Across the country, properties and destinations are embracing earth-friendly upgrades, proving that sustainability and comfort easily coexist. Read on for a list of properties to suggest to clients looking to enjoy eco-travel in style.
Celebrating Planet Earth Across the Nation
Arlo Washington DC holds LEED Silver certification for sustainable design and operations, and incorporates the historic 1888 Harrison Apartments into its modern structure, reducing material waste and preserving architectural character. A 6,000-sq.-ft. green roof supports native plants and a cistern system that captures and reuses twelve thousand gallons of rainwater, cutting potable water use by 57 percent. Energy Star-rated kitchen equipment and appliances contribute to a 25 percent reduction in energy costs. Located near Penn Quarter, Judiciary Square and Capitol Hill, the hotel encourages walking and biking with strong transit access and a 91 walkability score.
For more information, visit arlohotels.com.
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
Through a partnership with BioGreen360, The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago has implemented a closed-loop composting program that diverts all food waste from landfills. The initiative processes organic matter into compost on-site, and guests can take home bags of nutrient-rich soil. Real-time data tools monitor progress and reinforce transparency in the hotel’s sustainability performance.
For more information, visit ritzcarlton.com.
Bardessono Hotel & Spa
In Napa Valley’s wine country, Bardessono Hotel & Spa blends luxury hospitality with measurable sustainability. The property was California’s first LEED Platinum-certified hotel and remains one of the nation’s few at that level. Each spa suite doubles as a personal treatment space, offering in-room or private courtyard experiences through b Spa.
A 200-kilowatt solar array powers much of the property’s heating and cooling. Motion sensors in guest rooms adjust lighting, shades, and temperature based on occupancy to conserve resources. Interiors feature recycled glass tile, soy fiber rugs, and organic cottons, reflecting a materials-first commitment.
Lucy Restaurant & Bar follows a California Certified Organic Farming standard, with menus built around daily harvests from Bardessono’s on-site garden and nearby producers. Ingredients from that same garden are also used in spa therapies, tying the dining and wellness programs to the land.
For more information, visit bardessono.com.
Visit Bellevue, Washington
Bellevue, Washington, offers a model of urban sustainability supported by new green infrastructure. The city’s electric light rail extension links directly to Sea-Tac International Airport, reducing the need for car travel. Complimentary downtown e-shuttles and e-bikes build on this network, promoting accessible, low-emission exploration for visitors.
For more information, visit visitbellevuewa.com.
Wailea Beach Resort
Set between two golden crescent beaches, Wailea Beach Resort extends across 22 acres along Maui’s south shore. The oceanfront property pairs modern design with measurable sustainability. In homage to the demigod Maui, who slowed the sun in Hawaiian legend, the resort has invested $2 million in rooftop solar infrastructure that produces more than 660,000 kilowatt-hours annually. This initiative reduces oil use by over one thousand barrels each year and lowers the island’s carbon footprint, the equivalent of saving thousands of palm trees and hundreds of acres of rainforest.
The property recently added a third 50-kilowatt solar installation on its Pacific Terrace, further increasing clean energy production. Guests receive reusable Pathwater bottles for refills at filtered water stations to minimize plastic waste. Tankless water heaters, saline pools, drip irrigation, and drought-resistant landscaping conserve water near Maui’s fragile coastline. To support reef protection, the resort also provides complimentary reef-safe sunscreen under the county’s environmental ordinance.
For more information, visit marriott.com.
