Sustainable luxury is here to stay! an update on eco-design By Frank M. Pfaller

There are still people who think eco-luxury luxury design is wasteful and there are those who sustain it because it produces a comfortable feeling of wellbeing. It’s been some time now since going green at hotels meant getting grungy. Today, alang-alang—roofed eco-lodges have ceded much of their environmentally friendly ground to luxe retreats created by top designers. And while token gestures like a note to safe water, re-use towels or a recycling bin placed under the desk might have once been enough, today’s green-thinking hotel aficionados demand much more rigorous eco bona fides. Some of these

enhancements—rainwater catchment systems and grey water recycling tanks —are invisible to guests (as well they should be). But others not only improve the hotel’s environmental impact, they go a long way toward improving the guest experience, too. Take for example John Hardy’s Bambu Indah retreat in Ubud, Bali, most probably the greenest eco-luxury hotel in the world, with its organic vegetable gardens, drinking-water-quality natural pool and a unique bamboo and sound architecture. Or our couture hotel delMango Villa Estate in Seminyak, Bali, which we had eco-designed by Nobuyuki

Narabayashi, former head ID of Superpotato. ""Feeling good in the intimacy of your hotel room is one of the most important things and basically, the concept around which gravitate the architects and designers. You may call it responsibility or accountability. I actually believe it’s simply becoming a popular demand, as the exclusive world of design is embracing the environment as never before. Top architects, such as our friend Matteo Thun are implementing revolutionary methods. Special tribute should be paid to our distinguished member hoteliers Sonu Shivdasani,

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inventor of SLOW - Sustainable, Local, Organic, Wellness and ‘BB’ Bohnenberger who have created a unique eco-luxury style – authentic, personal and sustainable, and in harmony with individual surroundings. Even world renowned interior designers such as Jacques Garcia — of Paris' Hôtel Costes fame — has (though on a different level!) introduced sustainability in New York at the noMad which reopened in 2009, and loaded it with plenty of eco-conscious features like automatic window shades, organic minibars, high-efficiency bathroom fixtures and a green roof.""Fashion and furniture key players are manufacturing products using sustainable materials. And luxury empires are establishing credos on issues their customers are still waking up to. Behind the scenes, trailblazing executives, such as Sir Richard Branson with whom we actively support the WholeWorldWater campaign, are embracing the green concept with considerable efforts and take financial risks to make it all happen — excellent! "

Also, sustainable tourism is increasingly becoming a distinguishing factor for travellers. According to Sustainable Travel International based in Colorado, USA, “Green travel has gone from a trend to a part of mainstream consumer and corporate culture.”"

So, it really seems that sustainability in all aspects of concept, architecture and design and travel is finally here to stay - very inspiring!"

 “ The major goal of all projects is the conception of long-lasting solutions as a result of the respect of the Genius Loci, an attitude privileging simplicity and archetypes and the philosophy of “3 Zeros” – Zero CO2, Zero Kilometres and Zero waste. “

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Pergola Residence"

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CHCINSIGHT Frank M. Pfaller

selectedhotels@mac.com www.selectedhotels.biz

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delMango"Villa EstateSeminyak

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Bambu Indah"

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selectedhotels@mac.com

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