What Relaxation For The Sustainably Conscious Looks Like

What Relaxation For Sustainably Conscious Individuals Looks Like

In periods of stress, it is important to take some time out of your busy schedule to allow yourself to catch your breath. It has long been known that one of the perfect ways to achieve peace of mind is through a visit to the spa - but - how environmentally friendly are they really?

2020 has seen a global shift in consciousness - we need to make serious changes to our impact on the planet. 


Considering the countless water features - lengthy swimming pools, detoxifying steam rooms and inviting hot tubs to name a few - as well as the endless fluffy white robes and crisp towels needing to be washed after each guest’s use, spas face a serious challenge when becoming environmentally conscious.


Dozens of spas across the globe have recently been taking leaps and bounds towards creating more sustainable and eco-friendly practices and offerings. In some cases, spas have been built with the concern for sustainability at its core from the beginning. 

Photo by Burst from Pexels

As 2020 forges on, and October plays host to World Mental Health Day, there is no better time to take time out at some of the world's most luxurious and sustainable spas. A different dimension of relaxation is unlocked, and you can truly be at ease knowing that your indulgences are not contributors towards ecological adversity. Achieve ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation at a spa retreat. 


The Spa at Coworth Park

Berkshire, UK

The 240 acre, glass-fronted Coworth Park hotel, built in 1776, is the only hotel in the United Kingdom that grows its own carbon-neutral fuel supply in the form of willow. The building boasts an underground energy centre incorporating a BioMass Heating Plant and a cooling system of pipes, or “slinkys” - which chills recycled water for air-conditioning. These different approaches reduce the hotel’s total carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50%. 

Image from Coworth Park

The Spa at Coworth Park is an underground, carbon neutral, eco-sanctuary offering eight treatment rooms and an indoor pool. Built out of timber structures, it is one of the world’s first spas to incorporate carbon-negative, limp hemp in its walling. This sustainable and low-energy building features a living roof where ingredients such as Lavender, Thyme and Camomile that are used by spa therapists in their treatments are grown. 

Image from Coworth

When taking a trip to this haven, be sure to experience the “Hot Poultice Massage by Ishga Organic” and relieve your aching body with a luxurious massage using heated sea salt and seaweed granule-filled poultices. After your treatment, you’ll even be given a take-home poultice to use in your next bath.

Six Senses Spa Soneva Kiri

Koh Kood, Thailand


Nestled in the remote Thai island of Koh Kood, “Unparalleled luxury meets eco-friendly design” at Soneva Kiri. The resort is home to the Eco Villa, a luxury suite built from stone, mud and timber sourced from the property. The villa features a self-cleaning private pool - thanks to the plants that inhabit it- solar powered lighting, as well as tanks that harvest rainwater. To complete the zero-carbon emissions experience, the villa comes with your own electric buggy to help you move between your suite and the Six Senses Spa

Image from Soneva Kiri

De-stress after the flight to Thailand and combat jet lag with a rebalancing massage that revives circulation, releases muscle tension and resets the internal clock with an exclusive blend of aromatherapy oils, followed by a heated fresh Thai herbal bag. Or simply soften your skin with a natural body scrub made using a crushed coconut shell and coconut oil.

Image from Soneva Kiri

Echo Wellness Spa at Gayana Marine Resort

Borneo, Malaysia

Image from Gayna Marine Resort

Gayana Marine Resort, home to 45 overwater tropical villas, strikes a much-needed balance between ecology and indulgent luxury. The location - a coral reef which hugs a lush rainforest - isn’t the only thing that sets this resort apart from others.

Gayana is committed to the protection and regeneration of the island’s precious marine environment - so much so that it is the only resort to have an on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre.

This centre supports the reef by propagating endangered giant clams and coral reefs, so you are able to assist with replanting pieces of replenished coral back into the reef before heading off to the Echno Wellness Spa.


At the spa, Echo’s expert therapists will help you select the massage, scrub or facial that will best cater to your needs and preferences. 

Image from Echo Wellness Spa

Joyas del Ecuador Wellness Spa, 

Ecuador, South America

Voted The World’s Best Eco Spa for 2019, Joyas Del Ecuador is committed to using solely Ecuadorian products, including locally made natural and organic products to maintain the country’s traditions. Situated in the center of the world in Quito, Ecuador, near the Pululahua volcano, owner Paolo Mora combines her passion for a holistic 360-hospitality experience with sustainable practices

Image from Joyas Del Ecuador

Image from Joyas Del Ecuador

The spa’s mission is to “Provide what the world needs most nowadays: Wellness”, which is achieved through sensory experiences and out of the ordinary spa treatments. The Ecuadorian nature is reflected through not only the products, but also in the art featured in the spa’s gallery. Joyas Del Ecuador’s team consists of therapists, a yoga teacher, Reiki coach, sound therapist, and a chef. 

Signature experiences fall under categories of the earth’s elements - fire, water, air and earth. Indulge in the traditional ritual of an Ecuadorian chocolate facial, and boost your serotonin production by feeding your skin antioxidants and vitamin C. Alternatively, opt for the El Cráter massage, and experience a volcanic geothermal reality through different temperature stones and massage, while surrounded by exquisite views of the Pululahua volcano.

Image from Joyas Del Ecuador

Signature experiences fall under categories of the earth’s elements - fire, water, air and earth. Indulge in the traditional ritual of an Ecuadorian chocolate facial, and boost your serotonin production by feeding your skin antioxidants and vitamin C. Alternatively, opt for the El Cráter massage, and experience a volcanic geothermal reality through different temperature stones and massage, while surrounded by exquisite views of the Pululahua volcano.

Image from Joyas Del Ecuador

Healing Grounds Spa at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort

British Columbia, Canada

Only accessible by helicopter, boat or seaplane, this eco-safari resort and spa near Tofino on Vancouver Island is the perfect combination of luxury and sustainability. To protect the surrounding ecosystems, the resort announced the phasing out of its salmon fishing program in 2019, in a bid to stop the reducing population of native chinook resulting from pollution, industry, and climate change. With their Environmental Legacy Program and Coastal Ambassador Program, Clayoquot allows guests to participate in the restoration and preservation of wildlife habitats. 

Image from Clayoquot

The resort’s green initiatives ban single-use plastics and styrofoam, and sees to the recycling of all non-organic materials. Food and spa products are sourced by local artisans and retailers. An eco-village provides housing for employees to cut the environmental cost of commuting. The Healing Grounds Spa features hot tubs, bath tubs and saunas built from a naturally available resource - forged cedar.

Image from Clayoquot

Visits to the spa are complemented by morning yoga sessions, meditation and forest breathing sessions as well as sound healing. Treat yourself to a Wild Wellness Signature Package and experience a true escape to the wilderness. Begin the day with a mango enzyme body wrap, followed by a soak in one of the naturally forged cedar tubs, and end with a luxuriously long 90 minute facial. 

Spa days have extended far beyond a simple facial, mani and pedi. In any of these places, no spa day is complete without a complete immersion into your own very relaxed state amidst nature, an experience of native spa products - from rooftop grown chamomile to volcanic mud and Ecuadorian cocoa - and indulgent pampering. 



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