Make yourself and Mother Earth happy by traveling consciously and lodging in eco-friendly hotels. Constructed with sustainable materials, serving regional food, and reducing their environmental impact are some of the ways these hotels contribute to sustainable tourism. With this list of our favorite eco-friendly hotels, you might be surprised by how easy taking care of the environment on vacation can be!
Hix Island House – Puerto Rico
Hix Island House is far removed, yet only about a 25 min flight from the busy capital city San Juan. Designed by architect John Hix, it is strategically built to capture the cooling trade winds and with the wabi-sabi philosophy at its core. The guesthouse is all-solar powered and allows you to do yoga in a unique outdoor pavilion or relax and catch some rays on Sun Bay, Vieques’ largest beach.
Marataba Trails Lodge – South Africa
If you’re looking for an off-the-grid, wild adventure, then – Marataba Trails Lodge is all you need. The canvas-roofed rooms help you cut off from social media and focus on the views, the animals, and the people you are traveling with. Just a couple hours’ drive from Pretoria only eight guests are allowed here at a time. Better yet, this fully solar-powered lodge offers guided trails exploring the surrounding Iron Age settlements and gorges and a unique opportunity to witness the largest colony of endangered Cape vultures in the world.
Whitepod – Switzerland
Not far from Geneva, this minimalist spot is a unique luxury camping experience that dots the Valais hillside. Camouflaged in green to reduce its visual impact on the hills of the Swiss countryside, you have a 20-minute hike from the reception to your sheepskin and wood-clad pod. The reward – a priceless view of the Alps, homemade pastries, and free activities like tennis, giant chess, and a sauna at the community Pod-house. That’s if you can resist the stunning hikes up the Dents du Midi mountain range.
Park Hyatt Hyderabad – India
Pamper yourself guilt-free in this palace outfitted with energy-saving, water-efficient, and carbon-reducing technology. All of these have earned this beautiful hotel the recognition of the LEED® Gold status in 2011. Its convenient location allows easy visits to local landmarks like the Charminar mosque and the Golconda citadel and fort. Enjoy history, culture, and fantastic food, all while being planet-friendly.