THE SEXY — AND SUSTAINABLE — SEVEN

Hideaways Names Favorite Eco Retreats In U.S.

PORTSMOUTH, NH (April 6, 2009) — Just in time for Earth Day, Mike Thiel, President and Founder of Hideaways International™, Inc., names the seven sexiest sustainable hotels and resorts in the United States.

“From coast to coast, these exceptional escapes are gorgeous and green,” says Thiel. “Each has a unique degree of sustainability while attaining the highest degree of desirability.”

1. Willows Lodge, Woodinville, Washington
Why it’s sexy: Guests have a lot to toast in this Washington wine-country retreat. Each room and suite feature a stone fireplace, oversized soaking tub for two, and a hard-to-leave bed . . . the lodge is a two-minute stroll from two world-class wineries, Chateau Ste. Michelle and Columbia Winery . . . and children, while not forbidden, are not encouraged.
How it’s sustainable: With a 5-Star EnviroStars rating, the lodge is committed to environmentally responsible operations — its six-acre riverfront site, for example, is completely eco-friendly.

2. Solage Calistoga, Calistoga, California
Why it’s sexy: Located on 22 acres in the northern edge of Napa Valley, this loft-style resort has the kind of inviting and inspired California-casual-meets-city-chic design that guests will find a pleasure to return to after a day of oh-so-strenuous wine tastings or treatments — like the “Full Body Mud ‘Cocktail’” — at Solage’s own spa.
How it’s sustainable: A member of the Green Hotel Association, this resort’s impressive “Green initiatives” cover the resort from top (solar panels) to bottom (bamboo flooring).

3. Sundance Resort, Sundance, Utah
Why it’s sexy: This retreat — with its collection of suites and mountain homes tucked away within 6,000 acres of protected wilderness — is irresistibly alluring to those who value rustic elegance. It embodies healthy living from its rooms and restaurants to its diverse amenities and activities.
How it’s sustainable: Owner Robert Redford’s commitment to conservation is seen in nearly every inch of the resort and in places that can’t be seen, like the spa’s recycled denim insulation.

4. The Fairmont Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
Why it’s sexy: Guests looking to enjoy a hot desert tryst should stay in a casita — each is hidden in a quiet courtyard setting, comes complete with the attentions of a butler, and is cleverly placed at the opposite end of the resort from the family-friendly guest rooms.
How it’s sustainable: Like all Fairmonts, this hotel practices environmental stewardship in an ever-increasing number of ways, from hotel kitchen composting to energy-efficient lighting.
 
5. Lake Austin Spa Resort, Austin, Texas
Why it’s sexy: There’s a romantic spell here that can’t easily be broken, especially with the resort’s no-children-under-14 policy and its genius ban on cell phones in public places. Guests who select a Premier Garden Cabin can end a day of world-class spa treatments, unique indoor and outdoor adventures, and exquisite dining by relaxing in a hot tub in the cabin's private garden.
How it’s sustainable: The spa treatments and included-in-the-price meals incorporate the fruits of the resort’s organic gardens, and its dining room serves local and seasonal cuisine.
 
6. Little St. Simons Island, Little St. Simons Island, Georgia
Why it’s sexy: Located on a 10,000-acre barrier island off the Georgia coast — and accessible only by boat — the lodge offers a combination of complete privacy and Southern hospitality in an unspoiled wilderness for no more than 30 guests. Guests enjoy seven miles of private beaches, a range of island activities, and regional, home-style cuisine.
How it’s sustainable: The lodge isn’t going green, it is green with an impressive list of eco practices, from using motion-sensor controlled outdoor lighting to serving organic, shade-grown coffee.
 
7. The Equinox, Manchester Village, Vermont
Why it’s sexy: Nestled in the spectacular Green Mountains, this 2,300-acre, four-diamond resort is a retreat for those who like to stay busy, even if being busy means getting a facial. After tackling the resort’s golf course, British School of Falconry, or Land Rover Driving School, guests can retreat to their elegant townhouse, a private sanc
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