Now more than ever, eco-travelers prioritize sustainability when selecting their accommodations and hotels. Check out these 7 sustainable hotels that really adhere to sustainability.
Luxury eco-resorts truly take their responsibility to the environment seriously, from recycling organic waste and kitchen oil, reforestation efforts and mass tree-planting initiatives, they have it all covered!
1. Soneva Kiri
Just a few years ago, eco-friendly travel was considered a novelty; something only for those prioritizing sustainability over comfort. Now it has become mainstream; hotels regularly provide biodegradable crockery and organic meals as part of their offerings.
Soneva Kiri is an outstanding example of this new paradigm, offering 32 expansive one to five bedroom pool villas which seamlessly blend into their surroundings rainforest setting. Chic bedrooms boast elegant vintage vibes with earthy tones and crisp pure whites in the bedrooms while expansive windows ensure breathtaking tropical views from each room.
Property is carbon neutral and sustainable to its core, with particular attention paid to environmental stewardship of Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve home. At Makers’ Place on-site studio 90% of waste from resort operations is recycled into art, practical objects or building materials for future use; and waterworks operate entirely off rainwater alone via reservoir, deep wells and gardens that rely solely on it.
This property goes beyond eco-chic architecture and green operations by engaging its surrounding neighborhood in an ambitious environmental initiative that creates job opportunities, champions cultural heritage and gives guests an opportunity to become eco-warriors by joining conservation activities that preserve its unique biodiversity. A full circle approach that shows saving the planet can be an enjoyable experience!
2. Bardessono Eco Resort & Spa
Yountville offers guests an eco-friendly resort dedicated to protecting the environment while providing luxury. Their guests can take advantage of an underground geothermal heating system and rooftop solar panels to keep lights lit during their stay at this LEED Platinum certified property committed to sustainable design.
Each of the 62 guest rooms at Hotel de Vence can be transformed into a personal spa. On arrival, guests are greeted by a Spa Butler who prepares the room for treatments such as setting up a massage table and lighting candles before drawing the shades for privacy.
Other environmentally sustainable elements at Yountville’s Resort Hotel include rammed earth sculptural walls, 100-year-old olive trees and drought resistant landscaping; a rooftop vegetable garden; motion-detected electricity in guest rooms, dual flush toilets with recycled glass bottles used as decor and bath amenities, motion detector lighting; motion-detected electricity in guest rooms and the reuse and treatment of grey and black water by Yountville’s municipal plumbing system.
Visitors to this eco-friendly resort can indulge in various green activities, such as yoga (limited classes available), cycling (loan bikes available) and hiking. Lucy Restaurant & Bar also serves up field-to-fork cuisine; room rates depend on which day and season it is; Tuesday and Wednesday are typically the cheapest days.
3. The Allison Inn & Spa
In Oregon wine country lies The Allison Inn & Spa Resort, an award-winning Gold LEED certified luxury hotel covering 35 hillside acres. Boasting 77 opulent rooms and suites featuring gas fireplaces, private terrace or balcony access and spa-like bathrooms; as well as being home to Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star restaurant JORY that serves farm-to-table cuisine using ingredients sourced directly from hazelnut farms, olive groves and vineyards on-site.
Relax and rejuvenate at Allison Inn & Spa’s luxury spa featuring 12 treatment rooms. Additionally, guests will find state-of-the-art fitness center facilities, an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool spa available to them at this resort. Indulge in yoga classes every Sunday during summer at Allison Inn & Spa to enhance wellness!
The Allison Inn & Spa is an extraordinary hotel and a one-of-a-kind destination, filled with genuine wine country hospitality, gorgeous landscapes and lush gardens that provide a sanctuary for mind, body and soul. Guests can indulge in gourmet meals at JORY restaurant; indulge in spa treatments at their beautiful spa; stroll along walking trails lined with open air art galleries on its grounds – it all adds up to an exceptional stay!
4. Barcelo Bavaro Beach Resort
Punta Cana is home to some of National Geographic’s “Ten Best Beaches in the World”, making this all-inclusive hotel an adults-only retreat. Contemporary in design with tropical influences in mind, 80% of this all-inclusive resort’s 580 rooms are located directly on Bavaro Beach – providing all guests access to its 32″ flat screen TV, mini bar and luxurious private bathrooms complete with plush bathrobe and slippers – while U Spa provides tailored treatments in an elegant environment.
