While going through old posts on this blog—we’ve been publishing since 2007 after all—I found one talking about greenwashing and dubious eco-friendly claims from luxury hotels that were really doing more harm than good. Thankfully, the green hotels movement has picked up a lot of speed since then and even at the luxury level, there are far more eco-friendly resorts and hotels on the scene now. Plus the major chains finally woke up and realized that global warming will hurt their business long-term and wasting energy wastes money in the short term, not even counting the bad PR.
As the hospitality industry evolves, green hotels and eco-friendly practices have moved from niche offerings to essential business strategies. The hotels and resorts doing it right will implement various measures to reduce their ecological footprint while providing guests with sustainable lodging options.
Major hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, Accor, and IHG have committed to ambitious sustainability goals, targeting carbon reduction, water conservation, and waste management by implementing renewable energy systems, linen reuse programs, and plastic elimination initiatives. These efforts are increasingly recognized through certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), EarthCheck, and Green Globe, which provide standardized frameworks for measuring environmental performance.
The sustainable tourism movement continues to gain momentum as travelers become more environmentally aware, creating market demand for hotels that align with values of environmental stewardship. From energy-efficient lighting to locally-sourced food programs, these practices not only benefit the planet but often result in operational cost savings and enhanced guest experiences.
Unfortunately, the larger and more luxurious a hotel is, the more wasteful it has the potential to be. A budget guesthouse isn’t going to have its own huge generators and the guests are probably not cranking the A/C and drinking eight plastic bottles of water a day from an always-on minibar in the room. It’s easier for a property with limited rooms and no air conditioning to score highly on these international certifications.
But a big hotel or resort often has a much higher budget to work with that they can put into clean energy generation and water processing. They can also spend a little more to buy organic and source locally since their food and beverage margins are much higher. If you as a guest show that you care about how much energy a hotel is wasting and how much throwaway plastic they’re using, they’ll speed up their efforts to become more responsible.
What Makes a Hotel Green or Eco-Friendly?
Solar energy at Thatch Caye in Belize
Green and eco-friendly hotels represent a significant shift in the hospitality industry toward environmental responsibility. These establishments implement practices that reduce resource consumption while maintaining high-quality guest experiences.
Sustainable hotels operate on several core principles that guide their environmental initiatives. Resource conservation sits at the heart of these efforts, with properties focusing on reducing water and energy consumption through low-flow fixtures and energy-efficient systems.
Waste reduction forms another critical component, with many green hotels implementing comprehensive recycling programs and moving toward single-use plastic elimination.
Sustainable sourcing practices involve purchasing local, purchasing or growing organic foods, and choosing environmentally responsible products that can be sourced in the region. This approach reduces carbon emissions from transportation while supporting local economies.
Guest education has emerged as another key principle. Hotels increasingly provide information about their sustainability efforts and involve guests in conservation activities.
The Evolution of Eco-Friendly Hotels
The concept of eco-friendly accommodations has transformed dramatically since its emergence in the 1990s. Early sustainable hotels were often small, independent properties in natural settings that appealed primarily to environmentally conscious travelers.
Today, sustainable travel has entered the mainstream. Major hotel chains like Marriott International, Hilton, and IHG have developed company-wide sustainability programs with measurable targets for carbon reduction and resource conservation.
When I first started complaining about all the single-use plastic at luxury hotels on this blog in the late ‘00s, hotel managers were still telling me that the hotel was being wasteful because consumers weren’t ready for any sacrifices and didn’t care about sustainability. They certainly can’t use that excuse anymore. Studies show that a wide majority of frequent travelers intend to stay in sustainable accommodations and the younger the guests, the more likely they are to leave a bad review for wasteful hotels generating a lot of garbage. This is driving an industry transformation.
Technology advancements have helped. Smart building systems, LED lights, movement sensors, and energy management tools allow properties to optimize resource use while maintaining guest comfort. Solar energy panel prices continue to drop and some countries, like Costa Rica, have moved to renewable energy sources for a majority or even all of their energy needs.
Industry standards have matured alongside this growth, with green certification programs providing frameworks for environmental performance measurement.
