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Sustainable Accommodations: The Most Beautiful (and Fairest) Spots in Nature
Unique and Sustainable Accommodations: The Most Beautiful Spots in Nature
Find your special place to stay—one that feels right and does you good.
In a nutshell: Why choose Nature Travel Lab?
Truly sustainable: we base our selection on independent frameworks (GSTC guidelines & UN SDGs) and our own audit checklist.
Small-scale & full of character: eco-lodges, (family-run) B&Bs, and nature retreats with a compelling story.
Comfort without guilt: hot water, beautiful design, and delicious food—all with a small environmental footprint.
Transparent: Each address has clearly marked sustainability icons (see categories below) and a measurable impact.
Want to choose quickly? Use our filters— Architecture · Food · Social · Well-being · Environment & Sustainability · Zero Footprint —and instantly find what aligns with your values.
What do we mean by “sustainable lodging”?
Sustainable lodging is more than just offsetting CO₂. It means choosing places that:
saving energy and becoming more environmentally friendly (solar panels, heat pumps, insulation)
fair sourcing and local sharing (fair & local food, local employment)
protecting nature and culture (restoration of cultural heritage, protection of flora and fauna)
Taking your well-being seriously (rest, healthy eating, mindful activities)
and measure their impact (striving for zero emissions, actively managing water and waste)
We evaluate each location against the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) principles and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Only locations that demonstrate concrete actions and a commitment to continuous improvement make the cut.
Our 6 categories of sustainable accommodations (with icons in each listing)
1. Architecture
Cleverly built, beautifully preserved.
Local & certified materials (preferably bio-based).
Preservation of heritage and traditional architectural styles, where relevant.
Energy-efficient technologies: heat pumps, passive cooling, solar panels.
Circular interior design: reused or natural materials, low-VOC paint.
Zero footprint: net-zero operations and nature-positive measures.
Example: Are you looking for wellness in nature combined with local cuisine? Select “Well-being + Food,” then filter by country/region and charging station.
And sustainable lodging certainly doesn’t mean less comfort or luxury! In fact, these accommodations stand out for their unique charm, intimate scale, and location in or near nature. Here you’ll find peace, atmosphere, and authenticity, combined with respect for people and the environment.
When choosing your vacation destination, you can decide for yourself what’s important to you by selecting the relevant filters.
Inspiration: What a Unique and Sustainable Stay Looks Like
Eco-treehouse in the forest: built with bio-based materials, wood from sustainably managed forests, a quiet wellness space, and a vegetarian table d’hôte.
Heritage B&B in a wine village: lovingly restored historic property, heat pump, local chefs, village guide for walks.
Designer ecolodge on a river: solar power, rainwater collection, yoga deck on the riverbank, private vegetable garden.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Accommodations
Is sustainable lodging less luxurious? No. Comfort is the top priority; the difference lies in the conscious choices made behind the scenes (energy, water, procurement, well-being).
How do you verify claims? We request proof (certificates, photos, data), speak with owners, and update profiles at least once a year.
What if I’m coming by train? Filter by locations within public transit reach and ask for the train arrival bonus (where offered).
Can I let you know about my dietary preferences? Yes. Select ” Food ” and check the listed options (vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/lactose-free/detox).
What is an eco-hotel?
Ecohotel is a general term for a hotel that is committed to sustainability.
Do you practice CO₂ offsetting? We focus on avoidance and reduction. Offsetting is supplementary and never the primary solution. We contribute (financially) to the Dutch Delta Plan for Biodiversity, thereby helping to restore nature in the Netherlands.
How to Make an Impact with Your Booking
Choose filters that align with your values.
Compare the icons for each stay and read about the specific actions.
Book small-scale & local: your money stays in the region.
Travel lighter: take the train whenever possible, or use an EV or car-sharing service, and bring a refillable bottle.
With a passion for travel and photography and over 30 years of experience in the travel industry, I love to share my special nature travel tips. Travel is wonderful and important, you meet new people and cultures and it opens your view of the world.
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Peloponnese Hiking Tour
A really beautiful six-day hike from Bologna to Florence. Communication with NatureTravelLab and the local agent was excellent. The information packet was waiting for us at the hotel in Bologna, and the app with the route worked great. Luggage transport was well organized every day, and our bags were waiting for us each time we arrived at our new room! We covered more than 1,400 meters of elevation gain, but unfortunately didn’t always get the views we’d hoped for due to cloud cover and some drizzle. Most days had great hiking weather. It was wonderful to walk into Florence on foot and stay there an extra day.
