These are 2025’s five‑star hotel openings with eco-conscious design, local integration, and measurable sustainability benchmarks, reflecting data‑driven traveler demand.
Travelers may no longer dress up for the airport the way they used to, but they’re more serious about their vacations than ever, according to recent data, especially when it comes to sustainability metrics. A recent Booking.com survey found that 76 percent of consumers prefer travel providers offering eco-friendly options.
“[R]ising living costs and climate anxiety has led to greater demand for more budget and planet-friendly options,” Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking.com, said in a statement. Similar findings from U.S. research show that 83 percent of travelers globally deem sustainable travel important, yet nearly half believe there are insufficient options. Where there are options, travelers are willing to pay for them; another study found 35 percent of travelers are willing to pay a 27 percent premium for greener flights — while 43 percent say they would pay up to 34 percent more for eco-conscious accommodations. The ecotourism market was valued at $295.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $761.39 billion by 2030.
“Travel can be a force for good and travelers themselves are proving to be today’s changemakers, adopting more sustainable travel habits and seeking responsible experiences,” Fogel said.
An IGES report found that domestic travel is up for Americans who, post-pandemic, are rediscovering the beauty of their own country, “with a growing interest in exploring untouched landscapes and natural wonders.” The report noted that this shift is particularly pronounced among younger generations, especially teens, who are “increasingly drawn to outdoor adventure programs. These programs offer exhilarating activities such as surfing, zip lining, hiking, and wildlife viewing, catering to a desire for authentic, nature-based experiences.”
The market is responding, with hotels and resorts emphasizing sustainability alongside another growing travel trend: wellness tourism — an industry expected to surpass $2 trillion by the end of the decade. This sector has rapidly evolved, reflecting a growing consumer shift toward travel that prioritizes mental health, physical vitality, and emotional balance. Post-pandemic travelers are increasingly seeking retreats that offer more than just relaxation; demand has spiked for experiences rooted in holistic healing, nature immersion, and preventative health practices. From forest bathing in Japan to high-altitude breathwork in Peru, wellness tourism now spans luxury spas, fitness-focused resorts, plant-based culinary getaways, and even sound therapy immersions, all designed to help guests disconnect from stress and reconnect with themselves. All of this and more is defining 2025’s newest luxury hotels.
2025’s best sustainable luxury hotels
Following this strong context, these are the most notable five-star hotels opening in 2025 that embody sustainable luxury.
Hotel Romeo Roma, Rome, Italy
Zaha Hadid Architects transformed a 19th-century palazzo into Romeo Roma, marking one of Hadid’s final projects. Its lobby is a striking patchwork of ebony-clad columns and filtered lighting that evokes a forest canopy. Sustainability and respect for heritage guided every design decision, proving that conscious luxury can harmonize with avant‑garde architecture. The spa area showcases bold black curves, a wood-paneled sauna behind glass, a glowing salt wall and an illuminated plunge pool — all underlined by Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse’s locally sourced Mediterranean menus.
Ritz‑Carlton Masai Mara Safari Camp, Kenya
Located within one of Africa’s great wildlife reserves, this luxury safari camp, opening in August 2025, features high-end tents with private plunge pools, seamless service, and unparalleled wildlife access. The camp marks the Ritz-Carlton’s safari debut. The property features 20 luxury tented suites with separate living areas, lounges, infinity plunge pools, and indoor and outdoor showers. Located in the Masai Mara reserve on a secluded island surrounded by the Sand River near the Tanzanian border, the safari will boast views of the annual Great Migration of millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelle as they make their way from the Serengeti to the Masai Mara.
Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
A standout newcomer on Costa Rica’s northwest coast, this expansive resort sets the stage for immersive eco-adventures. Its 188 rooms offer a prime launch point for exploring Rincón de la Vieja — Guanacaste’s tallest and most active volcano — along with the surrounding tropical rainforest. Guests can unwind by the multi-level pool or retreat to a wooden deck nestled in the treetops before heading to Playa Penca, the nearby white-sand beach ideal for paddleboarding and swimming. At La Finca, the resort’s signature restaurant, Costa Rican cuisine takes center stage, showcasing seasonal ingredients in an open-air setting that mirrors the surrounding wild beauty.
