Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2025 – Hotel of the Year Finalists

Words Sarah Vockins

Date18 December 2024

Each year, Regenerative Travel honours a select group of hotels that are redefining what it means to travel with purpose. Our Hotel of the Year Finalists celebrates properties that go far beyond sustainability—places where hospitality becomes a catalyst for ecological renewal, cultural preservation, and community empowerment.

These shortlisted hotels demonstrate exceptional leadership in regenerative practices, from restoring fragile ecosystems and advancing biodiversity, to championing local livelihoods, circular design, and meaningful guest engagement. Each property offers deeply immersive experiences rooted in place—inviting travellers to not only witness positive impact but to participate in it.

Chosen through a rigorous evaluation of environmental stewardship, operational innovation, cultural integrity, and social responsibility, this shortlist represents the highest standard of responsible luxury and conscious travel. Together, they illuminate what the future of hospitality can be: restorative, inclusive, and transformative.

Explore the visionary hotels shaping a new era of travel—one where every stay leaves the world better than it was found.

Few and Far's newest venture, Luvhondo Eco-Lodge in South Africa, actively partners with women-led businesses and provides local women with pathways to leadership in hospitality and conservation.

Few and Far Luvhondo is created according to Biophilic design principles.

WINNER: Few & Far Luvhondo

Located in South Africa’s UNESCO-listed Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Few & Far Luvhondo is reshaping what eco-luxury can be. Opened in January 2025 in the remote Soutpansberg Mountains—one of the world’s richest biodiversity hotspots—the carbon-negative lodge has already been named one of TIME’s World’s Greatest Places of 2025. With just six cliffside suites, it offers an intimate, design-forward safari experience where conservation and regeneration take center stage.

Co-founded by Sarah and Jacob Dusek, Luvhondo was envisioned not as a traditional safari lodge, but as a catalyst for ecological and community renewal. As a Verra Registered Carbon Project, the lodge actively restores landscapes, sequesters carbon, and protects endangered species such as pangolins and Samango monkeys. Over the next 50 years, their initiatives are projected to sequester over one million tons of carbon, ensuring every stay directly contributes to preserving the region’s unique ecosystems.

Regenerative design is embedded into every corner of the property. Inspired by Baobabs and shepherd trees, the architecture mirrors natural forms while minimizing environmental impact. To avoid imported hardwoods, the founders created Fyred, Africa’s first thermally modified eucalyptus facility—reducing construction emissions and generating skilled local jobs. Combined with solar-powered energy and a zero-waste ethos, the lodge demonstrates how thoughtful design can uplift both land and community.

Guests play an active role in this mission through hands-on conservation activities, wildlife monitoring, and partnerships with climate-focused organizations like Terraset. In 2025, the lodge also introduced the pioneering “Nature Has No Price Tag” pay-what-you-can model, expanding access to transformational, conservation-driven travel.

Luvhondo is now preparing to debut Solyrus, the world’s first solar-powered aerial safari. This silent, terrain-responsive system allows guests to glide across the wilderness without roads or disturbance, offering a groundbreaking way to experience wildlife while protecting their habitat.

Few & Far Luvhondo stands as a regenerative destination where travel itself becomes a force for ecological and social renewal.

Dolkhar Ladakh

Set on ancestral land along Lower Tukcha Road in Leh, Dolkhar Ladakh is a contemporary retreat rooted in memory, heritage, and deep respect for place. What is now a sanctuary of Ladakhi design and mindful hospitality was once the home of the founder’s grandmother—a woman who devoted her life to nurturing this land, tending to her trees and caring for her cows, yaks, donkeys, and sheep. Long before the area grew into the thriving city it is today, these fields formed part of the farmland beneath Leh Palace, where families cultivated and cared for the valley.

The heart of Dolkhar begins with its front building, home to the reception, restaurant, bar, and spa. Created as a thoughtful recreation of the ancestral house, it preserves the memory of the original structure—built by four generations but no longer safely standing. Wherever possible, wooden window panels and other architectural elements from the old home were kept, restored, or repurposed, allowing its spirit to live on. Though the founder spent much of her childhood outside Ladakh, the land has always held a profound, almost sacred significance—making Dolkhar not just a project, but the continuation of a family legacy.

Beyond the main building lie seven duplex villas, each crafted in the style of traditional Ladakhi homes. Hand-laid three-foot-thick stone walls anchor the ground floors, while roofs of local willow and poplar, compressed stabilised earth blocks (CSEB), and traditional columns and beams reflect age-old construction techniques. Every structural choice was intentional—sourced locally, built by Ladakhi artisans, and designed to exist lightly within the landscape.

