Sustainable Hospitality in the USA: The New Frontier of Experiential Design

Explore 10 top luxury hotels across the USA that blend sustainability and eco-conscious design to create unforgettable experiential stays.

Introduction:

The global climate crisis has reached a critical point, prompting an urgent call for integrated sustainability across all sectors. There is a growing need to incorporate environmental care into every step, from how products are made to how they are used. This shift has resonated deeply within the hospitality sector, where travel, comfort, and culture meet, inspiring a fresh approach to its values and day-to-day practices. Currently, the hospitality industry stands at a turning point by adopting sustainability not just as an environmental goal, but as a broader commitment to social and community well-being.

According to celebrated eco-architect Bill Bensley, “People are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and are actively seeking out sustainable options. This shift will drive the hospitality industry to redefine luxury, emphasizing responsible practices and immersive experiences that harmonize with nature. Design will play a pivotal role in shaping this future, as it acts as a catalyst for innovation and showcases the extraordinary possibilities of sustainable hospitality and sustainable travel.” With a portfolio spanning over 200 sustainable hospitality projects across more than 40 countries, Bensley highlights how design-led thinking is central to this transformative movement.

Today, hotels, restaurants, and event venues are no longer isolated experiences as they are becoming deeply interwoven with the lives and landscapes around them. Through initiatives that reduce waste, champion ethical sourcing, and promote mindful tourism, these spaces are quietly planting the seeds of long-term change. This shift is also reflected in the architectural frameworks shaping these spaces. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a sustainable, prosperous future through its LEED certification program. Certifications like LEED, a globally recognised green building rating system, guide sustainable development by promoting responsible energy use, water conservation, and material choices, setting high benchmarks for environmental responsibility in the built environment.

Renowned British designer Ilse Crawford, founder of Studioilse in London, echoes this holistic mindset by placing wellness and well-being at the heart of her residential and hospitality projects. Her sensory-rich approach fosters warm, ‘lived-in’ interiors that enhance everyday life through thoughtful, sustainable choices. Aligning with the principles of the WELL Building Standard, which prioritizes clean air, natural light, and spaces that restore the human spirit, this approach is laying the path for a new design philosophy that nurtures both people and the planet. 

Across the USA, we find iconic hospitality projects where sustainability drives innovation and luxury. These 10 examples illustrate how today’s designers go beyond mere construction to create immersive spaces that balance elegance with eco-conscious values.

1. Amangiri, Utah

Image Credit: Aman Resorts

Nestled within the vast Colorado Plateau, Amangiri effortlessly blends with its rugged desert surroundings. Visionary architects Marwan Al-Sayed, Wendell Burnette, and Rick Joy crafted the resort from local minerals and recycled fly ash, echoing the region’s dramatic rock formations. Just nearby, Camp Sarika invites a back-to-nature escape with ten tented pavilions made from recycled plastic bottles, carefully placed to preserve the pristine 900-acre landscape of flat-topped mesas and rust-hued sands.

Amangiri shows its commitment to sustainable luxury in every detail. They replace single-use plastics with sugarcane straws and bamboo toothbrushes, recycle aluminium and cardboard, and donate leftover food to a local wildlife sanctuary. Firewood is carefully gathered to protect the forest, while solar power, electric vehicles, LED lights, and motion sensors help the resort stay eco-friendly and encourage guests to follow the “Leave No Trace” philosophy and respect the land.

2. Bardessono Hotel and Spa, California

Image Credit: Bardessono Hotel and Spa 

In the vine-laced heart of Napa Valley, Bardessono Hotel and Spa stands as an icon of sustainable luxury. Set on a 4.9-acre family-held site, this 62-room retreat is one of only two hotels in the world to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Designed by WATG, the architecture blends high-end hospitality with low-impact innovation. Solar panels, geothermal wells, and intelligent water and energy systems ensure that indulgence walks hand in hand with environmental care.

At Bardessono, every detail reflects a deep connection to heritage and place, with reclaimed wood, stone from the family’s wine cellar, and locally sourced materials grounding the experience in tradition. Suites with organic linens open directly to private gardens, while the rooftop pool and restaurant celebrate seasonal, farm-to-table dining. Here, sustainability is not a feature but a philosophy where luxury is redefined with comfort and quiet reverence for the land.

3. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, New York

Image Credit: Dezeen

Image Credit: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Perched beside Brooklyn Bridge Park, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge redefines luxury through a lens of sustainability. Designed by Marvel Architects, the LEED Gold-certified retreat blends refined comfort with conscious living. Locally reclaimed materials like walnut from the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and wood from the old Domino Sugar Factory add character to the space, while a large living wall and rooftop garden surround guests with plants and calm. 

Designed with sustainability in mind, the hotel incorporates LED lighting, water-saving fixtures, in-room filtered water taps, and eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce its impact. With greenery throughout its public spaces and suites that overlook the park, the hotel encourages a profound bond with the natural world. 

4. Loews Chicago Hotel, Chicago

Image Credit: Loews Hotels

Loews Hotels & Co has raised the bar in hospitality by being among the first to earn the WELL Health-Safety Rating from the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI). This achievement goes beyond certification as it reflects a genuine commitment to the health and well-being of every guest and team member. Guided by their warm ethos of “Welcoming You Like Family,” the hotel blends authentic care with rigorous health protocols to create a space where comfort and safety naturally coexist.

The Loews Chicago Hotel, designed by local talents Simeone Deary and Solomon Cordwell Buenz, captures the city’s spirit through its thoughtful use of materials and modern design. Sustainability is woven throughout the hotel’s operations, from sourcing organic, humane-certified products to promoting linen reuse, recycling, and eco-friendly materials. Energy-efficient lighting, low-flow showerheads, and smart climate controls further demonstrate their dedication to reducing environmental impact.

