The term “green” has had quite the journey over the last few decades. What began as a term that demonstrated concern for the environment has become an all-encompassing philosophy covering everything from clean energy to a holistic approach to sustainable development. Ultimately, it’s about impact — reducing impact on the environment, while expanding impact on the local community.
When we talk about green hotels, we’re talking about all of these things. While the increased conversation on sustainability is a very welcome development, there are certain hotels in the region doing a bit more to make a “green” impact, whether from journeying off the grid to being climate-smart to making a deeper difference in their local communities.
This Earth Day, the 2023 edition of the Caribbean’s Greenest Hotels looks to celebrate those hotels that are setting the standard for what it means to be “green” in today’s world.
“The landscape of sustainability in the Caribbean tourism industry has never been brighter, as more and more hotel properties make it a true priority,” said Alexander Britell, editor and publisher of Caribbean Journal. “This year’s Greenest Hotels list is a nod to those hotels that are going the extra mile to make a difference and show the ways that going green actually enrich the travel experience.”
Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort Statia The Dutch Caribbean island of Statia has made no secret of its push to be at the forefront of the region’s green movement. And Statia’s premier hotel, the new Golden Rock, has sustainability as an essential focus. It begins with energy, which remains the number one fundament of the word green. Here, the hotel is completely off the grid. That means solar panels completely power the resort; the property uses reverse osmosis to create drinking water, storing nearly 240,000 liters at a time; all part of an all-encompassing program that encourages visitors to engage and connect with this nature-focused island. It’s the standard-bearer for a destination that is looking to set the next big example for the Caribbean.
Sunset Reef, St Kitts Recently named best new boutique hotel in the Caribbean, Sunset Reef has a first-of-its kind geothermal system that powers and, most importantly, heats and cools the resort, from the rooms to the pool. As an example, the geothermal system is nearly 700-800 percent more energy efficient than a typical heating and cooling system. That’s just the beginning here: Walter filtration is sent though four different filters, and the hotel is planing to add wind turbines and add a solar cube to the property.
Small Hope Bay Lodge, The Bahamas In many ways, this Andros resort was the first true eco-resort in the Caribbean, a place that placed its natural environment on a pedestal. Six decades later, this hotel is all about experiencing — and protecting — the maritime world in Andros; there’s universal solar water heating, LED lighting, water management, extensive recycling and an overarching focus on marine conservation and education — with an understanding that safeguarding Andros’ pristine natural environment is essential to its tourism future.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba Few resorts have better exemplified the wide-ranging meaning of “green” than Aruba’s signature green resort, where the focus on sustainability can be found at just about every corner. Billed as the first “carbon-neutral” resort in the Caribbean, Bucuti & Tara, under the leadership of Ewald Biemans, has a holistic approach to green, from the use of solar water heaters to smart temperature management to the creation of a full-fledged nature preserve.
Cooper Island Beach Club, British Virgin Islands This beloved private-island resort in the British Virgin Islands has put sustainability at the forefront; more than 300 solar panels generate almost 100 percent of the resort’s power needs (including running the island’s desalination plant); its green, on-site brewery serves only draft beer, not canned; the hotel even crushes down empty bottles to use as material for construction projects. And the resort’s gardens send produce to the hotel’s restaurant. It’s a model for what a small island can do — and has helped turn the hotel into one of the Caribbean’s most beloved private destinations.
Coulbri Ridge, Dominica Dominica’s newest resort calls it “sustainable luxury,” but it’s far more than that. The boutique resort on the southern end of the island was built using solar energy and is 100 percent green energy today through a combination of solar and wind turbines. The off-the-grid resort harvests pure rainwater, uses eco-friendly linens and uses a UV and copper ionization program for all of the hotel’s water, including both pools.
Lovango Resort + Beach Club, US Virgin Islands This new-build private-island resort off the coast of St John is completely sustainable, with wind and solar power and a complete desolation program. The property is also working, in partnership with the University of the Virgin Islands, to help rebuild and restore coral reefs around the island.
Secret Bay, Dominica Dominica’s premier luxury resort folds sustainability into the fabric of the resort, from paperless check-in to hyper-locally-sourced food to a completely sustainable construction process for every villa. The hotel has expertly immersed itself in the local community and the local environment, part of a comprehensive program for every individual vacation experience.
Rockhouse, Jamaica Negril’s top boutique hotel has long set the standard for sustainability in Jamaica. First, there is the Rockhouse Foundation, which has helped invest more than $7 million in six different local schools (with another transformation on the way). The environment is a major priority: the hotel has its own in-house environmental management team; an organic farm on the property; low-voltage lighting, rainwater harvesting and towel and linen recycling programs, among other initiatives.
Hix Island House, Vieques, Puerto Rico Puerto Rico’s first true eco-friendly hotel is almost completely off the grid, from solar water heaters to sun-powered hotel rooms. Architect John Hix designed his eponymous retreat in Vieques as a “unique haven” of sustainability, with four striking “casas,” including the completely solar-powered Casa Solaris, the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Even the pool uses silver and cooper ionization to reduce the need for conventional chemicals.
Hermitage Bay, Antigua This stunning OBMI-designed all-inclusive retreat in Antigua is green in every sense. The hotel was built using sustainable construction materials, solar energy is used wherever possible, the sourcing has a “zero food miles” approach and an on-site eco-team monitors every aspect of sustainability, even protecting local nesting sea turtles.
Jade Mountain, Saint Lucia While this Saint Lucia resort may be best known for its infinity-pool sanctuaries in view of the Pitons, the hotel has been implementing high-level sustainability initiatives for decades. That ranges from low-flush toilets and chlorine-free,Ozone-treated pools to deep use of natural lighting during the day, an on-site farm and an extensive water management program.
Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama Yes, an overwater resort can be green. This beloved Bocas del Toro resort marries ancient and modern sustainability approaches: a thatched-roof construction authentic to Panama and a high-tech solar-driven energy network, More broadly, the hotel supports local educational, sporting and cultural programs, and is a strong member of the country’s Blue Flag program.
Fond Doux Plantation and Resort, Saint Lucia A leading light in the world of Caribbean sustainability, Fond Doux is inextricably tied to the local community in Soufriere, as authentic a travel experience as you’ll find in the Caribbean. Eroline and Lyton Lamontagne have cultivated a resort that is part of its natural environment, connected to its local community and endlessly mindful of its impact: the resort has solar water heaters, LED lights, linen and towel recycling, a strict focus on local suppliers and an outstanding (and delicious) farm-to-table culinary program.
True Blue Bay, Grenada Grenada’s first “climate smart” resort, the Green Globe-certified True Blue is as focused on sustainability as it is on being an integral part of the island. On the green front, the hotel uses electric buses for transport, broadly composts its waste, has solar water heating in all rooms and kitchens; founded beach clean-up drives across Grenada; and generates nearly a third of its energy through solar photovoltaic systems. The hotel even helped get styrofoam prohibited on the island.