Key Certifications and Standards for Sustainability
Hotels seeking to validate their environmental commitments rely on recognized certifications that provide frameworks for sustainable operations. These standards ensure accountability and transparency while guiding properties toward effective eco-friendly practices.
LEED Certification
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) represents the gold standard for green buildings in the hospitality industry. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, this certification evaluates properties based on sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.
Hotels can achieve four certification levels: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The Platinum level, the highest distinction, requires at least 80 points across all categories. There are just over 100 of these in the world, out of more than 1,000 total lodging operations that are certified.
Finding these properties is incredibly difficult, however. The USGBC does not publish an official list anywhere, even of their platinum properties, so you have to check individual hotel websites one by one to see who is certified or try to separate the wheat from the chaff on a booking site when everything is bundled under “eco hotel.” From what I could turn up, notable LEED-certified hotels in Latin America that we have reviewed include Live Aqua in San Miguel de Allende, Tambo del Inka in Peru, and JW Marriott Lima.
EarthCheck
EarthCheck offers a science-based certification program. Developed in Australia, this certification uses benchmarking methodology aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement targets.
Hotels undergo annual assessments measuring performance across key environmental indicators. The program offers Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum certifications based on years of continuous certification and improvement.
Hotels certified by EarthCheck include La Casa de la Playa (pictured below) and Le Blanc in the Riviera Maya, One&Only resorts, Belmond hotels in Mexico and Peru, and many Four Seasons properties. They also certify whole towns, such as Loreto in Baja and the Sierra Gorda Biosphere in Queretaro state of Mexico.
Green Globe
Green Globe Certification provides another globally recognized standard specifically designed for travel and tourism. It evaluates 44 criteria with over 380 compliance indicators, updated twice annually to reflect evolving sustainability practices.
ISO 14001, an international standard for environmental management systems, helps hotels implement consistent processes for reducing environmental impacts. Major chains like Hilton and Hyatt incorporate ISO 14001 principles into their corporate sustainability frameworks.
Green Globe certified properties include Itz’ana and Ka’ana Belize resorts, the Nayara properties in Costa Rica and Panama, Hotel del Parque in Ecuador, and Secrets Huatulco.
Other Lodging Eco Certifications
Green Key certification, managed by the Foundation for Environmental Education, specifically targets hospitality establishments with its comprehensive criteria. The program evaluates properties across 13 categories including water conservation, waste management, and corporate social responsibility.
Green Key seems to be almost completely focused on the USA and Canada though, with only one entry in Mexico, Central America, or South America (a Westin in Cancun) and only a smattering of them in Europe.
The Travelife certification system focuses specifically on tour operators and accommodations, with two levels: “Travelife Gold” for excellence and “Travelife Partner” for those meeting basic requirements. Secrets The Vine in Cancun is one property certified by Travelife.
Regional certifications also play important roles, such as the CST system in Costa Rica, which is stricter than many international ones. The Costa Rica Certification for Sustainable Tourism used to have 5 levels of certifications, with a 5 leaf rating being the best. Now it’s just “Basic” and “Elite” and their website won’t give you a clue about which properties they have certified properties in either category. (They say, “Look for a sign posted at the hotel.” Not much help before you have booked.)
As best we can tell, these high-end properties in Costa Rica have the Elite designation: Playa Nicuesa Lodge (pictured at the top of this article), Hotel El Silencio, and Finca Rosa Blanca (below), though we believe Lapa Rios has earned the top mark multiple years.
Finca Rosa Blanca mosaic tub
What to Look for in Lodging to Help the Environment
The hospitality industry generates substantial waste, with the average hotel producing over 1kg of waste per guest per night. Good properties now implement comprehensive recycling programs that separate paper, plastic, glass, and metal—though ideally they’re not using any throwaway plastic in guest rooms at all.
Single-use plastic bottles are creating irreversible damage to Planet Earth, plus they use fossil fuels to produce. The move to eliminate single-use toiletry bottles is a start: Marriott International has eliminated single-use toiletry bottles across its properties, preventing about 500 million small bottles from entering landfills annually according to company reports. That waste pales in comparison to the number of plastic drink bottles, plastic food and drink items, and wrappers these big hotel chains are still using extensively, however.
