Molly Gelpke

As the green revolution grinds on, we’re being introduced to an ever-changing spectrum of new concepts and words. “Sustainable travel” is one such concept. But what does it actually mean? Last year, Booking.com found that 46 percent of travelers define “sustainable travel” as the choice to stay in eco-friendly accommodations. Here’s our top-ten list of the most beautiful eco-hotels—they may spoil their guests, but they’re careful not to spoil anything else. North America Banff Aspen Lodge, Canada I can’t think of a better place than Banff National Park to remind the 21st-century traveler of the importance of sustainability. Sublime mountains, crystalline lakes, expansive skies: this is what’s at stake, my fellow travelers. The Banff Aspen Lodge, hunkered in the Albertan Rockies, has a number of green initiatives in place to sustain the beautiful natural environment which sustains it—these include a strict property-wide recycling program, motion sensor lighting in the hallways, biodegradable soaps and containers, and low-flow toilets. My personal favorite initiative: if guests staying two or more nights choose to opt out of housekeeping services, they have two options: the Lodge will either make a $4 donation on their behalf to the Banff Community Foundation (which supports environmental initiatives in the community), or they can enjoy a complimentary beverage at the Whitebark Café, located in the lobby of the Aspen Lodge. Treebones Resort, USA “Glamping in Big Sur, California”—what a musical sentence. You could make it a little better, though: glamping in Big Sur without leaving a trace. Treebones Resort is a completely off-the-grid eco-glamping resort which swears by the Big Sur pledge: leave no trace (pick up your trash), be mindful of the impact of your actions, and protect and respect Big Sur’s natural resources. Treebones takes the pledge to heart: for all electrical needs, it utilizes a mix of clean-burning, California-made microturbines and solar energy; their restaurant offers dishes created from organic products grown in the resort’s gardens, and all the scraps are fed to “twenty happy chickens,” or composted in an organic garden. The resort also boasts one of the most creative green-initiatives I’ve encountered so far: instead of offering plastic stir- sticks, Treebones provides guests with uncooked pasta noodles! One of the charming yurts you can stay in at Treebones Resort, Big Sur, Calif | Photo: Ryuji Morishita Loyal to the glamping lifestyle, you're not exactly roughin' it in a yurt. | Photo: Sue Danials To get a step closer to nature, you can opt for a twig hut. | Photo: Megan Handy A view from inside a twig hut at Treebones Resort. | Photo: Megan Handy For a true and novel camping experience, you can BYOSB (bring your own sleeping bag) and stay in a tree nest made by local Big Sir artist Jayson Fann. | Photo: Lucas Handy Europe Whitepod Hotel, Switzerland The Whitepod Hotel houses guests in geodesic dome rooms. Aesthetic benefits aside (domes are sweet-looking), domes are foundation-less and self-supporting, meaning they require far fewer resources to build; plus, the energy required to heat a dome is approximately 30 percent less than a conventional building. Whitepod also offers locally-sourced food and biodegradable consumables. Various domes line the hillside overlooking the countryside in Valais, Switzerland. | Photo courtesy of Whitepod. Yep, you guessed it, the forest pod suite — one of seven different types of pods at Whitepod. | Photo courtesy of Whitepod Hotel. The "Cosy" Pod, ideal for couples and/or families. | Photo courtesy of Whitepod Hotel. Many pods come with large terraces and sublime views. | Photo courtesy of Whitepod. The Green House, United Kingdom A restored Victorian villa in the heart of Bournemouth, England, the Green House closed its doors back in 2008 for a whopping eighteen months, during which time it considered the environmental impact of every single one of its decisions. Free charging ports in the parking lot, solar-powered water heating, UK-made furniture, local + organic food, and a staff-training policy that centers on environmental sustainability are just a few results of this closure. South America EcoCamp Patagonia, Chile Located in Torres del Paine National Park, EcoCamp offers Patagonia’s first fully sustainable accommodation. Like the Whitepod Hotel, it’s also made up of geodesic domes, each of which is powered by solar panels and equipped with a composting toilet (guests’ waste is actually used for soil regeneration in the spring). Seventy-five percent of the site’s energy is provided by water, 20 percent is provided by the sun, and less than five percent is generated by non-renewable sources. Travelers engage in nighttime stretching at the Yoga Dome. | Photo courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia The Community Dome, where guests get to know each other over a libation or two. | Photo courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia Interior of a suite dome. Could it look any cozier!? | Photo courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia A suite dome, one of four types of lodging domes at EcoCamp. | Photo courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia One of the many designated recycling centers on the grounds. | Photo courtesy of EcoCamp Patagonia. The Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador The Mashpi Lodge feels incredibly remote, nestled as it is in the Ecuadorian Cloud Rainforest, but it’s actually situated within the Metropolitan District of Quito (Ecuador’s capital) and can be reached from the city within just three hours. The lodge is self-effacing: made primarily of glass, and built using the latest materials in sustainable construction, its design puts the focus on the natural beauty surrounding it, not on the building itself. The Lodge also staffs a team of scientists involved with the active conservation and discovery of species within the Mashpi Reserve. Mashpi has been dubbed a “Unique Lodge of the World” by National Geographic—lodges are granted the accolade for their continued commitment to sustainable practices and to defending natural and cultural heritage. Dusk falls on the Mashpi Lodge in Andean Mountain rainforest. | Photo courtesy of Mashpi Lodge. Mashpi Lodge, recognized by National Geographic as 'Unique Lodges of the World." | Photo courtesy of Mashpi Lodge. One of the many tranquil areas to relax on Mashpi's grounds. | Photo courtesy of Mashpi Lodge. Travelers share breakfast and rainforest view. | Photo courtesy of Mashpi Lodge. Asia The Yard, Thailand The Yard Hostel is located in Ari, Bangkok, a relatively undiscovered hipster district bursting with quirky bars and cafés. The hostel’s most visible sustainable initiative is their rooms, all of which are made of upcycled shipping containers. The containers are insulated with recycled paper, to keep out the Southeast Asian humidity. The Yard has also installed water-saving toilets and provides guests with glass water bottles. Travelers departing and arriving at The Yard Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand. | Photo courtesy of The Yard. A bar and eating area, another place for solo travelers in particular to make friends while staying at The Yard. | Photo courtesy of The Yard. The simple accommodations provide everything you need to clear your headspace and just be. | Photo courtesy of The Yard. The common area, literally a yard, is the prime spot for meeting other guests. | Photo courtesy of The Yard. Baby Elephant, Cambodia Located just eight miles away from Angkor Wat, Baby Elephant boutique hotel is a self-proclaimed “social enterprise in a developing country—we know we still have steps to achieving complete sustainability, but with limited resources, it all takes time.” Baby Elephant is proof that even with a little you can do a lot. Most notably, they’ve partnered with Naga Earth, an environmental recycling plant in Siem Reap, to which they donate all used cooking oil to be upcycled into sustainable biodiesel—a renewable, biodegradable fuel that produces 90 percent less hydrocarbon emissions than regular diesel. The Baby Elephant also hosts neighborhood team clean-up days and staff training sessions to hone environmental conscience (most recently, a plastic-free workshop with Plastic Free Cambodia). Australia & New Zealand Daintree Ecolodge, Australia The Daintree Ecolodge in Queensland, northern Australia, is composed of fifteen “banyans” perched in the rainforest canopy. On top of being entirely carbon neutral, the Ecolodge is involved in the active reforestation of areas of the Daintree Rainforest that have been affected by human development. They also donate $50 per guest stay to the Reef Keepers Fund, which supports Great Barrier Reef conservation projects. Three canopies, aka Bayans, sit nestled with the lush foliage in Queensland, Australia. | Photo: Simon Shiff Daintree is filled with private areas like this to have a drink, read a book or engage in a stimulating conversation. | Photo: Simon Shiff Jumbalaya Restaurant & Bar onsite at Daintree Ecolodge, Queensland, Australia. | Photo: Simon Shiff Interior of a Bayan. | Photo: Simon Shiff Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses, New Zealand Situated in Kaikoura—a South Island township that became, in 2002, a Green Globe certified community—Hapuku Lodge is restoring the spectacular scenery of Kaikoura by planting native trees, reintroducing native birds, and being sustainable in their operations: the lodge has been constructed with recycled materials, 75 percent of food ingredients are sourced from local New Zealand farmers. Their ultimate aim is to become a zero-waste community. The treehouses of Hapuku Lodge in Kaikoura, New Zealand. | Photo courtesy of Hapuku Lodge. Sun shining off the water, as seen from a treetop view. | Photo courtesy of Hapuku Lodge. The Hapuku Farm, used to grow much of the vegetables and herbs served at the Lodge. | Photo courtesy of Hapuku Lodge. When life is really hard. | Photo courtesy of Hapuku Lodge. Interior bedroom of a treehouse. | Photo courtesy of Hapuku Lodge. These...