ECO CHIC HOTELS: A design goal scored for sustainability

We celebrate a selection of chic hotels from diverse corners of the world that offer equally diverse experiences ranging from a city beach break, trekking in mountainous areas, a tropical island escape and vast semi-desert safari experience.    Diversity seems appropriate as the FIFA World Cup™ takes place on African soil for the first time in history and 32 nations compete in the beautiful game.  Writes Marisah Smith

The state of play this week includes innovation, rejuvenation, creativity and mindfulness to achieve the ultimate goal of sustainability.  

MEXICO, Playa del Carmen, Hotel Básico

    
A 15-bedroom hotel located on trendy Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, Hotel Básico is lauded as a design hotel for its strong local identity and celebration of Mexican popular culture.  Designed by architect Moises Ison, the hotel was created entirely as a concrete structure while emphasizing the use of recycled materials throughout the property.   The lobby floor is made of old tires, plumbing and electrical ducts are intentionally left exposed and two oil tanks were re-designed to form small swimming pools placed on the roof.  

Rooms were designed to make the most of the natural light and it is the design details, like floating beds with white Polaroid cameras above the bed and a soccer ball and fins under the bed, which surprise and delight.  On the roof, guests will find the Azotea Bar and bespoke truck fronts as cabanas complete with built-in mattresses.  

Guluda Beach Lodge – Mozambique

Guludo Beach Lodge demonstrates how a barefoot luxury eco-tourism lodge can work towards sustainability by alleviating poverty in the local community and conserving the environment.  The luxurious lodge was designed by leading architects Kilburn & Nightingale following strict design principles to marry elements of the traditional and contemporary while being mindful of its environmental and social character.

The Nema Foundation was created to channel 5% of the lodge’s income to charitable programmes in five main areas of health, water, education, enterprise and the environment.  The tangible outcomes of this foundation are that they feed 550 school children a healthy meal a day, provide clean water for 12,000 people, distributed 4,400 mosquito nets to mothers with young children and fund 89 secondary school scholars.  Working with the Umoji Association, that consists of 20 000 local people, the foundation has also assisted six communities with securing their land rights from the local government.   

PAKISTAN, Shigar Fort

The Shigar Fort Residence is a 400-year-old fort that was restored by the Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan to its former 17th century grandeur. Located at the foot of the Himalayas en route to K-2, what was once the former Palace of the Raja of Sigar is now a 20-bedroom luxury guesthouse.  The Shigar Fort, due to the sensitive restoration of the building, again takes pride of place in the community and its location on a prime tourist route is set to create employment and economic benefits for the region.

Paying homage to the culture and tradition of the local area; the audience hall of the fort serves as a museum to the Balti culture showcasing heritage objects and crafts, guided tours of the museum are offered which includes a look at the building’s architectural significance as well as a historical vine garden tour.   The Garden House was constructed using only traditional materials and building techniques to complement the architectural integrity of the Shigar Fort.

BHUTAN, Uma Paro  

The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, with its snow covered mountains, pine trees and monasteries, has become a refuge for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure travelers.  Uma Paro, listed as one of the world’s 100 Ultimate Escapes by the Robb Report in 2007 and awarded the Conde Nast Traveller Gold List Award in 2008 for Best Location, proves that luxury and indigenous style can comfortably co-exist.  

A talented team ensured that the cultural nuances of what was once the home of a Bhutanese nobleman was not lost in the translation to 20-bedroom hotel.  Architect Cheong Yew Kwan was responsible for the exteriors of the 9 villas while Kathryn Kng incorporated traditional design elements like hand-painted Bhutanese wall murals, hand carved wooden doors and windows, wood-burning Bukhari stoves and outdoor hot-stone bathtubs all created by local craftspeople into the interior design.  Uma Paro belongs to the COMO Hotels and Resorts stable who works to improve the lives of women and girls through their non-profit organisation.

SOUTH AFRICA, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

The Tswalu Kalahari Reserve is South Africa’s largest private game reserve at 100, 000 hectares and a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux organisation and Fair Trade in Tourism bearing testament to their eco and chic credentials.  

The reserve successfully reintroduced the wild dog and cheetah – species that were very nearly extinct at the time – to the area in 2006 and the Tswalu Foundation have to date supported 26 academic studies including one on Bushmen rock art found in the area estimate to be up to 380,000 years old.  Care of community is a vital priority with the staff village built to the highest environmental standards to include a crèche, sport facilities and Primary Healthcare Clinic that offers free treatment and HIV/AIDS awareness programmes.  An adult literacy programme has improved adult literacy from 12% to more than 70% in just ten years since its inception.  

By Marisah Smith