Hotels labeling themselves “green” for merely offering organic shampoo or providing a recycling bin seriously mislead travelers since their guests will likely not look behind the label.
Recent reports from Phocuswright and Booking.com show many travelers are unclear about what sustainable travel truly entails. Nearly half of travelers (45%) find accommodations labeled as “sustainable” more appealing.
However, compared to last year, 17% fewer people are interested in knowing why the property got it in the first place.
According to McKinsey, 70% of luxury hotels are independent, allowing them to implement tailored sustainable initiatives effectively.
Not all hotels out there use ‘”being green” just for labeling; many adopt innovative practices such as water conservation, waste recycling, renewable energy systems, and community engagement.
These independent properties demonstrate how high standards of luxury can coexist with strong environmental stewardship and responsible tourism.
Cretan Resorts Prioritize Water Conservation Amid Climate Crisis
In 2024, Crete grappled with severe water shortages due to heat and record-low rainfall. Mismanagement and an ancient plumbing system exacerbated issues, severely impacting everyday life.
Recent Greek Reporter and CNN reports say the crisis intensified the need for effective water measures, and many pointed fingers at the tourism industry.
However, there are several examples where resorts proactively and effectively contribute to addressing the island’s water crisis, showing that sustainability and high-end hospitality can coexist successfully. These eco-resorts in Crete made reducing water consumption one of their top priorities.
Creta Maris Resort, a five-star eco-resort running 100% on renewable energy for electricity, reduced usage by 15%. The property’s strategies include leak detection systems, automated water purification systems, lawn reductions, low-water plants, and water recycling methods.
Its sister property, Candia Maris, uses 59% of marine sources to cover its total water use and spare the island’s freshwater resources.
Cactus Hotels manages use by utilizing disinfected water for outdoor work and installing low-flow faucets and showerheads. Additionally, the property uses smart irrigation systems, conducts regular leak audits, and trains staff to promote water conservation. Nikos Chalkiadakis, CEO of Cactus Hotels, says, “Sustainability isn’t just a commitment – it’s our promise to leave a positive impact on both our environment and our community.”
In 2024, they reduced water consumption by approximately 10%.
These initiatives demonstrate how eco-resorts play an important role in conserving Crete’s natural resources. Guests interested in adopting eco-friendly practices while staying in all-inclusive resorts can do so to encourage resorts to continue improving.
Welsh Eco-Resort’s Ingenious Pollutant Recycling
Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire, Wales, United Kingdom, is the first worldwide to use diaper-recycling technology for infrastructure. Yes, you read it correctly: they recycled 60,000 disposable diapers for each pathway leading to their Platinum Lodges.
The resort partnered with Nappicycle to transform used diapers left by the guests into durable asphalt, reducing waste and carbon emissions while conserving freshwater resources.
Bluestone’s Director of Sustainability Marten Lewis says single-use plastic diapers, if landfilled, can take hundreds of years to degrade. Recovering and finding a new application for them has substantial environmental benefits.
Since its opening in 2008, this five-star eco-resort has implemented numerous green initiatives, including planting nearly one million plants, producing biodiesel from cooking oil and building a three-hectare solar farm.
All their efforts result in exceptionally clean air. Health and Wellbeing 360 recently measured Bluestone’s annual average particulate matter levels at 5.4 micrograms per cubic meter. For comparison, below 12 µg/m³ is considered healthy.
This achievement is a testament to Bluestone’s effective sustainability initiatives.
Swiss Luxury Resorts To Begin Fossil-Free Operations in 2025
Hotel Eden Roc in Switzerland, part of The Tschuggen Collection, unveiled a groundbreaking energy concept expected to launch in 2025. Upon completion of renovations in April, the hotel will achieve a CO₂-neutral energy supply by harnessing natural temperature differences between Lake Maggiore and groundwater.
This innovative system includes water pumps for cooling and heating, optimized by new windows and advanced photovoltaic systems. Leo Maissen, CEO of Hotel Operations at The Tschuggen Collection, stated, “By the end of this year, the Tschuggen Collection will have reduced its total fossil fuel consumption by approximately 80%, with the goal to eliminate our reliance on fossil fuels almost entirely within the next one to two years.”
Their Valsana Hotel in Arosa, Switzerland, leads the way in sustainable innovation with its advanced “ice battery” system, which harnesses geothermal heat and recycles waste heat. This system ensures their energy comes from renewable sources rather than fossil fuels. By 2025, all their Arosa properties will operate entirely on green energy.
Finnish Eco-Resort Embraces Green Future With Fully Renewable Energy
Glass cabins have become a favorite in Finland for their panoramic Northern Lights views and energy efficiency, a concept Apukka Resort in Finnish Lapland embraces.
Apukka Resort leads sustainable tourism with Green Key and Sustainable Travel Finland certifications. Their partially underground Kammi Glass Igloo Suites and Lakeview Suites reduce heating energy needs.
By 2025, Apukka will transition to 100% renewable energy, replacing oil heating with geothermal alternatives.
Beyond environmental initiatives, they are committed to social sustainability and community engagement. Each year, Apukka hosts an Open Doors Day for locals and supports local youth and women’s athletic clubs, fostering community wellness and engagement.
The resort also avoids bottled water, encourages water-saving activities, and treats its animals ethically. Additionally, Apukka is building 100 birdhouses to support local bird species, furthering their eco-friendly hospitality initiatives.
