The Ultra-Luxury Hotels That Redefine Sustainability And Style

For over three decades, &Beyond has pioneered luxury travel rooted in a deep reverence for the land, wildlife and people of the beautiful places in which it operates. Nowhere is this more evident than on Mnemba Island, a private isle adrift in the turquoise waters off Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Just 12 thatched suites (known as bandas) are tucked into a canopy of fragrant pine and open directly onto sugar-white sands, promising soul-stirring seclusion. The daily rhythm is barefoot and blissfully slow. The island itself is a sanctuary for rare species – such as suni antelope and the critically endangered Aders’ duiker – while beneath the waves, coral gardens host vibrant marine life, fostered by &Beyond’s Oceans Without Borders program, including reef restoration, green sea turtle monitoring and shoreline clean-ups. Despite its petite footprint, Mnemba offers an array of diversions – from snorkeling, scuba diving and paddleboarding to dhow cruises, yoga and indulgent wellness treatments. This is castaway living, elevated.

Deeply committed to promoting responsible travel, four of the Zannier Hotel properties have earned Green Globe certification. Located in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations – including Cambodia, Namibia, Vietnam and France – each hotel celebrates its surroundings. Zannier Bãi San Hô, for example, is a tranquil escape that cocoons guests within the natural beauty of Vietnam’s Phu Yen province. Occupying just 3% of its secluded 98-hectare site, it leaves 90% of the landscape untouched. The resort’s spectacular hills, lush vegetation and paddy fields are integral to the serene experience. Locally sourced ingredients account for 70% of the cuisine, with a zero-waste approach: 90% of food waste is recycled, while the remaining 10% is composted. Its white-sand beach features a 500-meter stretch of regenerating coral bay.

This ultra-luxury, four-villa lodge in Volcanoes National Park opened in late 2024 and is set within a 50-hectare property shared with the larger Wilderness Bisate camp. It offers an exceptionally private base for gorilla trekking adventures, with sprawling decks featuring fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs that overlook the misty volcanic peaks. Sustainability is at the heart of Wilderness, from habitat restoration and species reintroduction to empowering local communities through scholarships and immersive children’s nature camps. Its new Wilderness Impact Challenge will award $100,000 to the most innovative solution for human-wildlife coexistence and rural development in Africa. The winning idea will not only receive support to become a tangible reality, but will also be implemented in the relevant camps.

Located on Berkeley Street, 1 Hotel Mayfair brings a rare connection to nature to the heart of central London. The hotel earned BREEAM Excellent for its sensitive construction, retaining 80% of the original structure and saving approximately 4,200 tonnes of carbon. Nearly 400 square meters of green walls enhance insulation, produce oxygen and absorb greenhouse gases. The property features Dovetale, a sustainably focused restaurant by two-Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, and the Bamford Wellness Spa, offering holistic treatments with all-natural products. An efficient irrigation system repurposes rainwater to nourish the exterior green walls, while guest rooms are lit with less than 5W per square meter – reportedly 50% lower than standard hotels – with fittings that are up to 80% recyclable.

Amid 180 acres of untamed tropical forest, this lush 50-casita resort combines ultra-luxury with a strong commitment to sustainability. Local experiences encourage responsible tourism while giving guests the chance to engage with Costa Rica’s celebrated biodiversity. An on-site coffee farm and organic chef’s garden supply fresh, flavorful coffee and produce to the restaurant. Perhaps most impressive are AltaGracia’s equine stables, which support its partnership with the Flying Horse Foundation – a charity offering healing and enriching equestrian experiences to local orphanages, youth groups and at-risk individuals.

Set in one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, this 24-room luxury boutique hotel immerses guests in the heart of the Andean Cloud Forest. A pioneer in rainforest conservation, Mashpi Lodge recently announced the discovery of its 20th species new to science: Drymonia tomentosa, a striking South American plant with large red flowers, identified within the 3,000-hectare Mashpi Reserve. Days here are spent hiking, wild swimming, soaring through the canopy on a cable car, learning from resident biologists or simply forest bathing and marveling at the wonders of this extraordinary ecosystem.

This one-of-a-kind hotel reimagines traditional outport architecture as a striking coastal retreat off Newfoundland’s rugged northern coast. With 29 suites, guests enjoy fine dining while supporting the preservation of the island’s heritage in fishing, boat building and local artistry. Founded by eighth-generation islander Zita Cobb, Fogo Island Inn operates as a social enterprise within the luxury tourism sector, reinvesting all surplus profits into the local community through the Shorefast Foundation, which champions economic, cultural and environmental sustainability. The inn is powered by renewable energy sources, including solar and wood-burning systems, while minimizing its environmental impact.

Soneva has been setting the standard for luxury travel that is mindful of the planet since launching its first hotel in 1995. The brand’s fourth and latest opening, Soneva Secret, is a 14-villa paradisiacal micro-resort in the Maldives’ Haa Dhaalu atoll, where each retreat comes with two Barefoot Guardians (butlers) and a dedicated chef. A mandatory 2% environmental levy is added to every Soneva stay, with proceeds donated to the Soneva Foundation, which supports global initiatives such as reforestation, providing clean water to communities, and restoring coral reefs – an especially vital effort in the Maldives.

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