Tips For The Eco-Friendly Traveler

Travel can be notoriously un-friendly when it comes to our enviornmental impact but choosing an eco-friendly hotel is an excellent way to travel more sustainably. When looking for an eco friendly hotel – try finding hotels in the city you’re visiting with third-party green certifications. In the US, a LEED Certification signifies a variety of green friendly practices including reduced water and energy usage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond certifications, many hotels list their sustainable practices on their websites – try looking for key sustainability indicators such as non-toxic cleaning agents, organic bedding, recycling programs or renewable energy sources. Below are 13 of our favorite luxury eco hotels in major US cities and abroad. Each hotel has third-party green certifications and a number of sustainability focused practices and none of them compromise on luxury or comfort.


Proximity Hotel

Location | Greensboro, NC Eco | LEED Platinum Green Hotel, 70+ Sustainable Practices Features | Original Artwork, Weekly Events, 75 Miles of Local Trails Nightly Rate | $249+

Sustainability is at the forefront of Proximity Hotel’s design and operations. It is the first hotel in America to receive the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, and the building uses 39.2% less energy than a conventional hotel and restaurant. The hotel has over 70 sustainable practices you can check out here. Also check out their complimentary bikes so you can explore 90-plus miles of trails and greenways nearby.


Hotel Terra Jackson Hole

Location | Teton Village, WY Eco | LEED Certified, 100% Organic Beds & Bedding, Recycled Roof & Building Materials Features | Rooftop Spa, Lounge, Infinity Pool, Restaurants, Ski Valet Nightly Rate | $429+

Hotel Terra Jackson Hole is a luxury, eco-boutique hotel located 1.8 miles from Grand Teton National Park and 13.2 miles from the National Elk Refuge. From fluorescent light bulbs to recycled steel, natural and organic mattresses to aluminum water bottles, the hotel strives to be earth friendly in all it practices. Explore the landscape while skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, climbing, cycling, and more.


Bardessono

Location | Napa Valley, CA Eco | LEED Certified, Organic Linens & Cleaning Supplies,Energy Savings,  Well Water Features |  Rooftop Pool & Gardens, Locally Sourced Restaurants, In-Room Spa Nightly Rate | $700+

Bardessono proves that a hotel can provide a fully luxurious guest experience and be very green at the same time. Their environmental initiatives include non-toxic, non-allergenic materials used in construction, organic linens and cleaning supplies, recycling and composting programs, and natural heating and energy sources. With in-room spa services, fine dining, and outdoor activities, the lovely Bardessono provides the perfect place to explore wine country.


H2hotel

Location | Sonoma County, CA Eco | LEED Gold Certified, Solar Panels, Bamboo floors, Organic linens Features | Pool, Bike Rentals, Yoga, EV Charging Stations Nightly Rate | $399+

The h2hotel is rooted in nature with a nearby creek and surrounded by miles of hiking trails in virtually every direction. The hotel is LEED Gold Certified for its high-performance green buildings. The hotel has a number of sustainable practices from a solar heated pool to organic linens. Each of the hotel’s  36 eco-chic rooms have with private balconies or patios; a simple, organic aesthetic; and creative local amenities.


Inn By The Sea

Location | Portland, ME Eco | LEED Silver Spa, Made in USA Amenities, Habitat Restoration Initiatives Features | Nightly Fire Pits, Beachfront Sunsets, Morning Yoga, Garden Tours, Pet Friendly Nightly Rate | $579+

Named a top ten American Green Hotel by MSNBC and Forbes Traveler, Inn By The Sea offers a unique approach to hospitality inspired by its natural coastal surroundings. The hotel uses non toxic cleaning products, bamboo towels, amenities made in the US among many other sustainable practices. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Inn’s proximity to fishing, boating, nature walks and sports of many kinds.