Inside, Dolkhar becomes a living gallery of regional craftsmanship. More than forty artisans from villages across Ladakh contributed to its interiors: rugs, throws, and cushions woven from the wool of nomadic livestock by the women of Kharnakling; bespoke lighting crafted by specialists from Karnataka; a hand-carved stone basin shaped by the sole stoneworker of Turtuk; and metal spoons forged in Tsogtsi. This deep collaboration not only celebrates traditional skills but strengthens local livelihoods and preserves cultural knowledge.

Dolkhar’s development was guided by a commitment to creating a zero-waste, zero-plastic ecosystem and designing structures that honour their environment. Building in harmony with the land reduces impact, supports the local economy, and reinforces a powerful sense of place—ensuring that guests experience Ladakh not as a backdrop, but as a living community and culture.

In every aspect of its operations, Dolkhar embodies regenerative hospitality. By integrating traditional architecture, supporting local farmers and craftspeople, and prioritising sustainable, low-impact systems, the hotel serves as a model for responsible tourism in the region. Dolkhar invites guests to reconnect—with the land, with Ladakhi heritage, and with a slower, more intentional way of being.

Dolkhar understands the mountains as living guardians.

Tsas is Dolkhar's vegetarian restaurant set in the apple and apricot orchard.

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge

Set within the world’s oldest desert, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge stands as a benchmark for how luxury tourism can deliver measurable regenerative impact. Located in the 12,715-hectare Sossusvlei Private Desert Reserve bordering the NamibRand Nature Reserve, the lodge combines intentional, light-touch design with community-centred sustainability. Its 2019 refurbishment invested over USD 600,000 in systems that balance comfort with conservation, laying the foundation for a regeneration-focused operational model.

In the past twelve months, the lodge has significantly amplified this impact. Key advancements include improved aquifer monitoring, a transition of all staff accommodation to solar power—eliminating 18 hours of generator use daily—and major upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant. With the new system, all reclaimed black and grey water can now be used for irrigation and for growing vegetables in the lodge’s planned garden, transforming water scarcity into opportunity.

Waste management has been reimagined as a holistic closed-loop system. Organic wet waste is now directed to a nearby pig farm, which processes the waste while supplying one pig per week to the Maltahöhe School Feeding Programme. This introduces vital protein to the daily meals of over 700 children and supported approximately 715 learners over the last financial year. This initiative is strengthened by the lodge’s “Light the Way” programme, through which guests purchase solar lanterns. Whether taken, left, or donated, each lantern contributes financially to the feeding scheme—with 534 lanterns sold in the last year—and donated lanterns provide clean, safe lighting to households without electricity.

These interconnected initiatives illustrate how the lodge continues to optimise regenerative output, creating a model where benefits flow seamlessly from one system to the next. This purpose-driven approach is further supported by a 96% local employment rate, extensive training through the andBeyond Academy, and long-term academic support via the Community Leaders Education Fund (CLEF) bursary programme.

Combined with decentralized solar energy systems, innovative waste and water solutions, and a deep commitment to community upliftment, andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers a powerful blueprint for regenerative hospitality—one where every guest stay contributes to the long-term wellbeing of both the desert landscape and the people who call it home. Excitingly, all initiatives underway hold significant potential to scale even further in the coming year.

andBeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge set in the immersive nature of untouched pleins

Lchang Nang Retreat

Over the past year, Lchang Nang Retreat has transformed its regenerative philosophy into immersive, guest-facing action. Instead of simply sharing its sustainability story, the retreat now invites every traveler to participate directly in regeneration in the Nubra Valley.

A key initiative was the collaboration with Nature Mill to create in-house bathroom amenities made from native Ladakhi ingredients, packaged in stainless-steel refillable bottles. This reduces waste, strengthens local supply chains, and connects guests to the land through scent and texture. Upon arrival, each visitor receives a Regenerative Card offering hands-on experiences — from eco clean-ups and cultural cooking with local women to Karakoram dining and guided heritage activities — shifting guests from awareness to active involvement.

Cultural regeneration expanded through curated teas at hidden lakes, storytelling around bonfires, and revived Silk Route dinners that amplify local voices and livelihoods. The souvenir shop and minibar now feature only Ladakhi brands, supporting entrepreneurs and keeping economic benefit within the region. New suites and the restaurant were built using solar-passive, natural materials under strict guidelines that eliminated construction plastic and minimized ecological footprint. A partnership with Maspar ensures sustainable linens that empower women through dignified employment.

To inspire younger generations, the retreat began hosting school tours focused on regenerative thinking, cultural pride, and ecological stewardship. Culinary efforts deepened through the Silk Route Menu, spotlighting native ingredients and traditional recipes while creating new income streams for farmers and women producers.

In essence, the past twelve months have been defined by regeneration through collaboration, participation, and shared ownership. Guests become co-creators, not observers; farmers, artisans, and women move from the margins to the center of the experience; and the retreat becomes a conduit for cultural and ecological renewal.

