Escape to Eco-Friendly Luxury: Discovering Sustainable Resorts in the Maldives
Have you ever dreamed of escaping to the Maldives, with its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and luxury resorts? I have, but unfortunately, my bank account doesn't seem to share my wanderlust. Of course, the best way to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment is to stop traveling altogether. However, we all know that's not going to happen. Tourism is crucial to the economy of these island communities. So, instead of giving up on paradise, we can choose to travel sustainably and support eco-friendly resorts that prioritize environmental conservation and reduce their carbon footprint. In this blog post, I'll introduce you to some of the best eco-friendly resorts in the Maldives that combine luxury with sustainability.
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is a dream destination for anyone looking for a luxurious, sustainable and eco-friendly stay. The resort's commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the island is evident through its various sustainable initiatives. The coral propagation project, in partnership with Reefscapers, has grown over 20,000 corals since its launch in 2020. The resort also tackles the plastic problem by purifying seawater and bottling it in reusable glass containers, eliminating the need for plastic water bottles. The outdoor gym, made from recycled materials, allows guests to exercise while treading lightly on the earth. Additionally, the resort is the first in the Maldives to offer boat transfers from Male International Airport, reducing the environmental impact of travel. Beyond environmental efforts, the resort also invests in the local community by hosting community-focused initiatives and raising funds to improve facilities for orphan children. Not to mention, the resort's "trash zone" has even reaped its first harvest of watermelons. Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa truly goes above and beyond in their efforts to create a sustainable and ethical travel experience.
Six Senses Laamu
Six Senses Laamu is more than just a luxurious hotel, it's a beacon of sustainable tourism. By partnering with The Manta Trust, a registered charity, they are working tirelessly to protect mobulid rays and their habitats through research, education, and collaboration. The hotel also works closely with local reef fishers to ensure that all the fish served in their restaurants are caught using sustainable fishing practices, protecting the livelihoods of the fishers and ensuring that the ecosystem remains healthy. Six Senses Laamu has taken an active role in protecting the environment by safeguarding 115,000 square meters of seagrass meadows, which is equivalent to 16 soccer fields. The hotel's reef restoration project is a testament to their commitment to environmental conservation, where they are currently exploring the diversity of species and coral spawning. To educate and spread awareness of the importance of marine conservation, the hotel hosts a Sustainability Camp for families to learn how to lead a more sustainable life. The hotel also organizes a community festival every year since 2016, aimed at raising awareness about marine conservation in Laamu Atoll. They are also dedicated to providing clean, reliable drinking water to local communities in need. Fifty percent of water sales in all restaurant outlets go towards a project fund to provide water filters sponsored by the resort. This has eliminated the need for approximately 6 million plastic water bottles in Laamu Atoll each year, making Six Senses Laamu an eco-friendly paradise that's working hard to preserve the planet for future generations.
Soneva Fushi is not just any eco-friendly hotel, it's a true pioneer of sustainable tourism in the Maldives. One of the ways in which Soneva Fushi demonstrates its commitment to sustainability is through its 2% environmental levy on all stays, which goes towards the Soneva Foundation. The foundation invests in a variety of projects that have a positive environmental, social, and economic impact, such as reforestation, clean water initiatives, and waste management programs. Soneva Fushi has been carbon neutral for both direct and indirect emissions since 2012, but more than half of its carbon footprint comes from air travel. To offset the emissions caused by each stay, the resort has added the 2% levy to each booking. This is a tangible example of how the hotel is taking responsibility for its impact on the environment and investing in solutions to reduce it. But that's just the beginning. Soneva Fushi has implemented a wide range of sustainable practices that go beyond carbon neutrality. For example, they banned plastic drinking straws back in 1998, well before it became a popular trend. They have also planted 500,000 trees in Northern Thailand through their Soneva Forest Reforestation Project, which is a remarkable achievement in reforestation efforts. Each of the Soneva resorts has its own Eco Centro Waste-To-Wealth facility, which recycles 90% of their solid waste. The resort has also banned the use of branded bottled water and has been producing their own since 2008. A percentage of revenue from Soneva Water funds 500 clean water projects, providing drinking water to almost 1 million people in 50 countries via charities. But Soneva Fushi doesn't stop there. The resort generates an impressive 956,945 kWh of green energy every year through its solar panels, saving the equivalent greenhouse emissions produced from driving a car approximately 3,000,000 km. That's just remarkable, isn't it? Finally, all of the Soneva resorts, including Soneva Fushi, are 100% self-sufficient when it comes to water use. They treat their wastewater and use it to irrigate their vegetable gardens, creating a closed-loop system that conserves water and reduces waste. Soneva Fushi is more than just a luxurious destination; it's a model for sustainable tourism that proves that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand. If you're looking for a guilt-free vacation that leaves a positive impact on the environment and local communities, Soneva Fushi is definitely worth considering.
