THE ECO BEACH-HOTEL GUIDE

Just navigating the airport and actually managing to board a plane is quite a feat these days, so you deserve a real treat when you finally reach your destination. Nothing beats waking up in an ocean-facing room, just a short – ideally barefoot – walk to the beach, and the sound of the waves lulling you to sleep. Some people like their beaches pebbly, some sandy, but the important thing is being able to dive into that clear blue water the moment you’re out of bed, because for sea-lovers, a pool – no matter how fabulous – just doesn’t cut it. Here, we’ve rounded up some eco beachfront beauties that tick all the right boxes.

1

Noah Surf House, Portugal

The sea temperature in Portugal may be on the bracing side but that shouldn’t bother anyone used to braving British waters, and the sheer size of the beaches here more than makes up for the lack of warmth. An hour north of Lisbon, Fisica beach, right below Noah Surf House, is a beauty – a long, wide stretch of golden sand from which to watch the surfers slaloming through the Atlantic waves. The House has a hippy, surf-shack vibe, with group sports, yoga, an outdoor pool and even a skate park, plus lots of upcycled and repurposed furniture in the eight rooms and 13 bungalows. You can self-cater in some of these, or treat yourselves to globally-inspired dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients in the hotel restaurant or Beach House.

Paddle boarding, kayaking, kite surfing and bike rental will keep you busy, and downtime is taken care of at the spa at sister hotel Areias de Seixo (see below).

Eco credentials: solar panels, heat pumps, organic farm, on-site chickens, no single-use plastic, no a/c, and gardens are full of indigenous plants fed by rain or repurposed grey-water.

June | Travel

Dreaming of sun, sea and sustainability? Look no further…