Best Locavore Retreats in Asia
Foodies and eco-warriors alike will appreciate these luxe getaways, most with on-site farms. They dish out everything from locally grown and distilled pear brandy to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)-inspired menus.
[ CHINA ] Le Passage Moganshan Luxury French Country House Hotel
Surrounded by tea fields, producing black, green and yellow tea, this French country home is decked out in an entirely European style, a nod to the foreign missionaries and expats who visited these hills in the 1800s. The hotel has antique wood floors, vintage rugs, brass fixtures and clawfoot tubs. There’s also Gallic country food made with seasonal produce, a fine collection of bio-dynamic wines and pear brandy (distilled on-site from pears grown at their farm).
[ CHINA ] Sun Island Club
Set on the only natural island in Shanghai, upstream of the Huangpu River, this wellness resort features 453 villas, two 18-hole golf courses and a spa. The place gets its food from the nearby Mahota Farm, a 33 hectare field located on Chong Ming Island. The fresh produce is utilized at the resort’s many F&B establishments including Italian restaurant Mama Mia, Peacock Palace, serving TCM-influenced meals, and hotpot eatery Zen Den Table.
[ INDONESIA ] Jeeva Beloam
Facilities include Tenda Restaurant a communal setup with fresh fish sourced daily from local fishermen, poultry (raised by local farmers) and vegetables grown on-site. Rooms are rustic (though bedrooms have air conditioning) and direct beach access. While you’re not lazing on the beach, there’s also swimming, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking and fishing on offer.
[ THAILAND ] Thanyamundra Organic Resort
This resort boasts an on-site farm, set on rolling terraces at Khao Sok National Park in the Surat Thani Province. Everything’s organic and the produce (indigenous fruit, vegetables and herbs) is used in traditional Thai recipes. Guests can also walk around the farm via scenic paths and trails.
[ THE PHILIPPINES ] The Farm at San Benito
Raw and live cuisine is the order of the day at this holistic retreat. Find vegan granola, nut butters, bread, salads, chutney and even desserts made from fresh ingredients picked right from the hotel’s own farm. All meals are designed to be high in fibre, vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants.
Advertisement