Top 10 highest-rated green hotels in the U.S. according to TripAdvisor. Eco-friendly accommodation are good for the environment and the spirit.
Most travelers find travel experiences more enjoyable when they make greener choices, according to a new TripAdvisor’s eco-travel survey of more than 2,100 U.S. respondents. According to the survey, 23 percent of respondents have consciously made an eco-friendly travel choice in the past year, and 85 percent said doing so made them feel more positive about their trip.
TripAdvisor is giving top honors to the Bardessono hotel in Napa Valley, California. In the heart of Wine Country, this 62-room hotel welcomes guests to the lap of luxury while minimizing the environmental impact. A subterranean geothermal system provides heating and air- conditioning to the sumptuously designed guest rooms, while two on-site gardens deliver fresh produce for the hotel’s gourmet Lucy Restaurant and Bar.
Guests of Bardessono have the ability to test drive the latest 2014 hybrid-Lexus vehicles for two to four hours while staying at the property.
The top five most common ways U.S. respondents travel green:
- Ensured the lights were turned off when not in hotel room – 96%
- Participated in hotel’s linen / towel reuse program – 90%
- Used recycling in the hotel – 81%
- Ensured the air-conditioning was turned off when not in the hotel room – 72%
- Walked, biked, or used public transportation as much as possible – 69%
“For those interested in lowering the carbon footprint of their trips, this list of TripAdvisor GreenLeaders showcases properties that have a strong commitment to sustainability and are highly rated by our travel community,” said Jenny Rushmore, director of responsible travel at TripAdvisor.
The TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program aims to help travelers around the world plan greener trips by highlighting hotels and B&Bs engaging in environmentally friendly practices.
Top 10 highest-rated green hotels in the US according to TripAdvisor:
Bardessono, Yountville, California;
Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg, Oregon;
Blending seamlessly into 35 acres of hillside in the Willamette Valley, this 85-room resort was designed with sustainability in mind. The property boasts a “living roof,” which provides insulation to reduce energy use.
Hilton Garden Inn Lafayetteville/Fort Bragg, Lafayetteville, North Carolina;
In the Sandhills region of North Carolina, eco-conscious travelers can stay at this 104-room hotel that carefully monitors its carbon footprint. The hotel exclusively uses energy efficient appliances and lighting, and the surrounding landscaping was designed to be self-sustaining and is irrigated using rainwater collected on the roof.
Sleep Inn & Suites, Miles City, Montana;
Located 140 miles northeast of Billings near the Yellowstone River, this hotel makes it easy to travel green. All 90 rooms feature motion sensors that turn off lights and electronics when there is no in-room activity. The hotel also recycles the soap and shampoo that is leftover after each guest checks out.
Montage Deer Valley, Park City, Utah;
Nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, this alpine resort offers fabulous outdoor activities, while doing its part to protect the pristine surroundings. Built and landscaped using indigenous materials, the resort uses a comprehensive waste management program to limit what it sends to the
landfill.
Cedar Glen Lodge, Lake Tahoe, California;
Boasting stunning views of Lake Tahoe, travelers can enjoy a relaxing, low-impact retreat at this rustic resort that was recently renovated using reclaimed wood. To cut down on water use, the resort directs snow and rainfall into large filtering vaults, recirculates hot water, and uses low-flow plumbing appliances.
ARIA Sky Suites, Las Vegas, Nevada;
High above the Las Vegas Strip, this 442-room hotel implements eco-friendly practices while providing guests with an indulgent experience, including complimentary airport transportation using the world’s first stretch-limo fleet powered by compressed natural gas.
The Lenox Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts;
In Boston’s Copley Square, the 204-room Lenox Hotel was one of the first hotels to offer a linen- reuse program back in the 1980s. Today, the hotel remains committed to sustainability by recycling 88 percent of its waste and donating unused amenities to local charitable organizations.
Hampton Inn & Suites Miami/Bricknell-Downtown, Miami, Florida;
Travelers to the Sunshine State can enjoy a sustainable stay at this hotel, which was the first in Miami to be LEED certified. Among environmentally-friendly features are two electric car charging stations, as well as a 35,000-gallon cistern that collects rainwater for reuse.
Holiday Inn Express Inverness, Lecanto, Florida.
Located in Citrus County near Florida’s Gulf Coast, this 75-room hotel has sustainability down to a science. Automatic systems regulate electricity and hot water for increased efficiency, while recycling bins strategically placed throughout the property help cut down on waste.
