Many of the most sustainable cities in the world are in Europe, so it’s no surprise that there are plenty of eco friendly hotels in Europe as well.
There are several factors that go into making a hotel sustainable: using produce from local farmers, diminishing the use of plastic, using renewable energy, employing local people, reducing and composting food waste, recycling waste, and preserving the surrounding environment. Take a look at our top picks of eco friendly hotels in Europe that use these methods to be sustainable.
Tip: be mindful about greenwashing. A large, all-inclusive resort that claims to be an eco friendly hotel is less likely to engage in sustainable practices than a small boutique hotel.
Nido Verde is a family-run Bed & Breakfast in Agerola, around the Amalfi coast region. The B&B is easily accessible by bus from Amalfi town, and there’s a bus stop right in front of the hotel.
Nido Verde is walking distance to the hiking trail Path of the Gods, a major point of interest for that region that takes you directly to Positano after a hike of about 3 hours.
The B&B offers a charming and peaceful stay, with their homemade breakfast served every morning in the courtyard. All the rooms have a small balcony to enjoy the fresh mountain air. Roberto (the owner) is incredibly helpful and goes out of his way to help his guests.
It’s an eco hotel that minimises waste by:
Villa Le Barone is a luxury boutique hotel in the countryside of Chianti, Tuscany, and the perfect spot to rejuvenate in a serene setting with a Renaissance flair.
The villa is surrounded by the Tuscan hills, and is located exactly between two major cities of Tuscany: Florence and Siena.
At Villa Le Barone you can spend peaceful and quiet days there without ever having to leave. Guests can enjoy delicious food from the restaurant, take a stroll in the surrounding protected gardens, watch the sunset from the terrace, learn a bit of Renaissance history, or hang by the outdoor infinity pool.
Social and environmental sustainability are important aspects of Villa Le Barone.
Schloss Wartegg is located on the Rorschacherberg between Lake Constance and the Appenzell hills, and is about 5-10 minutes walk from Staad train station.
Schloss means castle, and the name fits the hotel well: it is a 16th-century castle in Rorschacherberg, near Lake Constance (otherwise known as Bodensee in German).
Wartegg Castle offers cultural activities, nature excursions such as hiking in the mountains, bicycle tours, and swimming by the lake, a spa with a historic (also called “turquoise”) bath (1928), scenic gardens, and an organic restaurant.
The hotel’s focus on sustainability is evident in their décor as well as reflected in how they treat their employees, the way they source their food, their materials, their cleaning processes, how they manage their park, garden, etc.
More specifically, their eco features are reflected in their:
Sandymount Hotel is a family-run, award-winning hotel in Dublin.
Although located within walking distance to Dublin’s city centre, Sandymount Hotel is not a city hotel. Its position by the Ballsbridge suburbs and Sandymount coastal village make this hotel a great spot for a relaxing but scenic vacation.
If you stay at the Sandymount Hotel, you can easily access the Dublin Bay and enjoy gastropubs, restaurants, some retail therapy, and gorgeous seafront views.
At the hotel itself, you can enjoy beautiful gardens, a Victorian terrace, indoor and outdoor dining, luxurious rooms, a library, and a fitness room.
The Sandymount Hotel is dedicated to minimising their environmental impact by:
And there you have our top 4 picks of eco hotels in Europe. We hope this list inspires you to seek out eco-friendly accommodations when travelling, because these hotels mentioned above demonstrate that sustainability, nature, and mindfulness about the environment make for a serene, rejuvenating, and even at times luxurious, vacation.
Download your free pdf guide on actionable tips to be a sustainable traveller here.
