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Travel to India

Go Green!

Luxury travel is all well and good, but when it is
backed up by an earth-friendly resort, it gets even
better. Discover fi ve sustainable hotels that are

perfect for conscientious travellers.
By Praphanit Doowa

Although India is often imagined as the land where the air is polluted, the roads are loud and the streets are crowded, there are
e orts made to live and vacation sustainably. Not many of us are attracted to these eco-resorts, as they don’t scream luxurious or
comfortable, but who says you can’t vacation green and vacation well? Dwell into some of the most picturesque parts of India with
minimal carbon footprint. Why not do more to preserve Earth’s natural wonder, while basking in its beauty?

The Orchid Mumbai

The Orchid Hotel in Mumbai is one of the crown gems of the Orchid Hotel
chain designed with utmost care for the environment. Situated right in the
heart of the city on Nehru Road, the hotel maintains a strong environment
programme through various initiatives including a solid waste management
system and sewage treatment plan that allows wastewater to be utilised for
gardening and air conditioning. The hotel also uses energy e cient lighting
such as CFL and LED, while a master control panel in the guest rooms is
incorporated with an Ecobutton, which when pressed increases the AC
temperature of the room by two degrees Celsius, thus conserving energy.
There are e orts made towards water conservation and preservation as well.
All in all, The Orchid is recognised as Asia’s rst certi ed eco-friendly ve star
hotel, and has done a solid job combining luxury with sustainability.
For more information, visit www.orchidhotel.com.

Banasura Hill Resort Kerala

Set at an altitude of 3,200 feet in the mist-clad hills of Wayanad, Banasura
Hill Resort is an ideal retreat for travellers seeking a more enriching
experience. Sprawling across a 35-acre eco-friendly farm, the resort is known
as the only “earth resort” in Asia. Built using mud excavated from the very site
that it stands on, Banasura is a “ ne example of rammed earth architecture.”
O ering not only a marvelous mud haven but also adventurous escapes for
guests, the resort is home to the countryside where waterfalls, caves and
tribal villages are enjoyed by many.
For more information, visit www.banasura.com.

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