Thankfully for the planet, sustainable hotels have seen a huge boom over the past few years. While luxury travel is synonymous with a holiday free from worries, it often comes at the price of compromising the environment. Excellent hotel service requires an endless flow of resources, often at a high cost. Fortunately, more and more hotels have found a way around this and guests today can not only enjoy a luxury stay at a phenomenal location but also help the environment but choosing a sustainable hotel. In this blog, we'll unveil the world's most sustainable hotels that cover many different corners of the globe to encourage you to book an eco-friendly holiday.
What You Should Know About Sustainable Hotels
How can a hotel be sustainable?
A sustainable hotel uses eco-friendly practices like renewable energy, water conservation, reducing waste, and sourcing locally. They may cut down on single-use plastics, offer organic food, and encourage guests to be eco-conscious too.
What country has the most sustainable hotels?
Costa Rica, Sweden, and Switzerland are top contenders for the countries with the most sustainable hotels. These countries lead in eco-tourism and have many eco friendly hotels dedicated to green practices, from energy-efficient design to supporting local conservation efforts.
Are small hotels more sustainable than big hotels?
Smaller hotels can adapt more easily to eco-friendly practices due to their size. However, big hotels with more resources can invest in advanced green technologies. It depends more on commitment than size.
Are sustainable hotels actually making a difference?
Absolutely. By cutting down on energy use, waste, and water consumption, sustainable hotels are reducing the travel industry's environmental impact. They also inspire guests and other hotels to make greener choices.
What is the most sustainable hotel company?
Six Senses is often mentioned as a leader in sustainability, focusing on conservation and eco-conscious guest experiences. Marriott is also making progress with big goals like cutting carbon emissions and eliminating plastic.
The 10 Most Sustainable Hotels Worldwide
1. Marataba Mountain Lodge, South Africa
Location: Marakele National Park Marataba, 0380, South Africa
Rating: ★★★★★
First on our list of the world's most sustainable hotels is this South African gem. Going off grid no longer implies living in a pop-up tent in the forest as with this eco-friendly hotel in South Africa, you can still disconnect from the outside world while enjoying the benefits of a luxury suite. Marataba Mountain Lodge offers just this. This solar-powered five-star hotel is on the side of a mountain, surrounding you with pure wilderness. Plus, when staying at this eco-friendly hotel, a quiet time is guaranteed as only 10 guests can stay at the hotel at a time.
2. h2hotel Healdsburg, USA
Location: 219 Healdsburg Ave, Healdsburg, CA 95448, United States
Rating: ★★★★★
Our next sustainable hotel takes “green” to a whole new level. Its grass roof was designed to manage rainwater, reducing its eco-footprint on the neighbouring Foss Creek. Therefore, the hotel also reduces residual heat and preserves the city’s microclimate. In fact, h2hotel is LEED NC 2.2 Gold Certified Green — meaning that everything in this hotel is designed to reduce energy. Other than being environmentally conscious, the interior of the h2hotel is designed so well that it’s similar to a modern art gallery. Right by the lobby, you will be welcomed by a huge “spoonfall” wall. This is actually a wall created from 2000 espresso spoons that rock as drops of water fall on them. You will also find a sculptured fireplace illuminated by flame and created from copper. Don’t miss out on plant illustrations designed by Kathy Aoki hanging in all guest rooms.
3. Park Hyatt Hyderabad, India
Location: Road No. 2, Sri Nagar Colony, Kamalapuri Colony, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034, India
Rating: ★★★★★
This extravagant eco-friendly hotel in India is eco-efficient in every way. It is cleverly equipped with energy efficiency, water, and carbon-reducing technology. And as another proud owner of a LEED Gold certificate, this eco-friendly hotel proves that you don’t need to compromise on sustainability for luxury. Aside from the design and feel, the nearby attractions of this green hotel are one of the key perks of staying there since the hotel is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and national parks and gardens.
When staying at this sustainable hotel, we recommend visiting:
- The Qutub Shahi Tombs to see the tombs of the royal family
- The Chowmahalla Palace
- The Charminar (one of India’s most recognised monuments)
4. Lapa Rios, Costa Rica
Location: Puntarenas Province, Puerto Jiménez, Costa Rica
Rating: ★★★★
Lapa Rios is located in Costa Rica, protecting 1,000 acres of Central America’s tropical lowland rainforest. So, a stay at this eco-friendly hotel means that you'll be immersed in wildlife and beautiful scenery. And just because it's sustainable, doesn't mean that it's not comfortable. No, this is also the cosiest lodge that caters to all your needs. Indulge your senses with local Costa Rican cuisine or explore from the treetops with a thrilling zipline course. Not to mention, you will be right by the beach — perfect for dinners with a view. What's more, is that if you want to actively contribute to the reforestation program during your stay, you can even plant a tree yourself.
