The 6 best eco-friendly hotels in England
The impact that travel has on the planet is causing concern for an increasing number of travelers. Although flying is the biggest contributor to the travel-based carbon footprint, hotels come in a close second, accounting for over more than 20 percent of tourism-based emissions.
More and more, hotels across the world are implementing eco-friendly practices as part of their business model, allowing people to still stay in luxury accommodation at the most in-demand destinations without leaving a hefty carbon footprint behind. For a hotel to be classed as sustainable, it generally has to account for three factors: economic, social and environmental. This encompasses everything from sourcing local food to fair worker rights and providing employment to local people. Here are our top picks from around England.
Read more: 7 of the fanciest resorts in Southern Europe
The Green House, Bournemouth
This hotel ranked seventh in Expedia’s World Top Ten Eco-Friendly Hotel awards and is considered the greenest in the U.K. The Green House is a four-star hotel, occupying a 32-room Grade II Victorian villa located next to some of England’s best beaches, as well as being close to the beautiful wilderness of the New Forest.
The principles of the hotel are designed to ensure that the hotel minimizes its environmental impact as well as acting in an ethical and responsible manner. It sources locally, reduces, reuses and recycles and considers everything it brings in and out of the hotel. In terms of the design of the hotel, it has free electric car charge points in the parking garage, wallpaper that is Forest Stewardship Council-certified and made in the U.K. with vegetable inks and TVs with a range of eco settings, such as automatically adjusting to the light levels in the room.
The hotel's concern for the environment extends to directly helping local wildlife, too — it provides bird and bat boxes in its garden. Additionally, it runs something known as the "Green Goals Project" where it invests in local projects that help people to improve their local environment.
The Scarlet, Cornwall
This place is described as a "luxury eco hotel just for grown-ups.” Feel connected to the outdoors with the large, light and airy spaces with views of the sea, cliffs and sky. This hotel has a “cherish the world” ethos and aims to redefine luxury, making it a rich experience without over-consumption. The enhanced connection to nature is highlighted with its meadow gardens, cliff top hot tubs and an Ayurvedic-inspired spa.
Even the pool uses a living reed bed as a filtration system where microorganisms balance the chemistry of the water, keeping it completely clean and clear for an amazing freshwater swimming experience. Other impressive sustainability aspects of the hotel include a roof constructed from sea thrift, gray water harvesting (using waste water from showers to flush toilets) and a restaurant that uses only local and seasonal Cornish ingredients. Similar to The Green House, The Scarlet has set up a scheme known as the Community Fund, which funds projects that contribute to improving the local natural environment.
CLC Trenython Manor, Cornwall
This hotel, also in Cornwall, has won multiple awards with room options ranging from hotel rooms in a grand mansion to self-catering lodges surrounded by 24 acres of countryside and sea views. This hotel is entirely self-contained, with its own water, electricity and sewage systems. The property also encourages people to get outside and enjoy the natural world, with nature walks offered in its range of activities. Unlike The Scarlet, this hotel is family-friendly, as well as being dog-friendly.
La Suite West, London
Staying at the La Suite West hotel in London, an exclusively plant-based hotel, will help to reduce the environmental impact of your trip. This boutique hotel is located in central London, within walking distance of Notting Hill, Portobello Market and Marble Arch. Its restaurant offers a delicious plant-based twist on classic favorites inspired by the chef’s Italian and Japanese heritage using healthy, fresh and sustainable ingredients. The rooms have been rated four-star and feature four-poster beds and blackout curtains — designed to incorporate a “touch of Zen.” In-room spa services are also available and include facials, massages, personal training and hairdressing.
Read more: 13 exciting hotels opening this autumn
The Zetter Hotel, London
An alternative option for London is The Zetter in Clerkenwell, near the city. It has 59 boutique rooms, each individually designed with a vintage-modern style. There are also seven rooftop studios, each with its own private terrace with incredible panoramic views of London. There are a number of eco-friendly practices including a borehole beneath the building that cools the fridges and bedrooms, environmentally sensitive building materials, chemical-free shower products, as well as an in-house green team. The on-site restaurant is also one of the founding members of the Sustainable Restaurant Association.
Oakley Court, Windsor
If you are wanting somewhere with easy access to London but with more of that British countryside feel, then The Oakley Court in Windsor is a great option. This is a 118-bedroom country house property, which the Queen herself has apparently visited. Oakley Court is committed to working sustainably and has dual flush toilet systems and rainwater collection tanks, an "upcycled" outdoor bar and energy management schemes in place, as well as on-site nature trails equipped with hedgehog homes and bird houses.
These hotels are just some of the many options for eco-hotels that are emerging around the world but are the perfect examples that traveling green is now at no expense of home comforts and luxury. You can still go away and feel as though you are treating yourself without harming our planet.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.