Vacationing far away, and sustainably? Is that even possible? If you are enervated by always hearing the same comments, we have good news for you: Yes, it is! And we’ll give you a few examples of how.  

Generally speaking, hotels have various options for being more sustainable. For example, the hotel management is committed to an environmentally friendly policy. Or, the hotel is particularly interested in providing vacationers with authentic insights into the host country. And finally, wages are fair, employees are trained which improves the economic situation of the people.  

To provide more details, we’ve picked out three sustainable hotels from our portfolio where you can go on a sustainable vacation.

Barefoot vacations in the Maldives 

For example, the eco-luxury resort Gili Lankanfushi on the private island of Lankanfushi. The luxury hotel is located about six nautical miles from Malé in the North Malé Atoll in the Maldives. The 45 villas built in the lagoon above the sea are accessible via jetties — and guarantee a vacation experience beyond compare. The team of the Gili will spoil you with fresh seafood from the region, as well as vegetables and herbs from their own organic garden. On the menu? Traditional Maldivian plant-based cuisine.  

At Gili Lankanfushi, you’ll get exclusive insights into the local underwater world. The resort’s own marine biologists will take you on diving and snorkeling tours.

Special attention is given to the coral reefs, which are supported by the Coral Lines project. With the Gilis Seas program, the resort has set sustainability guidelines to protect the environment and its social responsibility as an employer.  

Almost all employees are locals who are specially trained. Whenever possible, local and fair-trade products are sourced to keep transportation short and support the local community. Suppliers are only chosen if they pay their employees appropriately and offer good working conditions. There is a free ferry to Malé and Himmafushi for resort employees. The hotel is also involved in the Himmafushi school and pays the salary of the English teacher there.  

Paradise experiences on a tiny Seychelles island  

Cerf Island is only about one and a half kilometers long and about one kilometer wide. Are you on your honeymoon or newly in love? Then the resort is a good choice for you. A visit to one of the restaurants is an unforgettable experience, not only for romantics. Directly on the beach, with a view of the sea and the setting sun, you will be served delicious, local and seasonal organic food as well as fair trade products fresh from the market.  

If you want to pamper yourself a bit more, you should visit the nature spa at Cerf Island Resort. Or strap on your flippers and explore the impressive underwater world. One of the best diving spots in the area is Brissaire Rock: Around the rock you can observe reef sharks, rays, and whale sharks with a little luck.  

Family-run eco hotel on Koh Samui  

Nestled in unspoiled nature, the family-run boutique hotel Tongsai Bay on the Thai island of Koh Samui also promises you a special and sustainable vacation — and has been doing so since 1985. This was when the hotel’s founder Khun Akorn Hoontrakul realized his vision of a sustainably managed vacation resort.  

His goal was to build an accommodation harmonizing with nature. Insecticides and chemical fertilizers are strictly forbidden, and to date, no trees have been felled for the resort. Plastic is also banned throughout the house. Straws made from lemongrass are used as an alternative to plastic straws. Organic waste is used as fertilizer, and garbage is separated.  

The hotel staff make the cleaning agent for the bathrooms themselves — from fermented pineapple peel. And the dregs of coffee are used for exfoliation in the hotel’s spa. Many employees have been working there for more than 30 years; 95 percent of the team is Thai. There is regular training and continuing education.  

During the corona-induced lockdown, employees received free meals, and in some cases, salaries were continued to be paid. The eco-hotel is also involved in various social projects and supports, for example, the local animal shelter, schools, temple projects and “Sisters of Samui”. In this project, more than 1,000 homeless people are provided with food every day.  

So, next time someone indicates to you that there is no such thing as a sustainable long- haul vacation, send them to these wonderful places and they will be proved wrong!