At this resort, guests can experience both local cuisine and international fare in its variety of restaurants and bars, which range from two buffet restaurants (Caribe and La Brisa) to six gourmet a la carte restaurants (Kyoto, Mexico Lindo, Dolce Vita, El Coral, Santa Fe Steak House and Hoyo 19). Additionally, Premium Level guests have complimentary access to Mexican, Japanese, Spanish, Italian and French restaurants at Barcelo Bavaro Palace nearby.
Guest can play a round of golf or take advantage of daily organized activities such as cooking classes, tennis tournaments and water sports. After dinner you can also try your luck at the casino before dancing the night away at Cielo Bar!
5. Hamanasi Eco-Lodge
Soneva Kiri Resort on Ko Kut, Thailand’s least populated island, is an eco-friendly retreat that prioritizes sustainability in all areas. By working closely with local communities and supporting wildlife conservation efforts, this five-star retreat proves that sustainable travel doesn’t have to mean forgoing luxury travel experiences. Guests can relax in luxurious overwater bungalows or on private beaches while taking part in activities such as visiting a sea cave and discovering its vibrant coral reef, maintaining an organic garden for fresh produce production, or helping manage an organic garden dedicated solely towards organic gardening! Additionally, Soneva Kiri is carbon neutral; all emissions have been offset.
Hamanasi stands out among eco-friendly hotels by going further in their commitment to sustainability than just dabbling at first. Their comprehensive Environmental Management Policy is also one of the founding members of Regenerative Resorts; in addition to protecting the environment they strive to instil an appreciation of nature as part of local cultures that coexist alongside it.
Guests staying at this property can explore its lush littoral forest, 25-acre nature reserve and wetlands habitat while learning about Belizean flora and fauna from knowledgeable guides. Rooms at the hotel feature beachfront or treehouse accommodations featuring Garifuna hardwood furnishings with private porches that let guests take in tropical breezes and scenery.
6. The Lodge at Sun Mountain
As eco has become an increasingly fashionable trend, travelers seeking genuine green resorts are opting for genuine eco hotels that go beyond simply installing recycling bins and eliminating single-use plastics; these hotels also embrace deep-seeded sustainable practices that improve guest experiences such as offering organic spa products or growing their own herbs – providing all of nature without compromising luxury!
At this Four-Star retreat in Winthrop, sustainability and mountain elegance come together. The lodge features villas that combine eco-friendly wood with private pools for optimal indoor-outdoor living spaces featuring breathtaking territorial views. Furthermore, EarthCheck recently awarded this resort their Responsible Hospitality Verification certification, furthering their dedication to environmental preservation and energy savings.
Visitors to the lodge can join its conservation efforts through guided nature tours, workshops and activities that benefit wildlife as well as local communities. It even features its own on-site raptor rehabilitation program to rescue these birds in need and release them back into nature – its blissful infinity pool is heated using an energy saving system using 85% less power than conventional pools – while don’t miss visiting Winthrop and Lake Chelan for wineries nearby!
7. Pacuare Lodge
Llama Travel suggests Pacuare Lodge in Costa Rica for eco-tourism travelers seeking both adventure and environmental benefits. Accessing this luxurious jungle retreat requires white-water rafting through the rainforest, helping offset carbon emissions while simultaneously improving ecological health of the area. Once at their destination, Pacuare Lodge has received multiple environmental accolades such as being named one of National Geographic World’s Best Lodges as well as receiving recognition as an Exemplary Tourism Practice from World Tourism Organization.
Reforesting former pastures with native tree species that absorb carbon emissions while providing wildlife shelter. Furthermore, staff at the lodge assist biologists studying jaguars in nearby forests by providing food, lodging and logistical support.
This resort prides itself on community inclusion, giving back to local communities and creating employment opportunities. Furthermore, they embrace local culture by inviting guests to get involved with hands-on conservation work to preserve unique biodiversity in the region and cultural events. Furthermore, sustainability initiatives include energy efficient appliances, spring fed stone pools, solar heated showers and an efficient restaurant using locally sourced ingredients reducing transport distance.
