Initiatives to combat plastic pollution have swept the globe, train travel is seeing a renaissance, and electric vehicles are picking up momentum. Meanwhile, hotels are helping travelers stay on the sustainable path by seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification to prove their green credentials.
Hospitality projects acquire LEED BD+C (Building Design and Construction) certification provided they score highly enough in the rigorous rating system laid out by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). Points are accrued from categories relating to energy and water efficiency, waste and emission reduction, and environmental stewardship. The final tally designates the property as Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points), or Platinum (80+ points).
Choosing a verified hotel is one of the best ways to avoid falling victim to greenwashing. These five LEED-certified hotels in the United States show how luxury and sustainability can work hand in hand.
We hope you love these LEED-certified hotels! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Address: 311 Pike Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, United States
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, The Lytle Park Hotel is a LEED Silver certified property in downtown Cincinnati’s Historic District. An imaginative repurposing of two neo-Tudor landmarks earned the project points for building reuse and a bonus for innovation in design. Each unit has a projected carbon footprint of just 42.7 kg per night.
Rather than cramming in cramped rooms, the designers settled on 88 oversized rooms and 18 deluxe suites in the former Anna Louise Inn building. The decor, inspired by local flora and the Ohio River, mimics the park and aims to soothe. Chunky mattresses are wrapped in Frette linens and all rooms are supplied with a Nespresso machine and recycling facilities.
This AAA four-Diamond luxury hotel is home to Cincinnati’s only four-season rooftop bar where seasonal cocktails are served alongside craft beers from Ohio and neighboring Midwest states. The suitably named Vista rises over Lytle Park and the Ohio River with a peek into the Great American Ball Park. Downstairs, Subito serves northern Italian fare. There are electric vehicle chargers on-site and convenient public transport links.
Blending history and environmental responsibility with plenty of luxury, The Lytle Park Hotel is a uniquely sustainable experience in Cincinnati.
Address: 1515 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90401, United States
Steps from Santa Monica Pier, you’ll book the Shore Hotel for its beachfront setting and extend to enjoy its solar-powered pool and vibey SoCal restaurant. Santa Monica’s inaugural LEED Gold certified hotel earned its score through the use of regionally sourced building materials, low-emitting paint, stormwater management, and a pulley elevator that saves 75 percent more energy than a conventional system.
Guest rooms use stringent protocols including temperature controls that adjust automatically upon entry and exit. All rooms are stocked with recyclable and biodegradable reusable water bottles with refill fountains in strategic locations. These private sanctuaries are as stylish as they are efficient with aquamarine accent walls and Pacific views from floor-to-ceiling windows.
The Garden Courtyard is a dreamy oasis for a barefoot wedding and other green events. Complimentary bicycles, secure bike storage, and electric car charging points make it all the easier to explore the Golden State minus the footprint.
Slated to open later in the season, Shoreside is tipped to be SoCal’s new “It” spot. The kitchen team cherry-pick the ripest ingredients from the local farmer’s market and buy seafood fresh off the boat. Breakfast burritos are stuffed with free-range eggs and you can order a second mug of organic coffee knowing every sip goes to a good cause.
Address: 500 Sargent Dr, New Haven, CT 06511, United States
Added to the New Haven harbor by modernist architect Marcel Breuer in the 1960s, the Brutalist Pirelli Building has undergone a radical transformation inside. What served as the headquarters for Armstrong Tires (later acquired by Pirelli) is now one of 10 LEED Platinum certified hotels in the United States.
Hotel Marcel, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is a 100 percent electric business with its own microgrid, heat pumps, and KONE elevators. With flying colors across the scorecard – including top marks for building life-cycle impact reduction and optimizing energy performance – it’s touted to be the first Passive House-certified hotel in the country.
Utilitarian rooms sport modern mid-century moveables inspired by the Bauhaus movement and one of Breuer’s Cesca chairs. Everything from the touch panel system to the coffee maker relies on renewable energy sources; no need to feel guilty as you brew a second Nesprosso or indulge in bedside scrolling.
If you were to peek into the kitchen of BLDG, you’d find locally sourced meat and pantry essentials alongside seasonal greens. “Haus” cocktails echo the building’s heritage and its green ethos. The Penthouse Loggia provides an eco-friendly venue for wedding receptions, conferences, and other celebratory or corporate events.
Championing alternative transportation, Hotel Marcel has Level 2 and 3 EV chargers and an emission-free airport shuttle.
Address: 1625 North Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States
Setting out to prove that eco-friendly accommodation needn’t go off-grid, the LEED Gold certified Shashi Hotel is the greenest hotel in Silicon Valley. This sustainably savvy fortress uses recycled water for landscaping, low-flow plumbing, and high-efficiency HVAC systems. Thirty percent of Shashi Hotel’s energy comes from solar power.
Primarily pitched at the tech crowd but equally enticing to anyone looking to snap a selfie outside Meta, the hotel employs purposeful design and techy touches alongside lifestyle amenities. Downloading the Shashi App enables you to personalize your room, auto-connect to the hotel Wi-Fi (no fiddly passwords!), and Cast movies from your device.
Unplugging comes in the form of diving into the courtyard pool or taking a digital detox in the sauna. Shashi Rituals stretch from morning yoga to live music and a bespoke turndown service. Complimentary bikes are provided for getting around the Google campus and NASA Ames Center.
With a menu inspired by Executive Chef Aubree Arndt’s travels through Spain, the food at Broma is no joke. Pintxos and tapas plates are served alongside a Californian interpretation of Iberian classics with Basque cheesecake for dessert. The Emerald Hour serves invigorating cocktails while the locally roasted coffee at Carte Blanche may well spark your next big idea.
Address: 501 3rd Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37210, United States
Hot off the press – a new LEED Silver certified hotel will make its debut in Music City in fall 2024. The Printing House, the latest earth-friendly hotel under the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, stands in the epicenter of Nashville on Peabody Street and Third Avenue.
This 187-room hotel promises to take responsible hospitality in Nashville to the next level through its commitment to luxurious sustainability. Modeled on a printing stamp, the eye-catching building near Printers Alley is already turning heads while the decor is set to honor the city’s lineage for music and creativity. The experience culminates at a Tennessee-inspired restaurant and bar opening onto a landscaped garden terrace with skyline views.
Electric vehicle charging is available on-site and guests are encouraged to don their walkin’ shoes when venturing out to Broadway’s museums and saloons.
