How to Find Eco Accommodation: The Ultimate Guide

Travel comes at a cost, both financially and environmentally.  Staying in eco accommodation is a great way to help offset some of your environmental impacts. With eco travel fast becoming the most popular type of tourism, there has been a spike in the green hotel market.

Knowing where to find a reliable eco accommodation and avoid greenwashing is a must when you want to:

• travel in a sustainable way,
• have amazing experiences,
• be environmentally conscious

This Eco Hotel & Lodging Guide highlights the 7 best online platforms for an eco-friendly stay in 2024 and beyond.

Principles of Eco Tourism

To understand what eco accommodation really is, you first need a basic understanding of the term “eco-tourism”.

The International Ecotourism Society defines ‘eco-tourism’ as:

Responsible travel to natural areas that:

• conserves the environment,
• sustains the well-being of the local people,
• and involves interpretation and education

They have set 8 principles based on the above-mentioned points. The principles cover a variety of different criteria that a person, a tour organization, or eco accommodation should abide by. These include:

1. Minimizing physical, social, behavioural and psychological impacts
2. Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect
3. Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts
4. Provide direct financial benefits for conservation
5. Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industry
6. Deliver memorable interpretive experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries
7. Design, construct and operate low impact facilities
8. Recognize the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in the community

The more criteria that a hotel meets, the more “eco” it is considered to be.

The online platforms mentioned in this guide have reviewed hotels and lodgings to easily compare their eco standards.

Eco tourism is growing

The travel and tourism industry is a major part of the world’s economy with significantly more demand than ever before. The World Travel & Tourism Council stated that:

• 10.4% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) comes from travel and tourism
• 1/10 jobs are supported by travel and tourism
• 1/5 jobs that have been created in the last decade have been within the Travel and tourism sector.

Around one in five consumers (21%) say they would be willing to pay more for a trip with companies or hotels that have a better environmental and social record. This is great news for eco travel, as more people are being conscious of their environmental impact. Now, it is up to the suppliers to provide the necessary services to keep the industry sustainable.

What is Eco Accommodation?

There is much more to becoming an eco-hotel than switching to energy-saving lightbulbs. A true eco hotel takes into consideration the local communities and culture. They also integrate education and the environment.

So, when places call themselves “eco”, be aware if they are just using the term for marketing or if they are truly making a positive difference in the tourism industry.

Eco hotel and the environment

An eco hotel not only cares for its waste and power usage but also the environment. They may be built from local materials in a way that minimizes environmental damage. Additionally, they will protect the native flora and fauna and/or organize suitable tours or donations to responsible wildlife sanctuaries. They may:

• Offer seasonal, local, and organic produce at their restaurant. Additionally, have vegan and vegetarian meals available for guests.
• Compost organic waste, have recycling in place and say no to single-use plastic. They may also provide compost, recycling and landfill bins in rooms with signage, with no plastic liner.
• Have furniture and building structures composed of natural and local materials. Similarly, they may be made with upcycled materials (glass bottle walls, or eco-bricks)
• Be fueled by renewable energy sources (solar power, wind energy, etc). Furthermore, the rooms may have energy efficient lighting and flow reduces for water taps.
• Collect rainwater, and have a greywater reuse system for gardens
• Provide environmentally friendly cleaning products
• Provide re-fillable, organic and plastic-free toiletries
• Change towels and bed linens on request (rather than daily)
• Serve drinks in glass or ceramics, with no straw (or a reusable one)
• Have filtered water available for guests to fill their bottles or glasses with. Furthermore, provide a jug or glass bottles in the room for guests to refill.
• Protect native flora and fauna in the area

Eco hotel and community

At the heart of any great culture is the community. Therefore, you will find that a true eco hotel has amazing programs to integrate the local community, either by hiring local staff, investing in education, and the community. Some examples include:

• The hotel employs indigenous/local staff and ensure fair pay and ethical work conditions
• They source local and sustainable goods
• Partner with responsible and local tour guides
• Support positive community projects and development

The Eco Hotel and You

Preconceptions of “eco” can often be associated with “rough”. But this does not need to be the case. In many eco-hotels, significant care has gone into making sure the that user is comfortable, aware, educated and most of all happy.

• Provide signage to encourage guests to reduce their carbon footprint (e.g. waste management, turn off lights/airconditioning, hang towels if don’t want them replaced, plastic-free support, etc.)
• Offer sustainable and local tours
• Provide sustainable learning opportunities e.g. coral preservation, organic farm visits, beach clean-ups, etc.
• The eco hotel is an interactive, educational place for spreading awareness on sustainability

Green Globe Certified

Green Globe Certification is something an eco hotel might apply for or display on their website. It is a subscription membership that has been developed to implement environmental best practices.

For instance, an eco hotel will have a registered auditor check the hotel’s facility for various operation and management procedures. This includes their:

• water & energy use
• waste management
• animal interaction programs
• contributions to natural biodiversity

Having a Green Globe Certification is a great step and sign for the consumer that the eco hotel or lodging is taking action towards minimising their environmental impact.

While it is not the only thing to look for when choosing an eco hotel (as the lodging itself can apply by choice), it is a great place to start.

What’s the difference between an eco hotel, eco resort and eco lodge?

These terms can really be interchangeable to a degree. But they can differ depending on where they are located.

Eco Resorts are usually self-contained, where everything you need can be accessed in the resort itself. Whereas eco hotels are usually smaller than resorts and guests may leave the grounds for eating or entertainment. Eco Lodges are usually a room only and food, activities, etc. need to be sourced outside of the property

Where to find Eco Accommodation

These online platforms provide access to potential eco accommodations around the world. This list includes the best platforms for finding green accommodation.

Ecobnb

This website has some amazing eco accommodations all around the world. In addition, Ecobnb has conveniently categorized them into levels of eco, based on how many principles and criteria they meet.