We experienced the Walk of the Gods as a great adventure. Our start in Bologna didn’t go quite as planned because our app wasn’t working yet and we couldn’t find a single sign for Via degli Dei in the square. Fortunately, we were quickly able to join two young hikers from Florence who were also doing the hike. After a wonderful night’s stay at the beautiful Rio Verde agritourism farm, Day 2 went much better with the help of the hiking app. Along the way, we enjoyed stunning views, met some great fellow hikers, and sampled delicious local dishes. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t always on our side, and we had a day of heavy rain, which made the trail very slippery and required us to be careful. It’s a real treat when, on the last day, you can already see Florence in the distance and walk into this beautiful city a few hours later. Thank you so much for your quick and friendly responses to all our questions.
We enjoyed the trip. We also made some changes to our itinerary, and the email correspondence went very smoothly. We started in Mantera; the next day, our first and only hike was a really beautiful one. The taxi picked us up right on time. Unfortunately, the second day’s route was almost the same when we cycled to Ostuni. The bikes were well-maintained, including panniers and helmets (these were simply included). You could even bring your own water bottle!!! We found the route very scenic and varied. There were charming little villages where we could stop for lunch or coffee. The app worked great. All the hotels ranged from good to excellent, though we didn’t think the hotel in Leuca was worthy of 4 stars. We followed your advice for the two nights we stayed there. We found Leuca a bit underwhelming for a two-day stay. We would have preferred to stay in Gallipoli or Lecce for two days. We took this trip in April and were very lucky with the weather. It’s still a quiet time of year, but we didn’t mind that. We definitely recommend it!!!
Thanks to a great tip from Nature Travel Lab, we had a wonderful week in Italy. Fattoria di Maiano, just outside Florence, was a beautiful and peaceful place. And the suggested road trips were a great guide for exploring the region. We’ll definitely check here for tips for our next vacation, too. Highly recommended!
We spent a divine week in Italy: we walked the Path of the Gods, from Bologna to Florence—about 135 km spread over 6 days of hiking. Challenging distances and climbs, amazing views, nature, and a warm welcome every time we arrived at the agriturismo or albergo/hotel. All of this was perfectly organized by the Italian company Slow Active Tours, entirely in line with Nature Travel Lab’s itinerary proposal: upon arrival in Bologna, an information packet was waiting for us, complete with a hiking map, a booklet, and passports for the stamps. And the hiking app was very practical for along the way! Our luggage was transported every day and was always waiting for us when we arrived at the next location. Communication was smooth and clear. In short, highly recommended, well worth it, and well-organized.
In September, I walked the Cammino Materano. Communicating with Madelon about the booking was a pleasure. To be honest, I was quite nervous because it was my first time doing a multi-day hike—alone and in a region I wasn’t familiar with—but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The hike to Matera was beautiful, and I was able to complete it without any trouble thanks to the clear on-site signage and the routing and advice provided by the GPS app. The rest of the organization was top-notch as well. My luggage always arrived on time at the right destination, and the hotels and B&Bs were of high quality. In addition, the organizers were easy to reach via WhatsApp if I had any questions. Highly recommended!
Slovenia was absolutely amazing. A beautiful country, friendly people, lovely hiking trails, and truly top-notch hotels. The staff at the local organization were also very easy to reach and helpful. The hiking was manageable. As Dutch people, we’re not used to high altitudes, of course, so it was pretty tough at times. But it was also a lot of fun.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was well organized. Due to an unfortunate fall, I ended up traveling with my luggage for a day, but that was handled well, too. We really liked all the accommodations. Only the Hotel Hebe in St. Piero a Sieve was a little less impressive, but it was still okay.
Looks fantastic! I'm definitely going to book a trip with this company... they're committed to sustainability and personalized advice. Definitely worth it.
Madelon and her team are true experts. Thanks to their years of experience and passion for travel, they manage to surprise us time and time again.
Beautiful hikes, the most picturesque spots—it’s a real treat.
I highly recommend them!
Nature Travel Lab provided us with very helpful and honest assistance!
If you’re looking for travel itineraries, the most beautiful hikes, and destinations, you can find it all here. You’ll find endless inspiration for your next trip. Beautiful cities are interspersed with nature. You’ll find everything you need to know about practical matters. Plus, there are plenty of tips for sustainable travel. That way, you’ll get the most out of your trip.
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Get inspired
Are you looking for the most beautiful hiking and biking routes? Or do you want information about traveling by train or advice for the most beautiful road trips through nature. Get inspired for your next trip in green; ideas for planning your own trip or opting for an organized trip.
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