5. Hotel Terra, USA
Location: 3335 Village Dr, Teton Village, WY 83025, United States
Rating: ★★★★
The last on our list of the best sustainable hotels is the Hotel Terra in Wyoming. This eco-friendly hotel takes recycled materials to new heights, with the whole roof made entirely from recycled products. Hotel Terra actively focuses on saving energy and water by equipping every room with organic mattresses and energy-saving lights. Wake up to the crisp alpine air, surrounded by gorgeous mountains. After a full day of skiing, you can unwind in its ‘Chill Spa’ (the name alone should do it) with majestic sky views, cosy interiors, and spa treatments. But if you don't feel like skiing, you can participate in one of their National Park Wildlife Safaris instead.
6. Solo Palacio, Spain
Location: Llanuces, 6, 33117 Llanuces, Asturias, Spain
Rating: ★★★★
Hidden in the Las Ubiñas Natural Park, Solo Palacio is a 15th-century manor turned eco-friendly hotel. With just 11 beautifully designed apartments, it offers peace, nature, and luxury. This eco-friendly hotel in Spain operates on a Wabi-Sabi design philosophy, embracing natural materials and imperfections. Plus, 100% of its income goes towards local environmental initiatives. Relax in the panoramic sauna, enjoy Michelin-star-level cuisine, or simply take in the mountain views from the infinity pool.
7. Jam Hotel Lisbon
Location: Av. 24 de Julho 80, 1200-870 Lisboa, Portugal
Rating: ★★★
JAM Hotel Lisbon is an industrial chic hotel set between the Tejo River and Bairro Alto, Lisbon's buzzing nightlife district. With a design focused on repurposing and reinvention, this sustainable hotel in Portugal features unique decor like carpets made from handwoven fabric, cork walls saved from burnt wood, and recycled marble finishes. JAM Hotels follows a sustainability charter with over 30 eco-friendly goals, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. Guests can relax by the rooftop pool while knowing their stay supports responsible hospitality and environmental initiatives.
8. Ethos Vegan Suites
Location: Fira 847 00, Greece
Rating: ★★★★★
Ethos Vegan Suites in Fira, Santorini takes a moral and eco-friendly approach to hospitality. This vegan establishment emphasises respect for nature and animal welfare. With organic gardens and walls covered in flowers and herbs, guests enjoy a sustainable stay in Santorini's heart. The suites also offer a nutritious plant-based breakfast made from local organic farms, perfect for starting your day in Santorini. Every aspect of this sustainable hotel in Greece is designed with minimal environmental impact in mind, allowing guests to experience the beauty of Santorini while staying true to ethical values.
9. Eremito Hotelito del Alma, Italy
Location: Localita' Tarina 2, 05010 Parrano TR, Italy
Rating: ★★★★★
A unique monastic-style escape, Eremito Hotelito del Alma is a one-of-a-kind retreat from the digital world. Built in the tradition of 13th-century Italian monasteries, this boutique hotel has 17 minimalist rooms with no phones or televisions, promoting peace and disconnection. Nestled in the Umbrian hills, Eremito focuses on sustainable living, with energy-efficient design, water conservation, and plant-based meals. It’s the perfect place for a mindful, eco-friendly retreat. When staying at this green hotel in Italy, you can take part in yoga classes, self-care retreats and hikes through the mountains nearby.
10. Hotel Ullensvang, Norway
Location: Ullensvangvegen 865, 5781 Lofthus, Norway
Rating: ★★★★
With a green legacy dating back to 1846, our next sustainable hotel the Hotel Ullensvang has been at the forefront of sustainability in hospitality. This eco-friendly hotel in Norway uses a fan-coil system that utilises fjord water for heating and cooling. Excess heat from its kitchen fridges and freezers is repurposed to warm water, and even the sand used for winter ice prevention is cleaned and reused. Hotel Ullensvang encourages eco-friendly guest behaviour with initiatives like its greener stay programme, low-energy lighting, composting food waste, and an extensive recycling system.
Help the Planet and Book an Eco-Friendly Hotel Stay
We hope our list of the world's best sustainable hotels has proven that choosing an eco-friendly hotel doesn't mean you need to sacrifice comfort, luxury or style. So help the planet and book a few nights at one of the sustainable hotels for a holiday with a purpose.
Gift a Sustainable Hotel Stay with a Hotel Voucher
Thinking of treating someone to a hotel voucher? Who can blame you! You can personalise your Hotelgift to include a photo of you and your loved one and add a personal message making them the perfect gift for every recipient and every occasion from birthdays to retirement to engagements to simply saying thank you. Plus, this hotel voucher is super convenient since you can choose to send it by post or email it to them as a last-minute gift (we won't tell if you won't). Plus, our e gift cards for hotels are completely waste-free, only making your gift even more sustainable!
Then, your special someone will not only will they be able to pick from hundreds of eco-friendly hotels, but also:
- Haunted hotels
- Remote hotels
- City centre hotels
- Beach hotels
- Spa hotels
- Wedding hotels
- Ski hotels
- Dog-friendly hotels
It's truly the best travel gift for eco-warriors, no matter the occasion.