Clean & Care Pledge


- Our Commitment to You -

In light of the current health concerns as a result of Covid-19 all member properties (hotels, boats and restaurants) have signed the Secret Retreats Clean Care Pledge which can be viewed here.
The safety of our guests, our staff and our community is of paramount importance to us all, and as such we have consulted with the centers for disease control (regional) and the World Health Organization to ensure that our systems and procedures are up to date with the latest advice on how to best deep clean, disinfect and care for our guests, staff and community to keep everyone safe and well. We are committed to keeping you safe.

With properties open to the public touchpoints are a key concern, as is guest room turnaround to ensure that both housekeeping staff and follow on guests are kept safe and free from any risk of infection, where this protection is provided largely through disinfection procedures. But this leads to an additional problem from the increased frequency of disinfection that is required throughout the day (on all touchpoints around the properties and within hotel guest rooms) both in terms of increased exposure to chemicals for our housekeeping staff and also damage to the environment. As a result of this concern, we have researched for the best environmentally friendly (and staff friendly) methods of cleaning and cleaning materials, rather than simply following the commonly recommended method of disinfection through the use of chlorine based bleach (particularly nasty chemical to both people and the environment).

Our concern for you during your stay extends from the preparation of the car (sanitized) and driver (properly equipped) to collect you, to maintaining a sanitized environment at all times in both the public and private areas of our properties, to ensuring all materials brought in to the property or kitchens are handled in the recommended way to prevent any risk of infection, to guarantee that guest rooms are fully disinfected and aired between stays, to make sure that staff and guests are updated and taking care of each other correctly with barrier gestures and distancing, to confirm our staff are equipped to assist guests and colleagues in the event of a potential infection presenting itself, and to ensure our staff are all properly trained and equipped to deal with these new protocols and working practices that are now so essential. It is our aim to ensure the safety of all of our guests, diners, staff, community and you at all times while in our care at our restaurants, hotels and aboard our boats.
Travel Safe and Stay Safe
Please be sure to take the proper precautions and follow the advice and guidelines to stay safe and protect yourself and others when travelling.

In the event that you or one of your travelling party feel unwell, please contact the reception team who will arrange for a medical consultation.

While travelling it is recommended to wear face masks and to also have an alcohol based handwashing gel with you – in Asia people are generally wearing face masks whenever they are out and about.

Maintain and practice good hygiene and barrier gestures at all times.

Barrier Gestures
The recommended barrier gestures to help protect you and those around you include:

i. Handwashing
Use of alcohol based gels or hot water and soap. Handwashing should be regular, and detailed (covering fronts and backs of hands, finger tips, and taking at least 20seconds) and performed after touching anything that may not be sanitized (money, credit cards, other people’s belongings etc). And avoid touching one’s eyes, nose and mouth.

ii. Social Distancing
Maintain a distance of at least 1m (WHO recommendation) and avoid anyone coughing or sneezing.

iii. Respiratory Etiquette
When coughing or sneezing, do this into the inside of your bent elbow or into tissues, not to your hands. Any used tissues need to be carefully disposed of immediately ideally into a bin with a lid.

Checking-in and checking-out timings may well be staggered to avoid crowding guests and staff together. Please cooperate with staff and plan your checking-in and out times to assist the staff and ensure a safe and smooth procedure.

Please be patient with staff, with the increased frequency of sanitization, disinfection and the deep cleaning of guest rooms and public areas, checking-in times and preparation of public spaces may well be slower than usual.

While travelling and making day trips please try to maintain social distancing and avoid crowds for your own safety and that of others.

Observe Asian greetings to avoid the need to shake hands or kiss in greeting. The Thai Wai is a beautiful way to greet and show your respect to people, all while maintaining social distancing.

As is the Asian way, be mindful in your actions, follow the guidelines, travel safe and stay safe.

We Care

Bound by a common desire to promote and protect the cultures, traditions, ecosystems and environments around our homes across Asia, each Secret Retreats member has signed a pledge to follow our core principles upon joining our organization. Asia is our home, the communities in each destination are our communities, the local cultures and customs, the cuisines and art forms, the local lifestyles and the surrounding nature, these are all equally important to each and every Secret Retreats member to share with the world and to preserve for future generations to come.
Take your holiday or vacation in Asia and enjoy the beauty of our Asian homes and
experience the essence of Asia with Secret Retreats, safe in the knowledge that
you are supporting sustainable and responsible tourism.

