Take a trip to one of the 25 most sustainable five-star resorts in the world, ranked by eco innovation, community impact, and environmental transparency — from eco-camps to barefoot beach retreats.
It’s no longer enough for a luxury hotel to offer 1,200-thread-count sheets and an infinity pool overlooking the sea. Today’s most sought-after destinations are those that tread lightly on the land, restore what they’ve borrowed from nature, and give something back to the communities they’re immersed in.
Across the globe, a quiet but potent shift is redefining five-star travel. According to Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report, 75 percent of global travelers say they plan to make more sustainable travel choices in the coming year, and more than half are actively looking for stays that blend comfort with climate-conscious design. Meanwhile, research from the Carson College of Business finds that 88 percent of Gen Z travelers and 83 percent of Millennials rank sustainability as a core priority when booking their trips. These travelers are fluent in carbon offsets, ask about water recycling, and will choose a solar-powered safari lodge over a marble-clad megaresort every time.
The most forward-thinking hotels aren’t just reducing their footprint — they’re flipping the script entirely. From off-grid Arctic basecamps to jungle retreats that rewild degraded farmland, the new standard of luxury is deeply local, impressively circular, and anything but performative. These places don’t just make you feel good while you’re there — they make you think about how to tread more lightly once you’ve gone.
Top Sustainable Five-Star Resorts and Hotels
Each property is evaluated based on its sustainability score, eco-commitments, location, and average nightly rate, providing travelers with informed choices for their next eco-conscious luxury getaway.
How We Scored Sustainability
Each hotel on this list was assigned a Sustainability Score on a scale from 1 to 10 based on five key criteria:
Energy and Water Efficiency – Does the property utilize renewable energy, water recycling, or high-efficiency systems?
Waste Reduction and Circularity – Are there programs for composting, plastic elimination, or local sourcing?
Environmental Certifications – Recognized third-party verifications (e.g., LEED, EarthCheck, Green Globe, GSTC).
Community Engagement – Active support of local economies, cultures, and conservation efforts.
Transparency – Is the resort publicly reporting sustainability data or participating in impact assessments?
Soneva Fushi, Maldives
Tucked away in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Soneva Fushi is built on the philosophy of “intelligent luxury.” The resort runs on solar power, has an on-site recycling center, and created the Maldives’ first carbon calculator for guests. It also operates a glass-blowing studio that repurposes waste glass into art.
Location: Baa Atoll, Maldives
Average Nightly Rate: $2,400
Sustainability Score: 9.6
The Brando, French Polynesia
The Brando is a model of sustainable luxury, powered by renewable energy sources and featuring innovative systems like seawater air conditioning. The resort is committed to preserving the atoll’s natural beauty and biodiversity.
Location: Tetiaroa Atoll, French Polynesia
Average Nightly Rate: $3,000
Sustainability Score: 9.2/10
Fogo Island Inn, Canada
Perched on the edge of Newfoundland’s rugged coast, Fogo Island Inn reinvents the idea of community-rooted hospitality. The hotel is owned by a charitable foundation, with one hundred percent of its operating surpluses reinvested into the local economy. Built using traditional outport craftsmanship and powered by solar and wood-burning systems, it also sources ninety-five percent of its food from within the province.
Location: Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Average Nightly Rate: $1,800
Sustainability Score: 9.3
Jetwing Vil Uyana, Sri Lanka
Built into a restored wetland ecosystem near the ancient city of Sigiriya, Jetwing Vil Uyana is a blueprint for sustainable luxury in South Asia. The resort’s villas are elevated over paddy fields, forest, and lake habitats, minimizing impact while encouraging biodiversity. Jetwing has planted over 1,000 trees and supports wildlife conservation including the endangered fishing cat.
Location: Sigiriya, Sri Lanka
Average Nightly Rate: $490
Sustainability Score: 9.7
Bambu Indah, Bali, Indonesia
A riverside jungle retreat in Ubud, Bambu Indah is a design-forward resort made entirely from reclaimed teak and bamboo. Off-grid and solar-powered, the property also features natural spring-fed pools and permaculture gardens. It’s one of Bali’s most authentic eco stays, marrying spiritual serenity with serious sustainability.
Location: Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Average Nightly Rate: $650
Sustainability Score: 9.7
Six Senses Laamu, Maldives
Nestled in the remote Laamu Atoll, Six Senses Laamu is a beacon of sustainable luxury. The resort utilizes solar power, implements comprehensive waste management systems, and supports marine conservation projects. Its commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect, from eco-friendly architecture to community engagement initiatives.
Location: Laamu Atoll, Maldives
Average Nightly Rate: $1,200
Sustainability Score: 9.8/10
Auberge du Soleil, California, USA
Situated in the heart of Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil combines luxury with environmental responsibility. The resort operates on 100 percent renewable energy through Marin Clean Energy’s Deep Green program and emphasizes sustainable practices throughout its operations.
Location: Napa Valley, California
Average Nightly Rate: $1,000
Sustainability Score: 9.7/10
Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador
Located in the Chocó cloud forest, Mashpi Lodge is a research-focused eco-lodge known for its deep biodiversity conservation work. Built with minimal environmental impact, the lodge contributes directly to scientific discovery, forest protection, and local employment. Guests can join biologists on guided nature walks through one of the most biologically intense places on Earth.
Location: Chocó Andean Cloud Forest, Ecuador
Average Nightly Rate: $1,450
Sustainability Score: 9.5
Arctic Bath, Sweden
Floating on the Lule River and encircled by ice during winter, Arctic Bath is as visually stunning as it is environmentally conscious. The hotel is constructed using local wood and stone, operates on renewable energy, and prioritizes zero-waste design. It also integrates traditional Sámi wellness practices into its spa programming.