Lchang Nang stands as a compelling Impact Awards contender — not only as a Himalayan retreat but as a living expression of regenerative hospitality. Rooted in humility, it proves that travel can heal rather than extract.

Powered by 95% solar energy and built from mud, stone, and poplar wood, the retreat blends seamlessly into the desert landscape. Traditional irrigation systems support reforestation and organic gardens, while strict waste segregation, plastic bans, and mindful water practices reduce strain on the fragile high-altitude ecosystem. These measures go beyond harm reduction to restore soil health, revive native flora, and lower the carbon cost of mountain living.

Social regeneration is equally central. Lchang Nang partners with the Women’s Alliance of Teggar, creates consistent income through cultural experiences, employs local residents, and designs guest interactions that uphold dignity rather than commodify culture. School tours cultivate future stewards; menus celebrate regional produce; and revenues from guest activities feed directly back into community development.

Every touchpoint — architecture, amenities, linens, menus, activities — demonstrates how hospitality can be reimagined as stewardship. In doing so, Lchang Nang positions tourism not as an extractive force but as a pathway to restore landscapes, empower communities, and protect heritage for generations.

Lchang Nang challenges the notion that tourism must extract.

The retreat’s economic model is circular and locally focused. Ingredients, materials, staff, and artisans are sourced regionally, limiting economic leakage.

Ninety-five percent of energy comes from solar power, fueling heating, lighting, and essential systems.

Shinta Mani Mustang

Over the past year, Shinta Mani Mustang has significantly expanded its regenerative mission, advancing environmental stewardship, community empowerment, cultural preservation, and wellness. The resort deepened its farm-to-table program by enlarging its apple orchards and high-altitude vegetable gardens, strengthening foraging partnerships, and sourcing more ingredients from nearby villages. These efforts increase local food resilience, support community livelihoods, and reduce the property’s carbon footprint, further enhanced by upgraded solar systems and advanced water management infrastructure.

Wellness became a central pillar of the guest experience with expanded Amchi and Sorig healing programs. New high-altitude wellness journeys — weaving together herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, mindful trekking, and restorative spa rituals — offer guests meaningful connection to Mustang’s landscape and traditional healing wisdom. These practices not only promote wellbeing but also preserve cultural knowledge that has shaped Himalayan life for centuries.

Community engagement deepened through expanded staff training, leadership development, and skills-based workshops that empower local residents and hospitality professionals from surrounding Himalayan villages. Cultural preservation was amplified through events and collaborations with artisans, performers, and local chefs, showcasing Mustang’s living heritage while ensuring economic benefit remains within the community.

Guest experiences were also elevated through new community-led adventures and immersive activities that highlight local culture, ecology, and wellness. These programs enrich the stay while fostering responsible travel behaviors that extend the resort’s impact well beyond its footprint.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how Shinta Mani Mustang seamlessly integrates regeneration into every aspect of travel and hospitality. Luxury, responsibility, and cultural integrity coexist — offering a model for tourism that prioritizes positive impact over extraction.

Environmentally, the resort continues to address the challenges of high-altitude vulnerability through sustainable design, solar energy, water conservation, waste reduction, and long-term land stewardship. Socially, more than 70% of the team is hired locally, with revenue and opportunities flowing directly into Mustang’s communities through employment, cultural programming, and partnerships with artisans and farmers.

Culinary and wellness programs ground guests in place through locally sourced produce, herbal traditions, and meaningful interactions with natural and cultural landscapes. In each experience — from farm-to-table dining to mindful trekking — guests become active participants in conservation, cultural preservation, and regeneration.

Shinta Mani Mustang stands as a pioneering example of regenerative luxury tourism: protecting fragile ecosystems, uplifting local communities, and celebrating Mustang’s heritage while delivering an exceptional, transformative guest experience. It offers a compelling blueprint for the future of hospitality — one where travel heals, restores, and gives back more than it takes.

Shinta Mani Mustang architectural bedrooms are designed to truly celebrate the wonder of the Mustang Valley

Bill Bensley shows his respect for native design through Shinta Mani Mustang

The spectacular Mustang Valley at Shinta Mani Mustang

What are the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards?

The Impact Awards celebrate people and projects that embody the spirit of regeneration—improving people’s lives, our communities, and the world around us.

We search the globe for inspiring changemakers working to solve our biggest challenges and inspiring positive action, both inside and outside of travel.

Our judging panel was handpicked based on their exceptional expertise, achievements, and diverse backgrounds. With their collective knowledge in marine ecology, social entrepreneurship, travel journalism, sustainability, visual storytelling, tourism policy, hospitality, and impact investing, the judging panel is well-equipped to identify innovative ideas that have the potential to advance regenerative travel.