Green Ho Ho Ho(tels) Around The World.

Ever wondered about the mystical Nicaragua? How about a laid back and peaceful holiday in Switzerland? What about the unknown and vibrant Slovenia? To spice things up a little, let’s throw in unique Morocco to the hat, along with exotic Argentina. With the festive season just around the corner, people are probably making plans to travel. In a bid to help you travel green, below are green hotels from the various countries mentioned, and hopefully these green hotels will appeal to you!

 

Picture courtesy of   Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge & Spa Termal website


For a really green travel, look no further than the Lahuen-CoEco Lodge & Spa Termal in Argentina. This eco-lodge was designed to be eco-friendly, and allows guests to enjoy a luxurious yet green holiday. Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge & Spa Termal is powered partially by solar and hydro-electrical energy, while water is reused. Guests are requested to refrain from bring non-biodegradable materials, keeping in line with Lahuen-Co Eco Lodge & Spa Termal’s green policies.

Picture courtesy of Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio website

Not too interested in travelling over to South America? Well then, how about a relaxing trip high up in the mountains in Switzerland. Hidden away from the buzzing city, Eco Hotel Locanda delGiglio promises to redefine your definition of peace with a green perspective. Enjoy the freshness of the air, and embrace the organic meals served at Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio. Interested in starting a business? Perhaps consider the areas nearby Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio, as Eco Hotel Locanda del Giglio promises to support sustainability and patronise local start-ups nearby.


Turning the style up, Bohinj Park Eco Hotel has to be mentioned if one ponders about the yonder within Slovenia. Featuring state of the art facilities which aid green initiatives, Bohinj Park Eco Hotel is definitely worth a visit for visitors interested in going on a green holiday! This 5 star hotel has invested heavily in alternative energy systems, with an energy well used in heating up of the hotel. Bohinj Park Eco Hotel also emphasises on proper cleaning procedures, stating that cleaning products may be bio degradable, but not all are eco-friendly, and that cleaning should strictly be done with eco-friendly products only.

Picture courtesy of  Touda Ecolodge website


Moving on, it gets greener and greener! This time, in Morocco, is the critically acclaimed Touda Ecolodge. As with all eco-lodges, Touda Ecolodge too has energy saving implementations like energy efficient lightings, solar power, and low flush toilet to say the least. What makes Touda Ecolodge stands out is its commitment to the environment, with the planting of at least 2200 almond trees. This is done with the hope of limiting soil erosion, and giving the area around Touda Ecolodge a green and lush outlook.

Saving the best for the last, I am delighted to be able to present to you La Mariposa Eco Hotel. This hotel tries its best to provide comfort for guests, but ultimately warns guests that the premise is extremely eco-conscious, and is limited in its facilities. La Mariposa Eco Hotel runs solely on solar power, with the energy stored in batteries. Energy depletion is a real threat, and guests are encouraged to practise energy saving habits while staying at La Mariposa Eco Hotel. Almost all items are recycled, and mostly are as decorative items.

So there you have it, another 5 green hotels to consider for a green holiday trip. Below are other recent hotels evaluated by me, and hopefully they could be of interest to you! Merry Christmas, and have a happy holiday!

