Hotels are traditionally enormous contributors to climate change. All but the greenest hotels, that is. Fortunately, the trend is moving toward more sustainable business practices, as hotels try to meet consumer demand for eco-friendly travel options.

There are a variety of ways that hotels can substantially lower their carbon footprint by embarking on green initiatives. This includes everything from using recycled materials in construction to using organic cleaning supplies to initiating recycling, rainwater, and composting programs.

After doing quite a bit of extensive research, we’ve narrowed down the greenest hotels search to 15 destinations based on their commitment to environmentally friendly business and social practices. Let’s hope even more hotels follow in their footsteps.

Courtyard of the Bardessono Hotel in Napa Valley.

The Greenest Hotels in the United States

Get ready for your next vacation! Here are 15 of the greenest hotels in the United States.

1. Bardessono Hotel , Yountville, Napa Valley, California

The Bardessono hotel achieved the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest standard for design. The hotel recycled over 93% of its construction waste. It uses LED, halogen, or fluorescent bulbs in light fixtures. Hotel materials have a high-recycled or salvaged content. The reflective roof minimizes heat absorption. All glues, adhesives, finishes, paints, carpets, and fabrics are low VOC. The carpeting and interior fabrics are green certified. Linens and cleaning supplies are organic. Each room has 200 square feet of low-e glass to allow for natural lighting, plus doors and windows that open for natural ventilation. Guest rooms have an occupancy system that adjusts thermostats and lighting when empty. There are 72 water wells on the property. The bathrooms have low water flow, dual flush toilets, and waterless urinals. Along with recycling and composting programs, products in the restaurant and spa are local, organic, and sustainable.

2. Hotel Oberlin , Oberlin, Ohio

The Hotel at Oberlin is the first hotel in the United States to incorporate solar, geothermal, and radiant heating and cooling. One of the most environmentally sustainable hotels in the world, this 70-room property is one of only five hotels in the country with the rigorous LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Owner Oberlin College, developer SMART Hotels, and manager The Olympia Companies are all key players in sustainable building with strong track records in environmentally sound campus hospitality. The hotel’s 1833 Restaurant features locally grown and locally sourced fare.

3. Hotel Skyler , Syracuse, New York

Located in downtown Syracuse, New York, the 58-room Hotel Skyler is a historic boutique hotel. It was built in 1921 as a temple and then became a theater before it was renovated into a hotel. Today, Hotel Skyler is a LEED Platinum hotel designed with locally sourced and eco-friendly construction materials. It has an energy-efficient 63-ton closed loop Geothermal Heat Pump system and an energy management system in each of the rooms. The room powers up when guests enter and powers down when they leave. The hotel uses green housekeeping practices daily and serves organic and fair-trade items at its on-site café.

4. Proximity Hotel , Greensboro, North Carolina

Proximity Hotel is the first hotel in America to receive the LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. The building materials contain primarily recycled content. Recycled construction waste (87%) diverted 1,535 tons of debris from landfills. Low-emitting volatile organic compound (VOC) paints, adhesives, and carpets reduce indoor air contamination. Shelving, tabletops, and the hotel bar consist of recycled and salvaged wood. Rooftop solar panels heat the hotel’s water. Variable speed hoods in the restaurant use sensors to set the power according to kitchen’s needs. The refrigeration equipment uses geothermal energy. The elevator reduces net energy usage by feeding it back into the building’s electrical grid. Natural lighting with large energy-efficient windows provides a line of sight to the outdoors. Energy recovery technology helps circulate outside air into guestrooms. High-efficiency plumbing fixtures saved two million gallons of water the first year alone! They even offer complimentary bikes to guests.

5. W Hotel , San Francisco, California

W San Francisco Hotel recently obtained Platinum LEED certification, making it the first Starwood and W property to secure distinction. Over 50% of room lighting and 90% of back-of-house lighting is energy efficient. Energy-efficient models replaced all HVAC cooling towers. Motion sensors in guestrooms power off the HVAC in unoccupied rooms. Local nonprofit organizations receive all partially used amenities. For each day that guests decline housekeeping service, they get 500 Starwood Preferred Guest Starpoints® (except day of departure) redeemable for future stays at any Starwood hotel.