Nestled on a beautiful island in the Maldives, this eco-friendly resort is a true paradise for travelers seeking an environmentally conscious stay. From the moment you arrive, you'll be immersed in the resort's sustainable practices. The buildings are constructed out of responsibly sourced local materials, creating a harmonious blend with the natural surroundings. Designed to make the most of the tropical island climate, the villas are built to catch the natural ocean breeze, and equipped with counter-current heat exchange systems and large roof overhangs that increase shading and minimize the need for air-conditioning. You'll find organic toiletries in refillable earthenware containers, making for a luxurious and eco-friendly bathing experience. The resort's commitment to sustainability extends to their dining options. By sourcing ingredients locally, they ensure that guests are served the freshest and most nutritious fare, while also reducing their carbon footprint. And if you're passionate about sustainability, you can sign up for coral cleaning adventures, collect underwater data, and participate in other sustainable initiatives during your stay. But the resort's sustainable practices don't end there. They have their own Coral Line Project, which protects and replenishes the island's house reef. Since the project started, the coral nursery has flourished with 160 lines boasting 50 coral fragments each, totaling to 8,000 coral fragments that have been given a chance to grow and will eventually be transplanted onto the house reef. With one of the largest organic gardens in the Maldives, the resort has a ready supply of fresh vegetables and herbs for their kitchen. They also have a strict no plastic policy on the island, but they still encounter a lot of floating plastic carried on the current from other islands. In an effort to address this, the resort launched a plastic recycling scheme in partnership with Parley Maldives in August 2017, intercepting single-use plastics and preventing them from entering the ocean.
At Anantara, sustainability is not just a buzzword but a way of life. With plastic pollution causing irreparable harm to marine life and the ocean, the resort has taken a bold step to eliminate plastic waste by implementing a zero-plastic initiative. They have their own in-house production of still and sparkling distilled water in reusable glass bottles, eliminating the need for plastic water bottles. The resort is not content with just preserving the natural beauty of their island, but actively seeks to enhance it by creating green spaces such as The Nala Orchid Garden, home to 1,200 orchids of 25 different varieties, and The Organic Garden that supplies ingredients used in drinks and food served at the resort. If you're keen to participate in their conservation efforts, you can join the reef cleaning and coral adoption initiatives organized by the Dive Centre team. And if you wish to contribute to the resort's commitment to environmental education and community welfare, you can donate one dollar for every night of your stay or purchase Bon Aqua water. The resort matches all proceeds towards marine and coastal environment protection. Impressively, Anantara has a composter machine that converts 1000 kg of food waste per day into usable garden mulch, and the resort has installed a solar energy system that reduces general power usage by 26%. At Anantara, sustainability is not a mere concept, but an active lifestyle that extends to every aspect of their operations, ensuring that their guests can enjoy the Maldives' pristine beauty while leaving behind a minimal environmental footprint.
It's important to note that none of the hotel recommendations provided are sponsored, and are solely based on their eco-friendly initiatives and sustainability efforts. Additionally, all images used are credited to booking.com, but it's important to clarify that this is not a sponsored partnership.
Wander the world, tread lightly.