Top 4 eco-friendly hotels you should experience in Singapore

Hotels in Singapore are committed to living up to Singapore's reputation as a 'Garden City', upholding eco-friendly practices and high-level holiday experiences for travelers. Check out these 4 hotels for your next trip that are just as luxurious as they are sustainable.

Six Senses Duxton

Opened barely two months ago, the Six Senses Duxton represents the luxury range’s first city hotel and foray into Singapore, though it will be accompanied by a bigger counterpart at Maxwell later in the year. If you are not familiar with Six Senses, they are known for pushing a rustic yet polished hospitality experience that mixes sustainability with wellness.

Sustainability measures are practiced at every level, including the supply chain, the hotel returns story foam boxes back to the suppliers to be reused, while single-use plastics (plastic drinking straws, bottles and paper plates) are not stocked at all.

Oasia Hotel Downtown

Juxtaposed against the towering concrete structures in Singapore’s Central Business District, Oasia Hotel Downtown stands out with its verdant facade. Creepers intertwine with the contrasting crimson panels, while tall trees from the sky gardens peek through, engulfing the entire building and creating a massive vertical garden.

It is not just the exterior of this tropical skyscraper that is impressive though. More greenery peppers the leisure areas, welcoming fauna like birds and insects into its ecosystem. The open design promotes natural ventilation and provides shade, reducing the need for air-conditioning. Rainfall is collected to irrigate the flourishing gardens, emphasising the hotel’s commitment to sustainability.

JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach

One of the latest entrants onto the crowded Singapore hospitality scene, the JW Marriott Hotel South Beach’s approach is as architecturally arresting as it is eco-friendly. Any visitor there would have noticed the soaring metal canopy, its undulating features, designed by British architects Foster and Partners, is meant to mimic ocean waves but the design has also been angled in such a way so as to lower overall temperatures by approximately two degrees.

Not only that, the structure also collects rainwater for usage and has been outfitted with solar panels, the energy collected goes to light up the building’s facade.

Parkroyal on Pickering

When it comes to eco-friendly digs in Singapore, Parkroyal on Pickering is definitely one of the most committed players, especially with its verdant veneer made up of live plants. And they are not just there for show, there are gardens located on every fourth floor, and the ample amount of vegetation help to absorb heat, reducing the reliance on cooling systems.

Part of their water supply comes from a mix of rainwater, as well as Newater (Singapore’s recycled water). Small wonder that the hotel has clinched the Asia’s Leading Green Hotel accolade at the World Travel Awards for three consecutive years.

See more: Top popular street food dishes in Singapore

Source Hiasia

6 best homestays in Cambodia

There is nothing like putting up at a homestay in Cambodia when you are in the country. You get a close-up look at local culture and lifestyle and get to meet great people who can show you the best places to go to. If this is your idea of the perfect accommodation, these are the best homestays in Cambodia to check out.

Kralanh Homestay

Get a taste of the simple life at Kralanh Homestay, a cheap homestay in Cambodia set near a rice field that you can visit. It also has a small pond. It is located near a hut that bibliophiles will love as it is filled with books.

Homestay in Krabei Riel, Siem Reap

This is another homestay in Cambodia’s Siem Reap that offers travelers a taste of comfortable village life. It is located about 8 kilometers from the downtown area. The accommodating hosts can be requested to arrange transport and provide tour information if required.

Read more: Top cultural activities in Siem Reap, Cambodia

The Natural Homestay

This Cambodia homestay in Siem Reap boasts spacious, comfortable rooms that are ideal for couples and families. It has a pretty garden, parking facilities and bikes you can use to get around the neighborhood. It is a little over 2 hours away from the center of town.

Chiro Village Homestay

For an authentic Khmer village homestay experience, Chiro is recommended for you, which is registered as an NGO. It gives you a unique insight into local culture and customs.

Bunyong Homestay

Stay at charming Bunyong which offers serene lake views and is only about 4 kilometers from Pub Street. The homestay in Cambodia offers numerous amenities so that you are not left lacking.

Meas Family Homestay

To the south of Phnom Penh is Meas, a homestay in Cambodia that is welcoming and comfortable. It has private rooms and bungalows as well as a restaurant and a bar. It is a perfect place to stay if you are looking for a resort-like feel and ambience.

Source Traveltriangle

4 kinds of affordable Airbnbs in Hong Kong for the budget travelers

For one of the world’s most expensive cities, Hong Kong offers up some pretty affordable Airbnbs. So you can find reasonable, chic apartments that, while small, offer good amenities and prime locations. And you do not have to break the bank. Here are some of the best Airbnbs in Hong Kong for your money.

The one-bedroom apartment with a pretty balcony

While it does not look like much from the pictures, this apartment is highly rated due to other selling points: its convenient location and the nicely-decorated balcony. The apartment is located in a busy area but it is nice and quiet since it is tucked right at the end of the building. Places that are easily accessible from the apartment are Mong Kok MTR Station, Ladies Market, Sneakers (Fa Yuen) Street and Argyle Centre. While the apartment may just be a place to retreat to for the night, light cooking is also possible here.

Location: Mong Kok
Max. no. of guests: 2
No. of bedrooms: 1

The bright and spacious flat with three bedrooms

This tastefully furnished three-bedroom flat is spacious by Hong Kong standards. Two of the bedrooms have king-sized beds, the other one has a double bed, and the common room has a sofa bed. Altogether, eight people can share this home during their trip. As with the other apartments in the Mong Kok area, shopping and dining options are mere steps away. Among others, you will find streetside stalls selling fried seafood, fruits and veggies. Do bear in mind that this apartment is on the fourth floor of a building with no lift, so those with heavy luggage might struggle a bit.

Location: Mong Kok
Max. no. of guests: 8
No. of bedrooms: 1

The two-bedroom apartment with an urban view

Near Times Square, Hysan Place and Sogo is this two-bedroom apartment along Hennessy Road. It can accommodate up to six persons if you don’t mind the crowd; otherwise, four guests will fit nicely. The typical freebies like towels and toiletries are included, and you might also appreciate the hair dryer, iron and washing machine with detergent. The apartment is a great base to reach the southern beaches in Shek O and Stanley.  It is also within walking distance to the Wan Chai Pier which has ferries to Kowloon. On top of that, with plenty of buses in front of the apartment, you can even get to Mong Kok in less than 15 minutes.

Location: Causeway Bay
Max. no. of guests: 6
No. of bedrooms: 2

The studio just in front of the MTR Station

This cute little studio apartment along the famous Nathan Road has touches of greenery to add life to the modern space. While it is a studio, the space is compartmentalised into a bedroom, living room, kitchen, and bathroom. It also comes with air-conditioning, a fridge, a washing machine, and fast WiFi. This is one of the units of the Mirador Mansion and it is located on the tenth floor. Staying here will put you just minutes away from the Avenue of Stars, the Science Museum, malls like Miramar, Miramall and The One, as well as Knutsford Terrace where pubs and bars are aplenty. Getting to other parts of Hong Kong is convenient too as there is an entrance to Tsim Sha Tsui MTR Station just outside the building.

Location: Tsim Sha Tsui
Max. no. of guests: 2
No. of bedrooms: Studio

Read more: Top tourist attractions in Hong Kong

Source Tripzilla