While going through the list of hotel types in India, I came across a unique category called “eco-resorts”. Sometimes called an eco lodge, these resorts or hotels offer innovative retreats that are committed to conservation, cultural sensitivity, seclusion, and style. To reduce the carbon footprint, most hotels are built with recycled building materials and use solar water systems, wastewater treatment plants, and energy-saving light bulbs. They also hire local staff and benefit native communities; this is done not only to give a more authentic touch but mainly to give employment to the people who live in those places. In this blog we have compiled some hotels that are both ecological and glamorous, appropriate for a luxurious stay.
Vythiri Village, Wayanad- Featuring India’s first artificial waterfall
The sound of the chattering of the waterfall, the chirping of birds, the magnificent views of the beautiful Chembra Peak and the smell of spices, all this and much more can be experienced upon entering Vythiri Village. Set in 24 acres of lush green forest dotted with orchards growing jackfruit, pepper, turmeric, ginger and tapioca, Vythiri Village is one of the best tree house resorts in India. Located in the hills of Wayanad at an altitude of 2,600 feet above sea level, the resort has 200 rooms, a conventional lounge, a conference room, a game room, a health center and an artificial waterfall.
The hotel organizes activities such as trekking, biking, zip lining, archery, morning walk, creek walk and yoga as part of the hospitality. A cup of tea or coffee at the traditionally designed Kerala houseboat restaurant and tea garden are the highlights of the hotel. In the immediate vicinity of the complex, there is an artificial waterfall with three channels. Staying at this resort to feel this perfect green getaway, guests can enjoy the beauty of the vibrant jungle where they can have an encounter with nature, interact with local tribes and relax the senses in a spa session.
Location: NH-212, Near Vythiri Town, Vythiri, Wayanad, Kerala 673576
Spice Village, Periyar– Feast for the eyes, treat for the taste-buds
Just a stone’s throw from the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Spice Village is spread over an area of 14 acres of pesticide-free land that features thatched rooms made of elephant grass, dirt courtyards, lush green gardens, fruit trees, rare herbs and a profusion of flowering plants. Spice Village bears a resemblance to the traditional Periyar tribal village. The food served in the restaurant comes from gardens within the complex. During their stay in the spice village, guests can bird watch, enjoy a delicious meal made with organic vegetables, ride a carriage, learn traditional therapies, fish, and take a short trip to neighboring fruit plantations and orchards. The hotel takes its waste management seriously, separating and recycling scrap at the in-house vermicompost plant to make compost for the vegetable and herb gardens. There are no air conditioners in the complex and solar panels meet all electrical requirements. Spice Village works closely with the local tribal community, and they even contribute to the major pieces of art on display in the hotel.
Location: Kumily Thekkady Road, Thekkady, Kumily, Kerala 685509
Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom- Undiscovered heaven for travellers
Crossed by the waterways of the great Vembanad Lake, the Coconut Lagoon complex is housed in a tile-roofed bungalow, a part of which is believed to be 400 years old. The hotel villas are designed and made by local artisans, and some of the artifacts featured in the rooms come from traditional houses or heritage mansions across Kerala. The resort also has a composting plant that turns waste into manure and offers rides on its solar-powered boat. In addition, the hotel adopts the strategy of organic agriculture. At this resort, guests can spend time canoeing, bird watching, shelling coconuts, or watching a Kalari wrestling match in the morning.
Location: Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala 686563
Mountain Trail, Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand- Escape to the hills
Claimed as the only green complex in Mukteshwar, Mountain Trail is spread over an area of 2-1/2 acres, also at an elevation of 2300 meters above sea level. Inside the resort, you can see orchards with more than 100 fruit trees and flower beds with more than 70 types of flowers. The monsoon is the ideal time to book a stay on the Mountain Trail as this is when you can see the flowers bloom in the area and there is lush greenery as far as your eyes can see. The hotel uses cultural tourism to preserve biodiversity, highlight local traditions and create employment opportunities for locals. Plastic bags are strictly prohibited in the hotel; there are no televisions in the rooms, and even the water that is wasted from the bathroom is used to water the gardens.
Location: P.O. Sargakhet-263 132, (Mukteshwar) Dist. Nainital, Uttarakhand
The Blackbuck Lodge, Velavadar National Park- Witness the unparalleled beauty of the jungle
Situated on the gulf of Cambay in Gujarat, blackbuck hostel offers a stylish haven suitable for a secluded getaway. The resort has 14 different villas, which are made of eco-friendly materials, and each one has a window, from where guests can watch endangered eagles, hawks, and vultures soaring high in the sky. All unused items from the hotel like a plastic bag, battles, etc. are sent to the city for recycling and the meals in the restaurant are prepared with the freshly picked vegetables that are grown in the complex. The complex is equipped with a luxurious swimming pool and a gym. In the majestic tapestry of wildlife, the resort is a perfect choice for those looking for an ideal destination for demanding trips.
