The National Green Hotel Award 2011-2013 bestowed on this property by the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry shows that this resort offers much more than five-star accommodation with a breathtaking view.

Banyan Tree Bintan'€™s 61 luxurious villas are built on platforms and supported by columns to avoid cutting into the steep hill slopes, thereby minimizing the risk of soil erosion and leaving boulders in place to preserve the dramatic terrain. One swimming pool is even completely carved out of the rock.

'€œWe have been undertaking many projects related to the environment and the community,'€ said the hotel'€™s conservation manager, Henry Ali Singer.

One of them is a facility called Conservation Lab, which is a center for conservation and community projects.

Established in 2007, the lab is Banyan Tree Bintan'€™s (together with its sister resort Angsana Bintan) research facility, covering terrestrial conservation in Asia. Focusing on research, education and outreach, it offers a comprehensive program, hosting visiting scientists and other experts who research and implement strategies aimed at promoting ecologically sustainable social and economic development.

Eco Divers Resort Lembeh

Claiming to be the only day live-aboard operating in Lembeh, Eco Divers Resort Lembeh in the Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, offers a highly personalized diving experience, complete with fast skiffs to whisk guests off to over 40 dive sites in just a few minutes.

With dive capacity limited to 16 divers and a maximum of four guests per guide, the resort also ensures that guests will be able to see and photograph everything that the Lembeh Strait has to offer.

As for facilities, the property offers 12 rooms, an outdoor restaurant, a lounge bar, a spa, a photo and video center, free Wi-Fi and a remarkable staff-to-guest ratio of two staff members for every guest.

In addition, Eco Divers Resort Lembeh also chooses ethical environmental options for its guests, management and staff. A few of the green practices that it has put in place include using locally produced soap that is handmade and chemical-free, establishing an NGO that supports the local community with jobs and livelihoods, only choosing sustainable fish for its menu, as well as encouraging guests and staff to collect any rubbish they see underwater by providing mesh bags onboard the day live-aboard.

Nihiwatu Resort

Nestled in Sumba Island'€™s protected environment, Nihiwatu Resort and its 27 luxurious villas offer a great combination of privacy, scenery and plenty of interesting outdoor activities such as diving, fishing, horse riding, boating, spa treatments and yoga.

But the 233-hectare property is more than just a dream getaway for tourists. Nihiwatu Resort is also committed to being a carbon neutral resort and is one of the only hotels in the world powered by bio-fuel produced from coconuts at its own bio-diesel factory.

The owners of Nihiwatu Resort also co-founded the Sumba Foundation, an NGO that supports the indigenous people of the island and improves their quality of life through increased health, education and employment opportunities.

Its efforts include supporting 14 schools (equipping students with knowledge about organic farming methods, hotel service skills and language skills) and establishing five medical clinics as well as Indonesia'€™s only private Malaria Microscopy Training School, which provides an intensive 3-month malaria-diagnosis course to certify government nurses. (Keshie Hernitaningtyas / jakpost.travel)

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