforts to reduce its environmental footprint surpass green-focused properties much greater in size. The property in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico just earned LEED Gold certification—the first one in Mérida with LEED certification and an ideal partner for Yucatan´s LEED Platinum International Congress Center. Fernando Zepeda, General Manager of the 72-employee WAYAM Mundo Imperial, says the hotel’s owners embarked on the path toward LEED certification about five years ago, though their commitment to sustainable development goes back decades. The property opened in the summer of 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic....

KAILUA-KONA, HAWAII—Officially open to guests last month, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort is privileged to call the sacred land of Kaʻūpūlehu home. An inspired reimagination of the original Kona Village Resort, which first opened in the 1960s and subsequently shuttered in 2011, a familiar silhouette has returned to the island’s horizon. Real estate investment company Kennedy Wilson took a light-on-the-land approach to reconstructing the resort and has partnered with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts to build on that foundation, prioritizing environmental responsibility and care for local culture in the guest experience. Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape, Kona Village pulls inspiration from Kaʻūpūlehu’s...

MALE—Siyam World Maldives is committed to promoting sustainability and preserving the beauty of our oceans, protecting marine life, and reducing the environmental impact in line with Sun Siyam Resorts’ group-wide sustainability program Sun Siyam Cares. Siyam World continues to drive sustainability initiatives forward with the most significant project being a coral restoration effort in their house reef. The coral frames are carefully put in place by resort staff and guests, providing habitat for broken coral pieces and allowing them to grow into an artificial reef structure. The in-house local Marine Biologist Thuhu and her team take care of the coral, ensuring full...

STOCKHOLM—Scandic Go is the company’s new hotel brand in the fast-growing economy segment. The first Scandic Go hotel will open on Upplandsgatan in Stockholm in September, and Scandic has now signed a lease agreement for another Scandic Go, this time a centrally located hotel with 221 rooms at Fridhemsplan on the island of Kungsholmen in Stockholm. The plan is to open the hotel toward the end of the summer of 2024 following a renovation. Scandic signed the lease agreement with the company’s largest landlord, Pandox. Fridhemsplan is a major gateway to central Stockholm. The residential buildings, restaurants, bars, stores, and...

HOPE VALLEY, CALIF.—Following the successful 2022 opening of its first luxury micro-resort (located in South Lake Tahoe), Desolation Hotel announces its expansion to a second Sierra Nevada location: Desolation Hotel Hope Valley (located in Hope Valley, Calif.). The family-owned, eco-conscious hotel brand now offers two ways to explore this singular Northern California region—and will be running a shuttle between the properties, providing guests convenient access to both experiences. Guests staying at either location may freely access amenities at either property. Formerly known as Sorensen’s Resort, and now Desolation Hotel Hope Valley, this mountain retreat has been a beloved getaway for outdoor and adventure enthusiasts since...

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND—Real estate investor and developer Lamington Group is adding to its pioneering eco hometel brand with the opening of room2 Belfast, the fourth outpost, and first property outside England, set to open later this summer. With the opening just months away, the team are giving a first look at the hometel, which is set to become a hub for the community in the heart of the bustling city, moments away from Belfast’s most popular attractions. The new property will consist of 175 rooms across nine floors as well as a vibrant café, beautifully designed tearoom, meeting and event spaces, a gym,...

PARADISE ISLAND, BAHAMAS—Atlantis Paradise Island, a global leader in marine life conservation, will be home to The Bahamas’ first coral gene bank, making strides in the global fight against Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD), an affliction decimating coral populations in The Bahamas and beyond. Nearly half of The Bahamas and Caribbean’s reef-building coral species are susceptible to SCTLD. Of the 45 reef-building coral species within the region, more than half can catch the disease, including some of the slowest-growing and longest-lived species such as brain, pillar, and star corals. Coral survival rate of SCTLD is extremely low and once infected, corals can die within weeks. Signed into effect on May...