How to choose a sustainable hotel without sacrificing style

Sustainable travel doesn’t mean giving up luxury; it means choosing experiences that feel good and do good. Whether you’re planning a tropical escape or a cultural city break, here are just 7 smart ways to pick a hotel that aligns with your values.

1. Start with your travel agent

Let your travel expert know you’d prefer to see sustainable options. We’ve got insider access to hotels that walk the eco-talk, from solar-powered suites to zero-waste menus. The more we know about your preferences, the better we can tailor your trip.

2. Look for genuine accreditations

Greenwashing is real. Keep an eye out for credible certifications like EarthCheck, Green Globe, or GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council). These aren’t just pretty logos; they reflect real commitments to energy use, waste reduction, and community impact.

3. Rethink all-inclusive

All-inclusive can be convenient, but it often funnels spending away from local businesses and produces a lot of waste. Consider boutique hotels or B&Bs where your meals, souvenirs, and excursions support the local economy. The big gain for you is that you’ll get a more authentic taste of the destination.

4. Buy local, eat local

Skip the imported trinkets and opt for handmade crafts, textiles, or treats from local artisans. When dining out, choose restaurants that serve regional dishes made with local ingredients; it’s better for the planet and your palate.

5. Go plant-based (even just a little)

Eating more plant-based meals whilst travelling is a delicious way to reduce your carbon footprint. Many hotels now offer creative veggie menus that rival any fine dining experience; think jackfruit tacos in Mexico or lentil koftas in Morocco.

6. Consider a homestay or community-run lodge

Homestays and locally owned guesthouses offer a deeper connection to the culture and often reinvest profits into the community. It’s a win-win: meaningful memories for you, real impact for those who are opening up their homes and way of life to you. When staying in globally branded hotels, you could be anywhere. Staying local, if only for a night, opens your eyes to a destination.

7. Choose tours that give back

From organisations that plant one tree per day of your tour (yes, please!) to excursions led by local guides, there are plenty of ways to explore responsibly. Ask your travel agent to recommend experiences that support conservation or community projects. Do be careful of excursions that claim to give back or claim to be ethical; they may not be as they seem, which is why having an expert to guide you is always helpful.

Sustainable travel isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention. Every choice you make, from where you sleep to what you eat, can help protect the places you love to visit. With the right guidance, you’ll never have to compromise on comfort or style.

These are just a few of my photos from my incredible trip to Vietnam this year with Intrepid. We got to have lunch with a local family, learn the skill of making incense sticks and visit a local community project, Vun Art in Hanoi.