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

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

NOTE TO THE EDITORS Should you require additional details, please contact:

press@designhotels.com or tel: +49 (0)30-8849 400 32

Images and details are available online: www.designhotels.com/press

Design Hotels™ Best Rate Guarantee!

For reservations, please visit the website: www.designhotels.com or telephone the appropriate Design

Hotels™ toll-free number.

EUROPE

Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain,

Sweden, Switzerland, UK: 00 800 37 46 83 57

Belgium: 000 800 37 46 83 57

Finland: 990 800 37 46 83 57

Hungary: 06 800 1 22 36

Russia: 810 800 20 74 10 49

ASIA/PACIFIC

Australia: 0011 800 37 46 83 57

China, New Zealand: 00 800 37 46 83 57

Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Thailand: 001 800 37 46 83 57

AFRICA

South Africa: 09 800 37 46 83 57

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

Alila Villas Hadahaa

vigilius mountain resort