The Secret Retreats pledge can be viewed here – Sustainability Pledge


Think Sustainable

Secret Retreats’s core philosophy is to promote, share and conserve our Asian homes and we believe this is readily achieved by employing responsible and sustainable tourism business practices. All members on joining become signatories to the Secret Retreats Sustainability Pledge (included above) and on signing they agree to follow the best practices detailed within the pledge to ensure that their business operates in accordance with the key expectations of a responsible and sustainable tourism related business. Each member of Secret Retreats calls Asia home and as such they are personally invested in, and passionate about, preserving both the environment and their local cultures and traditions for the generations to come – that includes generations of locals and visitors.

Sustainable and responsible actions can take many simple forms, our collection of favourite restaurants for example, the Secret Tables, are all united in their belief to support their local farmers and growers. The chef’s take a serious interest in the quality of the produce they source and look always to source directly from the farmer or grower ensuring both clean, chemical and pesticide free produce for their recipes and promoting sustainability by supporting their local environment conscious farming communities. The hoteliers too source locally to support their communities, employing locally, supporting local initiatives as well as supporting local artisans by using the artisans’ work within their hotels or promoting this work to their guests. Our hoteliers support of their local artisans has lead to the creation of the Secret Retreats shop, an online space to promote products grown or made in our hotelier’s communities. Hand picked teas from Darjeeling, peppercorns from Kampot, cocoa from Java, iconic flavours of Asia direct from the source, to hand woven products and ceramicware, one off pieces direct from the artists.

When travelling with Secret Retreats, your stay will support Asian communities and help to preserve their local environments, their traditional practices and their culture. Through your patronage of Secret Retreats you will be enabling farmers and fisherman to employ sustainable practices successfully in their daily work, from helping to preserve the local environment, to supporting local artisans and traditional crafts, and keeping local communities together through local centered and fair employment practices. . .

You will leave more than footprints when travelling Asia with Secret Retreats.

Our Members Own Actions and Initiatives

4 RIVERS FLOATING LODGE

Built with only eco-friendly materials, 4 Rivers Floating Lodge’s pristine surroundings amidst the Tatai River and the Cardamom Mountains aptly reflect the company’s commitment to preserving the environment and supporting local sustainable tourism efforts. The eco lodge has worked with a number of local establishments and villagers in order to promote the protection of the region’s unique ecological systems.
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ARUMDALU

This private resort is fully committed to ensuring it maintains an eco-friendly environment without compromising a luxurious experience. Synthetic rattan furniture has been made with recycled plastic. Besides its stone walls, which were made with rubber waste and sand, and energy efficient LED lights, its wicker gazebo allows for a natural cooling system.
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GANGGA ISLAND RESORT AND SPA

A Biorock project was started in 2015 to reverse severe beach erosion which had left the island almost without a beach. Damage like this is happening worldwide due to rising sea levels. Within just a few short years there were areas of Gangga Island with barely any beach at all. The island is affected by the Australian and Indo-Chinese Monsoons and by late 2015 much of the sand had been washed away leaving a beach cliff almost 1.5 metres high rather than a stretch of pristine white sand.
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BABA ECOLODGE

This resort practices sustainable tourism by minimizing waste and its environmental impact. It recycles all their glass, cardboard, paper, and cans, and only offers draft beer and non-bottled water. The resort has no freezers, and all food is delivered fresh daily from the market or purchased directly from local fishermen and farmers. In addition to its organic gardens, the resort has a nursery where they grow fresh herbs and vegetables.
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HOTEL TUGU LOMBOK

Thanks to its Clean and Green campaign, this hotel organises everything from visits to a local school to teaching others about good environmental practices. One of their community initiatives called Eco Park grows fruit, herbs, yams, vegetables and spices. No chemicals have been used and all the produce is 100% organic. Guests who book a cooking class at the resort are taken on a tour to learn how the hotel makes their own compost.
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LOTUS HOUSEBOAT

