Discover the retreats seeking sustainable change and giving our planet a much deserved break from environmental damage. From hotels harnessing renewable energy to in-house apiaries, these innovative eco-friendly resorts are leading the tourism sector in sustainability.

The Environmental Impact of Hotels

With hundreds of thousands of travelers each year, hotels have a huge carbon footprint. All eco-conscious vacationers will know that even travel to resorts is heavy on the environment. Flying or driving long distances generates greenhouse gasses before guests even step foot on the resort.

Hotels use a lot of energy and water in their everyday operations. From powering rooms, to the huge amount of laundry involved in replacing bedding. Many resorts work around the clock, and have power-draining entertainment venues. Restaurants serve a lot of meat and fish year-round, and pools require massive amounts of water and heating.

We burn fossil fuels for most of our energy, contributing to climate change through greenhouse gas. Oil and gas are non-renewable resources and will eventually run out, making them an unsustainable energy source in the long-term.

Thankfully, some hoteliers are developing eco-friendly resorts and at least minimizing the impact a vacation has on the environment. 

Top 3 Eco-Friendly Resorts in the US

For those concerned about the environmental cost of their vacation, choosing an eco-friendly resort can help with guilt-free enjoyment. Here are 3 of the top hotels striving for sustainability:

  • The Bardessono Hotel, CA

    Built largely from the timber of salvaged trees, this hotel boasts LEED platinum certification. The Bardessono uses an underground geothermal system for heating rooms and tap water, in addition to the pool. 940 solar panels fuel the rest of this stunning eco-friendly resort. They even source their own organic produce in their gardens.
  • Salamander Resort and Spa, VA

    The 340 acre resort uses 200 acres of land for conservation, and has planted over 2000 trees. The hotel is also responsible for the building of waste-reducing water facilities for the nearby town. What's more, their garden provides fresh herbs and vegetables for the eco-friendly resort’s famous restaurants.
  • The Ranch at Rock Creek, MT

    The Ranch really defines responsible luxury with its closed-loop sustainability system. Because they use reusable bottles for drinks and toiletries, the hotel is able to eliminate 100% of single use plastic. They use solar energy to power lights in addition to contributing to local conservation efforts. Not only does the resort have on-site beehives for fresh honey, they also source meat and vegetables locally. In addition to this, all food scraps are directed straight to local farms.

Promote Your Resort with Eco-Friendly Items

If your hotel is working toward sustainable change, start by switching out single-use items for reusable ones. Promoting your brand as an eco-friendly resort is one of the best ways to entice eco-conscious travelers. Try offering guests reusable promotional bags that they’ll carry home with them, becoming walking advertisements for your resort. You can even hand out custom sustainable travel mugs for guests to use within your resort - also perfect for the journey home!