{"id":37469,"date":"2024-11-26T11:22:32","date_gmt":"2024-11-26T10:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/sustainable-accommodations-the-most-beautiful-and-fairest-spots-in-nature\/"},"modified":"2026-10-09T20:34:27","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T18:34:27","slug":"sustainable-lodging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/green-travel-tips\/sustainable-lodging\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Accommodations in Europe: Over 100 Vetted Places to Stay in Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainable Accommodations in Europe: How to Identify and Find Truly Sustainable Places to Stay<\/h1>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sustainable lodging means staying at a property that demonstrably uses energy, water, and raw materials efficiently, sources supplies locally, treats its staff fairly, and protects the local natural environment and culture. The difference from a regular hotel isn\u2019t a lack of comfort, but rather choices that you, as a guest, often don\u2019t see. A certification or an independent audit makes those choices verifiable.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why choose Nature Travel Lab?<\/h2>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nature Travel Lab features over 100 sustainable accommodations in 8 European countries, from Norway to Sicily.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each location is evaluated against its own list of 6 criteria, based on the criteria of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gstc.org\/gstc-criteria\/gstc-industry-criteria-for-hotels\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.gstc.org\/gstc-criteria\/gstc-industry-criteria-for-hotels\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Global Sustainable Tourism Council<\/strong><\/a> (GSTC). <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>About one in five applications does not meet the requirements and is rejected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Profiles are reviewed and updated at least once a year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Almost all of them are small-scale accommodations: eco-lodges, family-run B&amp;Bs, agriturismos, and nature hotels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated on October 9, 2026, by Madelon Seignette<\/em><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1008\" height=\"567\" data-id=\"32267\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DJI_0243.jpg\" alt=\"Gandum Village - Drone Footage of the Building, Garden, and Pool\" class=\"wp-image-32267\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DJI_0243.jpg 1008w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DJI_0243-980x551.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/DJI_0243-480x270.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1008px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"32283\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/WC-Claustro-2-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Gandum Village - Claustro - shower products\" class=\"wp-image-32283\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"12613\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Stefan_Tiberio-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Hotel Drumlerhof - Organic Cuisine - Stefan_Tiberio\" class=\"wp-image-12613\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How can you tell if a place to stay is sustainable?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A sustainable accommodation can demonstrate exactly what it does. Vague terms like \u201cgreen\u201d or \u201ceco\u201d don\u2019t mean much; measures, figures, and certifications do. Keep these five points in mind:  <\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Energy.<\/strong>  Electricity from the sun, wind, or water; a heat pump; good insulation. Ask whether the energy is purchased from green sources or generated on-site. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Water and Waste.<\/strong> Handdoeken en lakens alleen op verzoek, spaardouches, opvang van regenwater, geen wegwerpverpakkingen bij het ontbijt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Food and Purchasing.<\/strong> Seizoensproducten uit de streek, een eigen moestuin, vegetarische opties, fairtrade voor wat van ver komt.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>People.<\/strong> Personeel uit de regio met een eerlijk contract, samenwerking met lokale gidsen en boeren, steun aan projecten in de omgeving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nature and the Environment.<\/strong> Geen bestrijdingsmiddelen, inheemse beplanting, bereikbaar met trein of bus, fietsen of laadpalen voor gasten.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We also look for <strong>small-scale operations and character<\/strong>: eco-lodges, (family-run) B&amp;Bs, and nature retreats with a compelling story. Two signs of greenwashing: using CO\u2082 offsetting as the sole sustainability claim, and implementing a single visible measure (no plastic straws) without further explanation. An honest business also admits what it hasn\u2019t been able to achieve yet.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What certification programs are available for sustainable lodging?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Europe, there are five names you come across most often. The GSTC does not issue its own certification mark, but sets the global standard and recognizes certification marks that meet it. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td>Certification Mark<\/td><td>Publisher<\/td><td>Where you&#8217;ll find it<\/td><td>What it tests<\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>GSTC<\/td><td>Global Sustainable Tourism Council<\/td><td>As a form of recognition behind other certification marks<\/td><td>The International Basic Criteria for Sustainable Tourism<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Green Key<\/td><td>Foundation for Environmental Education<\/td><td>Hotels, campgrounds, and B&amp;Bs throughout Europe, many of them in the Netherlands<\/td><td>Energy, water, waste, procurement, guest communications<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Green Globe<\/td><td>United Nations<\/td><td>Hotels, resorts, attractions<\/td><td>44 criteria ranging from management to cultural heritage and the environment<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>EU Ecolabel<\/td><td>European Commission<\/td><td>Hotels and Campgrounds in the EU<\/td><td>Environmental Performance Throughout All Business Operations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Travelife<\/td><td>Travelife for Accommodations<\/td><td>Hotels, often booked through tour operators<\/td><td>Environment, Employees, Human Rights, Local Community<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Biosphere<\/td><td>Responsible Tourism Institute<\/td><td>Especially Spain and Portugal<\/td><td>Environmental, Social, Cultural, and Economic Policy<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Note: The absence of a certification label does not automatically mean a business is not sustainable. For small family-owned businesses, certification is often too expensive; that is why Nature Travel Lab also evaluates businesses without a label. More about labels: <a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/green-travel-tips\/eco-hotels-tips-and-labels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ecohotel: Tips and Labels<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Here&#8217;s how Nature Travel Lab selects sustainable accommodations<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of all the accommodations that apply, about 20 percent are rejected. The selection now includes more than 100 locations. Each accommodation goes through the same steps:  <\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Registration.