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

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:...

GM TJ Pierri of Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale) joins Amy to unpack how a legacy-driven, guest-first approach can power sustainable hospitality. From achieving Green Key Global certification to electrifying team and guest transport with Circuit, turtle-safe beach operations, and energy efficiency in rooms, TJ shares practical steps hotels can take now—plus the leadership mindset that wins buy-in. You’ll learn how to align guest experience with sustainability, start small without sacrificing impact, and communicate values that drive loyalty.

Who this episode is for

Conscious travelers and hospitality leaders who want guest-loved, profitable, and sustainable hotel operations.

Timestamps / Episode Breakdown

00:00 — Conscious travel intro: sustainable hospitality and guest experience

00:29 — Live from Independent Hotel Show: Meet TJ Pierri, GM, Pelican Grand

01:11 — Leadership lesson from geese: team rotation, resilience, and servant leadership

02:53 — Mini-bar evolution: inclusive, low/zero-alcohol options and curated experiences

05:58 — Career path: Hyatt to Noble House; navigating a GM role through the pandemic

10:12 — Noble House DNA: authentically local, values-led, guest-centered hospitality

12:21 — What makes Pelican Grand unique: on-the-sand location, lazy river, Oceans 2000 dining, Pure Spa rooftop rituals

14:26 — Green Key Global certification: retrofitting a 2004 building, PMS-driven energy efficiency, water conservation, housekeeping optimization

16:20 — Electric mobility: partnering with Circuit for team shuttles and guest dinner runs

17:46 — Protecting sea turtles: daily monitoring, operations that respect nesting season

19:05 — How hotels reduce waste and get buy-in: start small, explain the “why,” celebrate wins

21:00 — Biggest operational win: reconcepting five outlets in six months—team-first execution

22:35 — Favorite guest story: turning a rainy-day crisis into a beautiful impromptu wedding

25:19 — Legacy: improve lives, inspire teams, and build cultures guests return to

26:17 — Dream trip: Greece calling

______

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Key Links

Connect with the guest(s)

TJ Pierri's LinkedIn

Our platforms

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Connect with us

Sponsor this Podcast

LinkedIn

Instagram

About Greenluxe

1:1 with Amy

About the podcast

The core mission of The Conscious Check-in is to inspire travelers and hospitality leaders to embrace sustainability,...

Host Amy Wald sits down with Bethann, General Manager of Staypineapple Chicago, to explore how a historic Loop landmark delivers sustainable luxury without compromise. From Green Key certification and adaptive reuse to plastic-free water programs, elevated in-room amenities, and digital ops that slash waste, this episode shows how boutique hotel sustainability can boost guest experience and business results. You’ll learn practical ideas for sustainable hotel certification, guest-centric green amenities, and how to communicate impact authentically—plus a peek at Staypineapple’s beloved “Naked Experience” bedding and dog-obsessed culture.

Conscious travelers and hospitality leaders seeking actionable sustainable hospitality strategies that enhance guest experience and ROI.

00:00 — The “Naked Experience”: European-style bedding and why guests love it

01:21 — Inside Staypineapple Chicago: sustainable luxury in a historic Loop skyscraper

01:49 — Location advantage: theaters, business district, lakefront access + borrow-a-bike

02:52 — Seamless transit: Blue Line from O’Hare to the hotel in minutes

03:41 — Why meeting planners care: sustainability in corporate RFPs and traveler confidence

04:07 — Green Key certification: third-party verified standards that matter

05:13 — Adaptive reuse wins: Burnham Building history, steel-frame windows, natural light

06:49 — Heritage details: original mosaic floors, office doors, physical keys

07:46 — “Beyond the beige”: unique design with lower embodied carbon than new builds

08:29 — On-property sustainability: composting, in-room recycling, K-Cup recycling

09:27 — Plastic-free water: branded reusable bottles + lobby refill stations (still, sparkling, hot)

10:24 — Sustainability as a value add: enhance guest experience, reduce footprint

10:53 — Cutting paper waste: new tech stack, digital audits, housekeeping boards on devices

12:10 — Culture shift: behavior change, team engagement, and data security benefits

13:10 — Certification clarity: measurable composting, lighting, and onsite verification

15:30 — Discoverability: OTAs now surfacing certified green hotels

16:40 — Luxury where it counts: Serta Black mattresses, durable high-quality linens

18:27 — The “Naked Experience” expanded: super-clean linens, two-duvet comfort

20:11 — The Everything Button: one number, full-service guest resolution

21:37 — Elevated F&B touch: yes, there are chocolate chip cookies

22:04 — Rethinking luxury: dispensing eco friendly toiletries hotels love (Tommy Bahama)

22:59 — Hygiene and security: locked, cleaned dispensers; daily maintenance

24:14 — Rolling out refillables: facing fears, winning guests, major bottle reductions

26:13 — Real impact: thousands of plastic bottles avoided across 10 hotels

27:20 — Teaser: new conservation partnership coming soon

27:43 — Advice to hoteliers: start small, use available resources, iterate what works

29:34 — Staff buy-in: ask, listen, co-create—adoption is easier than expected

30:34 — The future of boutique hotel sustainability: nimble, guest-led, business-smart

32:12 — Dog-obsessed hospitality: pets as VIPs with beds, treats, and Pup Cups

34:13 — Meet Dash: the brand mascot with a mission (donations to local rescues)

35:01 — “Live your dash”: the meaning behind Dash and brand ethos

36:31 — Parting message: fall in love with Chicago like the team does

37:24 — Innkeeper mentality: complimentary welcome beverage and true hospitality vibes