Travelers Want Greener Hotels, and These Properties Are Delivering

The travel industry produces tons of green economically, but it isn’t a very green operation. According to the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance,¹ the hospitality sector accounts for around 1% of global carbon emissions. The aviation industry is even worse at 2.5%.²

However, the industry has taken dramatic steps toward a more sustainable future. In 2023, 21.4% of electricity produced came from renewables like wind, hydropower, and solar³. This growth of green energy isn’t solely for residential consumption but also for hotel properties across the U.S.

This transition to green isn’t simply a nicety for hotels to save money and be ecologically minded; rather, it meets an emerging consumer demand. Here’s what is happening in the hospitality world and how a few properties have made the switch to a sustainable operation.

Travelers Desire Green

The post-pandemic world has revealed consumers’ emphasis on sustainability. Lodging Magazine dubbed 2024 the year of sustainable hotels. In April, Booking.com published its findings on how travelers think about their carbon footprint and travel:

• 75% of global travelers say that they want to travel more sustainably
• 43% would feel guilty for making less sustainable choices
• 32% want to travel sustainably because it’s the right thing to do

Hotel operators are following suit. MGM recently announced its partnership with Escape Solar, intending to use 100% renewable energy by 2030. Marriott plans to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Accor has done the same. Hilton has goals to hit the mark by 2030. 

This feat occurs when the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) produced by humans is the same as the amount removed from the atmosphere. Hotels must emit some level of pollution, but by transitioning to clean energy, the property can achieve a net-zero result.

Sustainable Hotel Options

Brands and properties like 1 Hotels, Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, SCP Hotels, and The Palazzo in Las Vegas (the largest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design [LEED] certified building in the world) come with the sustainability stamp of approval. And that stamp is attractive enough for some consumers to spend a bit more to be environmentally friendly. A recent study found that travelers would spend an extra 5% on room rates for a more sustainable option.

Like any travel booking, finding accommodations that fit your budget takes digging. Here are a few properties that have completely transitioned to green energy and their respective price points.

Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (New Haven, Connecticut)

Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton opened its doors in 2022 after $30 million in renovations. It’s on track to be the first net-zero carbon hotel in the U.S. Award nights start at 50,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Nightly rates aren’t outrageous, hovering around $200 per night.

The operation and resources it takes to achieve this level of sustainability are staggering.

The hotel has over 1,000 solar panels on the rooftop and parking lot canopies, creating over 575,000 kWh annually. For context, the average home uses roughly 11,000 kWh annually. Water heaters, HVAC systems, kitchens, laundry, and the hotel shuttle run on this electricity, eliminating the need for burning fossil fuels. What’s more, the hotel stores excess energy produced using battery systems and sells it back to the utility company during peak hours.

The property is LEED Platinum-certified, the highest level in the LEED system. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is a globally recognized rating system, measuring energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, and overall waste, among other environmental factors.

1 Hotel South Beach (Miami Beach, Florida)

1 Hotel South Beach is an incredible property located right in the heart of South Beach in Miami. While I haven’t stayed there, I have explored the property and had a spa day with a friend, and I was blown away. 

When you walk into the lobby, you feel the ambiance of sustainability with plenty of neutral colors, natural textures, and live plants. It even comes in small details, as the room keys aren’t plastic, but rather made of wood. There are water refill stations throughout the property to do away with single-use plastic bottles. The city cars used to chauffeur guests are fully electric Audi e-tron vehicles.

The 1 Hotel brand has 12 locations worldwide, and each property is LEED-certified or on its way to becoming certified. At the time of this publication, the South Beach location is LEED Silver.

Rates here can start at $500 and run into 4 figures on busy weekends.

Bardessono Hotel & Spa (Yountville, California)

About 15 minutes north of Napa is Yountville, California, where you can find Bardessono Hotel & Spa, a property that is symbolic of luxury and sustainability. It’s LEED Platinum-certified and grabbed a spot on the Michelin Guide hotels list with a Two Key-rating on a scale of One Key to Three Key. Only 33 hotels in the U.S. found their way onto the list.

The hotel has a webpage dedicated to its green initiatives, ranging from the construction of the property to the adhesives used. It even lists the contractors used throughout the process. And this wasn’t a new initiative by the property, either. In 2009, it opened with the intent of being environmentally conscious, and a year later, it earned LEED Platinum certification.

This property is ideal for couples looking to get away, but it comes at a premium. Rooms start close to $1,000 per night after taxes and fees, and, unfortunately, there’s a whopping $72 per night destination fee.

Final Thoughts

We can all make small choices in our daily lives and global adventures to have a smaller carbon footprint. Yes, we will all leave a footprint at one point or another, especially as we travel. However, our minor adjustments will make a significant difference, like utilizing greener accommodations. Travelers have expressed their desires to find these properties, and hotels are working to provide options for sustainable travel.