Location: Harads, Swedish Lapland
Average Nightly Rate: $950
Sustainability Score: 9.4
The Datai Langkawi, Malaysia
Nestled between a 10-million-year-old rainforest and a private bay, The Datai Langkawi is a certified EarthCheck property that funds reforestation and coral restoration through its in-house foundation. The resort’s commitment to zero single-use plastics and community-driven conservation makes it one of Southeast Asia’s greenest luxury stays.
Location: Langkawi, Malaysia
Average Nightly Rate: $800
Sustainability Score: 9.4
Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Namibia
Positioned where desert meets ocean, Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp runs entirely on solar power and supports cutting-edge research on desert-adapted wildlife like lions and elephants. Its design minimizes water use and disturbance to fragile ecosystems, while revenue directly funds community and conservation partnerships in the region.
Location: Skeleton Coast, Namibia
Average Nightly Rate: $1,250
Sustainability Score: 9.3
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
This Four Seasons resort is renowned for its marine conservation efforts, including coral reef restoration and manta ray research. The property integrates sustainable practices seamlessly with luxury, offering guests an eco-conscious paradise.
Location: Baa Atoll, Maldives
Average Nightly Rate: $1,500
Sustainability Score: 9.6/10
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection, New York, USA
Wildflower Farms exemplifies sustainable hospitality with its community solar project, composting programs, and water reuse systems. The resort’s design harmonizes with the natural landscape, providing a tranquil retreat for eco-minded travelers looking to escape the bustle of the city.
Location: Hudson Valley, New York
Average Nightly Rate: $900
Sustainability Score: 9.5/10
São Lourenço do Barrocal, Portugal
This restored farmhouse hotel offers authentic experiences rooted in the traditions of Alentejo. Guests can participate in wine tastings, farm-to-table dining, and cultural activities, all while supporting sustainable tourism in the region.
Location: Alentejo, Portugal
Average Nightly Rate: $700
Sustainability Score: 9.3/10
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
As the Caribbean’s first certified carbon-neutral hotel, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort offers a romantic, eco-friendly escape. The resort emphasizes wellness and sustainability without compromising on luxury.
Location: Eagle Beach, Aruba
Average Nightly Rate: $600
Sustainability Score: 9.1/10
Hotel Le Toiny, St. Barthélemy
This boutique Caribbean escape runs water purification systems, operates its own solar array, and maintains protected green zones on the property. It has eliminated single-use plastics and prioritizes sourcing from local farms.
Location: St. Barthélemy, Caribbean
Average Nightly Rate: $2,100
Sustainability Score: 9.1
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Perched over the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn was one of the first U.S. hotels to install off-grid solar, and it remains a leader in composting, greywater systems, and conservation landscaping. Its architecture blends organically into Big Sur’s cliffs.
Location: Big Sur, California
Average Nightly Rate: $1,200
Sustainability Score: 9.4
Parīlio Hotel, Greece
A member of Design Hotels and SLH Considerate Collection, Parīlio uses natural cooling and light systems, non-toxic building materials, and a hyperlocal supply chain. Its design honors Cycladic architecture while promoting low-impact tourism.
Location: Paros, Greece
Average Nightly Rate: $550
Sustainability Score: 9.2
Cap Rocat, Mallorca, Spain
Housed in a 19th-century military fortress, Cap Rocat blends restoration with conservation. The resort uses seawater cooling, solar energy, and chemical-free pools, and has restored native marine flora in the surrounding protected bay.
Location: Mallorca, Spain
Average Nightly Rate: $1,100
Sustainability Score: 9.4
Lapa Rios Lodge, Costa Rica
Located within the Osa Peninsula’s rainforest, Lapa Rios is a pioneer in conservation travel. Solar-powered and built entirely from sustainable materials, the lodge protects more than 1,000 acres of primary forest and runs educational programming for local schools.
Location: Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Average Nightly Rate: $1,000
Sustainability Score: 9.5
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
This barefoot luxury icon runs on solar, bans single-use plastic, and sources all materials for its overwater villas sustainably. The hotel also operates its own desalination plant and marine biology center for reef preservation.
Location: North Malé Atoll, Maldives
Average Nightly Rate: $1,600
Sustainability Score: 9.6
Tierra Patagonia, Chile
Bordering Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra Patagonia was designed to disappear into the Patagonian steppe. It runs on renewable energy, treats all greywater, and supports native tree planting and rewilding programs.
Location: Patagonia, Chile
Average Nightly Rate: $1,450
Sustainability Score: 9.5
La Fiermontina Ocean, Morocco
This cliffside retreat on Morocco’s Atlantic coast runs on solar and supports local agriculture and education through its Fiermontina Foundation. Its architecture uses local materials and traditional techniques with a low carbon footprint.
Location: Oualidia, Morocco
Average Nightly Rate: $900
Sustainability Score: 9.4
Longitude 131°, Australia
Facing Uluru, this lodge is powered by solar, harvests water, and runs zero-impact luxury tents with retractable roofs. It partners with Anangu communities to protect sacred lands and maintain Indigenous stewardship of the area.
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Average Nightly Rate: $2,100
Sustainability Score: 9.7
Heckfield Place, United Kingdom
Set on a biodynamic farm, this Georgian manor has become the gold standard for sustainable hospitality in the U.K. All food is grown on-site, rooms are heated with biomass boilers, and its regenerative landscape practices are certified by Soil Association standards.
Location: Hampshire, England
Average Nightly Rate: $1,100
Sustainability Score: 9.9
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