Luxury Resorts Are Launching Their Own Self-Sustaining Farms
On-site farms create a more immersive and natural environment.
Luxury resorts are increasingly launching self-sustaining farms for a variety of reasons, including enhancing guest experiences, promoting sustainability and ensuring food supply. These resort farms often offer unique culinary offerings, showcase eco-conscious practices and create a stronger connection between the resort and its environment.
Guests are treated to true farm-to-fork dining as resort farms allow for the cultivation of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, thereby enhancing the culinary experience. Also, guests can participate in farm tours, cooking classes and other activities that provide insights into sustainable farming practices. On-site farms create a more immersive and natural environment for guests, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature.
Resorts are promoting sustainability and ensuring food supply.
Moncayo is a transformative 1,100-acre resort and residential community in Puerto Rico designed by Hart Howerton. The resort — located on the relatively untraveled east coast of the island — is developing a 100-acre farm with educational, retail and experiential components that will become the heart and soul of the property. The farm will serve as a leading model for sustainable, regenerative agriculture for the whole island, using clever farming techniques such as agroforestry and syntropic agriculture to offset challenges with growing food in Puerto Rico's tropical climate. The aim is to ultimately help reduce the island's problematic 85% food import dependency.
Guests and homeowners at Moncayo's Auberge hotel and residences, opening in 2027, will have a front-row seat inside this exciting mission, where they can join in on everyday operations and become a part of the journey to inspire a deeper connection between the local community and its agricultural roots. The experiences will include hands-on workshops and classes, tailored culinary programs, hyper-local farmers markets and an extensive network of trails that will connect the farm's many distinct facets. This ranges from a solar farm housing grazing sheep as a natural way to maintain the land, to a learning center, fruit orchard, tree nursery and vegetable patch dedicated to growing foods that are hard to get in Puerto Rico, like kale, lettuce and tomatoes. Farm animals like chickens, sheep and cows will also be kept on property, and there are also wild horses that explore at leisure.
Carter Redd, President of Moncayo, says, 'Moncayo is a community built on shared experiences and meaningful connection to the land, local culture and a relaxed, healthy lifestyle, so it made sense to introduce a 100-acre organic farm and plant, tree nursery on property. As the first community in the area to offer such an amenity, the farm will be a model for sustainable, regenerative agriculture in Puerto Rico and will evolve with each growing season and harvest. While the farm will be available and benefit our surrounding neighbors, there will also be exclusive offerings for Moncayo residents and hotel guests including farm-to-table dining experiences, immersive encounters and a scenic trail network encouraging adventure and meaningful engagement with the natural biophilic landscape.'
The property offers a variety of immersive outdoor experiences.
Borgo dei Conti Resort is a 40-room and suite luxury resort set across 40 acres of Umbrian countryside. The property offers a variety of immersive outdoor and farming experiences for guests to steep themselves in the surrounding landscape including truffle hunting, beekeeping and picnicking in the property's olive grove. This year the property also launched the opulent Grand Colonica Suite, with sweeping panoramic landscape views and a soothing natural color scheme.
Borgo dei Conti's General Manager, Antonello Buono, says, 'Our olive grove, vegetable garden and apiary offer guests the assurance of healthy, high-quality food sourced from a transparent and controlled supply chain. Knowing the exact origin of the ingredients they consume enhances their trust in our commitment to quality, authenticity and overarching sustainability. Our guests also value that by supporting our sustainable initiatives, they are lessening their own negative environmental impact. Beyond the culinary aspect, our olive grove, garden and apiary provide a rare opportunity for guests to directly reconnect with nature at a time when so many experiences are filtered through a digital screen. Being able to engage physically and emotionally with the surrounding landscape fulfills a growing need for authenticity, presence and improving personal well-being.'
The farm utilizes organic and regenerative agricultural practices.
The Farm at Hōkūala, a stunning transformation from an overgrown golf course, is a 16.5-acre bountiful fruit orchard and organic vegetable garden filled with everything from greens, fruits and vegetables to edible flowers, pineapples and traditional Hawaiian canoe plants like kalo, noni and breadfruit. Owners and guests at Timbers Kaua'i can make arrangements to choose their own produce to enjoy at home, help harvest ingredients for Hualani's, the on-site restaurant, or learn more about organic and regenerative agricultural practices. Beyond supporting Hualani's restaurant with fresh ingredients and providing fresh Farm Baskets to guests during their stay, The Farm at Hōkūala also aims to promote conservation and agri-education in the local community by practicing regenerative agriculture with zero input of non-reusable plastics and no reliance on fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides—serving as the cornerstone of the village. Activities include:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Retiring Abroad On A Military Pension—3 Expat Havens For U.S. Veterans
Bavaro beach, Dominican Republic. Over the past three decades, the number of Americans who want to retire overseas has tripled—that's according to a recent Monmouth University poll. Among them is a growing community of U.S. veterans. According to John H. Davis, an author, veteran advocate, and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, veterans are particularly suited to expat life. 'Serving in the military provides you with a unique comfort with change, resiliency in unfamiliar surroundings, and diverse perspectives,' says John. 'Veterans are adaptable, adventurous, and after navigating foreign countries, eating diverse cuisines, and experiencing different cultures they've practically earned a PhD in cultural immersion.' As is the case for most retirees, a move overseas can be transformative. Benefits can include a lower cost of living, a more laidback lifestyle, a more favorable climate, and a chance to pursue your passions and reinvent your life. For veterans, there are other key factors to consider too. 'As well as taking into account practical needs such as where one can live well on a military pension and other personal preferences, for most veterans countries with an already existing veteran expat population will go to the top of the list,' says John. 