Sustainable Hotels to Explore

These properties focus on progressive thinking – and nail it.

More than ever, hotels are developing innovative ways to move tourism towards a more sustainable future. Eco-friendly hotels are cropping up globally and challenging travelers to be more thoughtful and responsible when choosing where to stay and how to spend their money.

These sustainable hotels are at the forefront of this movement — identifying ways to celebrate and respect nature, from ‘Economic Nutrition’ labeling and eco-sound agriculture to solar-powered stays and anti-poaching measures.

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• Playa Viva, Mexico

  Eco focus: biophilic design

  Six new bamboo treehouses have landed at this light-touch eco-lodge in Juluchuca on Mexico’s wild Pacific coast, close to major Aztec archaeological sites. Playa Viva offers total immersion through biophilic design, shielding guests from the elements while getting them viscerally close to nature. Enormous care has been taken to fuse the structures with the setting, using prefab bamboo panels and paraboloid roofs that slot into place with minimal disturbance to the ecosystem.

  The solar-powered rustic resort is totally off-grid, with soft lighting so as not to disturb nesting turtles on the protected beach.

• The Brando, French Polynesia

  Eco focus: renewable cooling

  A parallel universe awaits guests whisked by plane to this private island — one of bobbing palms, a forest spa in a suspended bird’s nest and a jungle-wreathed freshwater lake topped with lotus flowers. The Brando nudges the gold standard in renewable resort living. Clean-energy solutions abound: refined solar panels and a customized battery energy-saving system are standout features.

• Hotel Brooklyn, Manchester

  Eco focus: slick accessibility

  This boutique hotel is designed to be accessible across a spectrum of needs – wide lifts, level public spaces, and adjustable clothes rails. This is what happens when accessible design is considered from the start, without compromising on style or fun.

• Misool Resort, Indonesia

  Eco focus: biodiversity boosting

  This private island in Raja Ampat has saved part of its biodiversity by implementing a conservation economy through sustainable tourism. Balinese-style bungalows made from reclaimed driftwood and local materials overlook shores once exploited by shark-finning camps. Guests can explore reefs, enjoy hydroponic gardens, and witness impressive increases in fish biomass.

• Hotel Marcel, USA

  Eco focus: passive house power

  This long-empty Brutalist monolith has transformed into a Passive House-certified hotel. Solar panels and a clever Power over Ethernet lighting system provide energy, and it’s also conserved through innovative technologies and design.

• Terrestre Hotel, Mexico

  Eco focus: solar smarts

  This striking hotel is fully solar-powered with passive cooling and native planting inviting wildlife. Guests can enjoy gourmet meals prepared with local offerings, making it part of the region’s sustainable future.

• Asilia Usangu Expedition Camp, Tanzania

  Eco focus: water conservation

  This camp aims to protect key water resources while providing opportunities for guests to engage in citizen-science projects that promote wildlife conservation.

• Tahi, North Island, New Zealand

  Eco focus: bee-promoting

  This eco-retreat is dedicated to rewilding and promoting biodiversity through careful land management and tree-planting initiatives.

• Forestis, Dolomites, Italy

  Eco focus: net zero hero

  Forestis, located in South Tyrol, is designed with sustainability at its core, incorporating local materials and energy-efficient technologies to achieve a reduced carbon footprint.

Explore these innovative hotels that prioritize sustainability and eco-conscious practices, ensuring that your next stay can be as environmentally friendly as it is luxurious.