20 SUSTAINABLE PLACES TO STAY

DOMINICA

SECRET BAY

In the wake of 2017’s Hurricane Maria, Secret Bay was one of Dominica’s comeback stories. The intimate eco-luxury retreat, on a cliff above the sea, partially reopened in late 2018 with six villas and a new wellness pavilion and fine-dining restaurant showcasing indigenous herbs grown onsite. Meticulous care was taken to develop the site without heavy machinery, with vetiver grass planted to fortify the cliff for decades to come.

Intimacy and mindfulness are at the forefront here. Each decked-out villa has a full kitchen, private plunge pool, deck, and privacy provided by Mother Nature. Sure, there are plenty of activities – everything from yoga and sea-cave exploring to private art lessons with a local artist – but the real treat here is being lulled away from ‘doing’ in favour of simply ‘being’.

That said, there are some not-to-be-missed experiences. Guests can venture to Prince Rupert Bay with a local fisher to learn how to hunt lionfish, an invasive (and delicious) species that threatens local biodiversity. After diving in to practise throwing spears at the bay’s sandy floor, it’s time to aim for the beautifully striped lionfish themselves. Whatever is caught comes back to shore for a beachside barbecue.

ON YOUR DOORSTEP There are 531 hectares of protected wetlands, coral reefs and tropical forests to explore at Cabrits National Park, set around a peninsula just 15 minutes’ drive north. Find local produce, spices, and more at the Portsmouth Saturday Market.

www.secretbay.dm; three-night stay from ₹2,00,000

THAILAND

YARD HOSTEL

Yard Hostel in Bangkok is flying the flag for a new model of environmentally-friendly big-city living on a small budget. Recycling is just one social initiative at the hostel, as even the buildings are recycled – the rooms were shipping containers before being insulated with recycled paper to keep out the heat

Set in an enclosed garden, Yard supports environmentalism – guests are provided with water bottles to refill with purified water from a shared water station, low-energy lighting is triggered by motion sensors and timers, and the breakfast yoghurt and jam is hand-made onsite. Room rates help fund good causes, such as Karen community forest conservation projects.

But this still feels like a proper Thai hostel, down to the free wi-fi and yoga classes and the library of well-thumbed travel novels and guidebooks. The name riffs on the Thai meaning of ‘yard’ (relative), and staying here feels like visiting an eccentric family member who is happily doing their own thing. In this urban oasis, you’ll