<\/strong> De eigenaar antwoordt vragen over energie, water, afval, inkoop, personeel en omgeving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evidence.<\/strong> We vragen om certificaten, foto&#8217;s en cijfers, zoals energieverbruik of het aandeel lokale producten. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conversation.<\/strong> We spreken de eigenaar en bezoeken een deel van de adressen zelf. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Assessment.<\/strong>  The property is evaluated based on the GSTC criteria from our own list. The threshold is at least 2 criteria. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Icons.<\/strong> Op de accommodatiepagina zie je in welke van de zes categorie\u00ebn een adres sterk is.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Annual inspection.<\/strong>  Profiles are updated at least once a year. Anyone who no longer meets the criteria is removed from the site. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common reasons for rejection: too large in scale and compensation only.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Six categories: What are the strengths of a lodging option?<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elke accommodatie krijgt iconen voor de categorie\u00ebn waarin ze aantoonbaar goed scoort. <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-6 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"870\" data-id=\"1346\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/22-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - sustainable architecture\" class=\"wp-image-1346\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/22-oranjebruin.png 800w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/22-oranjebruin-480x522.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"891\" data-id=\"1347\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/19-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - organic cuisine - local food\" class=\"wp-image-1347\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/19-oranjebruin.png 900w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/19-oranjebruin-480x475.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 900px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"903\" data-id=\"1352\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/71-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - well being\" class=\"wp-image-1352\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/71-oranjebruin.png 900w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/71-oranjebruin-480x482.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 900px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"847\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"1614\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/02-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - Social\" class=\"wp-image-1614\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/02-oranjebruin.png 847w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/02-oranjebruin-480x453.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 847px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"864\" data-id=\"1354\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - environment\" class=\"wp-image-1354\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10-oranjebruin.png 900w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10-oranjebruin-480x461.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 900px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"886\" data-id=\"1357\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bonus-11-oranjebruin.png\" alt=\"Sustainability icon - zero footprint\" class=\"wp-image-1357\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bonus-11-oranjebruin.png 800w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/bonus-11-oranjebruin-480x532.png 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 800px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Category (filter)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>What It&#8217;s All About<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Examples of measures<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Sustainable Construction (Architecture)<\/td><td>Local and natural materials, preservation of heritage<\/td><td>Wooden construction, restored farmhouse, passive cooling<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Fair Food (Food)<\/td><td>Organic, local, and seasonal<\/td><td>Our own vegetable garden, local produce, vegetarian and vegan<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Good for People (Social)<\/td><td>Local Employment and Ethical Sourcing<\/td><td>Staff from the region, local guides, support for village projects<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Rest and Recovery (Well-being)<\/td><td>Health and Relaxation Through Natural Remedies<\/td><td>Sauna, yoga, natural personal care products<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Environment and Surroundings (Surroundings &amp; Environment)<\/td><td>Energy, water, waste, biodiversity, transportation<\/td><td>Solar panels, rainwater collection, discount for guests arriving by train<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Climate-neutral (Zero footprint)<\/td><td>Net-zero emissions in operations<\/td><td>100 percent green electricity from our own sources, heat recovery, nature restoration<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sustainable Accommodations by Country: Examples from the Selection<\/h2>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><td><strong>Country<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Accommodations<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Region<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Strong in (icons)<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>A concrete example<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Italy<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/biohotel-gitschberg\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"40735\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gitschberg