The best eco-friendly hotels in Southeast Asia

Have a fun and feel-good holiday at these hotels that take sustainability seriously.

Song Saa Private Island
  • Delle Chan
  • December 2019

As sustainability marches into the mainstream, travellers are demanding more eco-friendly options. Jump on the bandwagon with these hotels in Southeast Asia that are committed to reducing the amount of waste they produce.

The Hideout, Koh Yao Noi

Koh Yao Noi Treehouse Suite
The Hideout features four open-air “treehouse suites” with sweeping jungle views.

Accessible via boat from Phuket, this rustic resort on the lush island of Koh Yao Noi is as eco-conscious as they come. For instance, disused fabrics such as old bed linens and bathrobes are repurposed as cleaning cloths. The kitchen also turns leftovers into homemade jams, syrups and tonics. Earlier this year, the resort launched The Hideout Trash Adventure Project, which rewards guests who opt to collect trash on the island with cocktails.

Address: 37, Ko Yao Noi, Ko Yao District, Phang-nga 82160
Tel: +66 84 645 8963
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Akyra TAS, Sukhumvit, Bangkok

Stainless Steel Bottles
Besides providing stainless steel bottles, Akyra TAS provides reusable shopping bags to all guests.

This chic spot was purportedly the first city hotel in Asia to ban single-use plastic when it opened in May 2018. Here, guests are offered stainless steel water bottles upon check-in, which they can refill throughout their stay. Bathroom amenities are stored in locally manufactured celadon dispensers, while all bin bags are biodegradable.

Address: 7 Sukhumvit 20 Alley, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110
Tel: +66 2 260 0555
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Alila Seminyak, Bali

Organic garden
Alila Seminyak’s garden uses composted waste to grow organic produce.

In November 2018, all four of Alila’s Bali properties, including Alila Seminyak, achieved zero waste to landfill — a notable achievement for a major hotel chain. This was attained largely thanks to an on-site Integrated Sustainable Resource Recovery Facility (iSuRRF) — a laboratory where waste such as plastics and ceramics is either recycled, transformed into green building materials or converted into crude oil.

Address: Jalan Taman Ganesha No. 9 Petitenget, Seminyak, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Tel: +62 361 3021888
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Song Saa Private Island, Cambodia

Song Saa Private Island Villa
Song Saa Private Island is an eco-friendly escape in the Koh Rong Islands.

This upscale resort has been flying the flag for sustainability ever since it opened in 2012, making it one of the zero-waste pioneers in the hotel industry. “Since day one, we have only used bamboo straws for our drinks. We also refill glass drinking bottles in-house and all excess food waste from our restaurants is composted and donated to local farmers,” says general manager Donald Wong.

Address: Koh Ouen Private Island, Koh Rong Archipelago, Near Sihanoukville
Tel: +855 23 886 750
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