DEEPERLUXURY - The 2025 Bucket List of Sustainable Luxury Retreats
As we turn our gaze to 2025, the spotlight on sustainable luxury continues to grow brighter. At HoteliersGuild, we take immense pride in curating experiences that transcend mere opulence, focusing instead on retreats that embrace the core principles of EcoLuxNature—a harmonious blend of luxury, sustainability, cultural heritage, and community. It is with great excitement that we present our DEEPERLUXURY 2025 Bucket List, featuring six outstanding sustainable luxury retreats from around the globe.
These destinations aren’t ranked—because how can one possibly rank the unparalleled? Instead, they are celebrated for their unique commitment to responsible tourism, each an inspiring beacon for how hospitality can tread lightly on the planet while enriching the soul of its visitors.
EcoLuxNature: A Responsibility, Not Just a Trend
In an era where conscious travel is no longer a choice but a necessity, these retreats lead the way in redefining the meaning of luxury. Each property on this list exemplifies the philosophy of EcoLuxNature, where the beauty of unspoiled landscapes, local heritage, and cultural authenticity are treated not as backdrops but as integral parts of the experience. From preserving biodiversity and supporting local communities to offering transformative wellness and culinary experiences, these visionary retreats show us what the future of hospitality looks like.
A Tribute to Visionaries
Behind each of these remarkable properties are trailblazing visionaries—owners, operators, and their teams—who have dared to reimagine luxury in alignment with sustainability. Their tireless dedication to responsible tourism and community engagement deserves our highest commendation. They have embraced the challenge of balancing ecological sensitivity with indulgent guest experiences, creating sanctuaries that inspire, educate, and leave a lasting impression.
Travel with Purpose
For the discerning traveler of 2025, these retreats offer much more than luxury. They invite you to connect with nature, immerse yourself in local culture, and contribute to the preservation of unique destinations for generations to come. Each visit is a step toward responsible tourism—one that aligns with our shared commitment to making travel a force for good.
An Invitation to Discover
We are proud to showcase these extraordinary retreats in our upcoming DEEPERLUXURY magazine. As you peruse these stories, may you be inspired not just to visit but to embrace the ethos they represent. Let us travel with purpose, guided by the belief that true luxury lies in experiences that respect and uplift the world around us.
To the visionaries behind these properties: we salute your innovation and courage. Your work serves as a beacon for an industry in transformation, and we are honored to share your stories with our global audience.
Here’s to a 2025 filled with journeys that matter.
Warm regards, Frank
M. Pfaller
01.
BAMBU INDAH - Bali, Indonesia
A true EcoLuxNature retreat, Bambu Indah offers a bohemian escape overlooking Bali’s lush Sayan Ridge, far from the typical coastal resorts. Nestled in a fragrant jungle of tamarind and cinnamon trees near Ubud, its ethereal bamboo suites prove that sustainability and high design go hand in hand. Founded in 2005 by John and Cynthia Hardy with antique Javanese bridal homes, the retreat has since expanded to include bamboo treehouses and iconic open-air rooms with a copper moon-shaped roof. Guests can immerse themselves in wellness activities and enjoy farm-to-table dining at Tembaga, featuring dishes sourced from the hotel’s own permaculture farm.
For John and Cynthia Hardy, bamboo is truly a family affair. In 2008, the couple founded the bamboo-built Green School in Bali’s lush interior and created Bambu Indah, a rustic retreat with four simple Javanese teak gladak houses. Meaning “beautiful bamboo,” Bambu Indah has evolved over the years with ad hoc additions and, most recently, a thoughtful renovation, blossoming into a stunning 23-room sanctuary that fully lives up to its name.
Pikaia Lodge Founder and President, Herbert Frei, comments: "it is because eco-tourism was developed here 40 years ago, well-managed by authorities and supported by the private tourism sector; that wildlife still thrives here."
02.
PIKAIA LODGE - Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos archipelago, Ecuador
Nestled on the island of Santa Cruz in the heart of the Galápagos, Pikaia Lodge redefines sustainable luxury with elegance and ecology at its core. Constructed using environmentally conscious methods and materials, the lodge offers refined rooms and suites featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that frame breathtaking views of the lush coastal hills. Select accommodations even include private balconies and plunge pools, offering serene privacy after a day of exploration.
The contemporary main building is home to two sophisticated spaces for relaxation. The Lobby Lounge, opening onto a stunning infinity pool, invites you to savor a drink while soaking in panoramic sea views. For those seeking intellectual enrichment, the Homo Sapiens Lounge showcases a curated collection of books, films, and exhibitions celebrating the rich history and biodiversity of the Galápagos.
