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1. STAY GREEN -
GUILT-FREE TRAVEL WITH DESIGN HOTELS™
Berlin, 20 August 2009 – Forget hippie hideaways, outdoor toilets and tie-dye clad guests – today eco-hotels tend to
be even more modern than their non-“green” peers. Design Hotels™ presents four member hotels offering eco-
luxurious experiences at their best. Travellers are invited to head to Nordic Light Hotel, one of Stockholm’s
hippest hangouts, hide out in a traffic-free alpine zone at the vigilius mountain resort in South Tyrol or escape
to a private villa in the Indian Ocean at Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali or at Alila Villas Hadahaa in the southern
Maldives. No matter which they choose, guests can enjoy their holidays in guiltless bliss knowing that their
ecological footprint is kept to a minimum.
vigilius mountain resort
No roads, no traffic, no noise. Located at 1,500 metres altitude, in pure alpine air, the vigilius mountain resort in
South Tyrol is only accessible by cable car and is almost invisible in its surroundings. Like a tree that has fallen in
the forest, the resort combines old substance with fresh growth, generating new internal life and a commitment to
renewal. Architect Matteo Thun has created an eco-luxury mountain hideaway where awareness co-exists with
aesthetics, and everything revolves around nature and landscape. The principle of “organic architecture” is
expressed in elements such as a grass-covered roof and the use of natural larch wood throughout. Wood is also key
for the biomass heating system, which is not only clean burning but also gives local farmers a second income and
ensures that the forests are cultivated. The water that flows throughout the hotel – whether for drinking or
swimming – is fed from a natural spring. Clean lines and spacious ambience characterise the resort’s 35 rooms and
6 suites, each boasting spectacular mountain views. For relaxation, guests can head to the mountain spa with an
indoor pool, a whirlpool which extends into the open air, a sauna, steam room and the “Paradise Garden.” vigilius
mountain resort has received several awards for its green architecture and was Italy’s first hotel to be classified
“Climate House, category A”. www.designhotels.com/vigilius
Nordic Light Hotel
The Nordic Light Hotel in Stockholm proves that it is possible to be an urban design hotel and an eco-labelled
one at the same time. It was created with the guiding principle that thoughtful design can minimise the ecological
footprint on the environment and even contribute towards improving it. In 2007, the hotel was awarded the
official Nordic Ecolabel, otherwise known as “The Swan”. To receive this label, a hotel must meet numerous
requirements – such as reducing the hotel’s energy consumption and using renewable energy sources. Nordic
Light takes its environmental responsibility seriously throughout the hotel: Fair trade coffee and organic food is
served in the restaurant and the housekeeping team uses chemical-free cleaning products. The 175 guest rooms
are outfitted with Nordic Ecolabelled beds, which are manufactured from recycled metal and wood from
environmentally approved forests. What’s more, Nordic Light Hotel started a project this year together with the
Malmö Design Group to invent a stylish bin for the hotel rooms made of waste from the hotel. Showing its strong
local roots, the hotel also promotes upcoming local artists who present changing art installations in the lobby. The
combination of art, culture and conscientious design has made the Nordic Light Hotel a happening spot for both
locals and out-of-town guests. www.designhotels.com/nordiclight
Alila Villas Uluwatu
Perched on limestone cliffs on the southern coast of Bali, Alila Villas Uluwatu showcases beautifully designed
green villas. Created by award-winning Singaporean architects WOHA, it is the first resort in Bali built from the
ground up to achieve the “Green Globe Building, Planning and Design” certification, which stands for the highest
levels of environmentally sustainable design. The resort’s 84 villas range in size from one to three bedrooms and
are each open to the outdoors, offering Indian Ocean views from bed to bathtub. All villas showcase contemporary

2. interiors enhanced with touches of nature; traditional Balinese accents are reflected in planes of wood, water, stone
and rattan. Only locally sourced building materials were used for the construction. These include bamboo used for
the ceilings of its villas, stone from the site itself for the garden walls, as well as volcanic rock used for the roofs.
Energy conservation is encouraged by rerouting heat generated by air-conditioning units to heat water in the
resort. There is also a recyclable grey water system that directs used water from washing machines and showers to
irrigate the property’s gardens. www.designhotels.com/alila_villas_uluwatu
Alila Villas Hadahaa
Surrounded by turquoise waters and fine white beaches, Alila Villas Hadahaa offers the ultimate Maldivian
experience. Guests at this all-villa resort can choose from one of 14 stilted, over-water Aqua Villas or 36 Island
Villas. All living spaces feature vast sliding windows that afford stunning ocean views. In-resort facilities include
two swimming pools, a fully-equipped gym, a Maldivian speciality restaurant offering a sampling of local and
regional cuisine and a main restaurant, a library and a star-gazing deck. Alila Villas Hadahaa is the first property in
the Maldives to achieve the prestigious Green Globe “Building, Planning and Design” benchmark and was
designed to best adapt to the tropical climate and natural environment of the island. This includes rainwater
harvesting, waste treatment, high roofed areas and open ceilings. To confirm their local social responsibility, the
resort has just launched a “Gift-to-Share” programme. Guests can also participate by donating to support any of
the three community programmes that the resort has initiated. This includes building up a reference and research
library in the local schools; re-introducing Maldivian traditional crafts into primary schools; and introducing
community farming projects. www.designhotels.com/alila_villas_hadahaa
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3. ABOUT DESIGN HOTELS™
Design Hotels™ represents and markets a hand-picked collection of more than 175 hotels in over 40 countries
across the globe. Established in 1993, as the first of its kind, the company offers unparalleled specialist knowledge
from conceptual branding through to market trend consultancy and international representation.
The member hotels are independently owned but united by a commitment to individuality, progressive design and
cultural authenticity. Design Hotels™ embody the most advanced ideas in the hospitality industry and offer
cosmopolitan travellers new options for both travel and inspiration. The company has its headquarters in Berlin
and branches in London, Barcelona, New York, Singapore, Bali, Tokyo and Perth.
Alila Villas Uluwatu Nordic Light Hotel

4. Alila Villas Hadahaa
vigilius mountain resort