Reset Hotel, Joshua Tree, California
Set in California’s high desert, Reset Hotel offers minimalistic design, desert-facing rooms and a wellness-first ethos rooted in environmental stewardship. Contemporary architecture frames sweeping desert landscapes and encourages guests to disconnect. Eco amenities and locally sourced materials shape a calming backdrop that encourages sustainable living practices. Its holistic approach fosters a connection to the stark beauty of the Mojave.
Tella Thera, Crete, Greece
Perched on a sun-drenched hillside in Crete, Tella Thera integrates stone structures and lagoon-style pools with the island’s natural contours. Built from local materials and designed for energy efficiency, it offers minimalist luxury that complements the surrounding flora. The retreat emphasizes ambient outdoor living through terraces and lounge nooks that seamlessly fuse architecture and nature. Its local stone facades and sage-toned palettes reflect Cretan tradition while promoting eco-responsible tourism.
Braccialieri, Sicily, Italy
Tucked amid a historic olive grove, this woodland retreat reflects a pronounced ecological sensitivity through reclaimed woods, artisan textiles, and minimal soil disruption. The villas are set gently among centuries-old trees, with interiors adorned in handmade ceramics and regional craftsmanship. The philosophy centers on returning to Pachamama: blending rustic luxury with soil-based hospitality. Braccialieri upholds Sicily’s agrarian heritage while minimizing operational carbon.
andBeyond Suyian Lodge, Laikipia, Kenya
Built with a light footprint and guided by andBeyond’s sustainability ethos, the newest lodge will rely on solar power, locally sourced materials, and conservation-driven operations designed to preserve the delicate ecosystem of the Laikipia plateau. The 14-tent lodge, located within the 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy, gives travelers the opportunity to explore this biodiverse landscape in rare solitude. Wildlife sightings may include endangered species like Grévy’s zebra and the strikingly patterned reticulated giraffe. Guests will also have the chance to connect with local Samburu and Pokot communities and traverse terrain that shifts from golden savannah to shaded vachellia woodland, offering a multidimensional take on the modern safari. Laikipia’s remote plateau remains one of Kenya’s last untamed safari frontiers — less saturated with camps than the Mara and all the more compelling for it.
Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, Rwanda
This new tented camp on Akagera’s peninsular edge fuses high-end safari with conservation-driven immersion. Guests can kayak across the lake, go birding amid papyrus reeds, or track wildlife with expert guides, all while supporting park preservation efforts. Purpose-built with minimal land disturbance, the site uses elevated walkways, composting toilets, and solar-heated water systems. Each night in the bush aligns comfort with ethical ecotourism.
One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Montana, USA
Debuting in June, this mountain-chic lodge offers timber-and-stone lodges nestled into Montana’s alpine terrain. The spa uses locally harvested botanicals and unites water conservation with regionally sourced cuisine. Its architecture blends into the forested landscape, optimizing daylight and minimizing tree removal. Year-round offerings — skiing in winter, hiking and fly-fishing in summer — support regenerative wilderness principles.
Levantine Hill Hotel, Yarra Valley, Australia
Set under towering eucalyptus and vineyard canopies, this 33 suite retreat offers vineyard-facing rooms, art trails, and helipad access. Its architecture is sited to blend with the terrain, using rammed-earth walls and natural tone finishes. Indoor-outdoor integration encourages passive cooling and low energy use. Bespoke sculpture installations and fitness spaces harmonize with this immersive eco-luxury concept.
Salterra Resort & Spa, South Caicos, Turks & Caicos
Turks and Caicos’ latest arrival, Salterra, is a 100-room eco-resort and spa centered on wellness, salt, and sea. Powered by solar energy and committed to eliminating plastic, the property also champions reef conservation across its protected marine surroundings. Guests can choose from six dining experiences before retreating to the Premier’s Penthouse Suite, a luxe vantage point for exploring the island’s shallow reefs by paddle board, kayak, snorkel, or dive.
Six Senses, London, U.K.
Six Senses made its long-awaited U.K. debut this year with the transformation of The Whiteley — London’s original department store. The upscale hotelier transformed it into a 109-room urban sanctuary in Bayswater. Just a short walk from Hyde Park, the property invites guests to pair city life with daily rituals like morning jogs or meditative strolls beneath the trees. Inside, the brand unveils its first-ever Six Senses Place, a private members club centered on holistic well-being, blending advanced biohacking technologies with ancient healing practices. It’s a bold move that repositions Six Senses — best known for its remote eco-retreats — as a key player in the future of urban wellness, bringing a fresh, health-forward perspective to London’s often buttoned-up luxury landscape.
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