Villa Marelea

Dunas De Doñana Hotel

Gutshof Ziegelhütte

Hotel du Bowling De Millau

Zalesie Mazury Active Spa

Atacamadventure Wellness & Ecolodge

Oro Del Tempo

Eco Inn Colca

Savoy Sharm El Sheikh Hotel

Eco Eden Bush Lodge

Alfabia Nou Agroturismo

Resort Tororomba

La Torre del Visco

Bio- und Wellnesshotel Alpenblick

Biogasthaus Wanker

HSZ Hotel Speicher am Ziegelsee

Q Hotel and Spa

Marisa Boutique Resort & Spa

Lahuen-Co, Eco Lodge & Spa Termal

Adalbert Ecohotel

Fuerte Rompido Suites Spa

Herdade Do Freixial - Turismo Rural

Mansfield Motel

Hotel de Admiraal

Eco-Luxe @ Mount Avoca

HI Hôtel Eco Spa & Beach

Delmar Hotel

Aloft Houston by the Galleria

City Lights Madison Avenue Suites

Llucmaçanes Gran Agroturismo

Grand Aygun Hotel

Pian Delle More

Agroturismo Mari Cruz

Bio Hotel Kolonieschanke

President Solitaire Hotel & Spa

The Big Blue House Inn Boutique Hotel

Agriturismo Bio Le Macchie Alte

Lagoa Eco Resort

Hotel Ungheria Varese 1946

Agrotourism Kalpic

Hotel Parc Belle-Vue

Menschels Vitalresort

Hotel im GVZ

Tiwa Ecoresort

Holiday Inn Express Paris-Canal De La Villette

Hotel WasserUhr

Desmond Tutu Center

BreakFree Rainbow Shores

Bio-GesundheitsFarm

Best Western Philadelphia Airport

Hotel Class Valls

Eco Inn Puno

iSleep Hotel

H41 Inn Freiburg

Hotel Do Campo

4 You

Landhaus Eder

Hotel Reingard

Bio - Landhotel Zur Scheune

Agroturismo Son Galceran

HM Villas Paraiso del Mar

Agroturismo Can Guillem

Bio-Landhotel-Sellanger

Hotel Global

Sheraton Fisherman's Wharf

Wildwood Resort

5 United States accommodation that does green.

Endeavouring to be the forerunners in all aspects, the United States are leaving no stones left unturned when it comes to being a green country.  Lawmakers have been strategising and implementing various policies in an effort to combat rising carbon footprint, to make a green and healthier environment for the country’s residents. However, the United States government is not the only one trying to be environmentally friendly and green, with the plentiful hotels in the country contributing by adopting various eco-friendly practises. Below are 5 exemplary hotels that have made significant progress towards a green future.

Hyatt at Olive 8, source: Hyatt at Olive 8

What is located in Seattle is the chic-looking and luxurious Hyatt at Olive 8. The Hyatt at Olive 8 first priority is to ensure guests are provided with quality fresh air, making all windows operable. Low-VOC paints and non-smoking policies ensure that the air ventilating in Hyatt at Olive 8 has not been contaminated by pungent smells. Hyatt at Olive 8 was designed to utilise natural lightings, with 75% of the hotel accessible to natural lightings, and thus reducing dependency on electrical light fixtures.


Besides the Hyatt at Olive 8, another hotel worth mentioning is the Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland. The Mark Spencer Hotel is famed for its luxurious settings which gives off a romantic vibe, and is ideal for hosting celebrations such as wedding events. With green initiatives such as biodegradable key cards and purchasing products in bulk, guests celebrating a joyous occasion at The Mark Spencer Hotel can afford to do so by being green.

Bardessono Hotel and Spa, Source: Bardessono Hotel and Spa’s website

Stressed out by work? How about a trip to the Bardessono Hotel and Spa, where you are pampered by the excellent service provided while relaxing in the spa facilities. The Bardessono Hotel and Spa is committed to protecting the environment, and uses solar energy to generate energy. Guests are served organic foods which are purchased from local producers, thus encouraging sustainability.

Camp Denali, source: Camp Denali website

A family-run accommodation, Camp Denali has been top-notch in its green approach despite lacking the financial capability that of the larger and richer hotel chains. Food waste are either composted, or fed to the sled dogs at the camp. To reduce carbon footprint, hydroelectric system and solar power are used to provide the camp with energy.

Lastly, but definitely not the least, another accommodation in the wilderness is the Shenandoah National Park Lodgings, in Luray. If being away from all form of communication yet enjoying a tranquil green holiday is your thing, look no further than Shenandoah National Park Lodgings. Shenandoah National Park Lodgings has no Wi-Fi or phones available, while many green initiatives are in place at Shenandoah National Park Lodgings.  Shenandoah National Park Lodgings was built with recycled materials, while recycling bins are placed in all rooms. All electrical appliances have been rated Energy Star, meaning that it’s all energy efficient and does not use up unnecessary amount of energy when in use. 


These are but a few of the hotels in the United States doing their part to go green. Below are more hotels which have recently been rated in terms of their green practises, and are worth a visit. 