'They will also want to consider health care options geared towards veterans and locations where veteran programs and organizations are established.' Taking those factors into account, here are three destinations where U.S. veterans can enjoy a comfortable retirement. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic is one of the most affordable spots in all of the Caribbean. It's blessed with beautiful beaches, lush jungle, mountain getaways, and offers an easy path to residency. It's also close to the U.S. and allows expats full ownership rights of real estate. Indeed, it's where John and his friend, fellow retired veteran and co-founder of Veterans in Paradise, Keith Pyron have chosen to call home. They're part of a 20,000-strong community of retired veterans in the DR. 'There are veteran health care centers around the island, catering specifically to American veterans who accept the Foreign Medical Program of the Veterans Administration,' adds John. 'The Dominican people are very welcoming, friendly, and love to have a good time. It's the birthplace of Bachata, baseball is king, and it's the only country in the world with the Bible on its flag.' Of course, as with anywhere there are some downsides to life in the DR. Power outages are not uncommon and certain areas are prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, but for most, the positives here far outweigh the negatives. 'I'll tell every veteran, this place saved my life,' says Keith. El Nido, Palawan Island, The Philippines, The Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands, has much to recommend it to retirees including stunning white-sand beaches, established expat communities, and an extremely low cost of living—on average around half that of the U.S. During World War II, more than 250,000 Filipino troops fought under U.S. command. A treaty, signed after WWII ended, led to the establishment of U.S. military bases within the country. In addition, The Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) was built by the U.S. in Quezon City as a gift of gratitude to those Filipino soldiers who served. For U.S. veterans living in The Philippines today, the VA Manila Regional Office and Outpatient Clinic—the only VA clinic outside the U.S.—provides health care and benefits. Another big draw for The Philippines is that English is one of the country's official languages and is widely spoken. Plus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion operate posts in the country, making it a great option for veterans. Red frog beach, Basimentos Island, Bocas del Toro, Panama. Panama has long been a haven for expats, from mountain town Boquete to beach town Bocas del Toro to bustling Panama City, there's truly something to suit everyone in this diverse isthmus. U.S. veterans have a long history with Panama and many veterans that served there opted to stay on or return in retirement. In Panama City, you'll find every modern convenience, impressive infrastructure, world-class health care, and a welcoming community of English-speaking expats. Plus, Panama uses the U.S. dollar and offers a gold-standard visa program for retirees—the pensionado—and you don't need to be of retirement age to qualify. If you're 18 years of age or above and receive a monthly income of at least $1,000 you may qualify. You also need to provide a police record check and a health certificate as part of the application process but generally speaking it's quick and straightforward. Plus, the Panamanian people are welcoming, you can find a climate to suit your preferences, and a move there can cut your cost of living considerably.
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Washington Post
Asking Eric: Husband disapproves of spouse's international birthday trip
Dear Eric: I am planning a getaway with my best friend from grade school. We live in different parts of the United States but keep in touch and see each other when we can. We want to celebrate each of us turning 60 this year by going to a Caribbean destination for a few days. My husband of more than 30 years is not a beach person, so he's glad to be off the hook for a vacation like this.
CBS News
13 hours ago
- CBS News
"Narco subs" trafficking cocaine targeted in latest U.S. sanction
Six accused drug traffickers allegedly using boats and "narco subs" to traffic cocaine were hit with U.S. sanctions, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said Thursday. Four Guyanese nationals — Paul Daby Jr., Randolph Duncan, Mark Cromwell, Himnauth Sawh — and two Colombians — Yeison Andres Sanchez Vallejo and Manuel Salazar Gutierrez — were sanctioned for allegedly trafficking tons of cocaine from South America to the United States, Europe and the Caribbean, officials said. Daby Jr. and Duncan operate the largest drug trafficking operation in Guayana, according to U.S. officials, using "narco subs" — a semi-submersible vessel that can't fully go underwater — airstrips and various individuals in their smuggling efforts. Daby Jr. also transports illegal gold from Guyana, while Duncan traffics cocaine from Guyana to Africa and the Caribbean to Europe and the United States, the Treasury said. The Treasury Department said Cromwell, a former Guyana police officer, is wanted for his alleged role in the abduction of another Guyana police officer in 2024. Sawh, a Guyana police officer, is accused of facilitating safe passage for Mexican and Venezuelan drug traffickers sending cocaine through Guyana. Colombians Sanchez and Salazar are accused of overseeing airstrips used by aircraft smuggling cocaine from Colombia to Guyana, the Treasury said. Authorities in Guyana intercepted a semi-submersible vessel, or "narco sub," in 2024 used for trafficking drugs across South America and internationally. INTERPOL "As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC," the Treasure Department said. Guyana has become a major hotspot for running cocaine through the South American country to the United States and Europe. U.S. Treasury officials in their statement said a combination of Guyana's proximity to the Caribbean and alleged corruption at its ports and along its borders help aircraft and "narco subs" move through the country's waters without being detected. Despite crackdown attempts, authorities have discovered record amounts of cocaine in homemade "narco subs" transversing through rivers threading the country's jungles. In March 2025, a cargo vessel originating in Guyana was discovered by police in the waters off Trinidad and Tobago with approximately 182 kilograms of cocaine, U.S. officials said. Last year, authorities found more than 8,000 pounds of cocaine in a lush jungle near the border with Venezuela. "Narco subs" can transport as much as 3 tons of cocaine at a time. Interpol, the intergovernmental organization that facilitates international policing, warned that traffickers in the region can steer semi-submersibles through the rivers of South America before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and eventually arriving in Western Europe.
