Savvy travelers seek to minimize negative impact on the environment while maximizing their positive effect on local communities and locally relevant experiences. Here are five of the globe’s best resorts where you can stay sustainable while easing your (eco)conscience in style.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
The Eco-Hangout in Hip Helsinki
From hybrid and electric airport transfers to staff uniforms made with sustainable materials, and a winter garden that invites guests to connect with nature in an urban setting, Hotel U14, Autograph Collection offers the perfect eco-stay in the heart of Helsinki, a hotbed of contemporary art, culture, and tech innovation.
Run entirely on green energy, this hip hotel is known for its quirky decor and locally sourced gourmet food. Guests will find a constantly evolving organic living space where they’ll come closer to understanding why environmentally friendly Finland is such a happy country.
The Ice-Cool Eco-Stay near Reykjavík
For tons of eco-aware luxury in spellbinding natural surroundings, you can’t do better than ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir, a spectacular futuristic space created by Sigurlaug Sverrisdóttir, an Icelandic designer renowned for local authenticity.
The glass-sided building, perched high on the purple flanks of the Mount Hengill volcano, has breathtaking views over the lakes, hiking trails, and other awe-inspiring attractions of Thingvellir National Park.
On property, you’re guaranteed to enjoy a totally immersive experience featuring locally sourced artwork, recycled furniture, organic bedding, spa products made from the region’s mineral-rich volcanic ash and clay, and farm-to-table meals at on-site Silfra.
The Bedouin-Style Conservation Retreat near Duba
Designed to resemble Bedouin housing, Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa is a stunning haven for Arabia’s natural wonders, where conservation efforts align with a raft of thrilling immersive experiences.
Highlights here include riding out on horseback with highly trained local field guides to see herds of twizzle-horned Oryx; spotting Rueppell’s fox and other rare animals during a sunset camel trek; or watching ospreys and eagles soar overhead from the panoramic terrace of your private villa.
The Green City Haven in Charming Copenhage
A sustainable stay is guaranteed at Copenhagen Marriott Hotel, with its groundbreaking seawater cooling system to conserve energy use and reduce waste. The property overlooks the bustling harbor of this Danish city, which has an exceedingly low carbon footprint.
Whether you explore the home of fairytale author Hans Christian Andersen on an electric bike; take a local-led canal tour; visit CopenHill, a waste-to-energy plant cunningly disguised as a ski slope; or leap into the pristine waters of the harbor bath outside the hotel, you’re in for some eco-friendly fun.
Related Articles
