Many hotels have begun to take steps in the right direction to lessen their carbon footprint. But these ultra-sustainable resorts go beyond the norm to incorporate eco-friendly thinking into every aspect of their design, from supplying green energy to running their own waste recycling schemes and even aiming to be energy-positive. Oh, and they’re absolutely stunning and luxurious too. Intrigued? Here are the world’s greenest hotels…

The otherworldly white plains of Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats provide a pretty special backdrop to this luxury eco-lodge. Situated at the base of the Tunupa volcano, at 12,000 feet (3660m) high, six white geometric domes form the hotel’s rooms. They’re linked by a wooden platform, which is secured into the salt flat (also known as salar) by wooden pillars – no drilling was done into the precious salt crust to secure the structure.

Rooms are given a cosy feel with bohemian decor and paintings by Bolivian artist Gaston Ugalde. Meanwhile wood-fired stoves, which run on leftover wood pellets, keep things toasty. In the “lounge dome”, guests can enjoy a Bolivian and internationally-inspired menu made from locally sourced ingredients (cooked in the neighbouring “kitchen dome”, naturally). And thanks to the large, geometric windows, guests are never far from breathtaking views across the salar.

The hotel, which is set to open in March 2022, is designed to run entirely on solar power and panels are already providing its hot water supply. A closed-loop system will filter water for reuse, as well as ensuring water doesn’t leak out into the surroundings. The lodge aims to run joint development programmes with the local community to provide jobs, training and cultural exchanges.

Surrounded by endless plains, glistening pools and dramatic gorges, Karijini Eco Retreat is a great base for exploring the Western Australian outback. Better yet, it’s 100% Aboriginal-owned. Run by the Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC), one of Australia’s largest Aboriginal companies, the resort helps to alleviate poverty and increase development among the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli peoples.

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It’s more glamping than a traditional hotel setup here – but the tents have all the home comforts anyone could want. In a Deluxe Eco Tent, comfortable beds are finished with stylish and natural bed linen, while en suite bathrooms (with flushing toilets and showers) are equipped with solar-heated water, which is recycled using greywater treatment. Plus, all electricity is provided by solar power.

A plethora of gorgeous sights are within easy reach: the atmospheric Joffre Gorge, with its steep red walls and curved waterfall; Mount Bruce, Western Australia’s second tallest mountain; the alluring Weano Gorge with its crystal clear plunge pool. The retreat holds an Advanced Ecotourism Certification from Ecotourism Australia, which recognises the country’s most innovative sustainable hotels, tour operators and attractions. 

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Paper-white sands, tranquil waters and swaying palms give Zanzibar all the right ingredients for paradise. And thanks to resorts like Zuri Zanzibar, visitors can tread a little lighter when they explore the Tanzanian island. Located on the postcard-perfect Kendwa Beach, this eco resort is made up of 56 beautiful villas, bungalows and suites set within a 12-acre tropical garden.

The most decadent accommodation option, the villas, boast a beachfront location, infinity pool and spacious terrace for soaking up the sun. Inside, artwork by contemporary African artists and woodwork created by local artisans take centre stage, alongside luxuries including king-sized beds, eco-friendly air-con and even an “entertainment room”.

The hotel runs a waste management programme, with a focus on reducing the amount of waste that is produced, and managing it more responsibly. It has also placed waste collection points on the beach and around the local area. In 2019, Zuri Zanzibar was awarded a gold certification by sustainable tourism company Earthcheck, who said: “Sustainable design principles were integrated from the outset with the building concept respecting the original terrain configuration and utilising local materials and local architectural traditions.”

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Northern Ecuador’s cloudforest – so-named for its high altitude, which means the trees are often hugged by low-lying clouds – is home to the beautiful Mashpi Lodge. In order to harmonise with its surroundings, the hotel was preassembled in Quito and carefully rebuilt here, to match the site’s unique topography. It was also created in a dark colour to blend in with its surroundings, using materials which counteract warming in summer and cooling in winter, and used pre-existing logging infrastructure to minimise further damage to the forest.