Eco-Hotel<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Meransen, South Tyrol<\/td><td>Architecture, organic cuisine, social, charging station<\/td><td>40 naturally decorated rooms; kitchen with 90% organic ingredients; organic architecture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Italy<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/oasi-eco-boutique-hotel\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"40229\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Levanto, Liguria<\/td><td>Zero footprint, certification, social<\/td><td>Cinque Terre is accessible by train; CO2-neutral, Green Globe certification<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Portugal<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/wheat\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32242\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Gandum Village<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Montemor-o-Novo, Alentejo<\/td><td>Certification, organic cuisine, architecture<\/td><td>Organic materials, adobe walls, regenerative agriculture<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Portugal<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/casa-cerro-da-correia\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"33213\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Casa Cerro da Correia<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Manteigas, Serra da Estrela<\/td><td>Certification, Environment<\/td><td>Hiking with a Shepherd; Biosphere-certified, ESG- and GEO-food certified<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Norway<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/wood-hotel-bodo\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"33569\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wood Hotel Bod\u00f8<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Bod\u00f8, Northern Norway<\/td><td>Architecture, certification, organic cuisine<\/td><td>Sustainable wood construction; Cultural heritage; food reduction goals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Norway<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/homebrew\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"42739\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Heimbrygga<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Skrova, Lofoten<\/td><td>Architecture, organic cuisine, social<\/td><td>Oude Brygga, seasonal cuisine on an island with 200 residents<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Slovenia<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/hotel-st-daniel\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"41758\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hotel St. Daniel <\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>\u0160tanjel, Karst<\/td><td>Certification, organic cuisine, architecture<\/td><td>Award-winning eco-hotel; Biohotel certification<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Spain<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/wecamp-pedraforca\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"32151\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wecamp Pedraforca<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Saldes, Catalan Pyrenees<\/td><td>Certification<\/td><td>In the Cad\u00ed-Moixer\u00f3 Nature Park; Biosphere Certified<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Finland<\/td><td><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/kekkola-country-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"40091\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kekkola Country House<\/a><\/strong><\/td><td>Mikkeli, South Savo<\/td><td>Architecture, organic cuisine<\/td><td>Chef Cooks with Local Ingredients on Lake Saimaa<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"5167\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/280720cookingandnature-julho20200009-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The Nest - Alvados - Portugal - small wooden table\" class=\"wp-image-5167\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Nest, Portugal, natural products<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"5171\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/280720cookingandnature-julho20200073-1-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The Nest - Alvados - Portugal - hallway\" class=\"wp-image-5171\" title=\"\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Nest, Portugal, wooden structure<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"5187\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/The-Nest-Sala-Eira-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"The Nest - Alvados - Portugal - reading area with couches\" class=\"wp-image-5187\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/The-Nest-Sala-Eira-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/The-Nest-Sala-Eira-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Nest Portugal, sustainable materials<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/the-nest-by-cooking-and-nature\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12002\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> The Nest<\/a><\/strong> by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/portugal-cooking-and-nature-emotional-hotel\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"11997\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cooking &amp; Nature Hotels<\/a><\/strong> in Alvados, Portugal, I noticed during my visit, for example, that the building is made entirely of wood, with natural temperature control, wellness and yoga facilities, a zero-waste policy in the kitchen, and no plastic.<\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Make an Impact with Your Booking<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The biggest savings come from how you travel and where you book. Four steps: <\/p>\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Choose what matters most to you.<\/strong> Filter op de categorie\u00ebn en vergelijk per verblijf welke maatregelen er echt zijn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Book direct with the owner.<\/strong>  With Nature Travel Lab, you book direct with the accommodation, without a booking platform in between. That way, more money stays in the region. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel by train whenever possible.<\/strong> Kies een adres dat met openbaar vervoer bereikbaar is en vraag naar korting bij aankomst per trein, waar die wordt aangeboden.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stay a little longer.<\/strong> Minder wisselingen betekent minder vervoer en minder schoonmaak, en je leert de omgeving beter kennen.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>View all sustainable accommodations in Europe<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17261\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2022_10_17_CRAVEIRAL_S05_01389-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Craveiral - Gardening\" class=\"wp-image-17261\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2022_10_17_CRAVEIRAL_S05_01389-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/2022_10_17_CRAVEIRAL_S05_01389-480x720.