We are honored to present this year’s Top 10 Green Spas, awarded to the following extraordinary spas. They raise the bar on environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, while maintaining a standard of luxury that isn’t always easy to balance. We admire their efforts on behalf of energy efficiency, nature conservation, use of local and natural ingredients and building materials and overall commitment to promoting wellness, human health and the health of the environment.
—The Editors
Southern Ocean Lodge
Kingscote, South Australia
It feels like the edge of the world and, in a way, it is. The owners of Southern Ocean Lodge, perched on the brink of a secluded cliff overlooking the Southern Ocean, have a robust sustainable-management policy in place to protect the untouched wilderness of Kangaroo Island’s coastline, with solar power, electric vehicles, organic composting systems, chemical-free waste-water treatment, extensive recycling and water management. The intimate spa features treatments with local lavender, kelp and pure honey from flowering eucalyptus trees. southernoceanlodge.com.au/spa/
Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa
Sonoma, CA
Nature is at the heart of this idyllic wine country resort, from the vineyards and farms that surround it (and supply its restaurants) to the ancient mineral springs that flow more than1,000 feet underneath. The healing thermal waters are used in the 40,000-square-foot spa’s soaks and pools, while other treatments—including the signature Kurs—use local products like Sonoma Lavender. As with all Fairmont hotels, an on-site Sustainability Team helps ensure the extensive environmental programming is implemented at the highest levels. fairmont.com/sonoma
Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa
Avon, CO
Near Beaver Creek Mountain, in Vail Valley, this LEED Silver Certified resort and 27,000-square-foot Spa Anjali (using only natural and organic lines) is state-of-the-art sustainable. Fully half of the energy is renewable, and building materials feature non-emitting paints and local aspen and rocks from the nearby river. Guests can qualify for discounts for their green practices. westinriverfrontbeavercreek.com
Bardessono
Yountville, CA
One of the few LEED Platinum Certified hotels in the U.S., this chic Napa Valley retreat puts the environment above all else (so much so, it has even banned e-cigarettes.) Farm-fresh cuisine, on-site veggie gardens, carbon-fiber bikes and green design elements set the scene at the hotel, while the spa treatments incorporate natural Tara, Dr. Alkaitis products, vinotherapy products and both Eastern and Western healing techniques. bardessono.com
Sonnenalp
Vail, CO
Sonnenalp means “sun on the mountains,” and the owners’ love of the Colorado Rockies has inspired them to want to protect it. Sustainability initiatives throughout this Sustainable Travel International Eco-Certified Luxury Hotel include: energy and water conservation, waste management, carbon footprint management, comprehensive recycling programs, and task the staff to improve by five percent each year. The European spa features a comprehensive water therapy program. sonnenalp.com
Tierra Patagonia
Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia
Set in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve at the tip of South America, this lodge celebrates the stunning surroundings with picture windows that frame Lake Sarmiento. Sustainability initiatives range from use of indigenous materials and ingredients from local ranches, farms and fishermen, to supporting the Reforest Patagonia project, which aims to plant 1 million trees in Chilean Patagonia. The intimate Uma Spa features hydro-massage pools and an outdoor Jacuzzi with views of the pampas. tierrapatagonia.com
The BodyHoliday, LeSPORT
Castries, St. Lucia
“Good eco practice is not a debate,” says the CEO of this beachside St. Lucia wellness resort—a motto that is backed up by its extensive energy-efficiency, recycling and conservation programs, support for the local community (including working with local fishermen and farmers), and guest education classes on coral reef biology. And then there’s the Green Globe-certified spa, where treatments use ingredients like Lucian ginger, coconut milk and marine algae. thebodyholiday.com
For a virtual tour of The BodyHoliday, click here.
Palais Namaskar
Marrakech, Morocco
Recently named Best Luxury Green Hotel in Africa, this sleek resort a short drive from Marrakech’s historic old town is a fairyland of lush gardens and candlelit pools, stylish villas and romantic restaurants. The contemporary spa highlights Moroccan ingredients like herbal black soap and argan oil, and hammam treatments with gray clay wraps performed in a steam room, while organic ila products are featured in nourishing massages and body services. palaisnamaskar.com
Destination Hotels’ Inn & Spa at Loretto
Santa Fe, NM
This beautiful adobe property, modeled after the Taos Pueblo, is Green Key Certified and committed to the Destination Hotels’ Destination Earth policies, where environmental initiatives set a benchmark with environmentally responsible building materials, energy and water conservation policies, recycling and use of recycled materials, and local and organic food sourced for the award-winning restaurant. The Spa at Loretto features natural and organic lines, and authentic healing treatments based on Native American traditions. innatloretto.com
Hotel Terra
Teton Village, WY
Hotel Terra and Chili Spa take their gorgeous setting seriously, and do their part to protect it by offsetting power with solar, wind and hydro energy, and collecting runoff water. Ninety percent of the LEED Silver Certified Preferred Hotel’s interiors are designed to capture natural light, the rooms feature 100 percent natural and organic mattresses, steel used in the build is 80 percent recycled, with low VOC carpets, pads and paints throughout. hotelterrajacksonhole.com