Going “green” is reshaping the look, layout and function of hotels worldwide. From limited-service to luxury, it is a time when “natural” and “local” are the predominant themes. Hotels, brands, architects and designers like those featured here are reducing, reusing, recycling and rethinking to show the world that green is beautiful—and profitable.

Design brief: “An architectural service of expertise launched” by Purcell Miller Tritton, architects, designers and historical buildings consultants, to combine sustainable solutions and carbon negative design with the needs of listed buildings and new-build hotels. (In England, The Grove, Boxwood Hotel & Spa, Broxbournebury Hotel & Spa, Runnymede Hotel & Spa, Parc Clynlifon in Wales, and Ballyfin in Ireland).

Core environmental design features: Sustainable woods; elimination of building materials that require high energy and generate CO2 emissions or pollutants (during or post production); biomass boilers with heat exchangers and reduced glazing; energy- efficient LED lighting; reed beds for foul water drainage; sedum roofs; and UV pools.

What’s next: Natural air conditioning through ground coupling; conference/leisure facilities located under gardens producing organic produce with re-created glasshouses to improve thermal performance and reduce energy needs; and “living walls.”

Green thinking: “Wood from sustainable sources and low-energy light bulbs are now commonplace. Hoteliers are becoming increasingly radical in other design-related decisions that have a positive environmental impact. With alternative energy sources and passive design measures, a new breed of green, sustainable hotels is developing.” – Jeremy Blake, principal, Heritage Hotels

Design brief: Create a unique, exclusive, sustainable destination comprising luxury lodges throughout the game reserve.

Core environmental design features: Large verandas to shade the buildings and provide gathering spaces; quarries built from scratch by the client, one for stone cladding on walls and columns, one for the roof stone; natural landscaping (not one tree was killed for the project); site decisions, material selection and layouts for each safari lodge designed by architect WATG (Nairobi’s Interior Designs Co. designed the interiors) that were sympathetic to the local environment.

What’s next: Greener insulation; solar control glazing like that being used for WATG’s Ocean Village mixed-used project under way in Southampton, UK; radiant ceilings; and chilled beams to the guestrooms.

Green thinking: “The biggest challenge for Sasakwa Hill was to find a good renewable source of energy that was still aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It is back to basics: sun, wind and rain orientation; good volumes to cope with temperature changes; good natural cross ventilation; and the balance between natural light and shading of large expanses of glazing for hot climates.” – Celia Geyer, WATG’s senior associate and lead architect on the project

Design brief: Eco-lifestyle boutique hotels, the group’s first hotel, the select-service Ambrose, designed by HLW, Santa Monica, to a chain that spans into the luxury sector.

Core environmental design features: Energy Star-rated appliances; guestrooms naturally ventilated with windows that open; low-flow toilets and water-saving faucet aerators; zero VOC, Green Seal-certified, water-based paints.

The extras: Natural materials such as limestone countertops in the guest bathrooms, all-natural bathroom amenities, organic continental breakfast.

What’s next: Luxurious organic cotton bed linens and new bathroom materials made from 100% recycled wood or plastic.

Green thinking: “I don’t like the idea that you have to give up anything to have a green hotel. You just have to be more innovative. A water feature can water the gardens instead of just draining into the storm sewer. A linen company can create organic sheets with a high thread count that feels truly luxurious. Even green design has to have a 'wow’ factor—and that means it has to be comfortable.” – Deidre Wallace, president and founder, The Ambrose Group Hotels

Design brief: Cultural conservation; adaptive re-use

Core conservation features: All timber and wood on the ground level is recycled from the original 19th century ice factory; pieces of the original building, including bottles and glass unearthed by the archeologist on site, are incorporated as design elements.

The extras: Indigenous Mexican architectural traditions, such as the impressive stairway that bisects the lobby that is re-interpreted by award-winning Mexican architect Legoretta + Legoretta, Mexico City.

What’s next: More efforts by Grupo Habita “to bring back the splendor of old buildings,” but with a modern edge—like La Purificadora’s black and white color scheme “sprinkled with 'bishop’ purple.”

Green thinking: “In Mexico, running a green hotel is rather a difficult enterprise. We do everything in our power, such as recycle, to comply.” – Rafael Micha, co-owner, Grupo Habita

Design brief: Auberge Resorts’ new eco-chic brand stresses sustainability without sacrificing style or luxury.

Core environmental design features: Contemporary furnishings and carpeting made from natural, sustainably farmed or recycled materials, like those Dowling Kimm Studios, San Francisco, used for the debut property, Napa Valley’s Solage Calistoga; evaporative coolers; Napa Valley architect Howard Backen’s exaggerated eaves and provisions for natural air flow; and radiant floor heating.

What’s next: Integration of a tremendous number of new green products; alternative energy sources.

Green thinking: “Being green is part of the DNA of Auberge and now Solage. But, it is not our style to proclaim that. Our guests can see the solar panels and the natural design elements. People don’t come to Solage just for 'green.’ They come because we have created a great getaway. Green is one more welcome feature that resonates with our guests.” – Mark Harmon, Auberge Resorts’ CEO and managing partner

Design brief: Boutique resorts that marry “the reality of the destination” with a commitment to the environment.

Core environmental design features: For properties such as the Six Senses Hideaway Yao Noi, Phang Nga, Thailand, and the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay opening soon in Oman, traditional local building techniques and materials, roof overhangs for shade, “maximum” use of recycled and reused material, incorporating nature into the design.

What’s next: Constructions with a “known” origin regarding the sustainability of how they were logged, harvested, mined or manufactured, solar or alternative power, even in areas such as the Middle East.

Green thinking: “Six Senses never wants to go for a less stringent green concept. What is needed is more pressure on the owning companies and contractors to source construction materials from environmentally and socially responsible suppliers.” – Juergen E. Seidel, Six Senses’ group director of property maintenance, engineering and innovation