Can bamboo architecture redefine sustainable hospitality and eco luxury travel?

Award-winning eco-resort designer Louis (Louie) Thompson, CEO of Nomadic Resorts ( ⁨@Sixsenseshotels⁩ , ⁨@PlayaViva⁩ ) joins Amy to explore how bamboo, biomimicry, and biophilic design are transforming sustainable hospitality. From manta ray-inspired treehouses in Mexico to modular, nature-positive lodges, Louie shares practical insights on building regenerative, guest-loved experiences without greenwashing. You’ll learn why bamboo’s rapid renewability matters, how design shapes mental wellness, and what AI means for hyper-personalized, wellness-driven travel communities.

Who this episode is for

Conscious travelers, hotel owners, and hospitality leaders seeking high-impact, guest-centric sustainability strategies and regenerative design inspiration.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Intro: From Mauritius to manta rays—meet Nomadic Resorts’ Louis Thompson

02:31 – Career origin: Six Senses, post-tsunami pivot, and “special projects” innovation

05:03 – Career advice: Find what you enjoy, get feedback, and stick with it

07:15 – Why bamboo: Rapid renewability, tensile strength, carbon benefits, and resilience

10:08 – Organic forms: How bendy bamboo enables biomimicry and biophilic design

11:21 – Native ranges: Bamboo worldwide and what that means for local sourcing

13:40 – Genius loci: Designing for place vs. modular, scalable eco hospitality

16:49 – Playa Viva case study: Manta ray bamboo treehouses built in 8 months

18:30 – Results: Global awards, guest immersion, and regenerative tourism in action

20:12 – Rethinking luxury: From objects to transformative experiences and wellness travel

22:49 – “Well-washing”: Spotting superficial wellness vs. evidence-based design

24:34 – Healthy buildings: Materials, VOCs, indoor air quality, and ethical frameworks

29:43 – Biomimicry 101: Nature-inspired function (gecko feet to lotus effect)

31:30 – Biophilic design: Prospect/refuge, mental health, and evidence-based spaces

34:03 – Urban tips: Plants, sunlight, textures, images, and air quality at home

36:10 – Spas of the future: Circadian lighting, acoustic landscapes, color therapy

38:10 – Neuro-architecture: Designing spaces to evoke security, calm, transformation

39:55 – Cocoon-inspired tents: Purpose-built hospitality for specific life moments

40:51 – AI-curated travel: Birds of a feather, niche communities, and brand evolution

43:30 – Net positive impact: Guest experience, community benefit, ecosystem regeneration

44:42 – Life in Mauritius: Walks, sunsets, and building Nomadic Escapes

45:45 – Food with place: Creole outdoor cooking and communal dining

46:48 – Legacy: Leave every site more beautiful and biodiverse

Key Links

Connect with the guest(s):

• Nomadic Resorts: https://www.nomadicresorts.com

• Follow Louis on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-thompson-9825308/

Out platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-conscious-check-in/id1832522451

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YfXT8SElYqYEbhYqbD1AJ?si=00fad07476c14a70

Connect with us

Sponsor this Podcast: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/partner-with-us

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theconsciouscheckin/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconsciouscheckin/

About Greenluxe: https://www.greenluxeinc.com/

1:1 with Amy: https://calendly.com/greenluxeinc/sustainable-hospitality

About the podcast

The core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality leaders to embrace sustainability, showing how conscious choices in travel and luxury hospitality can create meaningful experiences for guests while driving positive impact for people, planet, and business.

⁨@discoversoneva⁩