03.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTOJapan
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO effortlessly blends modern elegance with centuries of rich history. Located in Kyoto, Japan’s imperial capital for over a millennium and the cradle of cultural treasures like sadō (the way of tea), this flagship hotel of the Mitsui family stands across from the UNESCO-listed Nijo Castle. Fully restored with meticulous attention to detail, the property offers tranquil stays for those seeking to recharge or explore Kyoto’s heritage with ease.
Centered around a serene courtyard with a weeping cherry tree and still pond, the hotel features 161 refined rooms and suites, three distinctive restaurants, a luxurious spa, and an onsen.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO redefines hospitality by seamlessly combining heritage, culture, and understated luxury.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO sits in the heart of Kyoto, adjacent to the historic Nijo-jo Castle, on the storied site of the Mitsui family’s Kyoto residence—a legacy spanning over 250 years. Reflecting the tranquility and heritage of its location, the hotel’s 160 guest rooms are modern interpretations of traditional Japanese tearooms, crafted with natural materials and elevated by masterful artisanal techniques.
Set within the vast 8,300-squarekilometre Ngorongoro Conservation Area, stretching from the Rift Valley to the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge draws inspiration from the Maasai manyatta (homestead) style. Widely regarded as one of Africa’s most architecturally spectacular safari lodges, it seamlessly blends cultural heritage with unparalleled luxury.
04.
NGORONGORO CRATER LODGES - Tansania, Africa
Ngorongoro Crater Lodge stands as the game lodge at the top of the world, where breathtaking views of the ancient caldera meet an opulent design that feels plucked from a dream. The nearly threemillion-year-old Crater shelters one of Earth’s most extraordinary wildlife havens—endangered black rhino, giant tusked elephants, roaming lions, and flamingos dancing on soda lakes.
Blending baroque elegance with African whimsy, the lodge's 30 stilted suites feature banana leaf ceilings, grass roofs, and sumptuous interiors of teak paneling, Victorian furnishings, and eclectic décor. Divided into three intimate camps, each with its own dining and lounge areas, guests are treated to personal butler service and ever-changing vistas of mist swirling over the wildlife cauldron below.
At Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, time and place dissolve into a spectacular harmony of natural beauty and theatrical luxury, offering an experience unlike any other on the African continent.
05.
Le Grotte della Civita -
Matera, Italy
Set into the ancient Apennine village of Matera, renowned for its iconic Sassi quarters, Le Grotte della Civita offers a rare glimpse into Italy's storied past. Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993, is a breathtaking testament to centuries of human ingenuity. Its labyrinth of caves, transformed over millennia into dwellings, churches, and palaces, showcases a heritage that dates back to the Stone and Bronze Ages, flourished with medieval monastic communities, and later thrived as a vibrant farming hub.Set in the oldest part of the Sassi, the Civita, Le Grotte della Civita is a masterpiece of preservation and refinement. With 18 rooms and the exquisitely restored Cripta della Civita—a former church now serving as a communal sanctuary—the property retains its original features while offering a serene retreat overlooking the spectacular Murgia Park and its rock-hewn churches. This Albergo Diffuso embodies the essence of cultural authenticity, blending history and hospitality for an experience that is both timeless and luxurious.
Pikaia Lodge Founder and President, Herbert Frei, comments: Timeless Elegance in Matera’s Historic Heart.Tthe Sassi of Matera stand as an unparalleled testament to Italy’s rich history. This extraordinary hamlet flourished in the Middle Ages as a hub for monastic communities, and later evolved into a thriving agricultural center, nourished by the fertile bounty of the surrounding hills and plains.
06.
WATLEY MANOR - Malmesbury, U.K.
A Leading DEEPERLUXURY Retreat
Set on 12 acres of lush gardens in Malmesbury, just 90 minutes west of Oxford, Whatley Manor offers an exclusive escape with only 23 bespoke guestrooms. Each suite features handmade super king-sized beds, heated bathroom floors, and thoughtful touches like homemade biscuits for a truly intimate experience.
Whatley Manor proudly holds a Silver accreditation from EarthCheck, the global leader in sustainable travel certification. Adding to its accolades, The Dining Room has been awarded a prestigious Green Michelin Star, underscoring the property’s dedication to a more sustainable future.
A Leading DEEPERLUXURY and EarthCheck Silver Certified 5-star retreat on the edge of the Cotswolds, Watley Manor blends luxurious country house charm with a commitment to responsible luxury. Guests can indulge in Michelin-starred dining, rejuvenate at the spa, and connect with the property’s stunning gardens—all while supporting its dedication to sustainability and ethical operations.
