Luxury Eco-Resorts Combine Green And Glamour (PHOTOS)

From Mother Nature Network and Laura Moss:

Travel can have a negative impact on the planet, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on seeing the world completely. While an eco-friendly vacation may bring to mind images of roughing it in the wilderness, there are many resorts that are both green and glamorous, where you can enjoy luxury with a conscience. Yes, some of the resorts on our list require a long flight, but luckily many of them are surrounded by lush, carbon-offsetting forests. Here are 10 eco-destinations across the globe where you can take a trip -- without the guilt trip.

List and captions courtesy of Mother Nature Network. Images as credited.

Comments

[Elizabeth Thorp]

08:41 PM on 01/30/2012

Great list! Now more places added to the bucket list. You should also add Hotelito Desconocido -- solar powered, eco friendly retreat and sanctuary 60 miles south of Puerto Vallarta. Pure heaven! http://www.hotelito.com/

[Mardukk]

02:21 PM on 01/30/2012

Luxury-eco: oxymoron.

[sunsetter]

07:46 AM on 01/30/2012

I love the "green" vacation

You drive your car to the airport
You fly on an airplane halfway around the world
The operators truck in food
You look at the countryside and are convinced that only you appreciate what you see.
You get back on your airliner and fly another 12 hours

At the end, you have photos of the wonders you saw - and a carbon footprint that was unnecessary to begin with.

Going green are like store sales - you have to spend a lot to save a little.

[artleads]

11:30 AM on 01/28/2012

There are plenty opportunities for luxury, style and green to co-exist. One starts with good art/aesthetic education in k-12, and add brilliant higher-ed design education to the mix. Science, ethics and art go together, and one suffers in the absence of the others.

[Orlando R Reyes Sr]

07:15 PM on 01/27/2012

The way to go!!!! More power to you. Stay alert, educate yourself. Live and love within your means!...?

[KDog76A]

04:21 PM on 01/27/2012

Eco-Resort...

Now there's a contradiction... tourism is not eco-friendly. PERIOD. If you go adventuring into any foreign ecosystem, you are having a negative impact on it.

For all the eco-friendly people out there, jusdt don't go on vacation. PERIOD. You are contributing to global warming

On the other hand, If you're the outdoorsy, adventurous type looking to experience the wilderness then go for it, but don't play into all the branding hype.

[artleads]

11:34 AM on 01/28/2012

I generally agree, although I'd be open for discussion and think that showing the outer limits of how generally destructive industries--like tourism--can be ameliorated by good design is better than nothing.

[franluchan]

03:28 PM on 01/27/2012

F This.

I'm heading to the 5 start resort on Lizard Island.

[blurredmolly]

03:55 PM on 01/27/2012

of course you are

[SEALCLUBBER81]

04:01 PM on 01/27/2012

I'm with you man..