6 Bali restaurants that are promoting ethical travel and sustainability
As Bali returns to normal with a green tourism campaign, these restaurants and TableCheck clients are leading the way with environmentally friendly practices
In a post-pandemic world, it is reassuring that some tourist destinations are taking a more active approach toward sustainability. The latest on this list is Bali which has started a green tourism campaign called Kembali Becik, which means "to return back better".
Like other tourist cities and countries, Bali’s travel industry is recovering from a post-pandemic slump. Since travel is the province's largest industry, it seems only fair that local businesses and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) would promote sustainable tourism under this collaborative forum.
The collaborative efforts hope to make businesses more sustainable and help tourists travel more responsibly by connecting them to environment-friendly resources.
Here are some Bali restaurants and hotels that go above and beyond to promote ethical and environmentally friendly travel and dining. Using platforms like TableCheck to manage their online reservations or table management system (TMS) or many other features, these hospitality operators are able to provide top-notch hospitality in the most sustainable way.
1. The Apurva Kempinski Bali
The Apurva Kempinski strives to provide its guests with a sustainable environment without compromising on luxury.
The Apurva Kempinski has collaborated with like-minded businesses to make weddings a happy, sustainable event. At these environment-friendly weddings, recycled paper papeteries, wooden chairs, and potted plants are used in wedding decorations, and gifts include locally handmade crafts. The bride can also participate in the initiative by wearing a gown designed by the award-winning social enterprise SukkhaCitta. The hotel has partnered with several green businesses to make weddings on their premises wholesome. Since weddings are notorious for producing a lot of waste, this is a step in the right direction.
It has also started a rooftop garden to grow a variety of greens that will be used in the kitchen. This initiative aims to make the magnificent hotel’s kitchen more environmentally friendly.
From planning sustainable weddings to planting a rooftop garden, The Apurva Kempinski goes above and beyond to tailor the guest experience to include environmentally friendly practices.
In the image below, potted plants are used instead of fresh-cut flowers at a sustainable wedding.
2. Potato Head
The Potato Head hotel in Seminyak has scored tremendously as an eco-friendly hotel. At their restaurant Ijen, the hotel sincerely follows an impactful practice of serving sustainable seafood cooked over an open fire.
Not only has the food been carefully considered, but so has the resort's design. Motor oil bottles were repurposed into construction panels in some building areas, and industrial rubber waste was used to make the floors. The hotel practices zero-waste operations, and surplus material is regularly repurposed into beautiful products. The hotel's commitment to sustainability is broad and includes its guests.
They also hold workshops where guests can learn how to make household ornaments such as candles from used cooking oil. With diverse amenities and furniture made from recycled waste, Potato Head has sustainability at its core.
In the image below, Sustainism Lab machines transform waste into the many beautiful, usable objects found throughout the Desa.
3. The Lawn Canggu
The Lawn Canggu, with its lovely daybeds, fresh ocean air, and stunning sunsets, is located right in the heart of Canggu's beach. The restaurant is popular with tourists and locals due to its unrivaled top location directly in front of one of Bali's most sought-after longboard waves.
The Lawn offers more than just delicious margaritas and hot pizzas. It prepares flavorful meals using sustainable ingredients. Not only that, but the restaurant regularly participates in beach cleanups. The Lawn is a valuable asset to the local community.
In the image, you can see how cooking and baking are conducted on the beaches of Canggu.
4. Ayana Resort and Spa Bali
Ayana Resort and Spa Bali first made headlines for challenging travel norms when it banned phones and cameras near its much-photographed river pool a few years ago. The hotel promoted sustainable travel and social media detox via its 'In the moment' campaign.
Ayana has always believed in using environmentally friendly practices. While many hotels order ingredients from all over the world, Ayana sources its fish and vegetables locally, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting local businesses.
It is also the only resort in the area with its own resident marine biologist studying the biodiversity of the reeds. These resident biologists lead excursions to educate and raise awareness about the importance of protecting the ocean and marine life. The hotel is also educating the next generation of adults through coral planting programs and regular beach clean-ups.
Ayana is truly paving the way for ethical tourism and travel. In the image below, you can see the farm-to-fork fresh ingredients used at Ayana Resort and Spa Bali.
5. Finns Beach Club
Finns Beach Club is committed to giving back to the community. One of its many initiatives has been the generous use of its facility by local sporting organizations, charities, schools, orphanages, and children in need.
Finns has also been working to educate its employees about clean and green policies. To reduce the use of single-use plastic, they encourage employees to bring their own water bottles to work and refill them on the hotel grounds.
Finns is also deeply concerned about Bali's growing waste problem and is steadily increasing efforts to reduce paper and plastic consumption and recycle whenever possible. In addition, they have been composting their garden waste. The revenue generated by these recycling initiatives is contributed to employees’ salaries.
Guests can enjoy a refreshing cocktail at Finns’s while knowing that the club is contributing to the local community.
Here's an Instagram post on a lively evening in progress at Finns Beach Club.
6. Double Six luxury hotel
The magnificent Double-Six Luxury Hotel is only a few steps away from the Double Six beach. Guests can enjoy sweeping uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean while sipping margaritas by the pool.
The hotel has a number of restaurants and bars that serve delectable cuisine and a fine selection of drinks.
The glamorous restaurant The Plantation Grill Seminyak demonstrates the hotel's commitment to sustainability. This restaurant boasts not an only twenties-style luxury but also line-caught sustainable seafood prepared on custom-made coal and wood grills and wood-fired ovens.
Double-Six is a shining example of a hotel that understands how to combine sustainability and luxury.
From managing their online reservations to optimizing their restaurant operations, these hospitality operators use TableCheck to deliver award-winning and sustainable experiences to their guests.
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