It's safe to say that green is the new black — especially in the hotel world. From composting and water conservation programs to green roofs and landscaping that provide natural habitats for local species, hotels are striving to help sustain our planet. Along with their favorable ratings, they post their LEED and Green Seal certifications like badges of honor. While we can appreciate a candlelit yurt made out of reclaimed materials, GAYOT's list of the Top 10 Green Hotels in the U.S. shows that being eco-friendly doesn't require giving up luxury. Each property in this collection is notable not only for its attitudes toward the environment, but also for its food scene, sense of style and exceptional level of comfort.
Berkshires Shirakaba
Unlike many hotels that must change their wicked ways in order to become eco-friendly, Berkshires Shirakaba was built to Energy Star Certification standards. Created in the style of a Japanese guesthouse, it sits on 21 wilderness acres. There are just two guest suites, each with its own tatami room for dining, as well as a private pool, sauna and formal dining room, where guests can reserve a six-course Japanese dinner. As for loving the planet, this mini-resort features solar panels, a geothermal water furnace, efficient radiant floor heating, triple pane Thermotech windows and a comprehensive recycling program. Personalized water bottles can be refilled with well water, and even the linens do their part — made with a special microfiber, they don't need to be ironed. See more...
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa
El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa takes pride in utilizing alternative energy and committing to sustainable practices without forfeiting luxury. Surrounded by stunning mountain views, this eco-resort enjoys a symbiotic relationship with its natural environment. Solar panels and geothermal temperature regulation provide heat and cooling, but the most notable feature is The Living Machine system. This unique eco-structure is used to create a self-sustaining ecosystem and includes the collection, filtering and re-circulation of fresh rainwater to irrigate the grounds. The result is a landscape lush with plants, many of which are used at The Living Spa, with eight treatment rooms and a natural waterfall cooling system. For those who want their travels to contribute to a healthier planet, this resort in New Mexico's dramatic high desert country is a top choice. See more...
Element New York Times Square West
In the budget hotel category, Starwood's Element brand stands out when it comes to aggressive eco-efforts. This chain works to incorporate as many sustainable, renewable or reused materials and products as possible. From environmentally-friendly "do not disturb" magnets to wall art mounted on bases made from recycled tires, this chain's signature ecologically-minded attributes are plenty, as this New York outpost proves. Right in Times Square, the hotel invites guests to think green while partaking in all the Big Apple has to offer. Carpets are crafted from recycled materials, low-flow faucets conserve water, paints are earth-friendly and the open-plan guest rooms feature kitchenettes with full-size Energy Star appliances. For indulgent extras, check out the complimentary evening reception, nourishing grab-and-go gourmet pantry items and rooftop terrace with gorgeous views of the city. See more...
h2hotel
From its very start, the LEED Gold-certified h2hotel set itself apart from the eco crowds. Before building began on the site of a former gas station, the contaminated soil was removed and the property's creek bed restored. With just 36 guest rooms, the hotel touts itself as eco-chic, and that's a hard description to refute. This Sonoma Wine Country beauty puts its money where its mouth is with bamboo floors, organic staff uniforms, drought tolerant plants and a green roof that filters rainwater and serves as a natural cooling system. Lights, fans and air-conditioners feature occupant sensors, and solar panels heat the rooms and pool. We especially love on-site spoonbar, which spotlights local purveyors, vino from sustainable producers and the use of wine kegs to reduce packaging. See more...
Hotel Felix
The word "felix" means "happy" in Latin, and when it comes to making the environment happy, this hotel is aptly named. There's no way to miss its eco-friendly attitude, which greets guests immediately upon arrival, from a seven-foot-tall "doorman" made from recycled pipes to organic coffee and a paperless front desk in the lobby. This hotel was the first in Chicago to earn Silver LEED certification and relies heavily on recycled products, right down to the materials used for guest room carpets. It also incorporates sustainability into its pampering, with the use of natural products at Asha Spa. Throw in low-energy-use lighting, green cleaning supplies and structural preservation during development to avoid landfill, and it's easy to see how this hotel is a top choice for eco-travelers in the Windy City. See more...
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole
Hyatt at Olive 8
The scenic, LEED-certified Hotel Terra Jackson Hole offsets 100 percent of its electric and natural gas usage by purchasing alternative clean energy. Computerized systems shut down power in rooms when they're not in use, native landscaping means there's no need for wasteful irrigation, and beds are completely organic. Featuring Chill Spa, Il Villaggio Osteria and accommodations so mountain lodge chic you'll never want to leave, this Grand Teton getaway is an excellent example of creative responsibility, right down to its elevator tiles made out of leather from tannery scraps and bathroom countertops crafted from reclaimed glass. See more...
We love it when the mega-chains do their part to make the world a better place. In this case, we applaud the Hyatt group for creating the Hyatt at Olive 8, the first LEED-certified hotel in the über eco-conscious city of Seattle. Standard practices include a water conservation program and building reuse and recycling efforts. Beneath the green roof that provides an urban habitat for birds, bees and butterflies, guests can sleep in one of the stylish rooms or suites with a clean conscience. The house spa turns being responsible into an indulgence with "market fresh" experiences from ingredients grown in the region. After a good night's rest and an indulgent treatment, round out your stay with a meal at Urbane, whose farm-to-table menu relies on produce and products from farmers and food purveyors around the Pacific Northwest. See more...
Inn by the Sea
When it comes to nurturing the environment, this charming beach hotel is proof that great things come in small packages. With just 61 guest rooms, suites and cottages, this property is all about conserving Planet Earth. The chef at the house restaurant, Sea Glass, works with the Gulf of Maine Research Institute to provide the menu's sustainable seafood, while the walls at the LEED-certified spa have been constructed from recycled sheet rock. Cleaning products are Green Seal-approved, amenities come in recycled packaging, the pool is heated with solar panels and the inn itself is heated with biofuel. Certified by the National Wildlife Foundation, the inn's surrounding indigenous environment provides a natural habitat for local wildlife. See more...
Proximity Hotel
As the first LEED Platinum-certified lodging in the United States, Proximity Hotel has much to be proud of when it comes to saving the planet. Building materials and furniture were locally sourced, water is heated by solar rooftop panels and a regenerative drive elevator creates energy on descent, feeding it back into the electrical grid. If that isn't enough to make eco-friendly travelers happy, on-site Print Works Bistro serves up traditional and modern European cuisine using geothermal energy and showcases local ingredients. While this hotel strives to keep its carbon footprint light, it is also devoted to guest comfort. To that end, you will find stylish loft-style accommodations, a fitness studio, an outdoor swimming pool and a "guest living room" on each floor. See more...
The Whiteface Lodge
Tesla owners take note. Two overnight charging stations are among the many ecologically minded extras at this attractive lodge in the Adirondacks. Found timber was used for the resort's construction, while water filters and bedside carafes eliminate the waste of bottled water. And while little details like LED lights and laundry conservation facilities give this hotel cred with the green crowd, the property also holds its own on the luxury level, with a destination spa, fine dining and unique facilities like a movie theater and bowling alley. See more...
Source: gayot
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