sustainable hotels: what is sustainability?

sustainable hotels: what is sustainability?

what is sustainability?

staying at a sustainable hotel is more than just reducing your carbon footprint but you will be giving back to the environment all while enjoying your stay! before I share my list of eight sustainable hotels that have been on my radar, let’s discuss sustainability, what are sustainable hotels, and what makes a hotel sustainable!

the word sustainability has been thrown around very often but does everyone really know what it means and how it affects our planet and conservation efforts?

in a nutshell, to sustain is to extend our capacity to live on this planet.

“sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising future generations to meet their own needs.”

“sustainability is the capacity to improve the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of the Earth’s supporting Eco-systems.”

“sustainability is about stabilizing the currently disruptive relationship between earth’s two most complex systems - human culture and the living world.”

what are sustainable hotels?

eco hotels, or green hotels, are accommodations that have made important environmental improvements to its structure in order to minimize its impact on the natural environment.

what makes a hotel sustainable?

criteria ++++

+ dependence on the natural environment + ecological sustainability + proven contribution to conservation + provision of environmental training programs + incorporation of cultural consideration + provision of an economic return to the local community

characteristics ++++

+ housekeeping uses non-toxic cleaning agents, laundry detergent + 100% organic cotton sheets, towels and mattresses + non-smoking environment + renewable energy sources like solar or wind energy + bulk organic soap and amenities instead of individual packages to reduce waste + guest room and hotel lobby recycling bins + towel and sheet re-use + energy-efficient lighting + on-site transportation with green vehicles + serve organic and local-grown food + non-disposable dishes + offers a fresh-air exchange system + greywater recycling + newspaper recycling program + and much more!

+

++++

+ 1 Hotels | various locations + Hix Island House | vieques, puerto rico

+ Amangrir | canyon point, utah + Proximity Hotel | greensboro, north carolina

+ Inn by the Sea | cape elizabeth, maine + Hotel Felix | chicago, illinois

+ Six Senses Con Dao | vietnam + various locations + The Brando Resort | french polynesia

Hix Island House | vieques, puerto rico

Amangrir | canyon point, utah

Proximity Hotel | greensboro, north carolina

Inn by the Sea | cape elizabeth, maine

Hotel Felix | chicago, illinois