RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The need to take care of the planet leads us to adopt environmentally conscious habits. That is why an industry as important as tourism began to incorporate green practices some time ago to preserve the environment and raise awareness about the impact generated by some activities.
“Sustainability has many faces, and each hotel establishment can have its approach, depending on the environment and what it considers important to address,” says architect Natalia Larocca, who has experience in sustainable construction.
Read also: Check out our coverage on Argentina
If you are already planning your next getaway and want to know what eco-hotel options are available, here are our five favorites in Argentina:
IN THE MOUNTAINS: TINY HOUSE
Architects Carlos Verta and Verónica Rivero bought in 2012 lots in Sierra de la Ventana. They created an eco-friendly lodging complex in the middle of the immensity of the mountain landscape, with the sound of birds as a natural symphony, the infinite star constellations, and fireflies glowing in the dark: Tiny House.
The project has two houses of minimalist imprint, of pure lines, high-quality materials and basic comforts. Each Tiny House has a bedroom with a bathroom, Frigobar, bed linen, a small library with authors from the area, and a bedside book to recognize the region’s birds.
As architects, aware that construction is one of the factors that most influence climate change, they adopted the steel framing system to construct the units, which helps minimize carbon footprints. In addition to reducing construction time and costs, it saves 40% energy due to its ability to insulate the room and the use of recyclable materials. According to the owners, the next step in the project will be using solar thermal technology.
ON THE BEACH: ALTERRA
What started as an art gallery eventually evolved into a hotel option. In 1997, the architect Clorindo Testa designed Alterra, one of his most important works, which began as a cultural space in the middle of the forest in Pinamar.
In 2011, it became Alterra Glamping, incorporating disused containers that were converted into sustainable dwellings that guarantee an authentic natural stay. The containers are equipped with every comfort – all of them have a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, a double bedroom, and a bathroom – and were designed to generate the least possible impact, respecting the original proposal of the Italian architect.
They offer options for 2 and 4 people and ateliers (rooms on the first floor of what used to be the art gallery).
The interiors are thermally insulated to preserve the temperature, and all the decoration is made with recycled materials and the wooden deck surrounding the swimming pool. The lighting is LED and saves energy.
AT THE END OF THE WORLD: LOS CAUQUENES
Since its conception and inauguration in 2005, Los Cauquenes Hotel, in the city of Ushuaia, has been committed to preserving resources, eco-efficiency and improving every day to provide a luxury experience to tourists arriving from all over the world. Aware of the need to conserve the southern environment, they work with eco-friendly practices and also participate in the plastic recycling program of the Garrahan Hospital.
In addition, the hotel has energy-saving and LED lighting, lighting with motion sensors in some areas, double windows to optimize the heating system, switches with magnetic cards to reduce electricity consumption, and signage to raise awareness about environmental care.
A new project they are working on is the construction of a greenhouse since the current vegetable garden is outdoors and suffers from winter frosts, making it a seasonal garden (spring/summer). In this way, the Reinamora restaurant will be supplied with organic crops all year round.
IN THE JUNGLE OF MISIONES: CUÑA PIRÚ LODGE
Who has never dreamed of sleeping in a cabin on the top of a tree? In an idyllic setting, Cuña Pirú fulfills this fantasy because it was created to make guests feel as if they were in the jungle. The lodge is only 400 meters from the Salto Encantado Park, in the heart of Misiones.
In this green scenery, there are comfortable cabins and a large House. The cottages/rooms are built 8 meters high, perfectly hidden among the trees among the options. Sleeping there is a unique experience. From its beginning, this lodge was committed to the environment. It was built with local materials – hardwood and basaltic rock – and bioenvironmental design and decoration based on missionary handicrafts’ ethical and fair work.
In the excursions, local people participate, who know better than anyone the richness of the forest. In addition, the jungle hotel has 16 beds for 20 hectares of jungle, which guarantees more than 1 hectare of jungle per person, contributing to the lowest possible impact on the environment.
IN THE CITY: PALO SANTO
In Buenos Aires is Palo Santo, which claims to be the first sustainable urban hotel in Latin America, with an innovative program that covers different aspects of sustainability: energy, water, CO2, O3, air, insulation, and noble and certified materials.
The building is characterized by its natural green structure, with iron facades in vertical and horizontal development designed to guide the growth of two vertical gardens of 28 meters high, a natural insulation: they help to insulate both cold and heat and absorb CO2 allows compensating part of the emitted.
In addition, the hotel aims to reduce energy consumption – LED lighting, motion detectors, low consumption equipment, air conditioning equipment with ecological refrigerant, among others – and has intelligent water management: rainwater recovery and rainwater system relief, dual flush toilets, and drip irrigation. It also has a recycling program, such as reducing paper use and the number of bleach washes and low-pollution cleaning supplies.
THE 9 BASES FOR BECOMING AN ECOHOTEL
- Apply sustainable architecture principles.
- Privilege the conservation of the natural environment.
- Use of LED lighting in all facilities.
- Programmable air conditioning and good thermal insulation.
- Choice of biodegradable cleaning products and amenities.
- Promote the use of solar panels and renewable energies.
- Water treatment and intelligent management in laundry washing.
- Promote good waste management.
- Privilege access to products from local communities.