This year why not swap your traditional escape for a green getaway instead? There’s never been a better time for sustainable trave

Sleek and sustainable

Dreary January has already got us looking further ahead to (warmer) breaks to come, but just as we detox ourselves this time of year, why not swap your traditional escape for an eco-friendly getaway instead? With all the luxury amenities you would expect from your favourite resort, going eco doesn’t mean comprimising on luxury. With exquisite views, sleek interiors and rejuvenating pool and gyms, by picking a resort that prides itself on sustainability, you can still enjoy your vacation but with a conscious, safe in the knowledge you’re not doing damage to the planet while you relax and sip your well-earned cocktail.

1. Inkaterra Guides Field Station, Peru

This is the sixth property in the Inkaterra portfolio, who also has existing luxury​ properties in the Amazon rainforest, the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Machu Picchu and the city of Cusco. The hotel may be dedicated to eco and sustainable tourism, but luxury is by no means compromised. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful surrounding landscapes, the properties blend traditional textiles and ancient artefacts, with carefully considered architecture. Originally designed as a location to train Inkaterra’s Explorer Guides, the Field Station now welcomes eco-conscious travellers, families, researchers, volunteers and students from around the world. The Field Station “Work House” will house an Eco Centre, designed to educate guests on the various projects and excursions taking place, as well as a laboratory used for the examination of soil and the study of flora and fauna. Guests can take part in wildlife-focused outings, ranging from the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway, suspended high above the forest floor, to boat trips and a visit to the Gamitana Model Farm, where ITA works with local communities, so can really get in amongst the eco action.

2. Nautilus Eco-Resort, The Phillipines

Sadly like much of the world, the Philippine oceans are up against the severe threats of over-fishing, mass tourism, and plastic waste and toxic product pollution, but trying to make a difference to that is the Nautilus Eco-Resort project, which is currently in the works. Ethical and eco-friendly, this Eco-Resort promises to the host populations and travellers to be actively involved with engineers, scientists, and ecologists in the protection of the environment that it wants to discover. While upgrading the natural heritage and culture, this ‘zero-emission, zero-waste, zero-poverty’ project will be 100% built from reused and/or recycled materials from the archipelago. The unusual shell-shaped hotels and the rotating apartment towers wind up along two golden spirals respecting the Fibonacci sequence, a symbol of balance and harmony - it’s fair to say this hotel will sure look good while doing good.

3. Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Yala Sri Lanka

There are already a host of reasons to visit Sri Lanka: the safari, the views, the food - but now it’s added a stunning, sustainably minded five star safari eco-resort to it’s portfolio too. Situated just next door to the Yala National Park, Resplendent Ceylon’s latest creation, Wild Coast Tented Lodge, overlooks the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and is made completely of bamboo; seamlessly blending in with the distinctive rock formations of Yala. The uniquely shaped tents, known as ‘Cocoons & Urchins’, offer state-of-the art amenities including air-conditioning and authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. The Cocoon suite has it’s own plunge pool, while a further sixteen Cocoons are dotted around watering holes designed to attract a variety of birdlife and amphibians, so be sure to pack your binoculars. This is glamping as you’ve never seen it before.

4. It’zana, Belize

This luxury complex was designed by Boston-based architect Roberto de Oliveira Castro, and offers four and five-bedroom villas that are completely carbon neutral. Following in the (carbon neutral) footsteps of their one bedroom solar cottages, each of the new villas are fitted with rooftop solar panels, significantly reducing their energy consumption and carbon emissions.The villas were built using locally-sourced materials and are powered solely by a combination of solar and hydro-electricity. But you better believe that doesn’t compromise on the incredible views of serene rolling mountains and spectacular sunsets you’d expect. If you really fancy pushing the boat out, opt for a villa with a private waterfront plunge pool for a personal dip on your doorstep. What’s more, any carbon emission from your villa is offset by trees grown right here in Belize - now that’s what I call smart living.

