Top Environmentally Friendly Eco Hotels In California

Bardessono, Napa Valley

Bardessona acts on environmental values as their core value is taking care of the environment. The hotel has been designed to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design’s (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest standard for environmental design.

An underground geothermal system heats and cools the guest rooms, the spa, and the domestic hot water supply. Almost no offsite energy is used. Hidden on the flat rooftops are 940 solar panels that provide significant amounts of the hotel’s electrical demand. Occupancy sensors in guest rooms automatically decrease energy consumption when guests are not in their rooms.

Each guest who opts out of housekeeping service for the day will be invited to plant an herb in the onsite, certified organic culinary garden in support of a more sustainable future. The effects of a single plant in the garden help improve air quality by offsetting harmful byproducts and help in the execution of Lucy restaurant’s signature deep green eco-spirit motivated by culinary ethics. 

Bardessona is big on recycling and composting. The compost is used in landscaped areas throughout the grounds. Organic cleaning supplies are used as well as a certified organic garden. Shampoo dispensers are used in the bathrooms as to minimize waste. Bath products are completely handmade and organic. Electric and hybrid vehicles are used by the hotel to minimize air pollution.

All glues, adhesives, finishes, paints, carpets and fabrics used at Bardessono are required to meet low volatile organic compounds (VOC) standards to vastly improve indoor air quality. Prior to putting furniture into the rooms, the rooms were ventilated with fans for several hours to remove residual construction odors. The fabrics used on interior furnishings are green certified. The use of plastic is minimized. Carpeting is certified “Green Label.” Porcelain and concrete tiles are made of natural materials that can be recycled. The glass tiles have a high recycled glass content. The linens and terry used in the guest rooms are all made from organic fibers. Carpeting and draperies, which often harbor dust mites and odors, are not used in the guest rooms. The combination of low VOC compound materials, no carpeting and drapes, all organic linens, terry and cleaning supplies, greatly reduces any potential allergens in the rooms.

We set out to create a hotel and spa experience unlike any other, one that soothes and impresses, calms and renews.

Bardessono

Bardessona’s rooftop pool overlooks garden paths. Meals are prepared with ingredients that are organic and locally sourced. Massage, exfoliation, wraps, hot stone, cool mud, and aromatherapy are offered at the B-spa. You will have access to a bike to travel through the town of Yountville during your stay.

h2Hotel, Healdsburg

h2hotel holds the gold standard in sustainability. They are LEED NC 2.2 Gold Certified Green, which means the hotel has designed everything to use less energy, water and natural resources while creating less waste.

During construction h2Hotel worked with local community groups to protect the creek running through the property and followed an erosion control plan. During its building, more than 85% of the hotel’s construction debris was recycled … and many of the materials used to build the hotel—from steel to concrete to glazing—contain a high percentage of recycled content. Most of the materials are recycled, low VOC, chemical free, certified organic and fair trade.

More than 60% of the property has been left as open landscaped open space to promote biodiversity. More than 90% of the regularly occupied space inside the hotel has a direct view of the outside. The plants are native & drought tolerant.

Solar panels lining the roof are used to heat the swimming pool and hot water in the rooms. The living, green roof filters all rain water and acts as a cooling system.

The gearless traction EcoSpace elevator uses 60% less electricity than a standard hydraulic elevator.

The Ambrose Hotel, Santa Monica

The Ambrose Hotel was the first hotel in the United States to earn the Prestigious LEED EB certification in 2007. Prior to receiving this honor, The Ambrose Hotel participated in Santa Monica’s Sustainable Works Green Business Certification Pilot Program in 2005 and was awarded The Sustainable Quality Grand Prize Award by the City of Santa Monica in 2006. They have maintained third party audited certifications for the last 11 years, earning the City of Santa Monica Green Business Certification, the state of California Green Lodging Program Certification and TripAdvisor’s Gold Green Leader Certification. In 2017, the City of Santa Monica and Santa Monica’s Mayor Ted Winterer presented the hotel with a commendation for being one of the 5 Pilot Program participants of Santa Monica’s Green Business Certification program in 2007 and their continued commitment. The Ambrose Hotel is passionate about implementing green practices in everything they do and are committed to protecting the environment and preserving the earth’s precious natural resources for generations to come.

A preferred parking program for alternative vehicles is in place, in addition to four complimentary electric vehicle charging ports. Low flow toilets and water saving faucet aerators have been installed. Sprinkler systems are adjusted according to season and garden areas have been planted with drought tolerant native species.

A guest guestroom recycling program is in place and 75% of all waste is recycled or composted. Eco friendly non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products are used throughout the hotel. Through their sustainable purchasing plan, the hotel also purchases low VOC paints, sealants and adhesives.

Cavallo Point, Sausalito

U.S. Green Building Council awarded LEED Gold Certification to Cavallo Point, after a myriad of efforts to make the project as green as possible. These include dozens of activities, among them re-use of historic materials, landscape restoration with native plants, and use of green building elements. The lodge also works to meet the Green Seal Environmental Standard for U.S. Lodging Properties. Some eco-efforts create awareness among visitors, like naming our meeting rooms after local rare, threatened, and endangered species, such as the Mission Blue butterfly. Cavallo Point is proud to have received numerous honors for our San Francisco Bay Area green initiatives.

Cavallo Point is named a “New Green American Landmark” by Travel + Leisure, in addition to other prestigious awards that have recognized our eco-efforts.

Cavallo Point uses low water toilets, use water-efficient faucets and showers, ask vendors to remove unnecessary packaging, use recycled paper products, stopped the use of styrofoam, use cloth napkins, partner with eco-friendly companies, use refillable soap dispensers, and use energy efficient appliances.