10 ultimate eco-chic stays

Six Senses Rome, Italy

The Six Senses hotel brand advocated for sustainability long before the topic was sexy – or at least taken seriously. In a restored 15th-century palazzo, the group’s first urban retreat is powered entirely by renewable energy, features planet-friendly, plant-heavy menus and is militant in its avoidance of single-use plastics, but its positive impact isn’t confined to the property. It engages in citywide clean-ups and is supporting efforts to protect wolves through its commitment to wildlife conservation – though severely depleted in number, the animal has a long association with the hotel’s home city.

Pullman Tokyo Tamachi, Japan

At this creatively minded Pullman, Japanese restaurant Kasa actively sources overlooked or “imperfect” produce from farmers so they can transform ingredients that would otherwise be discarded into something decadent and delicious. Other initiatives stand out, too: waste products – felled trees, old clocks – are transformed into centrepieces for art exhibitions; while surplus wine (who knew such a thing exists?) becomes the key ingredient for the hotel’s spice-infused take on sangria.

Graduate New York, NY, USA

Roosevelt Island’s Cornell Tech Campus houses multiple pioneering eco-minded developments – such as the Bloomberg Center, one of the United States’ largest net-zero energy buildings – so this recently opened hotel went all out to keep standards up. Recycled material was used in its construction wherever possible, while the vast majority (87%) of any construction waste was recycled in turn. Lots of other appropriately clever innovations keep things green behind the scenes: low-flow fixture installations save water; high-tech hardware reduces energy consumption; and rigorous kitchen-side protocols keep food waste to a minimum.

The Dolder Grand, Zurich, Switzerland

As a gateway to profoundly beautiful Alpine landscapes, Switzerland’s storied Dolder Grand has a longstanding interest in environmental protection – and a host of subtle tweaks throughout the hotel show just how significant making small changes can be. The provision of water fountains and reusable bottles at the spa mitigates the use of 28,000 plastic bottles each year; a digitised check-in process saves 20,000 sheets of paper per annum. Outside the hotel, staff travel for free on local transport as a means of discouraging car use.

Eaton D.C., Washington, D.C., USA

Eaton Workshop hotel group’s “mission-driven hospitality” concept places just as much emphasis on people and planet as profit. Inspired by the civil movements that have changed history in its home city, the Washington, D.C. address aims to show the many ways a hotel can do good in its locality, and the world. Alongside extensive environmental initiatives, the hotel is at the forefront of inclusivity training and hosts a robust program of cultural events for local communities.

Conscious Hotel The Tire Station, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Part of the Netherlands’ Conscious Hotels group, this playful, unpretentious property gets top marks when it comes to operating responsibly: its Green Key Gold designation is the Dutch tourism industry’s uppermost sustainability certificate. Guests can rest easy (on wonderfully comfy Royal Dutch Auping beds), knowing their stay is 100% powered by renewable energy; plus at the dramatically named Riot Restobar, the menu is 100% organic. Work off your meal by renting a bike from the ride-friendly hotel and exploring one of Europe’s great cycling cities.

Chiswick Hometel, London, England

As the UK’s first net-zero hotel, it goes without saying that this pioneering London property is powered by renewable energy and that smart tech means everything operates at maximum efficiency, but there’s much more to admire besides. Bespoke furniture has been manufactured responsibly by artisans based within a 10-mile radius; some 75,000 resident bees on the rooftop provide the hotel’s honey; and the team adheres to an exacting zero-waste policy.

Hotel Monville, Montreal, Canada

One key component of Hotel Monville’s sustainability policy is to draw inspiration and support from its locality – in the lobby, a giant mural is a tribute to everything that makes its home city so special. Designed by local architects, the building features furniture from neighbouring makers; bath products are from a regional organic farm. Behind the scenes, a comprehensive recycling program responsibly tackles everything from cooking oils to electrical appliances and paint.

Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Singapore

Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Singapore This Singapore landmark is quite literally green: around 160,000 square feet of plant life has been incorporated throughout the building. Reminiscent of a paddy field, the elevated, four-storey “sky gardens” are only the most visible of the hotel’s many eco-efforts: food waste is disposed of through an on-site digester, single-use plastics have been swapped for recyclable paper products, and all carpets are made from sustainable materials. The sky gardens themselves are zero-energy, powered by solar cells.

Charlottehaven, Copenhagen, Denmark

Featuring apartment-style accommodations and a gorgeous garden courtyard with children’s play facilities, Charlottehaven’s homely, community-minded vibes are underpinned by a far-reaching sustainability policy. Here, 90% of cleaning products used are chemical-free; the majority of produce served is organic (and most of that is Danish); and a thorough “green purchasing policy” insists that most of the hotel’s partners follow similarly stringent environmental policies