In partnership with Kuoni, the honeymoon planning experts.
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From castaway island boltholes to reef-restoring resorts, Kuoni’s experts know exactly which stays are walking the talk. Here’s their shortlist of low-impact escapes that don’t hold back on romance.
It’s cool to be kind. Sustainable travel is complicated, but thanks to the long-term efforts of eco-conscious resorts around the globe – and the recent wake-up calls prompting others to do better – travelling more responsibly is easier than ever.
So how do you see through the greenwashing when “eco” has become a buzzword? It comes down to measurable action. Look for hotels that publish annual sustainability reports, hold internationally recognised certification or share clear details about the initiatives they support.
From ditching single-use plastics and recycling waste to funding community projects and conservation programmes, these are the places proving that planning a sustainable honeymoon doesn’t have to cost the Earth.
A Positive Attitude in Mauritius
When it comes to social and environmental responsibility, Attitude Hotels leads the pack for a sustainably minded honeymoon. If you want stats, they’re all laid out – Attitude has one of the most detailed sustainability reports around.
Sunrise Attitude, a stylish adults-only hotel (for many, a honeymoon must-have) near one of Mauritius’s prettiest beaches, leaves a light footprint with its zero-single-use-plastic policy, refillable glass jars and reef-safe sun cream.
The boutique showcases local artisans, while the Otentik programme invites guests to live like a local: dine in a family home, learn a traditional instrument, or use the Discovery app to uncover secret viewpoints beyond the sugar-cane fields.
Fields of Change in Cambodia
Cambodia serves up history, culture and just the right amount of adventure for a honeymoon. On the Cambodia Highlights trip, you’ll experience the country’s best-known sights and romantic moments – watching sunrise across Angkor Wat, wandering lantern-lit markets and exploring jungle-wrapped temples – before spending time at the Smiling Gecko Farmhouse, a pioneering project supported by Kuoni’s charity, DERTOUR Foundation UK.
Set in countryside that stretches out in rice-green ribbons, this rural retreat is part working farm, part school and part boutique hideaway, generating income and employment for the surrounding community.
Explore the farm, meet students learning new skills and sit down to a tasty lunch made with ingredients grown just steps from your table. Afterwards, retreat to your cosy Khmer-style bungalow and cool off in the pool. Your stay helps support the farm, the school and the opportunities growing around them, helping keep meaningful work within reach for local families.
Coral & Community in the Seychelles
Perched above jade waters and granite boulders, Hilton Seychelles Northolme Resort & Spa is a honeymoon hotspot – and once a favourite of James Bond author Ian Fleming – pairing cinematic views with strong eco credentials.
The resort partners with the Marine Conservation Society to protect fragile coral reefs and uses solar panels to heat water for villas and the spa.
One of its most inspired initiatives is Diversey’s Soap for Hope programme, which recycles unused soap for donation to the local community. Dine al fresco at Wave, where Mediterranean dishes draw on the bounty of the sea. Time your stay with the resort’s monthly Sustainable Day to join beach cleans, learn the local Sega dance, or snorkel to the coral nursery with a conservation expert.
Naturally Nurtured on Koh Samui
Framing a private cove on Koh Samui’s north-east coast, honeymoon-ready Garrya Tongsai Bay Samui is a Banyan Tree-run retreat built without cutting down a single large tree.
Sustainability runs through the details: rice sourced directly from local farmers, support for schools and wildlife foundations, biological pesticides, compost fertiliser, electric buggies and reusable cloth bags made from recycled napkins.
Yet the luxury remains unmistakable. The Prana Spa sits hidden among the greenery, offering personalised treatments and floral-scented outdoor baths. If you fancy a drink while you’re relaxing by the pool, just raise your flag and the waiter will appear to take your order.
Sustainable Stays in Sri Lanka
With just 25 pool villas and a 150-year-old mansion house set in 58 acres of tropical vegetation, Uga Ulagalla feels deeply connected to its surroundings – and perfect for newlyweds. The traditional bell-ringing ceremony as you arrive sets the tone: sublime service and a real sense of place.
Food miles are minimal, with produce from the organic garden and local farmers. Projects range from water-treatment systems in nearby villages to an Elephant Research Centre tackling human-elephant conflict. You might well spot elephants (and monkeys) during your stay.
Each chalet comes with two bikes for exploring under your own steam, or kayak at dawn across the reservoir past fishing villagers and birdlife.
Eco-luxury in Antigua
If your style is more rustic-chic than ultra-sleek, Keyonna Beach Resort is Antigua’s best-kept secret. This couples-only hideaway sits steps from calm Caribbean waters, where seagrape trees shade thatched cottages along flower-lined paths.
Everything here is locally made and locally sourced: vegetables from nearby farmers’ markets, bread baked daily in the village of Urlings, fish caught by island fishermen, furniture crafted by local carpenters and lampshades hand-woven by the Industrial Workshop for the Blind.
By keeping the supply chain short, Keyonna supports sustainable farming, reduces waste and gives back to the community. Book a place on a rainforest canopy tour for a thrilling journey through the island’s lush forest on a series of zip-lines – without disturbing the wildlife.
Sea Change: The Maldives
Our go-to honeymoon island, Kuramathi Maldives, is as forward-thinking as it is beautiful. The resort has long championed marine conservation through its Eco Centre, set up to better understand and protect the surrounding reefs.
The resident biologist hosts talks, beach clean-ups and coral research, sharing findings with conservation groups such as the Maldivian Manta Ray Project.
Beneath the palms, eco-conscious thinking underpins everything the resort team does. Fresh salads and herbs are grown in the island’s hydroponic garden, while the on-island bottling plant means no plastic water bottles in sight. Guests can join behind-the-scenes tours, meet the marine team and see first-hand how small actions make a big difference to the Maldives’ fragile ecosystem.
The Azores: The World’s First Sustainable Tourism Archipelago
You’ll be familiar with the concept of sustainable hotels – but how about an entire sustainable destination? Welcome to the Azores.
This nine-island autonomous region of Portugal is often compared to Hawaii or Iceland, thanks to its volcanic backdrop, geothermal wonders and wildlife-rich waters. There’s no other place where tea and wine are produced side by side – or where you can hike in the morning, recuperate in hot springs in the afternoon, dine on Cozido das Furnas (a volcano-cooked stew) once the sun sets, and rest up in romantic eco-retreats.
It’s a closer-to-home honeymoon adventure that may not even be on your radar – and one you can make even better by adding Lisbon and gothic Porto.
Inspired?
Ready to give back while you kick back?
Chat to Kuoni experts who’ll plan a honeymoon with heart. Or visit Kuoni Honeymoons for more inspiration.
