We’ve rounded up seven of the best eco-friendly luxury hotels in Europe from Ibiza to Iceland and Switzerland to Italy…
Consideration for the environment has never before been so important. Especially when it comes to travel. That’s why more and more hotels around the world are taking great measures to become more sustainable. Conscious travellers have been the driving force behind this trend and it’s with great excitement we are presenting you with some very stylish eco-friendly hotels in Europe…
Borgo Pignano, Tuscany
Borgo Pignano is set in the heart of a picturesque 750-acre organic estate in Tuscany, close to the medieval hill towns of Volterra and San Gimignano. Sustainability has an impact on each of the hotel’s departments, starting with all restoration works on the buildings which use environmentally-friendly materials. The heating and hot water are produced from woodchip-fired boilers, harvested from the estate’s own forests. The property grows local varieties of vegetables and fruits such as olives, cereals and herbs, using a natural system for retaining rainwater in the estate. Artisanal bread, cold pressed olive oils, honey, herbs, soaps and other toiletries are homemade using traditional Tuscan techniques.
All other products are sourced locally making a positive impact on the local economy. 80% of the staff is hired from within a 50 km radius and there are two Tesla charging points available in the hotel’s parking area.
Borgo Pignano +39 0588 35032 offers rooms starting from €300 per night in La Villa, including breakfast.
Cas Gasi, Ibiza
In the hills of Ibiza, Cas Gasi was created with sustainability in mind, from their officially certified fresh organic produce to their saltwater swimming pool, solar energy and protection of wildlife habitats. The hotel and owner focus all their efforts on supporting the earth’s natural balance. Passionate about the concept of organic farming, they promote sustainable use of the estate’s resources, including recently installing solar heating panels, fitting a sand-filtered well supplying the hotel’s water needs, and a sewage treatment plant, using advanced technology to achieve completely pure water from waste for re-use in the garden. With just 12 suites and rooms, the property is quiet and exclusive, perfect for those who wish to be away from the hustle and bustle of Ibiza life. The restaurant offers the freshest Mediterranean cuisine, using produce from their organic vegetable gardens, as well as ingredients from the neighbouring farms including free-range eggs, meats and home-made organic cold pressed olive oil.
Cas Gasi T. +34 971 19 77 00 offers rooms from €225 per night based on 2 adults sharing.
Valsana, Arosa, Switzerland
Hotel Valsana is the first hotel in Switzerland to be heated by geothermal probes and an ultra-modern ice-battery. The ice battery is an autonomous energy recovery system which draws waste heat energy from everyday devices such as kitchen appliances and air conditioning units.
Built from scratch on the site of the previous property, the hotel is created from handcrafted stone and reclaimed wood to the highest environmental and energy standards. Almost all the wood from the previous structure’s facade has been reworked and used for the dining and the living area of the hotel. All the beds at Valsana are made of coconut or coir fibre, bound together by natural latex. Valsana is spread across three new buildings with interiors by the vibrant Swiss designer Carlo Rampazzi, creating a subtle blend of styles that reflect the alpine landscape. Set beside the lake, the hotel’s restaurant Twist has beautiful views and al fresco dining on the sun terrace and has a focus on local suppliers and seasonal produce. The bread is made in two local bakeries, an effort from the hotel to keep local businesses running throughout the year.
Valsana Hotel & Apartments, Arosa T. +41 81 378 6363 has rooms from CHF 420 based on two adults sharing a room on a B&B basis.
Rocksresort, Laaz, Switzerland
Situated adjacent to the base station in Laax, rocksresort takes its name and identity from the surrounding landscape. Finished in rough-hewn stone, the cubic exterior of this hotel complex succeeds at blending in with its environment, whilst also standing as a bold design statement. The exciting self-contained complex of architecturally minimalist cube-shaped buildings houses furnished holiday apartments, shops, restaurants and bars – all arranged around a central square. The interiors of the two- and four-bedroom apartments echo the clean lines of the consciously minimalist exteriors. Natural materials from the local region are used throughout the apartments to create a warm and inviting atmosphere and light colours create a pleasant contrast. Due to high demand, this hotel has limited availability. Please call the reservations department for all stays.
ION Adventure Hotel, Selfoss, Iceland
Fire and ice. Hot and cold. An abandoned inn turned boutique hotel in Iceland. Ion Adventure Hotel is where modern design meets Iceland’s incomparable natural landscape. Situated in the south-western town of Selfoss, near a national crossroad making the hotel accessible to various parts of the country, Ion is conveniently located to offer guests the best of Iceland. From the volcanic marvels of Mount Hengill to the urban sophistication of Reykjavik nearby, the unique landscape plays a pivotal role in the rich design of the hotel, which leans heavily on sustainable practices and the natural features of the island. Throughout 45 rooms, guests can expect a mellow mix of concrete chic and earthy ambience, combined with the warm accents of locally salvaged driftwood and lava; all deftly handled by design studio Minarc. Beyond this, the farm-fresh cuisine at Silfra Restaurant & Bar, view-heavy Northern Lights Bar, and partially exposed Lava Spa all ensure that visitors have the ultimate Icelandic experience before even stepping foot outside.
STRAF, Milan, Italy
A mesmerizing monument to deconstructivist aesthetics lies mere steps from Milan’s Duomo cathedral and La Scala opera house. Italian architect and fashion designer Vincenzo de Cotiis conceived of the hotel as a work of art—a grand scale installation. With bare cement floors and stairs, rooms featuring oxidized brass and split slate, scratched mirrors, burnished iron, and torn, aged gauze captured between sheets of glass, de Cotiis summons an atmosphere of warmth and well-being from scrappy, hard-edged materials. The 66 guestrooms come in either a light or dark colour palette and exude intimacy despite (or perhaps because of) the hints of industrial design. While the conceptual design elements of the Straf offer plenty of cerebral delights, there are still many creature comforts to appeal to the senses. The hotel also offers several “relaxation rooms,” which include massage chairs and aromatherapy treatments.
Coco-Mat Eco Residences Serifos, Greece
An authentic slice of Greek history has been artistically updated to create a rare hospitality experience. At Coco-Mat Eco Residences Serifos, one-time miners quarters have been reimagined and reworked into roomy two-story apartments, presenting a confluence of history, space, and design, unlike anything one is likely to encounter on the Greek Islands. Set on a lush, sandy beach along the Aegean shores of Serifos, Coco-Mat takes luxury to an expansive new level. The spacious apartments have been crafted with an eye toward unifying nature, simplicity, and elegance. Recently renovated, the beachfront Coco-Mat not only stands out for its welcoming mindset but through its respect for traditional local architecture and contemporary sustainable practices. Here, authentic Cycladic design merges with an unadorned industrial order and sophisticated eco-friendly construction that define a unique new style.
