As the weather warms up across North America, the RHC team is dreaming of elemental escapes, nature-based getaways, and long strolls in the sunshine. This is especially true during Earth Month, which is formally celebrated throughout April in the lead-up to Earth Day on April 22nd. It serves as a great reminder that sustainability should be prioritized year-round. In anticipation of the warmer weather and the stark need for sustainable travel, RHC has compiled a list of destinations that champion Mother Earth no matter what time of year it is, but are perfect for an Earth Day getaway.
Greydon House | Nantucket, MA
As full of sea-faring, natural charm as the island it’s located on, Greydon House is a 20-room boutique situated in Nantucket’s historic downtown district. Originally a sea captain’s home, the property is adorned with nautical themes and elegant design, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that feels like a home away from home. Greydon House’s commitment to its terrain is best epitomized by its partnerships with Nantucket’s research and science center, the Maria Mitchell Association. Their work together ranges from personalized scalloping sessions to private stargazing experiences. Named for the first female astronomer in the United States who discovered the comet “1847 VI” while stargazing on the island in the 19th century, the Association is home to the Loines Observatory. Given its remote location, floating 30 miles off the mainland of the United States, Nantucket’s night sky is almost void of light pollution, allowing stargazers a crystal-clear view of the night sky and the upcoming astronomical phenomena that are best viewed from the Maria Mitchell Association. Guests of Greydon House can enjoy exclusive access to the observatory, built in 1968 and housing a refurbished antique 8-inch Alvan Clark telescope and a 24-inch research telescope perfect for viewing these natural phenomena.
Eastwind Oliverea Valley | Big Indian, NY
Located in Big Indian, New York, Eastwind Oliverea Valley is a lush mountainside boutique hotel and elemental escape in the heart of the Catskills. The property boasts 26 “Lushna” accommodations, complete with designer-curated mid-century vintage furnishings that conjure a seasonal Scandinavian ambiance in the middle of New York State. Eastwind Oliverea Valley is also home to Dandelion Restaurant & Bar, a “forage to fork” eatery offering refined, seasonally-based comfort dishes. The full-service restaurant makes use of the 40+ acre property, its abundance of produce, and proximity to Esopus Creek by inviting guests of the restaurant to embark with a local wildlife expert to forage for mushrooms, nettles, and edible flowers, which is followed by a hands-on cocktail-making class incorporating the bounty. Eastwind Oliverea Valley invites guests to connect with the surrounding Catskills by offering an array of on-property amenities, including a swimming pool, one dry and one infrared sauna, sunrise yoga sessions, creative seasonal workshops, and guided foraging walks. Outside of the hotel’s grounds, visitors can spend their time taking advantage of being in the midst of some of the Catskills’ highest peaks by biking, hiking, and more. The Catskill Thunder Gondola offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and landscape year-round; in the spring and summer, hikers pack the idyllic trails and enjoy perfect picnic spots.
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve | Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico
Enter Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, a nature-forward, luxurious sanctuary nestled on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. The estate boasts a guest experience that melds these two burgeoning priorities. A storied magnet to escape the world, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is home to Ambassadors of the Environment, a program that advocates for the protection of ecosystems through hands-on programming that encourages a deeper connection to the interconnectedness of our planet. Created by Jean-Michel Cousteau to carry on his family’s tradition of ocean preservation and education, Ambassadors of the Environment offers activities for all ages and spotlights biodiversity, sustainability, environmental conservation, and beyond. The call to action of the Ambassadors of the Environment program is sustainability: to live more gently on the planet. Incorporating experiential environmental education provides guests with actionable tips to reduce, reuse, and recycle, essentially inspiring guests to become Ambassadors of the Environment wherever they call home. Guests can book hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, bird watching, paddle boarding, and a variety of other eco-adventures. Programs such as the Ambassadors in the Kitchen combine cooking activities with lessons on sustainable practices, using ingredients from the organic garden—a model guests can replicate in their own homes. The resort additionally has exclusive activities planned for Earth Day, including a beach cleanup, retreat, and sunset kayak.
Limelight Hotels | Aspen, CO
Limelight Hotels and its parent company, Aspen One, have been proud leaders in sustainable hospitality since their inception. For over 25 years, since 1999, Aspen One has published yearly reports on its environmental impacts and efforts to reduce them — a pioneering business move that has catalyzed work against climate change. With Limelight Boulder set to open in August 2025 and Limelight Mammoth on the horizon as well, all newly built Limelight Hotel properties will be fully electric. This construction pathway will ensure that each building’s carbon footprint will decrease as the grid transitions to clean energy. The decision to construct electric buildings will also serve as a testament to how successful hotel operations can be developed without any natural gas usage. Engaging guests and the local community, Limelight Hotels communicates its sustainability philosophy throughout each stay and visit. Guests can contribute a dollar of each stay towards local community funds, which support local environmental, educational, and community nonprofits. Postcard kiosks in the lobbies encourage guests to write to their respective representatives about climate action, and Aspen One’s yearly sustainability report is available in every guest room. Aspen U speaker events are hosted at each Limelight Hotel, wherein authors and professionals talk about climate change and social justice in a casual setting. These events are free and open to guests, employees, and the public.
Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla | Cancun, MX
Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla is the perfect destination to celebrate Earth Month, offering a harmonious blend of natural beauty and sustainability. Situated along the Yucatán Peninsula, guests can explore nearby wonders such as the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, one of the world’s largest coral reefs, and the region’s extraordinary network of cenotes. Visitors can also immerse themselves in the rich history of the area, with ancient Mayan ruins just a short distance away. The resort embraces Hilton’s global sustainability efforts, including energy-efficient systems and water conservation practices, plus Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla’s Nespresso pod recycling program. Additionally, Canopy Cancun prioritizes locally sourced ingredients in its restaurants, helping support the local community and reduce its environmental footprint. With a commitment to celebrating and preserving the natural environment, Canopy by Hilton Cancun La Isla provides a perfect eco-conscious escape to enjoy Earth Month while surrounded by nature’s wonders.
Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resorts Collection | Gardiner, NY
Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resorts Collection, is nestled in the lush Hudson Valley, spanning 140 idyllic acres designed to foster meaningful connections with nature at every turn. A natural playground from which to explore the bounty of the Hudson Valley, Wildflower Farms serves as a home base for adventure, craft, exploration, and curiosity. Blanketed in meadows of native flowers and wild woodlands, the expansive grounds include a namesake farm with orchards and heirloom gardens, locally-sourced cuisine, and miles of hiking trails that invite guests to explore, connect with the environment, and expand both spirit and mind. The property partnered with a local community solar farm to contribute solar-powered energy to the grid, reducing its carbon footprint and supporting the community with clean, locally generated electricity. The onsite nine-acre organic farm supplies produce for the restaurant while offering hands-on educational experiences. Seasonal programming has included greenhouse visits with the farm director, the Little Farmers movement, a sensory experience for kids, and an annual sheep-shearing event, where a local expert demonstrates the craft’s connection to farming and sustainability. In addition to growing and raising ingredients onsite, Wildflower Farms sources seasonal vegetables, honey, animal protein, wine, and more from local farms and vintners to help sustain the region. A destination where nature, sustainability, and discovery come together, Wildflower Farm provides an experience that is both enriching and connected with the environment.
