Eco-friendly hotels might conjure up images of creepy crawlies and wooden shacks, but today many hotels in Thailand are proving that you don’t need to compromise on style or comfort for sustainability.
Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing online travel agent (OTA), reveals seven (one for every day of the week) of Thailand’s most luxurious eco-friendly properties that are as sustainable as they are indulgent.
Agoda, one of the world’s fastest growing online travel agent (OTA), reveals seven (one for every day of the week) of Thailand’s most luxurious eco-friendly properties that are as sustainable as they are indulgent.
 The Island Hideout, Phang Nga |  137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai |  Islanda Hideaway Resort, Krabi |
1.The Island Hideout, Phang Nga
Everything about The Island Hideout is serene. From the locally-sourced building structures to its views overlooking Phang Nga Bay, this island retreat is as relaxing as it gets. Sustainability is high on the agenda for this property: renewable energy powers each of the lodges, they’ve surpassed 80 percent diversion rates on all waste produced, and the food is locally sourced.
2.137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai
The photogenic 137 Pillars House is known for its iconic garden wall bordering a 25-meter lap pool. This boutique eco resort teams up with WarmHeart Environment to create charcoal from its organic waste and implements chemical-free ways of eliminating toxins from its rooms and gardens. This even extends to a non-toxic mosquito control program that encompasses ‘mosquito detectives’ who continuously monitor every square inch of the property for potential mosquito breeding grounds.
3.Islanda Hideaway Resort, Krabi
This beautiful resort on the fishing and farming island of Koh Klang is a strong supporter of its local inhabitants, sourcing food from local suppliers wherever possible. The hotel also has its own organic garden, so you can be sure of fresh, local produce that’s really giving back to the community. Surrounded by mangroves, it’s also a great spot for observing the local wildlife as well as fisherman at work.
Everything about The Island Hideout is serene. From the locally-sourced building structures to its views overlooking Phang Nga Bay, this island retreat is as relaxing as it gets. Sustainability is high on the agenda for this property: renewable energy powers each of the lodges, they’ve surpassed 80 percent diversion rates on all waste produced, and the food is locally sourced.
2.137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai
The photogenic 137 Pillars House is known for its iconic garden wall bordering a 25-meter lap pool. This boutique eco resort teams up with WarmHeart Environment to create charcoal from its organic waste and implements chemical-free ways of eliminating toxins from its rooms and gardens. This even extends to a non-toxic mosquito control program that encompasses ‘mosquito detectives’ who continuously monitor every square inch of the property for potential mosquito breeding grounds.
3.Islanda Hideaway Resort, Krabi
This beautiful resort on the fishing and farming island of Koh Klang is a strong supporter of its local inhabitants, sourcing food from local suppliers wherever possible. The hotel also has its own organic garden, so you can be sure of fresh, local produce that’s really giving back to the community. Surrounded by mangroves, it’s also a great spot for observing the local wildlife as well as fisherman at work.
 Sivatel, Bangkok |  Six Senses, Koh Samui |
4.Sivatel, Bangkok
Sivatel aims to be Bangkok’s go-to boutique hotel for sustainability with its concept of eco-friendly hospitality. Products used throughout the hotel are eco-friendly, cruelty-free and locally sourced; toiletry packaging is paper free; and laundry bags are recyclable. The hotel is also mindful of minimizing water, energy consumption as well as waste production.
5.Six Senses, Koh Samui
Six Senses Samui has been recognized by Green Globe 21, a global benchmarking and certification program that promotes sustainable travel and tourism. The Six Senses brand is continually developing initiatives to minimize its impact on the environment, which includes creating its own bio-diesel, filtering and recycling waste water and partnering with organizations such as UNICEF and Restaurants against Hunger.
Sivatel aims to be Bangkok’s go-to boutique hotel for sustainability with its concept of eco-friendly hospitality. Products used throughout the hotel are eco-friendly, cruelty-free and locally sourced; toiletry packaging is paper free; and laundry bags are recyclable. The hotel is also mindful of minimizing water, energy consumption as well as waste production.
5.Six Senses, Koh Samui
Six Senses Samui has been recognized by Green Globe 21, a global benchmarking and certification program that promotes sustainable travel and tourism. The Six Senses brand is continually developing initiatives to minimize its impact on the environment, which includes creating its own bio-diesel, filtering and recycling waste water and partnering with organizations such as UNICEF and Restaurants against Hunger.
 Aleenta Resort and Spa, Phang Nga |  Akyra Tas Sukhumvit, Bangkok |
6.Aleenta Resort and Spa, Phang Nga
Named Thailand’s Best Small Green Resort in 2014, Aleenta Resort encompasses a wide range of green initiatives such as water waste management, energy conservation, nature conservation and recycling. Aleenta also partners on green projects with local schools and eco-organizations such as the Baan Khao Pilai Elementary School, Marine Turtle Foundation and Pure Blue Foundation.
7.Akyra Tas Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Akyra Tas Sukhumvit is the first hotel to launch in Thailand without single-use plastic in its rooms or dining outlets. Guests are encouraged to use the hotel’s reusable water bottles and self-service drinking water stations; bathroom amenities are served in locally produced ceramics; all bin bags used throughout the hotel property are biodegradable; and reusable shopping bags are available to encourage guests to ‘say no’ to plastic bags while hitting up the Bangkok shopping malls.
Named Thailand’s Best Small Green Resort in 2014, Aleenta Resort encompasses a wide range of green initiatives such as water waste management, energy conservation, nature conservation and recycling. Aleenta also partners on green projects with local schools and eco-organizations such as the Baan Khao Pilai Elementary School, Marine Turtle Foundation and Pure Blue Foundation.
7.Akyra Tas Sukhumvit, Bangkok
Akyra Tas Sukhumvit is the first hotel to launch in Thailand without single-use plastic in its rooms or dining outlets. Guests are encouraged to use the hotel’s reusable water bottles and self-service drinking water stations; bathroom amenities are served in locally produced ceramics; all bin bags used throughout the hotel property are biodegradable; and reusable shopping bags are available to encourage guests to ‘say no’ to plastic bags while hitting up the Bangkok shopping malls.
