Earth Day may only take place once a year (it's today, by the way), but the great thing about travel is that you can celebrate your commitment to the planet at anytime and anywhere! So, whether you are planning a last-minute celebration to celebrate Mother Earth, or just want to go green for your next vacation, these seven hotels have covered you... And if you ask what makes a hotel green, the answer varies depending on who you are asking. Some of our choices have launched impressive recycling programs; another is LEED certified; and yet another is located on a 1000 acre private tropical forest reserve that houses scarlet macaws. Read on for all the derogations that surrounds the trees; and have a very happy (and green) Earth Day!
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, Los Cabos
Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, with its partner hotels Pueblo Bonito Los Cabos, Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa, and Pueblo Bonito Rose Resort & Spa, is committed to green initiatives and promoting sustainable tourism throughout Mexico. The hotel has taken many measures, both large and small, to reduce its environmental impact, launching an initiative to protect sea turtles in the region to launch an innovative recycling program. Pueblo Bonito also organizes beach clean-ups, composes a large part of its organic waste and works to protect local whales, brown pelicans and other wildlife. Oh, and it's a magnificent luxury property with direct access to a private beach.
Terra Jackson Hole Hotel
Nestled in the snow-covered mountains of Jackson Hole, the 132-room Terra Hotel combines contemporary décor with a classic ski chalet look, with stone fireplaces and soft sofas. One of the first LEED-certified hotels in the United States, it places a strong emphasis on its environmental policies: the hotel offsets 100% of its electricity and natural gas consumption; uses low-VOC carpets, paint and other products to improve air quality; and a large portion of the building is made of recycled materials.
Lapol Rios Ecolodge & Wildlife Reserve, Costa Rica
Named for the scarlet macaws (lapas, in Spanish Costa Rica) that serenade guests from the trees of the surrounding tropical forest, Lapa Rios Ecolodge is one of Costa Rica's most luxurious - hotels - and sustainable. The hotel has earned the "five-leaf" title for its commitment to the environment through reforestation efforts, solar electricity and hot water, recycling, community projects and the conservation of its 1000 acre private reserve.
H2 Hotel, Sonoma County
H2 Hip Hotel, located in downtown Healdsburg, is a charming option for a green getaway to Sonoma. You will see the environmental commitment of H2 throughout the hotel, "water stations", which offer still or sparkling water to fill your bottle (hopefully not plastic!), to free bicycles for emission-free trips. And if it's hot enough, make sure you soak in the outdoor solar heated pool.
CasaCalma Wellness Hotel, Buenos Aires
The first carbon-neutral hotel in Buenos Aires, CasaCalma Wellness is committed to the well-being of Mother Earth. The green touches are evident throughout the facilities: striking vertical gardens, an honest bar with organic goodies, bamboo bicycles for guests, organic products in each room, and an organic buffet breakfast buffet, in addition to other features of the land, not only the environment, but also the guests.
Turtle Inn, Belize
The Turtle Inn is a luxury eco-resort certified by the Rainforest Alliance along the Caribbean coast of Belize. The owners of the hotel (who are the famous Coppolas) are clearly passionate about making their 25 cottage resort environmentally friendly, as evidenced by the Turtle Inn's long list of green accolades that include the use of local building materials, energy efficient lighting, locally produced toiletries, biodegradable cleaners, organic gardening, low-flow appliances, and much more.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts, Aruba
The owner of Bucuti & Tara Beach Resorts is the famous Ewald Biemans, who is known throughout Aruba - and around the world for his work in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. It is therefore not surprising that Bucuti de Biemans is one of the best green hotels on the island, receiving the Green Globe High Achievement Award. Bucuti employs many environmental initiatives, including solar energy for hot water, low-flow taps, toilets and showers, and eco-paper for all resort marketing materials.