Lotus Houseboat offers an adventurous experience while maintaining a low carbon footprint due to the unique nature of its accommodations. Many activities featured onboard focus on the surrounding nature and embrace the commitment to minimise environmental impact.
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MESASTILA

In an effort to be a part of the local family, MesaStila has been supporting and contributing to the community since its grand opening in 2004. Besides engaging employees from nearby villages and offering intensive hotel management training, it provides other aid. This includes regularly helping to clean nearby mosques in preparation for special occasions as well as collaborating with others to showcase Javanese culture with traditional dance shows, gamelan performances and batik lessons, which are held every afternoon at the hotel.
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MISOOL ECO RESORT

This resort has created population databases for both reef and oceanic mantas present in Raja Ampat. Guests can become involved in the collection and identification of photos, and gain a greater awareness of these creatures and local environmental threats. The project also has an acoustic tagging program to learn more about the local reef mantas, looking at critical habitat use and migratory routes knowing they can travel up to 600 kilometres - potentially far outside of the Shark and Manta Sanctuary.
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MUANG LA RESORT

This resort is dedicated to improving education at Ban Por, an isolated Hmong village at the top of the mountain, where teaching and learning conditions are difficult. So far, they have built two schools. One is for the first level (6-7 years old) and has 30 students. The second school, at the entrance of the village, has approximately 70 students ages 7 to 11.
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NEELESHWAR HERMITAGE

Neeleshwar Hermitage offers a peaceful and serene escape while emphasising activities that are both sustainable and local. As ambassadors of the local land, the resort provides bikes on a complimentary basis, along with maps that highlight nearby temples and the estuary, cultivating environmentally conscious sightseeing. The resort also encourages guests to immerse themselves in the surrounding natural beauty of the area with an eco-walk in the paddy fields or a relaxing hike in the Ranipuran Western Ghats.
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NIMMU HOUSE

Apricot Jam Project
A simple sustainable project, local women are invited to collect the apricots in the orchard for free, which they then use to make homemade apricot jam. The hotel purchases this jam for its own use, and guests are also welcome to buy some to take home with them.
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REVERIE SIAM

Reverie Siam is committed to providing employment and engaging in sustainable tourism that gives back to the local economy. The resort was constructed by local builders who after the construction phase stayed on as valuable members of the hotel.
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SATRI HOUSE

Satri House is passionate about promoting Lao culture and customs, including one of Laos’ oldest dominant living crafts, textile weaving. In collaboration with “Khang”, they have created a centre for fine silks, textile design, Lao fashion and traditional weaving in the heart of Luang Prabang at 24 Sackarine road, Ban Xiengmouane. View exclusive collections made from Lao handlooms using different ancient techniques to create both traditional and contemporary designs.
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TALABGAON CASTLE

Talabgaon Castle is actively involved in improving quality of life of their local community and providing employment and training. Hiring residents from the local villages and providing job opportunities in various divisions in the hotel. Talabgaon Castle also encourages international travel companies and their guest to contribute to the local community by contributing of their resources in the field of education and social welfare.
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THE SPIRIT OF KALIMANTAN

With a genuine love for Kalimantan and a vision rooted in making a difference in the developing world, the founders of The Spirit of Kalimantan have pioneered ecotourism and positive developments in the region. With a profound awareness of the fragile interrelationship between the rain forest and the livelihood of the Dayak people, The Spirit of Kalimantan continually seeks solutions that are in harmony with this powerful symbiosis.
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TIGER MOUNTAIN POKHARA LODGE

Operating in the middle hills of Nepal, where the surrounding area is under diverse pressures, the lodge is committed to the protection and enhancement of the natural environment, the local people and our employees. The lodge strives to ensure that all its operations have the smallest negative impact possible by reducing consumption of fuel, water, generation of waste, and minimising the use of chemicals. Our strong Community Support Partnership Programme is fully community led and based, focussing on education, environment and rural health. We encourage our guests to be aware of the impacts of travel and suggest mitigation options.
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Les Maisons Wat Kor

The goal of this project is to help people who are living along the Mekong River learn how to swim not only for survival reasons, but also potentially as a paid professional sport. With their support, alongside VLK Travel, Hola Travel and another private donor, so far, they have built one club with a swimming pool and have professional swimming instructors that go out to teach the local children how to swim.
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Inle Princess Resort

