Vivanta by Taj
Bekal
eco USP
In harmony with nature

About a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Mangalore airport – through small towns and hamlets, down palm-fringed roads and alongside clumps of dense trees – takes you to the relatively undiscovered town of Bekal. It is home to the newly-minted oasis of serenity – the spa resort Vivanta by Taj Bekal. Located on a picturesque expanse of 25 acres, nestled in a rustic environment, the property is a luxurious soul sanctuary that is waiting to be experienced.

Satiate your senses in a multitude of ways from the instant you step into its environs. The architecture is inspired by the Kettuvallam houseboats which are unique to the region. Vivanta by Taj in Bekal seamlessly reflects the local ethos in almost every aspect of its design, recreating a quintessential Kerala experience amidst the bounty of nature.

The key word is relaxation. A range of individual rooms and villas offer a completely private retreat – some of them raise the luxury and intimacy quotient with plunge pools, private courtyards and dining areas, a rain shower and soak tub. A refreshing way to experience peace in the midst of pampering!

Spread over 165,000 square feet, the expansive Jiva Grande Spa is the pride of the property. Organic and natural rituals are imparted in spaces infused with energy and holistic balance. Here, in the Alepa and Abhisheka pavilions, the ritualistic fire ceremonies (havans) and other signature experiences are enough solace for the soul. The attentive staff at the spa is outfitted in clean organic clothes; in fact the entire range of linen used in the area is completely natural. As are the treatments offered, dipping into the cleansing properties of mud, sandalwood and more.

The wellness retreat offers detox and wellness packages spread over days. The Ayurveda sanctuary at the Jiva Grande built by the backwaters has a satvik dining lounge, carefully planned relaxation spaces and several programmes that help you detox. Ideal for souls alone, perfect for couples!

Grand Hyatt
Goa
eco USP
organic farming

Lavishly spread across 28 acres of tropical gardens and rolling lawns, the Grand Hyatt Goa is a contemporary resort and spa built in the quintessential architectural style of a 17th century Indo-Portuguese palace. Grand in scale and design, the resort is a destination spa with 19 treatment suites offering Thai, Balinese and Indian treatments and boasts of the largest banquet facilities in Goa.

Located at Bambolim Bay, this enchanting resort and spa is the perfect amalgamation of luxury, comfort and serenity.

The hotel prides itself in working with organically-grown, fresh farm produce by local farmers and aided by Green Essentials – a small store in Goa that attempts to provide healthier and more environmentally friendly alternatives to everyday home needs. Right from freshly-harvested salad leaves to home-grown arugula, lettuce, baby carrots, spring onions, morning glory and pak choi, organic produce is regularly supplied by local farmers. In return, to enhance soil fertility, the hotel segregates its kitchen waste for composting and supplies it to the locals thereby supporting the community and effectively reusing the waste.

Jaipur Marriott Hotel
eco USP
waste management

The Jaipur Marriott Hotel flawlessly complements the vibrancy and colourful traditions of Rajasthan’s bustling capital. Offering a contemporary abode in the vivid Pink City, the hotel is a unique expression of splendour and sophistication displaying the finest blend of modern architecture with subtle ethnic design elements.

The property follows a host of green practices, the most prominent being their effective waste management techniques that use the Sewage Treatment Plan for treatment and recycling of sewage for irrigation and flush usages. They also employ alternative energy resources like rain-water harvesting and solar heat plants to save energy. Their green initiatives like the tree plantation drive – Spirit to Serve – have helped create awareness and education amongst society.

Metropolitan Hotel & Spa
New Delhi
eco USP
socially responsible

Nicknamed ‘The Met’, The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa is a swanky hip property that promises to fulfil all your whims and fancies with their bespoke services. Located in the heart of the capital, it is a fine blend of style and grandeur. The hotel’s minimalist and urban designs, luxe rooms and sumptuous world cuisine make it an ideal retreat for the discerning vagabond.

Following an active green policy, the hotel has an ecological philosophy also called the EcoMet programme that combines the age-old wisdom of Ayurvedic and modern sciences. Most functions in the property are focussed on policies based on the three ‘R’s – reduce, reuse and recycle. The property also follows the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility wherein the organisation identifies the needs of the regional community to pick out pressing issues that need immediate work.

Lakshman Sagar
Rajasthan
eco USP
minimal intervention

Tucked away in the scenic and vivid vistas of Raipur, the Lakshman Sagar resort encapsulates the history and local traditions of the Marwar area. Merging indigenous Rajasthani designs, the meticulously-planned cottages and lodges have been reinterpreted in colourful designs predominantly using locally sourced stone, wood and mud. The lavishly appointed interiors are inspired by products and furnishings that are created locally, making every nuance of the experience consciously regional.

The property believes in blending natural surroundings with the architecture and designs. The layout ensures that everything from the smallest tree to the largest boulders to the dips and rises in the landscape are designed around the natural flora and fauna of the area. To reduce carbon footprints, stone, mud and wood are used. Furnishings like the Zanana tables inspired by local Rajasthani women, the light fittings made out of milk cans, or the vivid colours used, prove that a conscious effort has been made to draw out the otherwise unexplored bits of the regional culture.

Hilton New Delhi
Noida-Mayur Vihar Noida
eco USP
energy efficient

Trendy, urbane and edgy seems to be the style mantra of this property. Cosily snuggled near Noida, the sprawling property with its alchemy of harmonious colours, an array of global cuisine and state-of-the-art business centre, makes it the perfect treat for its high-flying guests.

Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of hotel brands is in fact the first major multi-brand company in the hospitality industry across the world to make sustainability measurement a brand standard. The hotel’s sustainability rating system – Lightstay – measures energy and water use which is compared to the waste and carbon output. The property also uses rain water harvesting, sewage treatment systems and regularly conducts energy audits for green improvements.

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