10 Luxury Resorts Leading the Way in Sustainability

In Honor of World Oceans Day, Explore Ten Upscale Escapes Redefining Eco-Conscious Hospitality
Cooke Lookout at Oil Nut Bay
Cooke Lookout at Oil Nut BayPhoto Courtesy of Oil Nut Bay

As the world turns its gaze toward the ocean this June 8 for World Oceans Day, the conversation around travel is also shifting tides. Across the globe, luxury resorts are not just polishing their beachfront properties but pioneering efforts to protect the very waters that draw travelers in. These ten standout destinations—spanning from the shores of South Florida to the Pacific waves of Hawaii—offer more than exquisite views. They invite guests into meaningful, sustainability-centered experiences that enrich both the traveler and the planet.

Here’s how these eco-luxury resorts are anchoring environmental stewardship, one conscious initiative at a time.

1. The Gates Hotel South Beach | Miami, Florida

The Gates Hotel Exterior with Bridge
The Gates Hotel Exterior with BridgePhoto Courtesy of The Gates Hotel South Beach

A quiet retreat along the Collins Canal, The Gates Hotel South Beach is taking a stand against plastic pollution as a Tier 2 member of Miami-Dade’s Plastic-Free 305 program. Single-use plastics are out. In their place? The Drop Mini dispenser by Drop Water—a forward-thinking amenity offering customizable, chilled or ambient filtered water served in 100% compostable cartons or reusable bottles. This system not only eliminates waste but enhances guest hydration with flavored and functional options. It's a small shift with a ripple effect across South Florida’s waterways.

2. Oil Nut Bay | British Virgin Islands

Compass Rose Bathroom with a Magnificent View and Surroundings
Compass Rose Bathroom with a Magnificent View and Surroundings Photo Courtesy of Oil Nut Bay

Conservation meets adventure at Oil Nut Bay, where guests can take part in a hands-on turtle tagging excursion led by researchers. This immersive, half-day experience allows travelers to join scientists in tracking sea turtle populations—measuring, tagging, and releasing turtles back into the turquoise waters. The program fuses education with ecology, providing a rare opportunity to participate directly in marine preservation efforts while forging a personal connection to these ancient ocean dwellers.

3. The Twin Fin Hotel | Oahu, Hawaii

Surfing Lessons at Waikiki Beach
Surfing Lessons at Waikiki BeachPhoto Credit: Tommy Pierucki

Just steps from Waikiki Beach, The Twin Fin Hotel has partnered with Parley for the Oceans to create a three-part on-site hub for ocean advocacy. From beach cleanups and microplastic art workshops to a biomaterials showroom, the pop-up activates guest engagement in a hands-on way. The hotel also became the first to integrate Mananalu Powered by Boomerang Water—Jason Momoa’s aluminum-bottled water system that refills on-site, reducing carbon emissions by 95% and eliminating the need for single-use plastics.

4. Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club | Miami Beach, Florida

Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club_Bungalow Seafood
Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club_Bungalow SeafoodPhoto Courtesy of Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club

With a LEED Certification and triple-palm Green Lodging Designation, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club sets the bar high for eco-luxury in Miami. Operated under Hersha Hotels & Resorts’ EarthView program, the property incorporates LED lighting, smart thermostats, composting initiatives, and recycled soap through its partnership with Clean the World. Green Key Global also recognized the hotel’s leadership in 2024. Beyond its amenities, Cadillac integrates thoughtful experiences such as a turtle conservation program and branded bicycles, inviting guests to live—and travel—more sustainably.

5. Zafiro Palace Andratx | Mallorca, Spain

Relaxation at Zafiro Palace Andratx
Relaxation at Zafiro Palace AndratxPhoto Courtesy of Zafiro Palace Andratx

Zafiro Palace Andratx brings circular living to life through its zero-kilometer philosophy—sourcing local goods for everything from menus to materials to minimize emissions. Guests can enjoy a guided ride aboard a llaut, a traditional Balearic fishing boat retrofitted with a 100% electric motor, ensuring marine life remains undisturbed. On land, electric scooters await for self-guided exploration, blending heritage with forward-thinking sustainability.

Cooke Lookout at Oil Nut Bay
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6. Ibiza Gran Hotel | Ibiza, Spain

Wide Shot of Ibiza Gran Hotel with Mountains and Sea
Eco-Luxury and Marine Discovery Unite at Ibiza’s Premier Waterfront EscapePhoto Courtesy of Ibiza Gran Hotel

Sustainability takes center stage at Ibiza Gran Hotel, where eco-luxury meets scientific discovery. Guests can dive alongside National Geographic marine expert Manu San Félix to witness Posidonia oceanica, the Mediterranean’s seagrass superpower known as the “lungs of the sea.” This carbon-absorbing, oxygen-producing marine ecosystem supports local biodiversity and is thought to be one of the oldest living organisms on Earth—making its conservation essential.

7. Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto | Loreto, Mexico

Dolphin Diving in the Waters of Loreto Bay
Dolphin Leaps Through the Pristine Waters of Loreto Bay National Marine ParkPhoto Courtesy of Villa del Palmar

Framed by the protected waters of Loreto Bay National Marine Park, Villa del Palmar offers an eco-luxury experience at the gateway to one of the planet’s most biologically diverse marine areas. Solar power, seawater purification, and on-site greywater recycling support a clean footprint, while guided excursions introduce guests to sea life including over 800 species of fish and a third of the world’s whale and dolphin populations. The resort’s green ethos is deeply integrated with its privileged natural setting.

8. The Elser Hotel | Miami, Florida

Elser Hotel Guava Freeze
Elser Hotel Guava FreezePhoto Credit: Javier Hurtado

Rising 49 stories above Downtown Miami, The Elser Hotel champions green living with fully equipped residential-style suites and extensive energy-saving systems—from WaterSense-certified toilets to LED lighting and eco-conscious elevators. The hotel also partners with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for World Oceans Day cleanups, collecting hundreds of pounds of marine waste. Guests are invited to participate, reinforcing the idea that sustainable luxury extends far beyond aesthetics.

9. ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach | Oahu, Hawaii

Infinity Pool with Ocean View
Infinity Pool Views Meet Hawaiian Sustainability at ‘Alohilani ResortPhoto Courtesy of Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach

At ‘Alohilani Resort, sustainability is deeply rooted in Hawaiian values. Beyond its 280,000-gallon Oceanarium, the property offers guests opportunities to plant native trees as part of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative. With over 26,000 trees already planted, the goal is to reach 100,000. Other offerings include sacred sunrise rituals, eco-education via “Tank Talks,” compostable packaging, native landscaping, and refillable amenities. It’s an approach that fuses spiritual, environmental, and experiential luxury.

10. Costa Elena | Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Firelight and String Lights Set the Scene
Firelight and String Lights Set the Scene at This Conservation-Focused Coastal RetreatPhoto Credit: Alonso Trigueros

Costa Elena sits adjacent to a UNESCO-protected sanctuary, with over 60% of its land preserved as natural reserve. The resort’s commitment includes beach protection efforts that earned five “Blue Flag” beach certifications, support for a locally managed recycling center, and the development of a water supply system benefiting over 18,000 nearby residents. A strict dark sky policy helps safeguard nesting turtles, underscoring a thoughtful balance between development and conservation.

Closing Thoughts

These ten resorts remind us that luxury and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. They’re complementary. As the travel industry evolves in response to environmental urgency, these properties offer a vision for what’s possible—where conscious design, meaningful experiences, and ocean advocacy come together to create something truly elevated. This World Oceans Day, let these destinations inspire deeper exploration—and deeper responsibility—wherever the journey leads.

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