The Green House

Location | Bournemouth, UK Eco |  Energy Efficient Heating & Lighting, Reclaimed & Organic Materials Features | Gourmet Restaurant, Terrace, Event Spaces Nightly Rate | $175+

A Victorian villa surrounded by trees, The Green House boutique hotel has been recognized as one of the top “eco-hotels” not only in the UK, but in the world. The hotel utilizes energy efficient heating and lighting, and each room is fitted with locally-made 100% wool carpets and an eco bed made by a leading UK luxury bed manufacturer. Their solid wood furniture has been made in the UK using trees felled by storms or tree surgeons. This beautiful luxury hotel in an idyllic setting is worth the stay.


Olive 8 Hyatt

Location | Seattle, WA Eco | LEED Certified, Organic Spa Materials Features | Spa, Pool, City Views, Urbane Restaurant Nightly Rate | $249+

The first LEED certified hotel in Seattle, the Olive 8 Hyatt gives guests an eco-friendly environment for relaxing, dining, and exploring downtown Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. The rooftop spa and pool employ eco friendly practices and the entire hotel aims to represent a new spirit for sustainability in the Pacific Northwest.


The Palazzo

Location | Las Vegas, NV Eco | LEED Silver Certified, Recycled Building Materials, Solar Heated Pools Features | Upscale Dining, Modern Casino, Spa & Pools Nightly Rate | $199+

The Palazzo is the largest LEED-certified building in the world. The hotel conserves enough water to provide each Nevada citizen with 266 eight-ounce glasses of water for a year and saves enough energy to light a 100-watt light bulb for 12,100 years. Located in the heart of Vegas, the luxury hotel and casino resort is the perfect place to enjoy a weekend away.


Hotel Felix

Location | Chicago, IL Eco | LEED Silver Certified, Energy Efficient Lighting, Sustainable Art Features |  French Bistro, Eco Spa & Fitness Center, Business Center Nightly Rate | $169+

The first green eco friendly hotel in Chicago with Silver LEED certification, Hotel Felix makes sustainability a top priority. The hotel employs natural heating sources, energy efficient lighting, reclaimed building materials and artwork and earth friendly cleaning supplies. Located in downtown Chicago, hotel Felix is the perfect spot for business or vacation.


L’Auberge Del Mar

Location | San Diego, CA Eco | Recycling Program, Local & Organic Food, Energy Efficient Lighting Features | Beach, Fire Pits, Tennis Courts, Spa, Pool & Fitness Center Nightly Rate | $299+

Located in the heart of Southern California’s picturesque coastal Village of Del Mar, L’Auberge Del Mar’s resort overlooks the Pacific. L’Auberge is hard at work to become an eco-friendly California resort by implementing green practices into daily operations like their recycling program, linen reuse program, energy efficient light bulbs and 100% biodegradable guestroom key cards. The gorgeous resort offers an earth friendly escape.


Renaissance Santiago Hotel

Location | Santiago, Chile Eco | LEED Gold Certified Features | City Views, Award Winning Restaurant & Wine Cellar, Rooftop Terrace Nightly Rate | $181+

The Renaissance Santiago Hotel is the only LEED Gold certified hotel in Chile. The luxury hotel includes an awarded restaurant, entertainment and leisure activities showcasing Chilean culture. The spa & fitness center, skybar, exterior pool and incorporate a variety of sustainable practices so you can reduce your carbon footprint while discovering Chile.


JW Marriott Hotel Pune

Location | Pune, India Eco | LEED Gold Certified Features | City Views, Rooftop Lounge, Vegetarian Restaurant, Ballroom Nightly Rate | $101+

Centrally located in Pune near the Mumbai Expressway, JW Marriott Hotel Pune features luxury amenities, integrated eco-friendly enhancements, and is awarded with LEED Gold certification.


The Ambrose Hotel

Location | Santa Monica, CA Eco | LEED Certified, Natural Cleaning Products & Toiletries Features | Organic Breakfast, Complimentary Local Transportation Nightly Rate | $349+

The Ambrose boutique style and award-winning, eco-friendly hotel sits just five minutes from the beach and Third Street Promenade. Among their sustainable practices are water-saving faucets, low-flow toilets, ecologically responsible cleaning products, natural toiletries, drought-tolerant native species, local merchants and hybrid car rentals. Explore Santa Monica from this charming and eco-friendly boutique hotel.


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