11 Sustainable Accommodations: A Look at the World’s Most Eco-Friendly Hotels
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Table of contents
- What Makes a Hotel Sustainable?
- The Benefits of Staying at Sustainable Accommodations
- Examples of Eco-Friendly Hotels Around the World
- The Brando, French Polynesia
- The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York City
- Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
- Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel, Switzerland
- Bardessono, California
- Soneva Fushi, Maldives
- Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Peru
- Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda, Italy
- QO Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka
- Hotel Verde, South Africa
As travelers become more conscious about the environmental impact of their trips, sustainable accommodations are becoming increasingly popular. From eco-lodges to green hotels, sustainable accommodations offer guests the opportunity to enjoy their travels while minimizing their carbon footprint. In this article, we will take a look at some of the world’s most eco-friendly hotels and what makes them stand out.
What Makes a Hotel Sustainable?
A sustainable hotel is a property that has taken steps to reduce its environmental impact, while still providing guests with a high-quality experience. Some of the key features of a sustainable hotel may include:
- Energy efficiency: Sustainable hotels will often use energy-efficient appliances and lighting, as well as renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
- Water conservation: Water is a precious resource, and sustainable hotels will often take steps to reduce their water usage through measures like low-flow showerheads and toilets, as well as greywater recycling systems.
- Waste reduction: Sustainable hotels will often have a strong focus on reducing waste, through measures like composting, recycling, and minimizing the use of single-use plastics.
- Sustainable food and beverage options: Many sustainable hotels will offer locally sourced and organic food options, as well as minimize food waste through careful menu planning.
- Eco-friendly design: Sustainable hotels may incorporate eco-friendly design features like green roofs, living walls, and rainwater harvesting systems.
The Benefits of Staying at Sustainable Accommodations
There are many benefits to staying at a sustainable hotel. First and foremost, guests can enjoy their travels knowing that they are minimizing their impact on the environment. Additionally, sustainable hotels often offer unique experiences, such as farm-to-table dining, wildlife viewing, and outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking. Finally, staying at a sustainable hotel can often be more affordable than staying at a traditional hotel, as many sustainable hotels are located in remote areas and offer all-inclusive packages.
Examples of Eco-Friendly Hotels Around the World
The Brando, French Polynesia
Named after Marlon Brando, who was an advocate for sustainable development in French Polynesia, The Brando is a luxury eco-resort located on a private island in the South Pacific. The Brando is a luxury eco-resort that features a number of sustainable features, such as a seawater air conditioning system, a coconut oil-powered generator, and a waste management program, and all of the buildings were designed to blend in with the natural environment. The resort also offers a number of eco-friendly activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, and exploring the island’s wildlife.
The 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York City
Located in Brooklyn Bridge Park, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a LEED-certified hotel that features a number of sustainable features. The hotel’s rooms are furnished with reclaimed materials, and the property features a green roof, a rainwater harvesting system, and a fleet of electric vehicles. Guests can also enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the hotel’s restaurant, as well as take advantage of a number of eco-friendly amenities, such as yoga classes and bike rentals.
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
Situated on a private island in the Maldives, Six Senses Laamu is a luxury eco-resort that offers guests the chance to experience the natural beauty of the Maldives while minimizing their environmental impact. The resort features a number of sustainable features, including a solar power system, a desalination plant, and a waste management program. Guests can also enjoy a number of eco-friendly activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and sea turtle conservation programs.
Whitepod Eco-Luxury Hotel, Switzerland
Located in the Swiss Alps, Whitepod is a unique eco-luxury hotel that offers guests the chance to stay in cozy geodesic dome-shaped tents while enjoying the beauty of the surrounding mountains. The hotel is powered by a combination of solar and hydropower and features a number of sustainable amenities, such as composting toilets and locally sourced food. Guests can also enjoy a number of outdoor activities, such as skiing and snowshoeing.
Bardessono, California
Located in Napa Valley, Bardessono is a LEED platinum-certified hotel that features a number of sustainable features, such as solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, and a geothermal heating and cooling system. The hotel’s rooms are furnished with organic linens and cleaning products, and guests can enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the hotel’s restaurant.
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Another luxury eco-resort in the Maldives, Soneva Fushi features a number of sustainable features, such as a solar power system, a desalination plant, and a waste management program. The resort also offers a number of eco-friendly activities, such as snorkeling, diving, and sea turtle conservation programs. Guests can also enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the resort’s restaurant, as well as take advantage of a number of eco-friendly amenities, such as bicycles and electric buggies.
Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Peru
Located in the Peruvian Andes, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel is a sustainable hotel that features a number of eco-friendly amenities, such as solar panels, a biogas system, and a waste management program. The hotel also offers a number of eco-friendly activities, such as birdwatching and guided hikes. Guests can also enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the hotel’s restaurant.
Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda, Italy
Located on the shores of Lake Garda, the Lefay Resort and SPA Lago di Garda is a luxury eco-resort that features a number of sustainable features, such as a geothermal heating and cooling system, a solar power system, and a waste management program. The resort also offers a number of eco-friendly activities, such as hiking and cycling, and guests can enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the resort’s restaurant.
QO Amsterdam, Netherlands
Located in Amsterdam, the QO Amsterdam is a sustainable hotel that features a number of eco-friendly amenities, such as a rainwater harvesting system, a green roof, and a waste management program. The hotel’s rooms are furnished with organic linens, and guests can enjoy locally sourced and organic food at the hotel’s restaurant. The QO Amsterdam also offers a number of eco-friendly activities, such as yoga classes and bike rentals.
Wild Coast Tented Lodge, Sri Lanka
Situated on a beach in Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, the Wild Coast Tented Lodge is a unique eco-resort that features luxury tents with ocean views. The lodge is powered by a combination of solar and hydropower and features a number of sustainable amenities, such as composting toilets and locally sourced food. Guests can also enjoy a number of outdoor activities, such as game drives and beach walks.
Hotel Verde, South Africa
Located just a few minutes from Cape Town International Airport, Hotel Verde is a LEED platinum-certified hotel that has won numerous awards for its sustainability efforts. The hotel features a number of energy-efficient features, including solar panels, a rainwater harvesting system, and a greywater recycling system. Additionally, the hotel’s restaurant offers organic and locally sourced food options, and guests can take advantage of a number of eco-friendly amenities, such as bicycles and electric cars.
Final Thoughts
Sustainable accommodations are becoming increasingly popular among eco-conscious travelers, and hotels and resorts around the world are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. From LEED-certified hotels in the heart of major cities to luxury eco-resorts on private islands, there are plenty of sustainable accommodations to choose from. By staying at one of these eco-friendly properties, travelers can enjoy all the comforts and amenities of a traditional hotel while also minimizing their impact on the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
A LEED-certified hotel is a hotel that has received certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
Eco-friendly activities offered by sustainable accommodations can include snorkeling, diving, sea turtle conservation programs, hiking, cycling, and exploring wildlife.
Yes, sustainable accommodations can be luxurious. Many eco-friendly hotels and resorts offer high-end amenities and luxury services while also incorporating sustainable practices into their operations.
Sustainable accommodations can reduce their environmental impact by incorporating eco-friendly practices into their operations, such as using renewable energy sources, reducing water usage, and implementing waste management programs.
Sustainable accommodations can be more expensive than traditional hotels, but prices can vary depending on the property and location. It is always best to do research and compare prices before booking a stay at a sustainable accommodation.
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