9 Eco Hotels Blending Luxury With Sustainability (2024)
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
Travel can be notoriously unfriendly when it comes to our environmental impact — and the impact it has on local populations, too. One way to lessen your footprint as a globetrotter is by choosing an eco-friendly hotel. Taking care to book accommodations that respect their environments ensures that your vacation won’t take too big of a toll on the earth or others. It also means you’re less likely to be exposed to harmful cleaning agents or chemically-treated bedding — so you can truly rest easy.
When looking for eco-friendly accommodations, you’ll want to search for hotels in the city you’re visiting with third-party green certifications. In the US, a LEED Certification is a great sign. It signifies a variety of green-friendly practices including reduced water and energy usage and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. And beyond certifications, many hotels list their sustainable practices on their websites. Try looking for key sustainability indicators such as nontoxic cleaning agents, organic bedding, recycling programs, or renewable energy sources. One of our favorite websites, Ecobnb, also helps you find sustainable accommodations across the globe that respect both nature and local communities.
We’ve rounded up 9 of our favorite luxury eco hotels, eco lodges, and green hotels in major US cities below. Each hotel has third-party green certifications and a number of sustainability-focused practices and none of them compromise on luxury or comfort. Happy travels!
1. AutoCamp
Locations | Asheville, Cape Cod, Catskills, Joshua Tree, Russian River, Sequoia, Yosemite, Zion
Eco | Gives back to nature preservation organizations, small living footprint
Features | Custom-designed Airstreams, luxury tents & cabins, amenities on property, dog-friendly, year-round accommodations
Nightly Rate | $219+
AutoCamp‘s mission is to foster a deeper connection to nature and each other through exceptional outdoor experiences. Combining the unique benefits of being outdoors with the comfort and amenities of a boutique hotel, AutoCamp offers custom-designed Airstream suites, luxury tents, and cabins with cozy beds, spa-inspired bathrooms, private outdoor spaces, and fire pits. Located in Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Zion, the Catskills, Cape Cod, Russian River, Asheville, and Sequoia, each site features a beautiful Clubhouse for gatherings, games, happy hours, live music, and weekend wellness classes. Perks include a full bar, community fire pits, a well-stocked General Store, complimentary Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, granola, bikes, and pools at select properties. Unique to AutoCamp is its year-round accommodations offering both heating and cooling, a strong community emphasis, and specialized events and activities to enhance each stay.
The Good Trade Partner
2. 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 | $329+
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.
3. 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 | $945+
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 its practices. Explore the landscape while skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hiking, climbing, cycling, and more.
4. Bardessono
Location | Napa Valley, CA
Eco | LEED Certified, organic linens & cleaning supplies, energy savings, low water use
Features | Rooftop pool & gardens, locally sourced restaurants, in-room spa
Nightly Rate | $950+
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.
5. 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 has private balconies or patios; a simple, organic aesthetic; and creative local amenities.
6. 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, EV charging stations
Nightly Rate | $989+
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 100% clean and renewable energy from a local Maine solar farm, among many other sustainable practices. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the Inn’s proximity to fishing, boating, nature walks, and sports of many kinds.
7. 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 | $142+
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.
8. Hotel Felix
Location | Chicago, IL
Eco | LEED Silver Certified, energy efficient lighting, sustainable art
Features | French bistro, business center, pet friendly
Nightly Rate | $104+
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.
9. 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 | $509+
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.