Continuing to build momentum on its 30-year ethos driven commitment to travelling sustainably, Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has welcomed four more forward-thinking eco-luxury hotels to its Considerate Collection. From coral propagation to re-wilding programs and the revival of antique buildings, these newly added Considerate Collection boutique hotels champion protection of the earth.
Going well beyond the bare eco-minimum, each boutique hotel in the Considerate Collection is doing something exceptional when it comes to sustainability, and these four retreats are no exception: Dar Ahlam (Ouarzazate, Morocco); Paradise Cove (Anse La Raie, Mauritius), as well as the new-to-SLH hotels Amilla Maldives (Baa Atoll, Maldives); and Aristide Hotel (Syros, Greece). See below for details on each property.
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Daniel Luddington, VP of Development, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, said: “Experts say it’s not too late to make a difference if businesses, governments and consumers together recognise responsibility, and accelerate action to a prosperous green economy for all.”
“The Considerate Collection demonstrates how more and more SLH hotels are meeting the standards of the GTSC, heeding the call that ecotourism should not be seen as a short-lived marketing campaign for Earth Day, but instead as a predominate force for the future of the industry.
We are delighted to watch our member hotels experience a significant rebound, whilst still being able to focus on sustainability,” Luddington said.
Launched in October 2021, the Considerate Collection hotels have been handpicked for achieving the highest categories of SLH’s Sustainability Criteria and Pillars, that are aligned with the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) as well as Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) framework.
In its commitment to sustainability, Small Luxury Hotels of the World entered into a partnership with social change and reforestation charity, TreeSisters in October 2021, and to date has donated 13,000 trees, helping to invest in our planet.
Furthermore, a new 50-point sustainability module within SLH’s comprehensive Mystery Inspection program, launched in January, provides an easier way for travellers to book a sustainable hotel without the burden and time-constraints of conducting tedious research.
All 35 Considerate Collection hotels have either been certified by a GSTC Accredited Certification Body or certified to a GSTC Recognised Standard, or have passed an assessment by the SLH Sustainability Advisory Panel with review by the GSTC.
View all the member properties at slh.com/considerate.
The latest additions to the Considerate Collection
- Aristide Hotel, Syros, Greece – Housed within the former tax residency of the Cyclades, this plastic-free neoclassical mansion uses solar panels to heat its water and offers ceramic amenities. To offset the carbon footprint of their guests, the art-centric hotel runs a regreening and tree planting project in collaboration with the Cyclades Preservation Fund.
- Amilla Maldives, Baa Atoll, Maldives – Set among swaying frangipanis and cashmere-soft sand, Amilla Maldives is a celebration of Maldivian culture and its pristine natural environment. Even without its impressive EarthCheck Silver certified status, this Maldivian-owned resort runs an array of eco-activities and initiatives – from an ongoing coral propagation project and Long Tail Tropic bird breeding program, to complimentary bicycles and electric golf buggies.
- Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazate, Morocco – This traditional Moroccan Kasbah has been thoughtfully constructed using local materials such as adobe, bamboo, and wood from lemon and olive trees, minimising its energy use by installing solar panels and a water treatment system which makes tap water drinkable in the desert. Guests are immersed in Berber culture, from sleeping beneath the stars in a traditional tent, to sunrise tea ceremonies in the Sahara.
- Paradise Cove, Anse La Raie, Mauritius – Overlooking a natural lagoon, this tranquil hideaway actively contributes towards the Marine Discovery Centre dedicated to the protection of the surrounding waters. Additionally, the resort has eliminated single-use plastic in the guest experience (swapping slippers made from plastic to coconut straw), and employs ‘green’ staff tracking the resort’s progress in its detailed sustainability report. As a celebration of Mauritian craftsmanship, Paradise Cove runs a dedicated space within the hotel for guests to discover locally and sustainably made products, from rattan baskets to swimwear made using recycled boat sails.
Lead image: Paradise Cove, Mauritius