Regenerative Travel adds new members to collection

The portfolio is a collection of independent hotels and lodges committed to regenerative hospitality and the new hotel members include Andronis Concept Wellness Resort in Santorini, Greece; Bliss & Stars in the Cederberg Mountains, South Africa; Cherero Camp in the Serengeti, Tanzania; Jade Mountain in Soufriere, Saint Lucia; and The Manta Resort on Pemba Island, Tanzania.

Hotels are handpicked by Regenerative Travel “for their dedication to the highest levels of social and environmental impact”, with initiatives from the new members ranging from protecting and conserving coastlines to regenerate fish populations in East Africa, to restoring a 1.5 million gallon reservoir to catch rain and river water in Saint Lucia.

By becoming part of the collection, the hotels can “share best practices and drive aspirations towards regenerative models among other members”.

The Manta Resort, Pemba Island, Tanzania is spearheading ocean preservation and regeneration by acting as a primary sponsor of the Kwanini Foundation, a local non-profit that funds social and environmental initiatives such as the Kwanini Marine Protected Area, which has successfully regenerated Pemba Island’s fish populations. Its unique offering includes the Underwater Room, which sits within an ocean floor anomaly dubbed the blue hole. The room gives guests an “unparalleled opportunity” to observe sea life.

Features of new member Bliss & Stars in Clanwilliam, South Africa include reducing energy consumption and environmental impact by harnessing solar power for all electricity needs and minimizing the use of artificial outdoor lights to keep light pollution at zero and protect nocturnal wildlife.

Due to restorative practices including irrigation using wastewater, the retreat has also helped to rewild local flora and see it flourish after long suffering from drought. The retreat consists of chalets and tented chalets hidden in the rocks, with design that fuses Nordic minimalism with South African wilderness.

Cherero Camp in the Serengeti in Tanzania minimizes environmental impact by having zero permanent structures in the camp, harnesses solar power for hot water and electricity and employs former poachers as camp guards to provide them with a stable income that allows them to leave the damaging practice of poaching behind. Built with no permanent constructions, it is designed to be moved entirely without leaving a trace.

Jade Mountain in Soufriere, Saint Lucia focuses regenerating water systems by restoring the 1.5 million gallon reservoir in the Anse Mamin Valley to use as catchment for rain and river water and has a private organic farm and chocolate lab to witness how locally grown products make their way into dishes, cocktails and spa treatments at the hotel.

Features of Andronis Concept Wellness Resort in Santorini include empowering staff members with equal pay and anti-discrimination policies plus access to the services of a psychologist, while “honouring a sense of place with all villas and suites built in harmony with the Santorini setting”.