Bombay Sapphire Eco Hotel Award 2026

Chablé Yucatán

Chocholá

Protecting tradition through innovation

Chablé Yucatán is living proof that honouring ancient traditions doesn't have to stand in the way of innovation. Set in Mexican rainforest, at the beating heart of the resort's philosophy lies a deep commitment to regional heritage, most notably through the provision of sustainable gastronomy.

Firstly, don't expect your average hotel breakfast buffet here. In fact, there's no buffet at all as a measure to reduce food waste. Guest orders are put together using produce from its four organic gardens, featuring 73 ka'anches – traditional Mayan raised wooden beds – where native botanicals and regional staples like bitter orange, hoja santa and epazote are cultivated. In addition to agriculture, the estate is also home to an interactive working farm, home to egg-laying hens, donkeys, ponies and hives of native Melipona bees, which guests are invited to visit throughout their stay. The resort even grows its own zacate straw to feed the livestock to close the feeding loop completely.

Beyond culinary sourcing, the hotel takes practical steps to reduce its carbon footprint across its whole operation. Solar panel installations generated more than a quarter of the property's energy in 2025, supported by energy reduction measures such as automated lighting timers. When it comes to organic waste, unused scrap and offcuts from kitchens are composted and reused to nourish the gardens and farm.

Equally central to the hotel's ethos is its dedication to social responsibility and local empowerment. The majority of the resort's workforce is recruited directly from the local community on stable, permanent contracts, with women holding 43 per cent of leadership positions.

Outside of its own boundaries, Chablé Yucatán partners with environmental organisations on projects to safeguard the surrounding region, including vital regional reforestation programmes and coastal coral restoration. Together with guests and locals, its staff has cleared over 250kg of litter through organised clean-up drives. Its team also regularly hosts educational events for locals, such as a workshop for children on responsible pet keeping.

By harmonising heritage agriculture, resource conservation and genuine community empowerment, Chablé Yucatán proves that ultra-luxury hospitality can serve as a transformative force for the planet and people and is named the winner of the Bombay Sapphire Eco Hotel Award 2026.

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