The eco-resort or eco-hotel offers everything you would expect from a luxury hotel but with one main difference. All eco-resorts are eco-friendly and use power from solar panels, eco-friendly cleaning products, water-saving devices and they recycle everything. This sustainable tourism is essential in a world with an ever-warming climate. The key when choosing an eco-resort is to choose one with beautiful swimming pools, gourmet restaurants, spas, and luxurious rooms so that you don’t lose out while doing your best to maintain the world’s delicate eco-system.
In this article we pick 10 of the best eco-resorts in Italy:
1. Vivosa Apulia Resort
Our number one choice is the Vivosa Apulia Resort, an elegant 4-star eco-resort hotel overlooking the beautiful Ionian sea in Marina di Ugento. Vivosa eco-resort deeply loves nature and aims to protect it by adopting a strategy of environmental and energy sustainability.
Built-in tuff, the typical local stone, Vivosa is located in the natural park, Parco Naturale Litorale di Ugento (Salento, Apulia), in a wonderful pine forest just a few steps from the crystal-clear Ionian sea and its own private beach of fine white sand.
This eco-hotel has 10 buildings surrounded by pine trees, which host 333 bedrooms. The rooms, furnished in Mediterranean style, are located in ten magnificent courtyards surrounded by flowers. The choice of all products used within the resort is based on the quality of the raw materials, in order to guarantee guests natural and mainly local products. All rooms showcase local styling and feature a balcony or terrace; superior and family rooms are slightly larger.
Vivosa Apulia Resort boasts a gorgeous central pool, comprised of four basins on different levels, and offers a great place to relax and sunbathe. There is also a great children’s pool, integrated whirlpool zones, hydro massage beds, waterfalls, and watercourses as well as a sauna, steam bath, outdoor pool in the spa zone.
A gently sloping white sand private beach with crystal clear waters is reached by a pretty path and offers a free beach service that includes sunbeds and umbrellas. Other facilities and services on offer include 2 tennis courts, aqua-gym, beach volleyball, a Simon Elliott Golf Academy providing beginner and advanced lessons as well as sailing, sea kayaking, and windsurfing down at the beach.
For children, there’s the family-friendly Vivosa Kids, a daily program in the mini club for children from 3 to 12 years, a junior club from 13 to 15 years, a scout camp, and a playground in the shade of the pine forest with fun outdoor games, table tennis, and table football. Babies can enjoy dance and there are shows dedicated to children. In the evenings there is a program of entertainment too and Wi-Fi is available in common areas, in guest rooms, and on the beach.
The all-inclusive basis at this hotel includes buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as barbecues and themed evening buffets in the main Via Appia Restaurant. You will also be able to relax at the Scirocco beach bar, Dolce Vita pool bar, and Damiano’s club lounge which are all included as part of your stay.
2. Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, Gargnano
Lefay Resort and Spa Lago di Garda incorporates an eco-friendly design, integrated into the local landscape and inspired by lemon groves, traditional local buildings used for the cultivation of lemons, characterised by original stone and wood pillars.
The building fits into the morphology of the landscape with minimal visual impact. The interiors use natural materials from the local area. And you get all this as well as a luxurious wellness retreat, which has been awarded a number of environmental certifications including the Green Globe and the Being Organic and Ecological Spa award. In 2017, and Best Luxury Eco-Spa.
3. CampZero
Looking for a resort in the Monterosa ski area? Nature provides the stunning backdrop to the five star ‘eco-resort’ CampZero. Discover this pioneering active luxury resort in Champoluc dedicated to people who are passionate about the great outdoors. Constructed with natural elements and meticulous attention to detail, CampZero is a place where nature, sport, and technology meet, offering original, one-of-a-kind experiences.
The internal climbing wall is a one-of-a-kind architectural structure, made entirely of concrete. It was designed with the help of local mountain guides and engineered for thrill-seekers, rock-climbing enthusiasts, and anyone ready to try something new.
Sit back and relax in the wooden hot tubs or in the wood-fired sauna with a magnificent view on the surrounding mountains. Treat yourself with a special massage in the massage cabin with a view on the parc!
The 25 m indoor pool was built to blend seamlessly with the surrounding Alpine scenery. Dive in and enjoy the view!
The Boulder Bar is the perfect place to enjoy some downtime with friends after the day’s adventures. Throughout the day, you can take advantage of an extensive wine list, a modern cocktail menu, and, of course, delicious food.
The hall is the place where everything and everyone meets: it’s the place to hang out after a long day, enjoy the library, share videos and photos of the day on their screens, listen to music, watch your friends rock climbing on the internal wall, have a drink and unwind.
