In today’s society, sustainable practices are becoming increasingly important in order to establish a balance between our modern lifestyle and the preservation and maintenance of our natural resources. This is true across all industries, and the luxury hospitality sector is no exception. Luxury hotels and lodges are now incorporating sustainable practices into their operations, aligning with the pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and providing guests with experiences that prioritize well-being and respect for nature and regional cultures. In this article, we will explore the top 10 innovative hotels and lodges in Brazil that are going above and beyond to embrace sustainability.
One such hotel is the Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge, located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. This lodge encourages guests to participate in community-based travel experiences that allow them to explore the daily lives of the local riverside communities. The hotel is deeply involved with the local population, contributing to the renovation of a school, monitoring the school program, and implementing solar energy and healthy meals. They also transform all their organic waste into compost, promoting organic and regenerative agriculture in the region.
Another standout is the Barracuda Group, located on the sunny beach of Itacaré in Bahia. The hotel’s “Rumo ao Lixo Zero” (Towards Zero Waste) project is committed to regenerating natural resources on the property. They have eliminated the use of plastic by adopting bamboo or stainless steel straws, paper bags, and glass or ceramic bottles and jugs. The hotel has its own water purification system, solar panels for shower heating, and LED lights. They also prioritize local ingredients from small rural producers and support the fishing community of Itacaré.
In the Northeast region of Bahia, Casa dos Arandis implements various sustainable practices. The hotel has reduced the use of plastic bottles by providing filtered water in glass bottles for almost ten years. They have embraced solar energy and have become a carbon-neutral company. They have also implemented a sustainable waste management project called “Vila Circular,” which includes cultivating their own organic vegetable garden. Casa dos Arandis is engaged in the “Coração de Tartaruga” project, working towards protecting turtle hatchlings along the coastline of the Maraú Peninsula.
Txai Resort in Itacaré, Bahia, is an oasis in the midst of nature and a benchmark in sustainable hospitality. The resort has various ESG projects aimed at protecting the environment and biodiversity while promoting socioeconomic development in the region. They created the Instituto Companheiros do Txai (ICT) 21 years ago to help protect wildlife on the Costa do Cacau. They also run the Txaitarugas initiative, which ensures the protection of sea turtles and involves guests and the community.
Caiman, located in the Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, is dedicated to protecting the wildlife and culture of the Pantanal. Guests can go on observation safaris to spot over 500 species of animals that live freely in the area. They can also take tours designed by innovative local conservation projects. Caiman is involved with Onçafari, a project for jaguars, and Instituto Arara Azul, a project for hyacinth macaws. Sustainable actions, such as composting and a banana circle treatment system for kitchen water, take place daily on this authentic Pantanal farm.
The Botanique Hotel & Spa, located in Campos do Jordão, São Paulo, has sustainability in its DNA. All experiences offered to guests propose a reconnection with nature and the context in which the property is situated. At The Lab, a space dedicated to dehydrating produce from the hotel’s own garden, guests can participate in workshops to learn how to make bath salts, exfoliants, moisturizers, and massage pouches. Everything grown in the garden is done without the use of pesticides or agrochemicals to preserve the fauna and diversity of insects essential to the ecosystem.
In the Serra da Mantiqueira region of Minas Gerais, Ibiti Projeto is dedicated to reforestation, natural regeneration, and repopulation of native fauna. Guests can immerse themselves in the recovery of forests and learn about programs focused on reintroducing wild species such as tapirs and rheas. The property features a warehouse for storing recyclable materials and transforming glass bottles into cups. They also practice composting to reduce waste and avoid using plastic or packaging in the rooms.
In Rio de Janeiro, the Janeiro Hotel aims to offer experiences under the concept of “new luxury” by implementing sustainable actions. With the ASAP (As Sustainable As Possible) project, the hotel uses materials with a lower environmental impact and promotes social inclusion through the use of old fishing nets to produce bags. They also work with a cooperative of seamstresses to produce fabric labels for all the rooms.
Ronco do Bugio, located in Piedade, São Paulo, is surrounded by the Atlantic Forest. The hotel produces 100% of its energy from solar panels and avoids interfering with the native vegetation. They use natural cleaning products, laundry detergents, and repellents, and their water is treated before being returned to the environment without contaminants. The employees’ uniforms are made from organic cotton and natural dyes. All waste produced is properly disposed of, with organic material becoming compost and recyclable waste sent to a local NGO.
Finally, Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort in Santa Catarina recycles 100% of its waste and reuses water from the sewage plant for gardening. Rainwater is used for various purposes on the property, and organic waste undergoes a composting process to create fertilizer for the garden. The resort’s bungalows were sustainable designed with cross ventilation, solar panels, green roofs, and reforested wood. They are also leading a reforestation campaign in the surrounding area.
In conclusion, these innovative hotels and lodges in Brazil have gone above and beyond in their commitment to sustainability. From community-based travel experiences to regenerative agriculture projects and renewable energy initiatives, these establishments are leading the way in sustainable hospitality. By prioritizing environmental, social, and governance practices, they are not only providing memorable experiences to their guests but also contributing to the preservation of nature and regional cultures.
