Eco-Friendly Hotels We Want to Visit in 2020
At Coastal Solar, we not only specialize in solar power for hotels and resorts, but we’re seriously passionate about the hospitality industry. When we’re not installing new systems, you can find many of us patronizing our favorite hotel. And, of course, we’re slightly preferential to anything near the coast.
We put together a list of some of the hotels we’re most excited about in 2020. Though the coronavirus has slowed things down and you may not be able to visit all of these right now, you can hit them all virtually.
If you enjoy this post, check out this list of hotels and resorts with solar power.
And the real excitement for us comes in knowing that we can make nearly any hotel or resort more eco-friendly while improving margins for financial stakeholders.
Hotels love being eco-friendly — it simply makes business sense. Co-owner of the Proximity Hotel, Dennis Quaintance, when asked about the costs associated with developing and running an eco-friendly hotel says,
“It’s a myth, absolutely a myth, that it’s more expensive,” he says, noting that the couple recouped any higher upfront construction costs in about four years by what they saved in tax credits and lower energy costs. After all, they are business executives first. “It’s not sustainable to go broke.”
Here are a few of our favorite hotels in 2020:
Proximity Hotel — Greensboro, NC
The Washington Post called this, “The greenest hotel in America.” And for good reason — everything about this LEED Platinum certified property is done with two intentional purposes: minimize environmental impact and maximize guest experience.
While some eco-friendly efforts can leave guests feeling like they’re receiving “less”, there’s no sacrificing here. The amenities list goes on as far as the eye can see and includes everything you’d expect from a luxury lodging experience.
The resort features a stunning two-story lobby with an abundance of natural light, vegetation, and comfortable locally-sourced furniture and refreshments. Floor-to-ceiling windows in guest rooms continue the natural lighting trend. Guests can order in-room dining from the popular Print Works Bistro or visit the venue in person to catch one of the many live musical performances.
Beyond the music at Print Works Bistro and around the hotel itself, painter Chip Holton serves as an artist-in-residence. You can find hundreds of original artworks throughout the property.
The Bluebell garden will remind you of the reason it’s so important to protect the environment. The hotel uses nearly 40% less energy than the average competitor and offsets additional energy consumption through 100 roof-mount solar panels. Nearly every piece of furniture, decor, and building material is recycled, repurposed, or sustainably sourced.
With all of these efforts, there’s no wonder that, if you visit their site’s press section, you’ll scroll through a seemingly endless collection of local and national articles, films, radio interviews and more. From NPR to the Travel Channel, The Proximity has made a splash.
Al Natural Resort — Punta Veija, Panama
This intimate Panama resort gets you close to the water (we love the coast around here) and to nature. Each accomodation is one of only seven bungalows that vary in size and design. Every single one is powered by solar and features open-air walls to reduce the need for power to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Guests won’t go hungry here. In fact, people rave about the meals prepared by the resident European chef at the two-story thatched-roof restaurant. With sustainably-sourced, local ingredients, the ecosystem is protected, too.
When you’re not relaxing, you’ll never run out of activities. You can swim, snorkel, kayak, or paddle to the reefs (or wherever you want). And, there’s plenty of local wildlife to explore. Take yoga classes or learn to dive, surf, and fish.
Best of all, be one with the community and environment during a getaway you can feel great about.
Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort — Fiji
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include another coastal-minded property. This one’s a little further out, in Fiji. But this resort is the epitome of the faraway island paradise of your dreams. It’s not ultra-modern or chic, but simply stunning for its natural beauty. And the location does truly exude beauty — everything in the hotel was built with locally-sourced, natural materials. But don’t get us wrong, the property is in pristine condition and worthy of both the luxury paradise label and the five-star rating it holds.
Spread out over 17 acres, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort offers access to all of the activities you’d expect: hikes (even to waterfalls!), snorkeling, and more. But you also have the opportunity to participate in educational or service-oriented volunteer experiences that will fulfill you on a much deeper level.
Freshly-curated, masterfully-crafted dining experiences are included as part of every stay in one of 25 available villas, many of which are oceanfront. Relax in a hot tub or spread out over the giant accommodations.
Want to stay close to the kids and snag some distance? Ask about their included nanny services and Bula Club for Kids.
Bardessono — Napa Valley, California
If you love wine, but want to stay stateside, you’ll love the spa resort