5. Post Ranch Inn, California

Image Credit - Post Ranch Inn

Set 1,200 feet above the Pacific, Post Ranch Inn is a sanctuary that seamlessly blends into Big Sur’s rugged landscape. Guided by visionary architect Mickey Muennig, its design honors nature, trees were spared during construction, while earth-sheltered Ocean Houses and elevated Tree Houses protect roots and terrain. Interiors reflect this respect, featuring reclaimed old-growth redwood from wine casks and benches crafted from fallen trees along tranquil walking paths. 

Powered entirely by renewable energy, the resort lowers carbon emissions and operates Monterey County’s first approved commercial greywater system, which sources water from seven on-site wells. Additionally, native drought-tolerant plants are cared for organically, while single-use plastics and Styrofoam have been eliminated. Energy efficiency is boosted with LED lighting, hybrid guest transport, and tinted windows. Guest rooms use non-toxic paints, HEPA filters, refillable organic bath products, and low-flow fixtures. Visitors are invited to support conservation by reusing linens and using refillable bottles, reinforcing a shared commitment to protecting this unique place.

6. Proximity Hotel, North Carolina

Image Credit: Proximity Hotel

Proximity Hotel in Greensboro, North Carolina, seamlessly blends environmental innovation with upscale hospitality. Featuring over 70 sustainable practices, it was the first hotel in the United States to earn LEED Platinum certification, proving that eco-consciousness can be both elegant and indulgent. Solar panels heat water, regenerative elevators conserve energy, and expansive windows fill interiors with natural light, creating warm, inviting spaces designed by Centrepoint Architecture and Bradshaw Orrell Interiors.

Building materials are carefully chosen, often sourced locally or recycled, and waste is managed responsibly. The interiors feature timeless designs, including furniture crafted by local artisans and original artworks by local artists, creating a strong connection between the hotel and its community.

7. Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Image Credit: Hotel Terra Jackson Hole

Hotel Terra, located near Grand Teton National Park, is Wyoming’s first LEED-certified eco-boutique hotel that beautifully blends sustainable practices with luxurious comfort. The hotel features recycled building materials, energy-efficient lighting, and renewable energy offsets that significantly reduce its environmental impact. Water-saving fixtures, native landscaping, and greywater systems contribute to a significant reduction in water use, while 100% organic bedding and low-VOC materials promote guest health and well-being.

Every detail, from aluminium water bottles to toxin-free textiles, reflects a commitment to preserving nature without sacrificing indulgence. Cornerstone Architectural Group is the Architect of Record for this project, ensuring that sustainable design principles are at the core of its creation.  Reusing 80% of structural steel and recycling half of the construction waste further minimizes the hotel’s footprint. 

8. Populus Hotel, Denver
   

Image Credit: Populus Hotel

Populus, a 265-room luxury hotel in Denver, sets a new standard for sustainable luxury as America’s first carbon-positive hotel. Designed by Studio Gang, the hotel’s architecture draws inspiration from a grove of aspen trees that blends eco-conscious design with upscale comfort. Constructed using low-carbon materials such as fly ash concrete and beetle-kill wood, Populus operates entirely on renewable energy and eliminates onsite parking to further reduce its carbon footprint.

A unique aspect of Populus is its commitment to planting a spruce tree for every guest stay, actively supporting reforestation efforts in Colorado. The hotel also prioritizes local food sourcing, composting, and nature-inspired interiors to enhance its eco-friendly mission. More than just a green label, Populus integrates sustainability into every aspect of the guest experience.

9. SOPHY Hotel Hyde Park, Chicago

Image Credit: SOPHY Hotel

SOPHY Hyde Park is a LEED Silver Certified boutique hotel that integrates sustainable luxury with the vibrant cultural fabric of Chicago. Thoughtfully designed with recycled materials and energy-efficient systems, the hotel is committed to reducing its environmental impact. Its architectural expression takes cues from historic 53rd Street, known for its eclectic mix of art, music, and neighborhood landmarks. 

Designed by GREC Architects, the hotel’s use of brick façades and metal-framed windows reflects a deep respect for Hyde Park’s heritage while introducing a refined, contemporary edge. The design pays homage to the area's architectural diversity, capturing the unique character and charm of 53rd Street while strengthening the hotel's connection to the local community.

10. The Langham, New York

Image Credit: Langham Hotels

The Langham is a shining example of sustainable luxury. Designed by Gwathmey Siegel & Associates Architects, the hotel follows LEED-aligned practices that uphold its commitment to sustainability. From energy-saving smart thermostats and motion-sensor lighting to low-flow water fixtures and composting systems, every aspect of its operations is guided by eco-conscious principles.

At The Langham, single-use plastics have been replaced with eco-friendly alternatives, such as in-room glass water bottles and ceramic dispensers for bath amenities. Biodegradable bamboo key cards are also used, alongside partnerships with local suppliers, to reduce the environmental footprint. 

These hospitality project examples illustrate how sustainable hospitality in the USA has evolved from a niche concept to a transformative force, redefining comfort by aligning with nature and prioritizing wellness. Through innovative design, ethical sourcing, and immersive guest experiences, the industry shows that environmental responsibility and refined luxury can coexist. This design-led shift offers a compelling blueprint for a future where sustainability and guest satisfaction are harmoniously integrated.

At Mi & Gei We invite you to explore these projects and reflect —what does sustainability mean to your practice?