The Most Sustainable Accommodation for Travellers
- Margaux
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Aside from flights, your accommodation is probably the biggest footprint you’ll have while travelling, which is why it is so important to choose the right option. This article will give you a breakdown of the most sustainable accommodation types, how to choose them, and some other tips on reducing the impact of your stay.
Contents
What makes accommodation sustainable?
There are lots of things to look for when trying to find a sustainable place to stay. Here are just a few:
Does it use renewable energy? Renewables lower the carbon footprint of the energy used
What kind of water conservation systems does it have in place? Look for rainwater harvesting, water conservation education, and water recycling and reuse
Does it have any plastic reduction or zero-waste policies? Refillable toiletries, recycling bins across the accommodation, plastic-free amenities, and zero waste to landfill policies are all great things
Is the food it offers locally sourced? Support for local farmers and home-grown food is paramount
Does it support local communities? Sustainable accommodation options give back to the communities they operate in
Is it an efficient use of space? An efficient use of space lowers the carbon footprint of your stay
Is it in a fragile ecosystem, like a rainforest, desert, island, mountains? These types of accommodation are usually less sustainable unless they have exceptional environmental protection policies in place
Does it have any verifiable certifications or badges? Try and look for LEED certified buildings, B Corp, Green Key, Biosphere Tourism, or Global Sustainable Tourism Council labels
Does it have a sustainability section on its website? If this doesn’t exist, that’s a red flag
Is it a chain hotel where you could choose a locally run option? Make sure your money stays in the community you are travelling in and doesn’t go back to an international headquarters somewhere far away
The Most Sustainable Types of Accommodation
Eco-Lodges
Eco-lodges are purpose-built sustainable accommodation, often located in the heart of nature, built with natural materials, and powered by renewable energy. They are typically on the higher end of the price range, but are designed to embed sustainability from the beginning, rather than just as an add-on. This makes them one of the most ideal options for sustainable accommodation.
Sustainable Hotels
There are plenty of hotels that have strong environmental policies, and these are a great option for mid-range prices and where you may not have access to an eco-lodge. These hotels often prioritise local sourcing, have strong waste reduction policies, run on renewable energy, and have water and energy efficiency measures in place. If you’re in a city, this will be one of your best options.
Hostels
On the other end of the price range are hostels, which many people don’t realise are very sustainable options for accommodation. By nature, being in a shared space lowers the carbon footprint per person and lowers resource requirements. Hostels also make travel more accessible, which is another important aspect of sustainability. Many hostels have good recycling initiatives, generate their own solar power to keep costs down, and run community programs. They also encourage you to get off the beaten track and support communities which may otherwise not have received tourist income.
Homestays
Homestays are incredibly varied in their locations but can be very sustainable accommodation options. Often in rural locations, they support local people and the economies of communities off the main tourist track. They are also often owned by individuals or families, and so your money stays in the community. Because they are small-scale and you are often in a room in or around someone’s home, the carbon footprint of your stay is very low. In rural areas, food is also often grown on-site or nearby, reducing the impact of your stay even further. Homestays are also a great way to meet people, understand more about the local culture, and gain a memorable experience on your travels.
Campsites and Off-grid Accommodation
Campsites are very sustainable accommodation options: they have minimal infrastructure, energy, and water requirements, and often run off-grid so they generate their own solar power. Campsites also encourage a closer connection with nature, so embed sustainability from the beginning.
Sustainable Accommodation Greenwashing Traps to Avoid
With increasing demand from consumers for sustainability, many businesses (hotels included) make unsubstantiated claims and/or vague commitments on sustainability, claim false certifications, and may even outright lie about what they are doing on sustainability. This is greenwashing. Here are some common greenwashing traps to avoid when looking for a sustainable accommodation option:
“Eco-friendly” claims with no certifications (especially the ones I mentioned above)
Hotels offering a single recycling bin but nothing else sustainability-related
Accommodation in endangered ecosystems (like deserts, rainforests, and mountainous environments) with no protection measures in place
Overuse of sustainability buzzwords like “natural”, “organic”, and “sustainable” with no evidence to back these claims up
My top tips for making any stay more sustainable
Even if your accommodation isn’t perfect (it rarely is), there are a few things you can do to make your stay more sustainable:
Bring a reusable water bottle and toiletries
Turn off lights, air conditioning, and electronics when they are not in use
Limit towel/linen changes where the hotel provides that option
Support local restaurants
Book long stays instead of short hops
Travel off-season
Why is sustainable accommodation important?
Choosing sustainable accommodation is not only important to reduce the carbon footprint of your travels, but it also can boost local communities and ecosystems, encouraging responsible tourism growth. The lasting impact that you can have on the people and places you visit is endless if you choose the right places to stay.
I hope this helps you in planning your next trip and making it as sustainable as possible. Make sure you choose a place to stay where you will only leave your footprints behind :)
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