6. H2hotel , Healdsburg, California

The LEED Gold certified h2hotel contains a high percentage of salvaged and recycled content. It recycled more than 85% of its construction debris. The hotel includes locally sourced tile in bathrooms, sustainable bamboo flooring, fair-trade, chemical-free rugs, and low VOC interior paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and composite wood products. Occupancy sensors control the lights, fans, and air conditioners to reduce electricity waste. Windows have dual panes, low-e glazing, and shading devices that reduce heat. The elevator uses 60% less electricity than a standard elevator. The green roof filters all rain water. Roof solar panels heat the swimming pool and water in the guest rooms. The tobacco-free guest rooms also have natural, refillable bath amenities, as well as organic linens and towels. The hotel provides guests with reusable water carafes to fill at the water bars. Organic cotton staff uniforms, glasses made from recycled wine bottles, recycling bins for guests and staff, and compost containers in service areas are additional green features.

7. Hotel Terra , Jackson Hole, Wyoming

LEED Silver certified Hotel Terra offers eco-friendly features to preserve and protect the environment. The hotel used recycled steel throughout while reusing or recycling 50% of construction waste. It uses fluorescent light bulbs in many fixtures and recycled material in the roof shingles. The purchase of solar, hydro, and wind energy offsets all power used. Energy Star approved windows and organic beds, towels, bath mats, and bathrobes keep the hotel green. Outdoor air is circulated into guest rooms, and energy recovery technology recoups heat from existing stale air. The hotel uses low VOC carpets and pads, sealants, paints, and adhesives. Low-flow fixtures, dual flush toilets, and landscaping requiring no irrigation all reduce water use. Plus, the hotel collects, filters, and releases runoff water back into the environment. It also offers guests aluminum water bottles, water stations for refills, and aluminum pump bottles for bathroom amenities to reduce plastic bottle use. Leather elevator tiles come from tannery scraps, and bathroom countertops and soap dishes consist of recycled glass.

8. Inn by the Sea , Cape Elizabeth, Maine

At Inn by the Sea, they strive to blend luxury, service, and an exceptional guest stay with environmental preservation. Guest rooms are cleaned with non-toxic products. Room amenities are natural and packaged in recyclable containers. The sheet and towel program helps fund habitat restoration for bunnies. The gym has recycled rubber floors, while the SPA has recycled sheet rock walls and uses bamboo towels. Indigenous gardens provide food and habitat for wildlife. Executive Chef Andrew Chadwick’s day boat catch and evening menus feature underutilized seafood fresh from Maine’s coastal waters.

9. L’Auberge Del Mar , San Diego, California

L’Auberge Del Mar hotel uses biodegradable guestroom key cards and offers a “Green Meetings Package” for corporate groups. All guestrooms use energy efficient light bulbs to reduce the impact of depleting energy sources. Local produce and sustainable seafood are prepared and served daily at the hotel’s restaurant. They grow and use produce from their very own vertical hydroponic garden. The kitchen is equipped with recycled flooring, energy-efficient lighting, and Earth-friendly equipment. They donate used oil for biodiesel fuel conversion and all to-go boxes are biodegradable. Spa L’Auberge carries all-organic products. The hotel runs a recycling program and linen reuse program in the guestrooms.

10. Moonrise Hotel , St. Louis, Missouri

The Moonrise is a leading eco-friendly boutique hotel with a variety of sustainability efforts. Glass solar panels power the whole rooftop, including the Rotating Moon, the popular outdoor bar, and the indoor/outdoor Twilight Room. The solar panel roof also powers most of the floor below the rooftop. The hotel has a property-wide recycling program, and donates leftover soap and food to non-profit organizations. The Eclipse restaurant is Green Dining Alliance certified, featuring locally sourced organic foods from nearby growers and farmers. Composting is done in the restaurant and the employee break room. The hotel is a Platinum Member of Ameren UE Pure Power in support of renewable energy.

11. Nature Inn at Bald Eagle , Howard, Pennsylvania

The U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Nature Inn at Bald Eagle the Gold LEED certification. At least 75% of construction waste was diverted from landfills. Additional green features include reduced storm water runoff; habitat restoration; native, water-efficient landscaping; reduction in roof and non-roof heat island effect; water use reduction with low-flow fixtures and dual-flush toilets; a rainwater harvesting system; a decrease in energy costs over a code minimum building; guest room energy monitoring viewable in each room; on-site renewable energy; a solar-thermal hot water system; low VOC paints and stains, Green Seal Certified cleaning products; a comprehensive recycling program; paper products with post-consumer recycled content; and a linen reuse program. In addition, they serve only Rainforest Alliance certified coffees.