5. Shinta Mani Wild, Camodia

Shinta Mani Wild is the brainchild of resort designer and owner Bill Bensley, which he describes as a ‘utopia of sustainability’. This luxury resort sits beside 1.5 kilometers of stunning river and waterfalls and is his most ambitious project to date. Kitsch custom designed tents are perched over the swift moving waters and waterfalls, providing beautiful views unlike any other resort in Asia. To the southeast of this private sanctuary, guests are able to spend a day exploring the untrammeled waterways of South East Asia’s last wild estuarine ecosystem aboard one of Shinta Mani Wild’s private, fully-equipped luxury expedition boats; while to the north, guests can accompany rangers and researchers as they check camera traps and study the wild forests and their inhabitants. There’s never been such a unique opportunity to explore these untamed lands with the people who know them like the back of their hands.

Article courtesy of Tempus Magazine

Aspiring super-spies and Bond fanatics can experience the 007 life for themselves at Layan Residences by Anantara in Phuket

* James Bond fans experience the ultimate 007 lifestyle as Anantara Layan Phuket launches “Golden Gun” experience

We may still be in the dark as to who’s going to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond in the upcoming flick, (will McMafia star James Norton take on the role? Will Denis Villeneuve direct?) but here’s something sure to make the wait for the announcement a little easier. Aspiring super-spies and Bond fanatics can experience the 007 life for themselves at Layan Residences by Anantara in Phuket, as the tropical retreat launches a once-in-a-lifetime experience inspired by iconic Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun.

The mission, if you choose to accept it, will give you a taste of life in the fast lane; VIP experiences and even the chance to handle the original golden gun from the 1974 film. Kick your Bond themed getaway off in style as you board a private jet from Bangkok to Phuket, before being whisked by chauffeur-driven limo to Villa Similan, the largest of the resort’s 15 ultra-luxurious residences. Perched high atop a hill with beautiful ocean and jungle views, this lavish eight-bedroom property oozes the suave sophistication of a secret agent, and comes with a live-in butler, on-call private chef and spa therapist, so you bet you can order your cocktails shaken not stirred.

The resort has all the amenities you’ll need to save the world including an elevated roof terrace, 22-metre infinity pool and massage room to allow you to properly relax. A glass-clad wine room leads it’s way to the ultimate 007-esque ‘man cave’ complete with leather sofas, an antique carved billiards table and THE legendary golden gun: an exclusive piece of memorabilia not to be missed by any fan.

As every Bond buff will know, this custom-built pistol was used by the film’s villain Francisco Scaramanga, and famously consisted of several innocuous golden objects: a cufflink for the trigger, gas lighter for the bullet chamber, fountain pen for the barrel and cigarette case disguised as the handle so that it could be easily smuggled. Guests have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to handle this weapon themselves during a wine tasting with Anantara’s wine guru, before retiring to the terrace for a specially prepared dinner - because no baddies can be beaten on an empty stomach.

This extravagant experience which will set you back £40,500 for two people, also includes a glamorous yacht cruise around Phang Nga Bay, where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. Guests can sip free-flowing Krug champagne and tuck into a gourmet barbecue prepared by the onboard private chef, so you can wine while you dine. This spectacular bay’s most famous rock, ‘James Bond Island’, played a starring role in the movie as Scaramanga’s hideout and ensures your getaway goes off with a bang.

Back at the villa, guests can develop their Ninja skills with a private Muay Thai boxing lesson, because it’s always better to be prepared against your nemesis. Soak up the views over the Andaman Sea as your butler serves 007’s signature dry Martini cocktail (I don’t need to tell you how it’s served!) before heading to the cinema room for a private viewing of vintage James Bond films, so you can relive the iconic secret service agent’s most memorable escapades.

In addition to a pampering spa, Anantara Layan Phuket offers a range of acclaimed dining options including Thai restaurant Dee Plee and a rooftop pop-up of the award-winning contemporary Japanese eatery Zuma which runs until 15 March 2018.

Article courtesy of Tempus Magazine