Committed to protecting and giving back to the planet, these hotels exemplify what it means to live sustainably.
Traveling and going on vacation doesn’t always have to mean leaving a huge carbon footprint. These luxury eco-hotels all over the world prioritize environmentally conscious practices while still providing their guests with excellent service.
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Svart in Norway
Set to open in 2024, the first energy-positive accommodation, Svart Hotel, looks like a ring of light floating on the water. Designed by world-renowned architecture and design firm Snøhetta, the hotel lies at the base of the Svartisen glacier.
According to the official website, the hotel saves up to “85% of its annual energy consumption and harvests enough solar energy to cover both the hotel operations, including its boat shuttle operation and the energy needed to construct the building.”
From farm-to-table dining to utilizing renewable energy, the hotel “beautifully blends cutting edge technology, sustainability, and human experience.”
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Iceland’s first five-star hotel, The Retreat, is located right at the Blue Lagoon, its modern structure blending into the surrounding landscape. Geothermal renewable energy produced by the Blue Lagoon powers the 62-suite hotel.
Boasting a luxurious spa with underground rooms, the various treatments will “transport your mind and body to new dimensions of peace and rejuvenation.” The wellness experience also includes Michelin-starred cuisine with local organic ingredients.
Tierra Patagonia in Chile
Designed by Chilean architects Cazú Zegers, Roberto Benavente, and Rodrigo Ferrer, Tierra Patagonia blends in almost seamlessly with the environment. Built from local natural materials, the structure was inspired by the shape of fossils.
The eco-luxury hotel is located in Torres del Paine National Park so you can expect to be surrounded by wilderness during your stay. The accommodation makes use of LED lighting to reduce energy waste and is furnished with pieces using natural materials.
In support of reforestation, Tierra Patagonia aims to plant one million trees across Chilean Patagonia’s national parks.
COMO Laucala Island in Fiji
With 25 villas, COMO Laucala Island is one of the largest private island resorts in the world. Being 86% self-sustained, the majority of the food served here is homegrown. The resort grows its own vegetables, herbs, and fruit as well as raises its own cattle, pigs, goats, and ducks. Even the coffee is organically grown.
Each of the villas has been crafted from natural materials, bringing the nature outside in. COMO also partners with local charities, supporting efforts to build sustainable livelihoods for underserved communities.
Borgo Pignano in Tuscany
Borgo Pignano, an 18th-century estate, sits atop the rolling hills of Italy. Natural water sources help irrigate the hotel’s fields, vegetable gardens, orchards, olive groves, and vineyard.
“Borgo Pignano’s sustainable infrastructure is the backbone of all our activities,” the official website states. While renovating the buildings, the hotel made use of locally sourced stone and reclaimed slate, organic plasters, and eco-paints.
As a part of the Beyond Green hotels, Borgo Pignano offers one of the most sustainable accommodations in the world. In 2021, the hotel also earned its Green Globe certification for its commitment to sustainability.
Banner image via Snøhetta’s official website.