12. Ritz-Carlton Charlotte , Charlotte, North Carolina

The Ritz-Carlton, Charlotte is the first LEED Gold certified hotel for The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. The hotel recycled more than 80% of its construction waste, diverting 3,900 tons of debris from area landfills. Environmentally mindful features include a green, vegetated roof, seasonal rooftop beehives, employee uniforms made of recycled materials, a bike valet, and an electric vehicle charging station. Ultra-efficient materials help reduce energy usage. Outside air is circulated into guest rooms. Low VOC paints, adhesives, and carpets consistently reduce indoor air contamination. High-efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce water waste, while irrigation for hotel plants comes from captured rainwater. The property uses sustainable wood throughout and recycled aluminum for the meeting room tables. In addition to an extensive recycling program, the hotel’s dining menus incorporate organic, local, and natural fare. A self-contained interior greenhouse grows organic micro-greens. Guests experience purified water and can use reusable water bottles made from plant materials.

13. Sandpearl Resort , Clearwater, Florida

The smoke-free Sandpearl Resort is dedicated to preserving the ecosystems of Florida’s Gulf Coast, with a commitment to sustainability that led to its status as the first Silver LEED certified resort in Florida. The resort was built using low-emission construction materials and diverted more than 50% of construction waste from the landfill to be recycled. The chiller system uses water as the heat transfer agent instead of Freon, resulting in improved air quality and long-term energy savings. The resort harnesses the planet’s natural warmth to heat the zero entry pool. Sensors monitor room temperature control so that an unoccupied room can be adjusted to reduce energy waste. Low-flow faucets, toilets, showerheads, and a laundry equipment system reduce water waste. All glass windows and doors are double paned, laminated, and tinted for UV protection and improved insulation. The hotel even donates leftover soap and shampoo to a recycling program.

14. Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort , Leavenworth, Washington

Though Sleeping Lady was constructed before LEED was established, they are currently pursuing the LEED Certification. Environmentally sustainable features include compact fluorescent lights and occupancy sensors, a heat pump recovery system, building insulation composed of recycled materials, energy-efficient windows, an energy conservation system that exchanges warm indoor air with cooler outdoor air, a geo-exchange system, bed linens changed only upon request and without the use of chlorine, non-toxic cleaning products, a two-acre organic garden, certified organic coffees and Fair Trade teas, and a composting program. The resort also contains tables made from recycled glass, floors made from sustainably harvested trees, bathroom floors made of linseed oil and plant fibers, decking made from recycled product, native plants used for landscaping, pool furniture made from recycled plastic, electric vehicles used by the maintenance staff, non-toxic water-based paints and stains, water-conserving bathroom fixtures, low-flow shower heads, and plant-based and chemical-free bath products.

15. The Allison Hotel , Newberg, Oregon

The Allison was awarded the prestigious LEED Gold Certification less than a year after opening in the fall of 2009. Key “green” features include solar hot water, no use of plastic bottles, eco-roofing, waste and recycle management, eco-friendly cleaning and laundry practices, energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, reclaimed wine bottles recreated into in-room glassware and candle holders. In addition, the hotel has energy-efficient fixtures, programmable thermostats, cloth napkins in the restaurant and restrooms, refillable amenity bottles in guest rooms, a sheet and towel saver program, in-room water filtration systems, water efficient sinks, recycled paper products, locally sourced culinary program, and fresh vegetables grown from their own one and a half acre garden and greenhouse.

Honorable Mention

We are also going to give a big honorable mention to The King’s Daughters Inn, in Durham, North Carolina, which combined a need for preserving a historic building’s architectural past with green building features and environmentally sound materials. They restored original windows, while adding a water source heat pump, a fully integrated energy management system, an ultra-high efficiency waters system, and a gray water system. They use a cistern and a rain garden to collect roof storm water run-off and avoid using public water resources to maintain landscaping. The parking lot is made of pervious concrete so the ground absorbs rainwater into the ground.

Low Carbon Footprint = Low Costs

Most hotels tend to use natural resources at an alarmingly high rate. By establishing green practices, they can lower electricity and water usage, which in turn is cost effective and helps the environment. Since the majority of travelers intend to make more environmentally friendly choices, hotels have the ability to substantially lower their carbon footprint while improving their own bottom line!

Jessica Cohen is a health coach, a greener living enthusiast, and an advocate of social good. On her website, EatSleepBe.com, she provides tips for being kinder to your self, to others, and to the planet. Additionally, Jessica enjoys consulting with like-minded companies to create site concepts, develop editorial and social media calendars, ghost write, publish press releases, and run successful outreach campaigns. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram at EatSleepBe.

Let us know below or on social media which of these eco-friendly destinations is your favorite.