8 Ultra-Luxury Hotels With Impressive Planet-Conscious Credentials

For over three decades, &Beyond has pioneered luxury travel rooted in a deep reverence for the land, wildlife and people of the beautiful places in which it operates. Nowhere is this more evident than on Mnemba Island, a private isle adrift in the turquoise waters off Zanzibar’s northeast coast. Just 12 thatched suites (known as bandas), tucked into a canopy of fragrant pine and opening directly onto sugar-white sands, promise soul-stirring seclusion. The daily rhythm is barefoot and blissfully slow. The island itself is a sanctuary for rare species – such as suni antelope and the critically endangered Aders’ duiker – while beneath the waves, coral gardens host vibrant marine life, fostered by &Beyond’s Oceans Without Borders program, including reef restoration, green sea turtle monitoring and shoreline clean-ups. Despite its petite footprint, Mnemba offers an array of diversions – from snorkeling, scuba diving and paddle boarding, to dhow cruises, yoga and indulgent wellness treatments. This is castaway living, elevated.

Deeply committed to encouraging more responsible travel, four of the Zannier Hotel properties have earned Green Globe certification. Found in some of the world’s most breathtaking destinations, including Cambodia, Namibia, Vietnam and France, each hotel celebrates its surroundings: Zannier Bãi San Hô is a tranquil escape that cocoons you within the natural beauty of Vietnam’s Phu Yen province. Occupying just 3% of its secluded 98-hectare site, it leaves 90% of the landscape untouched. The resort’s spectacular hills, lush vegetation and paddy fields are integral to the serene experience. Locally sourced food accounts for 70% of the cuisine with a zero-waste approach (90% of food waste is recycled, while the remaining 10% is composted), and its pristine white-sand beach features a 500-meter stretch of regenerating coral bay.

This super-luxury, four-villa lodge in Volcanoes National Park opened in late 2024 and is nestled within a 50-hectare property shared with the larger Wilderness Bisate camp. Offering an even more luxurious, private base for gorilla trekking adventures, sprawling private decks with fireplaces and outdoor hot tubs overlook the misty volcanic peaks. Sustainability projects run deep at Wilderness, from habitat restoration and species reintroduction to empowering communities through scholarships and children’s immersive nature camps. Their new Wilderness Impact Challenge will award $100,000 to the most innovative solution for human-wildlife coexistence and rural development in Africa. The winning idea will not only receive support to become a tangible reality but will also be implemented in relevant camps.

Located on Berkeley Street, 1 Hotel Mayfair brings a much-needed connection to nature in central London. The hotel was awarded BREEAM Excellent for its sensitive construction, with renovations retaining 80% of the original structure and saving approximately 4,200 tonnes of carbon. Nearly 400 square meters of green walls enhance insulation, produce oxygen and absorb greenhouse gases. The hotel features Dovetale, a sustainably-focused restaurant by two Michelin-starred chef Tom Sellers, and the Bamford Wellness Spa, offering holistic treatments with all-natural products. An efficient irrigation system repurposes rainwater to nourish the exterior green walls, and rooms are lit with less than 5w per square metre – said to be 50% less than standard hotels – with fittings that are up to 80% recyclable.

Amid 180 acres of untamed tropical forest, this lush 50-casita resort exudes ultra-luxury while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Local experiences promote sustainable tourism practices and allow guests to learn about Costa Rica’s world-famous biodiversity. Meanwhile, an on-site coffee farm and organic chef’s garden provide delicious, fresh coffee and produce for the restaurant. Most impressive, though, are the on-site equine stables, which support the hotel’s partnership with the Flying Horse Foundation – a charity providing healing, enriching equestrian experiences for local orphanages, youth groups, and at-risk individuals.

Set in one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, this 24-room luxury boutique hotel immerses guests in the heart of the Andean Cloud Forest. A pioneer in rainforest conservation, the hotel recently announced the discovery of its 20th species new to science: the Drymonia tomentosa, a striking South American plant with large red flowers, identified in the 3,000-hectare Mashpi Reserve. Days here are spent hiking, wild swimming, soaring through the canopy on a cable car, learning from resident biologists, or simply forest bathing and marveling at the wonders of this extraordinary ecosystem.

This one-of-a-kind hotel reimagines traditional outport architecture in a striking coastal retreat off Newfoundland’s rugged northern coast. With 29 suites, guests experience fine dining while contributing to the preservation of the island’s heritage of fishing, boat building and local artistry. Founded by eighth-generation Fogo islander Zita Cobb, the hotel operates as a social enterprise within the luxury tourism sector, reinvesting all surplus profits into the local community through the Shorefast Foundation, which supports economic, cultural, and environmental sustainability on the island. The inn is powered by renewable energy sources, including solar and wood-burning systems, while minimizing environmental impact.

Soneva has been setting a precedent for luxury travel that is mindful of the planet since it launched its first hotel in 1995. The brand’s fourth and latest opening is Soneva Secret, a 14-villa paradisiacal micro-resort in the Maldives’ Haa Dhaalu atoll, where each retreat comes with two Barefoot Guardians (butlers) and a dedicated chef. A mandatory 2% environmental levy is added to every Soneva stay, with proceeds donated to the Soneva Foundation, which supports global projects such as reforestation, providing clean water to communities, and restoring coral reefs – particularly important in the Maldives.

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