Breathtaking seaside hotel in Thailand practices radical reuse, grows 100% of its produce

Originally built in 1987, the environmentally-sensitive design of <a href="http://www.tongsaibay.co.th/" target="_blank">The Tongsai Bay</a> was in many ways ahead of its time. Not a single tree was felled or damaged during construction, allowing the natural fauna and flora to flourish for all these years.

Overlooking a private bay along the Northern Coast of Koh Samui, Thailand, <a href="http://www.tongsaibay.co.th/" target="_blank">The Tongsai Bay Hotel</a> boasts much more than luxurious seaside accommodations. The <a href="https://www.greenpearls.com/hotels/asia/thailand/the-tongsai-bay" target="_blank">award-winning</a> family-owned resort was built within a 28 and a half acre landscape that remains home to 66 different species of birds and other wildlife. The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/retreat" target="_blank">green retreat</a> maintains its virtuous mission by growing 100% of its produce and turning all food waste into fertilizer and a cleaning solution for its facilities, while the rest is donated to the island's stray cats and dogs. This breathtaking oasis demonstrates how hotels can thrive within a completely natural habitat.

With 28 acres of lush green space, the owners could have filled the property with many more rooms for more revenue per square meter, but their passion for preserving the natural environment was more important.

There is not a bad view in sight at The Tongsai Bay. Each of its 83 rooms, villas and cottages are <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/greenery/" target="_blank">enveloped in greenery</a> and welcome a breathtaking sea view.

66 different species of birds and all sorts of wildlife, including lizards, can be found roaming the property at any given time.

here are no insecticides, toxic cleaners, or chemical fragrances in sight at The Tonsai Bay.

A view from a villa's private pool.

Even textiles are reused: ripped bed sheets, for instance, are turned into napkins for their restaurants.

The Tongsai Bay is one place that has taken the environmental education of their staff very seriously, training them to <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/recycling/" target="_blank">recycle and minimize waste</a> every day. Guests are also guided to do the same, with colorful separated trash and recycling bins peppered throughout the property.

<a href="http://www.tongsaibay.co.th/" target="_blank">The Tongsai Bay</a>'s three restaurants are supplied daily with native produce sustainably grown on the farm located just a short drive from the main site.

Everything from lemongrass, lettuce, eggplants, limes and bananas are produced on the farm and served in a rotating menu.

They have even reused the hotel's old bathtubs as planters.

Fresh peppermint growing on the Tongsai Bay farm.

The hotel's food waste, including fish scraps, are placed into an open air fertilizer that is then used to grow new vegetables on the farm.

The Tonsai Bay, though not affordable for everyone, is a shining example of green hospitality.

An iguana casually strolling near one of the Tongsai Bay's villas.

The shimmering half moon infinity pool.

We hope to see more hotels around the world embrace a self-sustaining model as grand as this.