CampZero’s eco-sustainable ethos can also be seen in the two 22 kW Tesla charging stations available for guests.
4. Pineta Naturalmente Hotel
Pineta Naturalmente Hotel is surrounded by the Dolomites and is made up from three mountain houses and four mountain chalets surrounded by nature, with cosy rooms and family suites.
Nine rooms have local Trentino wood or an alpine chalet look, with independent suites on one or two floors. The Pine House and the Wald House are two beautiful buildings that are equally as splendid, with interiors furnished in true mountain style. These rooms are perfect for couples looking for rural, mountain warmth, and hospitality.
Relax in the Hedoné Health Spa or hold meetings or business dinners in the typical Trentino Inn Restaurant. The Pineta Hotel is like a small mountain village, surrounded by the tranquillity of the valley that still keeps its traditions alive.
The Beauty Farm at this eco-resort offers beauty treatments, a swimming pool, whirlpool, saunas, solarium, and a relaxation area with herbal teas.
5. B&B La Nuvola Sospesa
Focusing on the vegan side of eco, as eating beef is a major contributor of global warming, stay at B&B La Nuvola Sospesa and you can embrace the vegan and vegetarian lifestyle while discovering Florence. This guesthouse sits in the suburbs of Florence. It is ideal for a couple or a small family who can share the one, two, or all three bedrooms available. The bedrooms are decorated in natural tones to capture the natural lifestyle of its bio/vegan owners.
Located between the historical center of Florence & Cascine Park, in one of the largest green oasis in the city, you can find trails, outdoor yoga & concerts, and a unique view of the Arno River for biking & jogging while visiting museums, monuments & art. This guesthouse is also convenient for shops, markets & restaurants.
Vegan owner, Chiara, has created a hidden world filled with organic, vegan, and vegetarian options from the soaps in the bathroom to the breakfast buffet and, even to full meals for lunch or dinner.
6. Relais del Maro
Relais del Maro is a popular hotel, consisting of various housing units distributed in 3 buildings located in the ancient village of Borgomaro, a few kilometers from the Ligurian Sea. Staying here offers an authentic emersion into the Liguria lifestyle. The relaxed, slow pace of life here is typical of a village where everyone knows each other.
This hotel protects the identity of the local area, and its style of hotel development has a low environmental impact. It enjoys sustainable restoration and renovation of existing buildings. The swimming pool is heated using solar panels.
7. Theiner’s Garten Bio Vitalhotel
Theiner’s Garten Bio Vitalhotel in South Tyrol was created from local timber stuck together without chemical glues or cement. Awarded ‘Climate Hotel’ status in 2019 this hotel embraces organic sustainability without sacrifice.
Every detail has been realized based on their lifestyle concept according to eco-sustainable criteria, without sacrificing elegant luxury, refined comfort, and an absolute pleasure. In the kitchen, they use only organic food. The ingredients are transformed with creativity into exquisite gourmet dishes, which can win over even the most demanding gourmets.
The rooms are equipped with soundproof walls and are free from electromagnetic pollution. Even in the wellness area, they use only natural products; some are from their own cosmetic line.
8. Josephus Alpine Lodge
Textured stone walls, tactile wood panelling and rustic design characterise Josephus alpine lodge. Refurbished by local craftsmen using natural plaster and other natural materials typical of South Tyrol, this eco-friendly hotel even uses a geothermal system to help provide energy.
9. EcoHotel, Rome
EcoHotel Roma is located within the little-explored Valle dei Casali nature reserve in western Rome. Take in the view of the picturesque natural panorama from the terrace, just a stone’s throw from the Vatican and the city center.
As a supporter of sustainable tourism and friendly hospitality, the 3 star EcoHotel in Rome offers a modern, comfortable environment for a refreshing eco-style stay, away from the chaos of the center but within unexpectedly easy reach from the nearby bus stop.
The hotel’s quiet location within the Valle dei Casali nature reserve, together with bright and welcoming spaces such as the terrace, the garden, the snack bar, and the reading room, are the perfect ingredients for a break.
10. Ville Sull’Arno, Florence
Ville Sull’Arno, Florence is located on the banks of the river Arno. This elegant five-star resort is also just a few steps from the historic center of Florence.
In the nineteenth century, from an ancient country residence of the Florentine high nobility, the villa became a cenacle of the Macchiaioli and a place of heated intellectual and cultural debates.
After a careful recovery plan, Ville sull’Arno has been completely renovated whilst maintaining the hotel within its original walls. Today the warm atmosphere of the old residence marries the refinement of the furnishings and rooms.
Enjoy the enchanting view of the river, the lovely garden and its heated swimming pool, the romantic Spa, and the delicious dishes from an exceptional Chef.
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