As environmentally conscious travelers, choosing eco-friendly accommodations is an essential step to reducing our ecological footprint and promoting sustainability. Eco-friendly accommodations minimize their impact on the environment by implementing sustainable practices such as energy-efficient systems, natural landscaping, and water-saving initiatives. Additionally, they often prioritize supporting the local economy and protecting natural resources. In this guide, we’ll explore how to find eco-friendly accommodations, from luxurious hotels to rustic campgrounds, across the United States and abroad.
Benefits of Choosing Eco-Friendly Accommodations
Choosing eco-friendly accommodations has several advantages that go beyond environmental benefits. These accommodations often provide air quality improvements, better waste reduction management, and locally sourced food offerings that support regional agriculture. These facilities often employ locals, creating a connection with the community and contributing to job growth. Moreover, guests may benefit from more authentic, meaningful cultural experiences, driven by an eco-conscious mission that emphasizes sustainability and responsible tourism.
Tips for Finding Eco-Friendly Accommodations
Determine Your Budget
Choosing eco-friendly accommodations come in different shapes and sizes, from luxurious eco-hotels and glamping huts to budget-friendly hostels and homestays. Determining your budget is an essential factor in choosing sustainable accommodations that fit your preferences and offer green amenities at reasonable prices.
Consider the Type of Accommodation
There are many options for eco-friendly accommodations, depending on your interests and style. Here are some popular eco-accommodation types:
- Ecolodges
- Camping sites
- Treehouses
- Tiny houses
- Yurts
- Eco resorts
Each type of accommodation is unique, but all emphasize sustainability and eco-conscious living. These facilities often include renewable energy sources, on-site recycling, and green spaces for preserving the natural habitat, including native vegetation and local wildlife.
Choose Your Location
Choosing an eco-friendly accommodation in a specific location can maximize your efforts to promote sustainability during your travels. Whether it’s sustainable camping in the rugged mountains or an eco-lodge in the tropical rainforests, a sustainable environment is a vital component of eco-friendly travel.
Look for Sustainable Certifications
Look for green certifications when researching accommodations to ensure that the facility is genuinely eco-friendly. Certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Green Globe are essential aspects of eco-travel, as they ensure that eco-friendly lodging meets specific sustainability standards.
LEED is a globally recognized green building rating system that certifies buildings for their sustainability and environmental performance.
Read Reviews
Reading reviews and researching accommodations online can provide valuable insight into other guests’ experiences while staying at an eco-friendly location. You can also discover more about the hotel’s sustainability practices and green amenities, providing useful information that validates the hotel’s eco-friendly claims.
Examples of Eco-Friendly Accommodations
In the US
Bardessono Hotel in Napa Valley, California: This eco-friendly luxury hotel boasts LEED Platinum certification, the highest eco-building award. The hotel features solar power, geothermal heating and cooling, and a living roof that regulates temperature and reduces stormwater runoff.
Treebones Resort in Big Sur, California: This eco-resort features 16 yurts with private decks and outdoor seating. The Treebones Resort is completely off the grid, with solar power and composting toilets.
Firelight Camps in Ithaca, New York: This eco-luxury campground features elevated tents on raised wooden platforms, with comfortable beds, full bathrooms, and locally sourced breakfast provided. The campground offers environmentally conscious services such as energy-efficient lighting and composting waste management.
Internationally
Chole Mjini in Mafia Island, Tanzania: This eco-lodge on a secluded island features unique treehouses, ocean views, and private beaches. Chole Mjini is completely off the grid, using solar power and rainwater harvesting to minimize its environmental impact.
Lapa Rios Ecolodge in Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica: This eco-lodge offers 3-5 day rainforest adventure packages, allowing visitors to explore the surrounding natural habitat. The lodge features breathtaking ocean views, sustainable energy and water practices, and locally grown organic food.
Pousada Trijuncao in Goias, Brazil: This eco-friendly lodge features solar-powered bungalows and offers unique travel packages that focus on local culture, conservation, and renewable energy education.
The Importance of Responsible Travel
At a time when the environment is more critical than ever, choosing eco-friendly accommodations can help reduce our impact on the planet while allowing us to explore and appreciate the world around us. By choosing accommodations that prioritize sustainability and minimizing our carbon footprint, we can promote responsible tourism and make a real impact on preserving our planet for future generations. Choose an eco-friendly accommodation today and make a lasting difference in the way we travel significantly.