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| Source: Avani. Plant-based coconut acai bowls at Avani+ Samui Resort. |
With an eye on a greener future and a more sustainable outlook, Avani Hotels has rolled out a series of initiatives focusing on sustenance and wellness.
Signature Avani properties in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos are stepping up their commitment to support local communities by highlighting the region’s speciality produce and the need to rely less on imports. They have also adopted zero-waste initiatives, including plans for on-site composting systems to process all organic waste, and an organic garden to promote self-sufficiency.
Avani Pattaya Resort
Avani Pattaya Resort has pioneered the first hydroponic farm in the this coastal town of Thailand. The farm supplies 40% of Avani Pattaya’s daily supply of fresh ingredients, with the rest going to the Pattaya community. Today, the farm nurtures over 22,000 plants including a wide range of salads and greens such as microgreens, red oak, green oak, cos, rocket, Swiss chard and Chinese kale.
The farm recently adopted free-roaming chickens that supply fresh eggs for breakfast every day.
The team at Avani Pattaya have started efforts to phase out single-use plastic and have doubled down on sustainability initiatives by adding a compost site to reduce landfill waste. They are also replacing single-use plastic bottles with refillable sealed containers for bathroom amenities.
A tour of the farm gives guests an insight into sourcing farm-to-table organic produce that forms the basis of local cuisine. Aspiring chefs can then join a cooking class and whip up a delicious meal to enjoy, or learn how to start their own hydroponic farm at home.
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort
Avani+ Hua Hin Hotel’s commitment to locally sourced produce now extends to 90% of the ingredients used in the resort’s restaurants. The resort aims to support the local economy and reduce its carbon footprint by working closely with Thai farmers and suppliers to source fresh, locally-grown ingredients.
Avani+ Hua Hin Resort has also partnered with local businesses in Thailand who run ethical and fully sustainable operations. These include a free-range chicken farm supplying organic eggs in biodegradable packaging; artisanal product manufacturers who use no artificial colours or flavourings; and a boutique organic vegetable farm supplying fresh herbs.
Avani+ Samui Resort
Over on the Thai island of Koh Samui, Avani+ Samui Resort invites guests to the new wellness-centric KoKo plant-based café. Designed to improve personal wellness, KoKo offers a sustainable dining experience by reducing animal product consumption.
From healthy lunch bowls and mix-your-own salads to plant-based protein burgers and gluten-free and vegan cakes, KoKo maintains a fully-sustainable supply chain. KoKo chefs use only plant-based ingredients, many from the property’s garden and a nearby coconut plantation, resulting in locally-sourced dishes such as its cocoa bowl and beetroot sandwich.
FCC Angkor by Avani
FCC Angkor’s Scribe Bar in Cambodia has introduced zero-waste cocktails where ingredients are reused, recycled and upcycled to minimise waste. For example, the Colonial Fare cocktail features locally-sourced pineapples as its main ingredient. The fruit is juiced for the cocktail, while the pulp is dried to be used as a garnish or as part of another cocktail.
All organic waste is converted into compost and then used as fertiliser for the hotel’s garden, which grows plants for the restaurant and bar such as lemongrass, pandan and krasang teap (a key ingredient in beef lok lak, Cambodia’s national dish, served at the property’s Mansion restaurant).
Avani+ Luang Prabang
Overlooking a Buddhist temple dating back to 1548, the new rooftop garden at Avani+ Luang Prabang Hotel in Laos boasts some of the best views of the UNESCO Heritage town. Growing on its 140 sq m rooftop is a selection of organic fruit and vegetables such as banana, papaya, cherry tomatoes and cabbage; as well as herbs including coriander and chilli.
The idea for the garden was inspired by Head Chef Waran’s childhood memories of his mother picking fresh vegetables for daily family meals. Guests are invited to learn how to plant and grow different types of produce, as well as master the basics of Laotian cuisine.
Avani welcomes guests to over 30 properties, including in Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, and the UAE. Avani Hotels are designed for the Millennial-minded traveller whose priorities are style, value and comfort. Its upbeat, contemporary hotel concept has a focus on good sleep, designed social spaces, locally-inspired sustenance and friendly service.
Avani is a member of the DISCOVERY loyalty programme and is part of the global hospitality group Minor Hotels.
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