With its pergola roof, huge terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows, everything is designed to make the most of the spectacular location. Rooms give guests the chance to look out at the forest from different levels, while natural materials and minimalist furnishings throughout create a sense of tranquillity. Meanwhile, at the hotel’s nearby Samay Wellness Center, guests can unwind even more in a covered open-air hot tub while listening to the sound of birds and the rustle of the rainforest.

The hotel’s eco credentials are hard to beat. In 2001, environmentalist Roque Sevilla purchased this plot of land (which has since expanded to 2,500 hectares) with the mission of protecting it against deforestation – logging and mining companies had had their eyes on it for years. It runs mostly on hydroelectric power from Ecuador’s grid, while water supply comes from the nearby Torrenteer Waterfall. Plus, almost three-quarters of its workforce are from the local area and employees are stakeholders in the business itself.

Snuggled between the Humboldt and Richardson mountain ranges of southwestern New Zealand, a 40-minute drive from Queenstown, Glenorchy Eco Retreat certainly has epic scenery galore. But that’s not all this stunning resort has going for it. The hotel, which opened in March 2018, is New Zealand’s first net-positive energy tourist destination: it generates 105% of the energy it uses in a year, using its on-site Solar Garden.

The retreat’s eco cabins are furnished in a rustic and cosy fashion, with reclaimed and recycled wood interiors and earth-toned soft furnishings. Alternatively, backpackers and hikers can choose the more basic bunk houses or camping plots. There’s also a sheltered outdoor fireplace to gather around, enjoying spectacular views across the nearby Lake Wakatipu by day or stargazing by night.

As well as having net-positive energy, Glenorchy Eco Retreat uses 50% less energy and 50% less water than similar facilities, thanks to initiatives including rainwater recycling, high-efficiency appliances and buildings which are angled to take advantage of sunlight. The hotel has the world’s first “Living Building Certification” from the International Living Future Institute (ILFI), which was given after measuring its exemplary standard of sustainability over a 12-month period.

On the little-known island of Aruba, sandwiched between swaying palms and gently-lapping azure waters, lies the first certified carbon neutral resort in North America. Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort reached the milestone in 2018 and it’s already looking to go one better, striving to become carbon negative (meaning it removes more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits). On top of all these impressive accomplishments, the adults-only resort is the height of luxury too.

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All 104 rooms and suites are extremely spacious – standard rooms start at 350 square feet (32.5sqm) while the penthouse suites are a whopping 850 square feet (79sqm) – and sumptuously furnished. In the four penthouse suites, guests can enjoy sweeping vistas of Eagle Beach and recline on a secluded terrace, while they can also expect a private cabana on the beach. There’s no shortage of spectacular dining options, with the waterfront Elements Restaurant being a traveller favourite.

The resort has a seemingly endless list of initiatives for sustainability. It relies on local suppliers for products and services, which has helped bring down its carbon footprint; water reducers, low-flow toilets and greywater usage in the grounds have helped to minimise water waste; solar panels are used to heat water. It’s also heavily involved in the local community through programmes including beach cleans, volunteer work (more than 1,000 hours were completed in 2020), and collecting donations for a nearby orphanage. 

The Galápagos islands are renowned for their incredible biodiversity and Pikaia Lodge aims to showcase and protect it. Enjoying a prime location on Santa Cruz island at the heart of the archipelago, the lodge sits on the precipice of a volcanic crater, straddling higher-elevation tropical forests and lower-elevation arid savannah. Since its inception in 2006, it has sought to reforest land which was razed by cattle ranching, and numbers of native tortoise and bird species in the area are already bouncing back.

There are just 29 rooms, all of which have floor-to-ceiling windows to showcase the region’s breathtaking scenery. Luxuries including shaded private balconies, plunge pools, walk-in wardrobes and king-sized beds mean they’re the height of comfort too. Meanwhile en suite bathrooms are furnished with Peruvian travertine and fossil marble, which was selected as a nod to the islands’ geological history.

