Eco-retreats where less is more: 3 top picks
Three tiny eco-friendly retreats from Mexico to the Arctic are proving less is more. With charming no-frills interiors, a stripped-back aesthetic, and no single detail detracting from the dramatic views, each offers stunning spaces to chill, recharge, and disconnect.
And we love that the hoteliers are all passionate about sustainable design and minimizing their footprint — precisely the kind of places we Offbeat Goats love!
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Encuentro Guadalupe
Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico
Combining deluxe camping with sustainability in Valle's secluded wine country, Encuentro Guadalupe offers swanky eco-lofts off the beaten path. Despite their remote location, these lofts boast breathtaking views and ample good wine, making it unnecessary to venture elsewhere. Moreover, the design of these lofts prioritizes sustainability, utilizing local, natural materials, solar-heated water facilities, and a minimal ecological footprint, ensuring minimal disruption to the natural environment.
Photos courtesy of: Encuentro Guadeloupe
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The Arctic Hideaway
Fleinvær, Norway
Rest, reset, and master the art of doing nothing in an arctic hideaway. Nestled into Sørværet on the Fleinvær islands in Norway, the Arctic Hideaway comprises 10 individual buildings, among them a crab shack and sauna, with four cabins available for rent. Guests have the option to rent the entire complex or select individual cabins. Every cabin is constructed using sustainably sourced building materials and is elevated above the ground to minimize environmental impact. The entire complex operates off-grid, featuring an on-site water plant that converts seawater into fresh drinkable water.
Photos courtesy of: The Arctic Hideaway
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Cabanas No Rio
Comporta, Portugal
These secluded fishermen’s huts “on the river” are eco in the purest sense. Think rustic cabins, sandy white beaches, and wide‑open paddy fields. The brainchild of architect Manuel Aires Mateus, these beautifully designed cabanas constructed entirely from recycled wooden panels blend seamlessly into the Sado Estuary. And only a hop, skip and jump from Lisbon.
Photos courtesy of: Silent Living