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 683px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/craveiral-farmhouse\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"17313\">Craveiral Farmhouse, <\/a> Portugal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"13536\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/IMG_5457-576x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"Monferrato - organic wine - Emanuele Gambino\" class=\"wp-image-13536\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"5059\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/250122Cookingnaturejaneiro0427-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel - Portugal - Peppers Kitchen\" class=\"wp-image-5059\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Accommodations<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is sustainable lodging?<\/strong>  Sustainable lodging means staying at a property that demonstrably conserves energy, water, and raw materials, sources supplies locally, treats its staff fairly, and protects the environment. It\u2019s about the entire business operation, not just a single measure. A certification mark or independent audit makes these claims verifiable.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How can you tell if a hotel is sustainable?<\/strong>  A sustainable hotel can demonstrate concrete actions it takes: green energy, water conservation, local sourcing, fair labor practices, and environmental stewardship. Look for a recognized certification such as Green Key, the EU Ecolabel, or Travelife, or for a program that evaluates properties itself. Vague terms like \u201ceco\u201d without further explanation are a red flag.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What sustainability certifications are available for accommodations in Europe?<\/strong>  The best-known ones are Green Key, the EU Ecolabel, Travelife, and Biosphere. The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) sets the international criteria and recognizes certification programs that meet them. Small family-run businesses often do not have a certification because it is expensive; that does not necessarily say anything about their commitment.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is sustainable lodging more expensive?<\/strong>  No, not necessarily. Many sustainable measures, such as solar panels and water conservation, actually lower costs. Price differences are more often due to small scale, location, and service than to sustainability. The Nature Travel Lab selection includes accommodations ranging from simple to luxurious, from 1- to 5-star categories.    <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" data-id=\"9580\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DSC_8502-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Active Almhotel Moena - Sauna and Sunbathing Area\" class=\"wp-image-9580\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DSC_8502-1-980x653.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/DSC_8502-1-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"5049\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/240122Cookingnaturejaneiro0317-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel - Portugal - Wellness Massage\" class=\"wp-image-5049\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"803\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"11228\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/TheVagar-countryhouse-belmonte-portugal144-1-803x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The Vagar Country House - Yoga\" class=\"wp-image-11228\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is sustainable lodging less luxurious?<\/strong>  No. The sustainable choices are mainly made behind the scenes: in energy, procurement, and construction. In fact, many sustainable accommodations are boutique hotels or designer lodgings with saunas, excellent cuisine, and plenty of space.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How can you spot greenwashing at accommodations?<\/strong>  You can spot greenwashing by grandiose claims without evidence. Signs include: claiming only CO\u2082 offsets, a single, eye-catching measure without further explanation, or a self-invented \u201ceco\u201d label. An honest accommodation lists specific measures and also explains what hasn\u2019t worked yet.  <\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"16723\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Dames-Carmona-2-768x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Carmona - Women at the Bar\" class=\"wp-image-16723\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"14585\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/&#xA9;wisthaler.com_24_06_paloria__HW82040-679x1024.png\" alt=\"Paloria Apartments + Sport - Garden\" class=\"wp-image-14585\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"16112\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/IMG_7784-576x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Enna and Paolo Baking Bread\" class=\"wp-image-16112\" title=\"\"><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the difference between an eco-hotel, an eco-lodge, and an agriturismo?<\/strong>  An eco-hotel is a hotel with an active sustainability policy. An eco-lodge is usually smaller, located in the heart of nature, and built with natural or local materials. An agriturismo is a working farm in Italy where you stay overnight and eat food grown on the farm; it isn\u2019t necessarily sustainable, but it\u2019s often small-scale and locally operated.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Where can you find sustainable accommodations in Europe?<\/strong>  Nature Travel Lab offers a selection of over 100 sustainable accommodations in Europe, including in Italy, Portugal, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and Finland. Each property has been assessed against the GSTC criteria and features icons that highlight its strengths. You book direct with the owner.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How does Nature Travel Lab determine whether an accommodation is sustainable?<\/strong>  Each listing provides supporting documentation, such as certificates, photos, and ratings, and is evaluated against the GSTC criteria and a set of proprietary criteria. Approximately 20 percent of applications are rejected. Profiles are reviewed at least once a year.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can you reach sustainable accommodations by train?<\/strong>  Yes, some of the accommodations are located near a train station or are accessible by train and bus, such as the Oasi Eco Boutique Hotel in Levanto in the Cinque Terre. Some properties offer a discount for guests arriving by train. Be sure to ask about this when booking.