As the name suggests, Ecobnb is similar to “Airbnb”, as accommodations can be reviewed by guests and they indicate which services are available. However, in Ecobnb the more “leaves” a place has out of 5, the more eco it is.

Green Pearls

Greenpearls is another great platform, that has handpicked some of the most incredible eco accommodations around the world and placed them into a conveniently designed platform.

The eco accommodation that features on their website is categorized by vacation type (dive, mountain, vegan, wedding, etc) or destination. Most importantly, they have created their own ranking system so you can compare just how “eco” the places really are in comparison with others!

Airbnb

As a general rule, staying in Airbnb’s (people’s homes) are generally more eco-friendly than staying in large hotels. Large hotels unintentionally waste a lot of energy, water and food due to the nature of the business (attempting to accommodate large groups of people).

On Airbnb, there are more and more hosts offering sustainable accommodation. For example, you can find homes that are off-grid and carbon-neutral, places with environmentally friendly and organic products, and unique homes made from upcycled materials. Although there isn’t a sustainable search filter, you can filter by unique stays and select “yurt”, “tree-house”, “tiny house” or “earth house” to find places that may be more eco-friendly.

Booking.com

It can be difficult to find eco accommodation on Booking.com. Therefore this is an option if you have particular eco friendly hotels in mind that you would like to book.

Housesitting

Housesitting is similar to Airbnb as you stay in someone’s home when they are away. Therefore, you are using less energy and waste than a large hotel. The difference is you don’t pay to stay.

For instance, the stay in the house is an exchange for looking after the house and/or pet.

Couch surfing

Couch Surfing is not for everyone. But if you’re on a budget and want to travel in an eco way, you can stay on people’s couches, for free. Similar in concept to Airbnb, by avoiding large hotels and staying with other people, it generally means less overall waste and better energy saving. Plus, you get to meet new people.

WWOOFING

World Wide Organisation of Organic Farming, is an online platform that connects travelers and volunteers to organic farms around the world. For instance, you can stay on a farm for free and volunteer your time for a few hours a day. In return, you get food and board.

Organic farms are generally run in an eco-conscious way and can be a great experience to learn and share knowledge.

World packers

This site connects travelers and volunteers to accommodation opportunities all around the world. It is a form of trade-off where your time is volunteered on a certain project. For example, you can teach a person English, help out with gardening, building websites, and more. If you are on a budget, this can be a great option. In exchange for volunteered services, you can receive free accommodation for the duration of your stay.

Beyond the Eco Hotel

While a hotel might be a great starting point for those looking to travel and stay greener, there are plenty of different options out there.

An eco hotel does not necessarily have to be expensive. But for those looking at a more budget type of sustainable tourism there are other accommodation types to consider:

Camping

Camping is generally a very sustainable escape, as you are staying off-grid and getting back to basics. However, it can still have an impact on the environment if you aren’t prepared. To have a more eco-friendly experience, remember to:

• Ditch the single use plastic and bring reusable plates, cutlery, cups, and bottles.
• Opt for natural and organic cleaning products and toiletries that are safe for the environment
• Bring solar chargers and lights
• Purchase second-hand tents/gear, or invest in an eco tent
• Take your trash with you. Additionally, separate organics, recycling, and landfill waste.
• If you do your business in nature, make sure you dig a hole deep enough and use eco-friendly toilet paper.
• If you light a fire, be sure to do so responsibly and safely

Glamping

If you want a more luxurious camping experience, glamping is a great option. We have stayed in off-grid glamping in Joshua Tree, the Gold Coast, and in Margaret River. These have been varying in costs, eco-ness, and style.

Live Aboard Transport

The van life craze is taking over, with more people converting automobiles into moveable campsites. Van life can be a form of eco friendly accommodation if you don’t drive long distances and stay longer at each destination. Additionally, look for a van that has solar power, a composting toilet, and be mindful of your waste.

Another alternative is sailing. Sailboats are a great way to get around as they are generally low-carbon. Try Crewbay for ideas on how to jump on a sailboat (typically the ride is free as long as you’re willing to help onboard).

How to find the best eco-accommodation for you

There are all kinds of options for traveling more “eco” nowadays. But, you need to be aware of greenwashing and places simply using the word “eco” in their marketing, without actually investing in sustainability.

There are varying levels of eco-ness, with some accommodations changing to energy saving bulbs and recycling waste, to other accommodations that are fully carbon neutral and zero waste.

Overall, even if a place is only “eco” at the most basic level, in theory, it’s going to be better than a place that has not considered sustainability at all. Spend the extra time to research and the results will pay off for you and the environment.

Unique Eco Accommodation around the World

There are so many unique eco hotels, from Costa Rica to Australia, with varying expense and eco-ness. Here are some of our favorites:

La Fortuna, Guatemala is a luxury boutique hotel, featuring upcycled wine bottle walls, 100% solar power, on-site composting and biodigesters, and organic, locally sourced toiletries.

Laguna Lodge in Guatemala was featured in National Geographic as one of the world’s best lodges. With a low-carbon restaurant, solar power, indigenous staff, and protected national park, this is a place you will truly feel good staying at.

The Good Hotel, Guatemala is a nonprofit organization that invests heavily in community education and local training programs.

Hobbitenango in Guatemala used eco-bricks, and upcycled glass bottles in the construction of their hobbit homes. They also are 100% off grid, hire local staff, and purchase fresh produce locally.

True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada has solar water heaters, grey water use for the gardens, plastic free rooms, energy saving air conditioning units, community initiatives, and more.

The Rockhouse, Jamaica is a luxury eco resort perched on the cliffs of Negril. With a strong community focus, solar power, and an onsite organic farm, it is a truly unique place to stay.

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