Hilton seems to be doing more than most to combat this, with water bottle refilling stations like you find at an airport in place in new builds like Conrad Tulum near Akumal. Smaller, forward-looking companies like Explora in Chile avoided single-use plastic from the start, however, so these big chains are still 20 years behind and playing catch-up.
Food waste represents a particular challenge, with some estimates suggesting 30-40% of food in hotels goes uneaten. Forward-thinking properties use composting systems or partner with food donation programs to redirect unused items to those in need.
Energy consumption represents one of the largest contributors to a hotel’s carbon footprint. Smart thermostats and occupancy sensors automatically adjust room temperatures when guests are absent, reducing energy use by 20-30%.
Water conservation efforts include low-flow fixtures, which can reduce water consumption by up to 40%. Many properties have implemented linen reuse programs, giving you the option to decline daily sheet and towel changes. (Though housekeeping reduction is often just a cost-cutting measure dressed up as an eco initiative.)
Gray water recycling systems for landscape irrigation are in place in many newer luxury resorts in Mexico and beyond, while some in Los Cabos have their own desalinization plant.
Solar installations have become increasingly common in the hotel sector.
Wind energy powers numerous properties, particularly in regions with consistent air currents. Some hotels in coastal areas utilize small-scale wind turbines as supplementary power sources.
Building materials play a crucial role in sustainability. Reclaimed wood, recycled steel, and low-VOC paints reduce carbon footprints during construction and renovation.
Furniture and fixtures increasingly come from sustainable sources. Some hotel builders use fallen trees for furniture and locally sourced materials throughout their properties to minimize transportation emissions.
Many properties now use eco-friendly cleaning products that reduce pollution while maintaining hygiene standards. These products minimize harmful chemicals entering water systems.
Eco-friendly Explora El Chalten in Patagonia
While the big chains have been slow to pare back their wasteful ways, they’re starting to catch up now. Their sheer numbers mean even the smallest initiative ve becomes exponentially impactful. Leading hospitality companies are investing significantly in environmental sustainability, transforming operations across thousands of properties worldwide. These efforts range from energy conservation to waste reduction programs that demonstrate meaningful climate action.
Marriott International has implemented its “Serve 360” program, pledging to reduce water consumption, carbon emissions, and waste. Hilton’s “Travel with Purpose” initiative targets cutting their environmental footprint in half by 2030.
Hyatt has eliminated plastic straws globally, preventing millions of single-use plastics from entering landfills and blowing around beaches. IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) employs their “Green Engage” system, offering hotels a toolkit of 200+ green solutions to reduce energy use.
Search green hotels where you’re going at Expedia
Consumer Demand and Guest Loyalty at Eco-friendly Hotels
Today’s travelers increasingly factor sustainability into their booking decisions. A 2024 Booking.com survey found that 83% of global travelers said that sustainable travel is important to them and 75% said that they want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months. This eco-conscious market segment often demonstrates higher loyalty rates. Green hotels report 23% higher guest satisfaction scores and increased repeat bookings compared to conventional properties.
Social media amplifies the impact of sustainability efforts, with guests frequently sharing positive experiences about environmentally responsible properties. This organic promotion enhances brand reputation and attracts like-minded travelers.
Green hotels often report higher occupancy rates, particularly during off-peak seasons. The sustainability factor serves as a tiebreaker when travelers choose between similarly priced options. It is clear they need to make these policies transparent though and show that they’re not just self-serving cost reductions that are more greenwashing than green.
“While many travelers have retained a sense of optimism and a desire to have a more positive impact, there is a critical opportunity for the industry to accelerate efforts to make those choices easier for everyone,” said Danielle D’Silva, Head of Sustainability at Booking.com. “It’s important that we continue ensuring that more sustainable options are not only readily available, but also easy to trust and understand.”
How about you? Does care for the environment impact where you stay? Who have you seen doing a great job?
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