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Does Nature Travel Lab engage in CO\u2082 offsetting?<\/strong>  Nature Travel Lab focuses first on avoiding and reducing emissions. Offsetting is a supplementary measure, never the primary solution. Nature Travel Lab contributes financially to the <a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/netherlands\/nature-travel-lab-a-partner-of-together-for-biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Delta Plan for Biodiversity Restoration<\/strong><\/a> for nature restoration in the Netherlands.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inspiration: What a Unique and Sustainable Stay Looks Like<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few more examples from our selection.<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/sagna-rotonda\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"13728\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sagna Rotonda<\/a>, Piedmont, Italy:<\/strong> a restored historic village on a mountain, built with local materials, featuring its own vegetable garden and serving local cuisine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/thevagar-country-house\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12022\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Vagar<\/a>, Central Portugal<\/strong>: mountain shelters and rooms in inland Portugal. Built with sustainable, eco-friendly materials, featuring a charging station, local products, and mindful nature experiences. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/hotel-drumlerhof\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"12597\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Drumlerhof<\/a> in South Tyrol, Italy<\/strong>: Philosophy of the <em>Economy for the Common Good<\/em>, organic cuisine, products from the farm, biomass heating.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"641\" data-id=\"33495\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC5718-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Sagna Rotonda&#x2014;pastures seen from above and mountains\" class=\"wp-image-33495\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC5718-1-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/DSC5718-1-1-480x321.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 960px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"17695\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EXT_02-1080x1080-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Thevagar Country House - Mountain Shelter\" class=\"wp-image-17695\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EXT_02-1080x1080-1-980x980.jpg 980w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/EXT_02-1080x1080-1-480x480.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" data-id=\"41612\" src=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Drumlerhof-Sommer-7401636.jpg\" alt=\"Drumlerhof - Indoor Pool - Wellness with a View\" class=\"wp-image-41612\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Drumlerhof-Sommer-7401636.jpg 640w, https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Drumlerhof-Sommer-7401636-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) 640px, 100vw\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainable Accommodations<\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Is sustainable lodging less luxurious?<\/strong><br\/>No. Comfort is the top priority; the difference lies in the conscious choices made behind the scenes (energy, water, procurement, well-being). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>How do you verify claims?<\/strong><br\/>We request proof (certificates, photos, data), speak with owners, and update profiles at least once a year.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What if I&#8217;m coming by train?<\/strong><br\/>Filter by locations within public transit reach and ask for the <em>train arrival bonus<\/em> (where offered).<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Can I let you know about my dietary preferences?<\/strong><br\/>Yes. Select &#8221; <em>Food<\/em> &#8221; and check the listed options (vegetarian\/vegan\/gluten-free\/lactose-free\/detox). <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is an eco-hotel?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/green-travel-tips\/eco-hotels-tips-and-labels\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"19293\"><strong>Ecohotel<\/strong><\/a> is a general term for a hotel that is committed to sustainability.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Do you practice CO\u2082 offsetting?<\/strong><br\/>We focus on <strong>avoidance and reduction<\/strong>. Offsetting is supplementary and never the primary solution. We contribute (financially) to the <a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/netherlands\/nature-travel-lab-a-partner-of-together-for-biodiversity\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"23966\"><strong>Dutch Delta Plan for Biodiversity<\/strong><\/a>, thereby helping to restore nature in the Netherlands.  <\/p>\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Make an Impact with Your Booking<\/h2>\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Choose filters<\/strong> that align with your values.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Compare the icons<\/strong> for each stay and read about the specific actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Book small-scale &amp; local<\/strong>: your money stays in the region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Travel lighter<\/strong>: take the train whenever possible, or use an EV or car-sharing service, and bring a refillable bottle.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/\">Check out all our sustainable accommodations here and plan your green getaway!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sustainable Accommodations in Europe: How to Identify and Find Truly Sustainable Places to Stay Sustainable lodging means staying at a property that demonstrably uses energy, water, and raw materials efficiently, sources supplies locally, treats its staff fairly, and protects the local natural environment and culture. The difference from a regular hotel isn\u2019t a lack of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":35733,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37469","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-green-travel-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37469","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37469"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37469\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":43077,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37469\/revisions\/43077"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35733"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37469"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37469"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37469"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}