Eco hotels in Asia for inspiring sustainable stays

In the centre of Bali’s spiritual capital, Swasti Eco Cottages is a serene haven set in nearly two acres of tranquil gardens. Named after the Sanskrit word for ‘healing’, the hotel’s grounds are ideal for getting back to nature. Find a quiet spot beside a lily pond to read your book, or wander through luscious gardens to spot birds and butterflies.

Each of the cottages is individually designed, constructed using 100% recycled wood from Java and furnished with natural materials like bamboo and stone. Sleep comfortably in a Deluxe Room cooled by eco-friendly air conditioners before taking breakfast on your private outdoor terrace.

To connect with nature, join in an invigorating Hatha Vinyasa or Morning Flow yoga class in the outdoor Shala. Then, take advantage of the traditional activities on offer, including a Cacao Ceremony to heal blockages and open your heart, or an Opening Ceremony with High Priest Coconut designed to deconstruct the ego.

Set among tranquil rice paddies, the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai‘s pavilions blend sumptuous interiors with meditation-inducing views of fields or tropical gardens. Local farmers provide the produce for the on-site restaurants, and you’ll find biodegradable products throughout the property. You can splash out on a pool villa with canopy beds and plunge pools, or for the ultimate extravagance, book one of nine private residences with access to live-in butlers and private swimming pools.

Come dinnertime, tuck into fire-grilled premium cuts of meat or traditional fare from northern Thailand and across the border in Burma. Or, you can embark on your own culinary journey with a cooking class that includes a visit to the local markets and a meal inside a Lanna-style teak house overlooking a lake.

Set on the shimmering Andaman Sea, The Sarojin caters to travellers seeking a spot of romance. This secluded sanctuary encourages guests to discover the lush grounds, following pathways across streams, through tropical gardens and ending in intimate residences for two.

If you’re feeling active, you can get out onto the water with a snorkel or explore sea caves by canoe. Awaken your inner adventurer on an elephant trek, or try white-water rafting and tubing down the local river network. If you’re more in a mind to kick back, you can grab one of the floating pavilions by the pool or treat yourself to some pampering in the coconut palm-shaded Pathways spa.

Beach Bar is the place for sundowners with views across the ocean. Sink into a beanbag and sip on a signature Sarojin cocktail made with gin, cucumber and sweet basil. You can snack on pork and prawn spring rolls, or head to Edge restaurant to feast on a whole snapper wrapped in banana leaf.

The ITC Grand Chola‘s grandeur starts right in the name – after one of Southern India’s prolific empires, the Imperial Cholas. Earth lovers can dream happy here – all 600 guest rooms and communal areas are powered by a local wind farm, and the hotel harvests and recycles all its water.

Foodies will be spoilt for choice, too with 10 restaurants on-site as well as two bars and a patisserie. Sample traditional dishes from the tandoor at Peshwari, or try sashimi platters and dim sum at Pan Asian. Cubans and cognacs complete the evening at The Cheroot, Malt & Cigar Lounge.

Feeling satiated, you may want to book a treatment at the hotel’s Kaya Kalp royal spa. Sanskrit for ‘rejuvenation of mind, body and soul’, the spa’s an opulent affair and offers packages like the Exotic Pomegranate, using brown sugar and lime. Neighbouring beauty salon, Salon di Wills completes the royal experience with deep conditioning hair treatments and deluxe manicures.

As soon as you arrive at Katamama, you’ll be greeted with a Zero-Waste Kit of eco-friendly gifts. Goodies include a water bottle, RPET tote bag and bamboo cutlery and straws. This sets the tone for your stay, where creativity and sustainability collide.

Staying in the Katamama suites, you’ll have access to popular facilities like an art gallery, gym and Potato Head Beach Club. You can join a cardio-based beach workout or a yoga flow session, or learn more about Bali’s culture with a chocolate-making class and tasting.

For some downtime, head to Nila Spa for an Indonesian or Thai massage, or let a trained therapist scrub your body with rice powder, white turmeric and dried jasmine flowers. The heavenly treatment continues at the on-site dining spots – at Kaum, try tribal dishes passed down through generations, such as crispy half duck with green mango chilli relish, or plant-based Indonesian wonders at Tanaman.

Song Saa Private Island prides itself on offering barefoot luxury. Right in the middle of the Koh Rong Archipelago, the resort’s a dream for castaways seeking serenity and seclusion. You can choose between one or two-bedroom villas with jungle or ocean views, private pools and outdoor showers. Or, really push the boat out with an over-water villa – you can watch marine life through portholes and dive straight into the water from your sun deck.

The resort has a strong focus on sustainability, being entirely constructed by craftsmen using local materials. The Song Saa Foundation also works to protect and improve the welfare of the Koh Rong Archipelago inhabitants, including establishing a marine reserve.

You can explore the natural surroundings by sea kayak, discovering hidden coves and stopping for a rest and bite to eat at a secluded bay. Alternatively, strap on your snorkel and see colourful coral and sea life like parrotfish, sea horses and spotted rays.

Just a half-hour drive from Luang Prabang, Hillside – Nature Lifestyle Lodge is an idyllic escape surrounded by protected forest and close to Nahm Dong Park. With nine bungalows sprinkled over a small hill, the entire resort caters to just 20 people – so it’s the definition of solitude and privacy.

The bungalows are all constructed from locally grown materials, with easy access to the open-air swimming pool. Don’t expect to find a television in your room – this is a place to disconnect from technology and get back to nature.

When you’re not swaying from a hammock, head farther afield on a self-guided trek through rice paddies to a nearby farming village to visit the local temple. Or, you might explore Nahm Dong Park, located just a kilometre away and home to a majestic waterfall, treehouse spa and swimming holes.