USA TODAY 10Best
The Best Eco-Friendly Hotel? Visit Viceroy Snowmass
Best Eco-Friendly Hotel (2022)
Many companies have made promises to become more environmentally friendly, but these hotels have gone above and beyond to promote environmental sustainability. Along the way, they've earned certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council or other industry awards in sustainability.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Eco-Friendly Hotel are as follows:
- Airlie - Warrenton, Virginia
- Cedar Glen Lodge - Tahoe Vista, California
- Cavallo Point - San Francisco, California
- Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel - Omaha, Nebraska
- Inn by the Sea - Cape Elizabeth, Maine
- Virgin Hotels Chicago - Chicago, Illinois
- 1 Hotel West Hollywood - West Hollywood, California
- 1 Hotel South Beach - Miami, Florida
- The Cliffs at Princeville - Kauai, Hawaii
- Viceroy Snowmass - Snowmass Village, Colorado
Photo courtesy of chingyunsong // Getty Images
No. 10:
The Georgian Revival-style Airlie began as a gentleman's estate on 300 rural acres in Northern Virginia in 1899. Since 1961 it has served as a conference center that in 1969 played a role in the planning of Earth Day. It continues to pursue sustainable practices with responsible land stewardship, energy-efficient lighting, extensive recycling and compost programs, a fleet of fuel-efficient vehicles and bicycles, and environmental education.
Photo courtesy of Cedar Glen Lodge
No. 9:
Cedar Glen Lodge has earned TripAdvisor’s Green Leader Platinum status for its sustainable initiatives, including dedicated parking for electric vehicles, low-flow plumbing appliances, re-circulating pumps, and renovations using reclaimed woods and materials native to the area.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
No. 8:
Located near the north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, this lodge recycled seventeen buildings initially built in 1901 for local military officers into guest accommodations. Cavallo Point earned LEED Gold Certification and features energy-efficient appliances, lighting and ventilation, water use and reclamation, organic linens and towels, non-chemical cleaning supplies, and recycling. They support six local nonprofit organizations related to environmental awareness.
Photo courtesy of Courtesy of Kimpton Cottonwood Hotel
No. 7:
Built as the Blackstone Hotel in 1916, this historic property in Omaha reopened in 2020 after a $75 million upgrade. Kimpton has implemented over 100 steps to make their hotels more eco-friendly, including using nontoxic cleaning supplies, recycling and water conservation. Kimpton has won multiple awards for their environmental focus; they were the first major chain to have 100% participation in TripAdvisor's GreenLeaders program.
Photo courtesy of Preferred Hotels & Resorts
No. 6:
Situated on a mile of sandy beach just outside Portland, Maine, the Inn by the Sea features 61 rooms, suites and cottages for a relaxing coastal escape. Days begin with early morning yoga and garden tours, while evenings finish with beachfront sunsets and nightly fire pits. The full-service spa has earned a LEED Silver certification.
Photo courtesy of Virgin Hotels Chicago
No. 5:
Virgin Hotels Chicago brings the variety of luxury to the Windy City you'd expect from a Richard Branson endeavor. The LEED Gold certified hotel uses green housekeeping practices, maintains a hotel-wide recycling program, promotes walking tourism in the Windy City and was built with green roofing material for more efficient storm water management.
Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel West Hollywood
No. 4:
The 1 Hotel organization has committed to environmental sustainability, and their West Hollywood property, which opened in 2019, is a showcase for those principles. Their Energy Star score is 95, one of the highest of any Los Angeles hotel. More than 75 tons of reclaimed wood and many native plants went into the hotel design. Guest rooms boast organic linens, while the hotel restaurant utilizes produce and herbs grown in an on-site organic garden and pursues zero waste options and sustainably-sourced dishes.
Photo courtesy of 1 Hotel South Beach
No. 3:
This LEED Silver property in Miami offers 600 feet of Atlantic Ocean beach, plus earth friendly extras, like a electric house car, in-room reclaimed chalkboards, 100-percent natural bath products and monthly candlelit Dark Sky events in the lobby to raise awareness of global brightening.
Photo courtesy of YinYang // Getty Images
No. 2:
The Cliffs at Princeville, located on 22 acres of Kauai's North Shore, has won recognition for its sustainability achievements. 86% of the resort's electricity is solar-powered, LED lights are in use, over 30% of their waste is recycled, and their water conservation program supports reusable containers over bottled water.
Photo courtesy of Viceroy Snowmass
No. 1:
The LEED Gold certified hotel is 30 percent more energy efficient than similar traditional properties, thanks to improved insulation, high-performance windows and an energy management system. All cleaning products are non-toxic and hypoallergenic, and shampoo and conditioner bottles get cleaned and resealed to limit waste.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning hotels!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ava Roxanne Stritt
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Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world on spa travel and a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. She transforms the idea of a regular spa day into a full wellness adventure! You can always find this freelance writer searching for unique experiences near and far. Follow her adventures at Spa Travel Gal and @SpaTravelGal to get inspired!
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
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Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Dennis Malcolm "Ale" Sharpton
Dennis Malcolm Byron aka Ale Sharpton is a world-renowned beer authority, award-winning journalist, blogger (AleSharpton.com), photographer, event planner, host, speaker and beer judge to name a few of his roles. While passionately traveling the globe to cover everything from automobiles to culinary scenes, celebrity profiles, sports, hotel destinations, art, and what he terms “the world’s best beverage,” Ale has contributed to more than 30 magazines and websites combined. His current media outlets include USAToday, Thrillist.com, Craft Beer & Brewing, CraftBeer.com, Theinfatuation.com, ButterATL.com, James Beard Foundation, Atlanta Magazine, and others. Along with being featured in various publications, on the web, radio, podcasts, television, beer fests, conferences, and ongoing Cruisin’ For A Brewsin’ video series, Ale utilizes his Cornell University School of Hotel Administration education and vast work experience to consult in the culinary industry as well. Forbes, Smithsonian Institution, UNTAPPD, Good Beer Hunting, and numerous others have showcased Ale’s accomplishments. In a collaboration going on six years with brewing giant New Belgium, Ale has produced a beer he conceptualized called Piano Keys—a chocolate vanilla imperial stout—geared to support diversity and racial equality. This project with New Belgium also spawned his initiative, BrewGether, which raises funds to support nonprofits embracing the same mission as Piano Keys. Ale proudly owns AllWays Open Creative Solutions, an agency specializing in creative direction, logo design, branding, web design, video production, photography, consulting, and social media. Although a native New Yorker, Ale proudly calls Atlanta his home. Follow Ale’s globetrotting adventures on his captivating Instagram (@realalesharpton).
Lawrence Horwitz
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Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Lawrence Horwitz
Lawrence Horwitz is Executive Director of Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide. Based in Washington DC, Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide, the official programs of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, include more than 300 of America’s most prominent historic hotels and more than 300 of the finest historic hotels in 45 countries worldwide. As the leader in marketing to the global historic, heritage and cultural travel market, both programs include historic hotels from more than 40 of the finest global chains, brands, and collections. As active partners of organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, White House Historical Association, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Organization of American Historians, and National Park Foundation, Horwitz leads a global marketing and tourism organization dedicated to increasing the recognition and celebration of the finest historic hotels and to promoting cultural and heritage travel to the world’s greatest prestigious treasures.
Marla Cimini
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Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist... Read More
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Ramsey Qubein
Ramsey Qubein is a freelance travel journalist covering hotels, cruises, airlines and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com and Business Traveler magazine among others. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 168 countries, all seven continents and 50 U.S. states. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter or via his website.
Catherine Smith
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Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