As well as being carbon neutral, the resort has taken extensive measures to be as efficient as possible. The lodge is orientated so that all guest rooms are either north- or south-facing, meaning they avoid intense and direct sunlight which could cause overheating. Windows are designed to maximise natural air flow, while a light-coloured roof reflects sunlight. Plus, the hotel’s energy and hot water supply are provided by solar panels, which are optimally placed to maximise sun exposure.

Tucked away on the lesser-visited Thai island of Koh Kood, Soneva Kiri is surrounded by tropical rainforest and practically empty beaches. The resort is part of the Soneva hotel group, which has been 100% carbon neutral since 2012 – impressively, that figure even includes offsetting the carbon of guests’ flights. This is achieved through a 2% levy on all stays which is used for carbon-reducing projects, including installing a 1.5-megawatt windmill in India, planting 500,000 trees in northern Thailand and installing smoke-reducing cook stoves in Darfur and Myanmar.

The resort is the epitome of laid-back luxury. Made up of 34 decadent villas, which range in size from one to six bedrooms, each is decorated in a minimalistic way, with wooden interiors, sumptuous white bedding and earth-toned soft furnishings. Outside, private pools lined with plush daybeds make it even easier to kick back and relax. There are plenty of tantalising dining options too, from traditional Thai fare at Kruua Mae Tuk, to Japanese and Persian fusion food at The View (which, as you’d expect, looks out onto a stunning view across the Gulf of Thailand).

In 2008, the hotel group stopped providing branded plastic water bottles at its resorts and started producing its own drinking water. This has helped fund more than 500 projects improving drinking water supply and sanitation in more than 50 countries, which are run through the Soneva Foundation. The group also recycles 90% of all its solid waste, some of which is used for innovative projects. For example the Soneva Glass Studio invites esteemed artists to create unique and beautiful glassware for resorts from waste glass.

The balmy island of Mauritius, located in the heart of the Indian Ocean around 500 miles (800km) east of Madagascar, is a dream holiday destination for many. And initiatives like Now for Tomorrow are helping protect this gorgeous island for future generations. The eco-friendly initiative is being run by Heritage Resorts, with two hotels on the island; and Veranda Resorts, with five hotels on the island.

One of its main commitments is to ensure all hotel stays are carbon neutral from October 2021, which will be achieved by carbon offsetting projects including the construction of a solar farm. From January 2022, all fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy and seafood produce used at hotels will either be sourced from Mauritius or from partners in the Indian Ocean, minimising the hotels’ carbon footprint. Additionally, 80% of hotels’ energy will be sourced from renewables by 2025.

With seven hotels to choose from, the main question is not whether, but where to stay. The 3-star Veranda hotels at Palmar Beach, Tamarin Bay and Grand Baie are great mid-range options, while Heritage’s two 5-star resorts are great for travellers wanting a more high-end stay. In particular, Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort has been voted the best 5-star all-inclusive resort on the island, offering 160 rooms and suites overlooking a 0.6 mile (1km) stretch of pristine sandy beach.

Every aspect of Svart, located in Svartisen in Norway’s Arctic Circle, is being designed with energy efficiency and carbon reduction in mind. The hotly anticipated resort, which is set for completion in 2022, will be energy-positive – meaning it’ll produce more energy than it uses. This will be achieved through inbuilt solar panels, which will absorb sunlight reflected off the nearby Svartisen glacier. 

What’s more, within five years of opening the hotel plans to go completely off-grid, supplying all of its own electricity, providing all produce from its own farm and managing all waste on-site. Ultimately, the goal is to go completely zero-waste. The hotel is architecturally impressive too, with a distinctive circular design which will harness the sun’s energy at all times of the year.

Those who visit will be rewarded with breathtaking views, and equally breathtaking temperatures, which average around 9°C to 12°C (48-54°F) in the summer and hover between -4°C to -7°C (25-19°F) in the winter. There are plenty of gorgeous sights to take the edge off the chill, though, including gazing at the Svartisen glacier, exploring the crystal-clear Holandsfjorden fjord and even possibly catching the Northern Lights. 

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