Location: Near Vallabhipur, Bhavnagar District, Velavadar, Gujarat 364313
Orange County, Kabini- Experience wildlife like never before
All the activities that take place in Orange County, Kabini, a two-hour drive from Mysore, are geared towards making visitors comfortable with wildlife. In Orange County, the guests stay in the cottages that adorn the sumptuous interiors and the ethnic interiors that are decorated with a tribal pattern. For the protection of the environment, the spa has undertaken multiple initiatives such as the installation of an EDAR (Wastewater Treatment Plant) with a standard outlet for running water; send unused plastic, paper, cups and metal cans for recycling and restrict the number of guests entering the resort. To get a clear picture of eco-friendly practices and a glimpse of tribal life, take a bike tour of the nearby villages.
Location: Bheeramballi Village & Post, HD Kote Taluk, Mysore, Karnataka
Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort, Bhuj, Gujarat- Enjoy a stay in the picturesque village
A part of the Government of India and United Nations Development Program initiative to support rural tourism and create employment opportunities, Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort deserves a special mention in the list of eco resorts in India. The resort has rooms in the form of mud houses with sloping roofs that remain fresh during the day and warm at night. Apart from the mud houses, there are eco tents, which are adorned with the finest block prints, and Kutchi paintings. On a stay in Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort, visitors have a variety of activities to choose from like a tour to Rann of Kutch and Chharid Dhand wetlands, workshops on bhunga (traditional houses in Kutch) and folk music and dance performances to wind up the day.
Location: Bhuj (Kutch), Hodka, Gujarat 370510
Nameri Eco Camp, Nameri National Park- Get close to the wonders of nature
Established 22 years ago, Nameri Eco Camp is one of the oldest nature camps in North East India. The complex is one of those ancient places from where you can see the clear blue sky, a breathtaking view of the eastern Himalayas and the chattering of the Nameri river. At Nameri Eco Camp, guests can stay in a bamboo and thatched roof tent or cabin. For bird watchers, the resort is heaven, seeing 420 species of birds here, including the critically endangered White-winged Wood Duck. There are also excellent walking and bird watching trails around the camp. Also, you can go rafting on the Jia-Bhoreli river or explore the national park on foot as the jeep safari is not available. The complex is working closely with the Assam State Institute for Rural Development; here you can find camps started by villagers to start small farming businesses and become less dependent on the forest. The complex is also working closely with the Eco Task Force, the special unit of the Indian Army to distribute saplings in the afforestation area.
Location: Village- Torajan Potasali, P.O.- Gamani, Dist- Sonitpur, Assam- 784103
Banasura Hill Resort, Wayanad- Set up on a journey to paradise
Quietly nestled in a part of one of the world’s richest biodiversities, the Western Ghats, Banasura Hill is a nature lover’s delight. Dotted with tea, coffee, pepper, and cashew plantations, this 35-acre resort sits at an elevation of 3,200 feet. Viewed from a distance, the complex appears a riot of color with the dull orange mud walls of the huts framed by the riotous green of the forest and Banasura Hill just beyond. As the region is a biodiversity hotspot, a beautiful waterfall, bird-watching spots, numerous streams, and jungle trails can all be found here, all within a short walk away. One of the most interesting aspects of the resort is its architecture; the huts are built using the rammed earth technique and have elephant grass thatched roofs and bamboo furniture, while the fences are created by planting thousands of bamboos of different varieties around their perimeter. A rainwater harvesting system meets all of the resort’s water requirements.
Location: Vellamunda, Wayanad, Kerala 670731, India
Kipling Camp, Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh- Luxury in the wilderness
Established by the two famous wildlife conservationists – Anne and the late Bob Wright in the buffer zone of Kanha National Park, Kipling Camp is one of the oldest forest lodges in the area. The resort works closely with the Baiga tribal community and communicates with them through a corporation that was formed years ago. The organization supports local fine and performing arts. A stay at the resort offers a perfect opportunity to relax in the arms of nature. Each of the 30 cabins has an individual identity and is built with local materials. These are multiple options for dining at the resort: under a mahua tree, on a patio, or even under the stars. Additionally, there are many private cabanas in the hotel that overlook the body of water, which remains filled with rainwater even during the most inclement weather conditions. In addition, there is a treatment plant that filters the water with sand and other natural elements.
Location: Morcha Village, P.O. Kisli – Kanha National Park, Mandla District, Madhya Pradesh 481768, India
