An exotic and zero emissions getaway on a Thai island. Welcome to the jungle.

If you’ve ever harbored a secret desire to spend time in a stone hut, upgrade that fantasy to 2.0 with a private swimming hole fed by a waterfall, dining pods suspended in trees and organic, local food. This is a true eco-troglodyte haven with no WiFi or TV.

This “Eco Villa” sits in a tropical rainforest within the luxe resort of Six Senses Soneva Kiri on the Thai island of Koh Kut. Six Senses has been featured here before: their Vietnam resort Ninh Van Bay is greener than green (sustainable, organic, local), with a similarly paradisical location.

The hut was built by hand using a 21st-century combination of local materials (rocks, mud and wood from the island) and the latest technology (solar, wind and hydro power), low-consumption lighting and water treatment. The villa’s high thermal mass and green roof mean it stays cool naturally.

Inside, the furniture includes a rustic log-built bed and massive sofa, all hand-carved. You share the natural pool with plants, fish and frogs, or if you prefer to bathe alone, use the outdoor bathroom.

Retreat further into fantasy land with al fresco dining in a tree. The Dining Pod is 15 feet above the ground, suspended by wires. Your flying waiter brings your  food and drinks by zipline. Take care not to get tipsy and fall out.

The Eco Villa is currently a one-off which they’re using as an experiment for a new zero-emissions brand. It’s also LEED qualified, which would imply that the experiment has been a success.

Rates from $2600 for the villa, including tax, all meals, and four-legged swimming companions.

Images: Unique Travel Destinations; Six Senses Soneva Kiri

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Ninh Van Bay is a resort that balances luxury and sustainability.

The vivid imagery of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay caught my eye, but the casual atmosphere held my attention.

“You will not need to wear shoes at any time during your visit…”

Six Senses Ninh Van Bay in Nha Trang, Vietnam is anchored in a quiet bay, accessible only by boat. The destination is framed by grains of white sand beaches delicately sandwiched between protective mountains and inviting turquoise waters. Balmy weather is nearly guaranteed, the resort is graced with sunshine 250 days a year.

Traditional Vietnamese architecture is nestled into dramatic rock formations to offer seclusion and privacy from other guests, while allowing expansive views and intimate interaction with nature. The resort’s spa is indulgent, holistic, and an imperative part of your stay. Between your healing appointments of acupuncture and massage, fill your days with magical nature excursions (snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, sunning, etc.). Dining on fusion cuisine coupled with traditional clay pot cooking will fill your nights.

Ninh Van Bay is managed by Six Senses, a company with exotic destinations speckled across the globe. The company’s core purpose is, “To create innovative and enlightening experiences that rejuvenate our guests’ love of Slow Life.” Slow is an acronym for sustainable, local, organic, and wholesome. Six Senses destinations are known for their environmental responsibility from conception through development and daily operations. The company’s resorts are regularly awarded with green and sustainable design awards for their efforts in managing energy, water, waste, chemicals, biodiversity, and community enrichment. Peruse all sixteen locations Six Senses manages to make choosing a luxurious eco-destination an effortless endeavor.

Rates start at $700/night – private villa, endless views of islands in the South China Sea, and organic meals included.

This is the fifth in our seven-part series, Places & Spaces at EcoSalon, a travel guide that will inspire you to carve out a vacation on your calendar. All of the gorgeous locations and accommodations in our guide share our concern for the environment. From tent glamping to lavish built environments, fair warning, you’ll feel compelled to pack your suitcase.

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The alluring appeal of tropical nature is enthralling. Straight from the pages of one of my favorite glossy muses, the May/June issue of Australia Vogue Living offers this piece of paradise in a ten page spread. Here’s an edited taste of the original article written by Susan Westwood.

All the elements of a glamorous resort are laced together with the skills of local artisans at the Sovena Kiri Resort. Conceived by Six Senses, this hotel offers charm and responsibility perched beautifully on an island in the southeast corner of the gulf of Thailand. Earthy, local materials have been designed to gracefully depict nature through driftwood poles and rafters, teak leaf ceilings, and bamboo supports.

Pavilions are sprinkled throughout the property, nestled into rainforests, balanced high on cliff tops, and standing just steps from the beach. Central amenities include breezy dining salas (open air pavilions), an observatory pod for star gazing, and restaurants serving fresh, organic food (most vegetables are grown on site). The natural materials are adorned with vibrant splashes of color – hot fuschia, orange, and yellow – like “tropical blooms bursting through the surrounding jungle.”

Eva Shivdasani, director of interiors at Six Senses, shares her thoughts on the project, “My initial concept for this resort, as always, is to fit the designs with the natural environment and for them to represent the local culture.”

(This gorgeous photography by the talented Mikkel Vang.)

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