This resort encourages guests to support Inle’s unique cultural and natural identity by buying locally made arts and crafts, enjoying Inthar cuisine, and learning how to cook it. It also is an active contributor to the Inle Heritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to preserve the Inle region, and help it to thrive as a place to visit, work, and live.
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Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris

Noel Rodrigo’s Leopard Safaris financially supports the Wildlife and Wilderness Conservation Trust’s (WWCT) Leopard Project by donating a percentage of each guest’s stay to them. They also give them leopard sightings data.
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Glenburn Tea Estate

The Glenburn Welfare Trust was set up in 2005 to promote education, culture and good health within the Glenburn community. To improve health Dr. Dame Margaret Austin conducts regular workshops on safety in the workplace and teaches First Aid to the local staff and their families.
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Silolona Sojourns

Founded by American-born architect and founder of Silolona Sojourns Patti Seery who is based in Indonesia, Patti became involved with the Asmat and Dani Tribes of Papua 30 years ago, and actively acts as a liaison between these fascinating yet vanishing cultures and some of the world’s leading institutions of cultural preservation including The Smithsonian, The Field Museum and The Art Institute of Chicago.
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The Bohemian Residence

Realising just how difficult the lives of some villagers are and how money for even the smallest thing is expensive for them, The Barber showcases all that is precious about Thailand—love, spirituality, and a treasured Zen outlook on life, which is Buddhism in its ultimate form.
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Summertime Villa

The owners of Summertime and Solita are strong advocates of sustainable tourism. For the past 30 years they have scouted for and supported heritage properties, and eco-friendly resorts in India, working mainly with small, family run places and encouraging them to hire local staff.
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Slow Villas and Spa

For every guest stay Slow Villas and Spa donates €1 to charity. The hotel supports shark conservation Shark and has adopted two manta rays from the manta ray conservation in Nusa Lembongan.
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JL Studio

Beginning in January 2017, the goal for JL studio has been to use (where possible) 100% all local produce, sourced from local farmers who practice responsible and sustainable agricultural methods. Our objective is to let more people know that we have incredible local Taiwanese produce, with farmers who genuinely care for this land.
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Babe

Chef Ramsey and his team grow many of their own produce, cultivating hard-to-get plants, using natural methods and helping. reduce the building's energy usage. Worm farms made from diatomaceous earth (clay) are fed kitchen scraps to produce compost and guano creating a natural fertilizer, without pesticides.
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SEEDS Restaurant and Lounge

The goal of Seeds School Project is to contribute and support to those in Myanmar who are without and privileges in life. Felix and Lucia actively support education within their community, and fund the project by adding $1US per guest on the top of the bill. Every guest contributes.
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Dewakan

At Dewakan, sustainability begins with the sourcing of ingredients. Dewakan is responsible about how they sources their ingredients. Chef Darren and his team celebrate local, indigenous ingredients sourced from local farms and small-scale businesses
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gēn 根

At Gēn 根, it is very important for us to understand each and the ingredients and the communities that they are sourced from. For our produce, we use local farmers who maintain sustainable practices and actively care for the health of their land and livestock.
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Tree Tops Jungle Lodge

Our way of camp management was designed for this wild place. Designed to create a real sense of place and a sense of participation in the local community and wilderness. The Lodge’s staff have all been recruited from the local area and are trained-on-the-job.
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Ging Grai

Ging Grai offers regional food crafted from produce and ingredients that are sourced and grown by artisan growers and farmers local to Ging Grai and our other Thai restaurants.
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Travel Asia with Secret Retreats

Secret Retreats is a curated community of independent boutique hotel, villas, yachts and river boats keen to share their Asian Homes with travelers, sustainably and responsibly. Conservation of the environment, culture and traditions of Asia is of paramount importance to all in Secret Retreats. A community of like-minded hospitality professionals, we offer our guests authentic travel experiences that go beyond typical offerings to unveil the essence of Asia. Supporting the Asia based hoteliers and hospitality professionals and providing incredible holidays in Asia and tailor-made Asia travel itineraries direct to public ad travel agents.
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By booking direct with Secret Retreats and enjoy peace of mind from our full on the ground support. Contact our concierge and plan then book your Asia holiday now!