Hale Ho’okipa Inn Matawao
Orchard Garden Hotel
Hilton SF Union View
Renoir Hotel
John Hancock
Hotel Monaco
The Nines
Ace Hotel Portland
Doubletree Hotel Portland
Mark Spencer Hotel
Sequoia National Park
Bardessono Hotel and Spa
Hyatt at Olive 8
Comfort Inn and Suites 
Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston

The Fairmont Green Partnership

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is an active leader in the hospitality industry on environmental efforts and sustainable practices. 

"The Fairmont Green Partnership" program has been created in the early 90's; Fairmont has then committed to reduce its hotels' impact on earth. Thus the Green program became one of the most significant values of Fairmont's policy.

Through The Fairmont Green Partnership, Fairmont hotels are commited to reduce waste (paper, cardboard, cans and glasses) and to conserve resources such as energy and water. In 2005, Fairmont increased its efforts on local development to "think globally and act locally" as Fairmont adapts to every hotel's location - for instance a project was launched by Fairmont in Hawaii with the University of Hawaii to promote and encourage coral reef protection.

Last but not at least, Fairmont offers "Eco-Meet" program for meeting planners to encourage environmental awareness. The program can be tailored depending of clients' needs among 4 main components : Eco-Accommodation, Eco-Cuisine, Eco-Service and Eco-Programming.

For more informations, please read the Fairmont Green Partnership Program.

Five notable Canada green accommodations.

Canada is the second largest (landscape size) country in the world, famed for its spectacular sights and sports, most notably hockey. However, these are not all that Canada can be proud of. Over the years, the green initiatives undertaken by Canada and its existing businesses have been plentiful, with results being nothing short of impressive. Despite the plethora of green hotels, 5 Canada green hotels were particularly outstanding for their exceptional dedication towards a greener environment.

Source: E'Terra Resort website

For those seeking tranquillity, look no further than Tofino Eco Lodge and E’Terra. Both eco lodges are situated deep within the Clayoquot Biosphere Reserve and the Niagara Reserve respectively, making it an ideal location to engage with nature on a spiritual level. Green initiatives are practised fervently at both green lodges, with the E’Terra going as far as to reuse its swimming pool as a fire tank.

Source: Strathcona Lodge website

A gem hidden in Upper Campbell Lake is the Strathcona Park Lodge. Overlooking picturesque view of glacier carved valleys, big pristine lakes and mountain peaks, the beauty of the place tends to leave one mesmerised. Strathcona Park Lodge is an unique green lodge, with alternative energy being its source of power. Strathcona Park Lodge uses a micro-hydro system and solar power simultaneously, and plays a part in the fight to reduce carbon footprint.

Source: Brookstreet Hotel website

Next up, the Brookstreet Hotel located in Ottawa. A 4-star hotel, Brookstreet manages to blend in green practises with it services without compromising the quality of service. Brookstreet Hotel deserves special mention for its dedication towards going green with the full use of low-impact renewable electricity. Not many hotels can claim to have used alternative energy, and less so to be fully reliant on alternative energy.

Last but not least, is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green hotel in Quebec, the Holiday Inn Express Quebec City. Part of the hotel used to be the base of a bridge, and recycled materials make up the bulk of construction materials. The roof has been designed to reflect sunlight, thus reducing the need for cooling amenities in Holiday Inn Express Quebec City.

Below are other hotels which have been rated recently by Greenty, and are just as good alternatives for a sustainable and green holiday stay place.


ALT Quartier DIX30

ALT Quebec

Emerald Lake Lodge

E Terra

Chic Chocs Mountain Lodge

Tofino Eco Lodge

Adara Hotel

Super 8 Trois-Rivières

L'autre Jardin

Rimrock Resort Hotel

The Marriott Vancouver Pinnacle Downtown

Four Seasons Vancouver

Wingate Calgary

Sawridge Inns Edmonton

Sawridge Inns Jasper

Sawridge Inns Slave Lake

Sawridge Inns Peace River

Brookstreet

Grail Springs

The Waterside Inn

Mohawk Motel Canada

Wabakimi

Holiday Inn Quebec

King Pacific Lodge

Siwash Lake Ranch

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Westin Ottawa