8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Booking a Hotel

If you thought luxury and eco-tourism or style and sustainability aren’t obvious bedfellows, then you need to get with the 21st century

Some of the hippest hotels in the world are the most eco and they are so cool that they don't even bother to mention it. Just is.

So while you are seeking out high-threadcount sheets, hi-tech audio visuals, and high-art interiors, have these questions in mind, too.

1. How energy-efficient is the hotel? Do they create or conserve energy or limit consumption?
2. What water-saving strategies are in place? Does the hotel collect it's own water, have low-flow showers or low-consumption toilets? Do they recycle grey water?
3. Do they hire environmentally engaged staff? Are the environmental practices talked about and understood by staff? (Ensuring staff is invested in programmes improves success.)
4. How efficient is their waste disposal? Do they recycle? Do they compost? Do they use the compost to create more food?
5. Will they encourage you to reuse towels and sheets to save laundering?
6. Are ingredients sourced locally?  Locovarian isn't as important as at least sourcing what they can.
7. Is linen made from organic cotton? (Or at least 100% cotton: cotton blends rely on petrochemicals.)
8. Are gardens planted with food to support the hotel and native flora?
9. This ninth question is not one for the list, but we bet you are wondering too. If anyone knows the difference between a hotel and a motel, can you please tell us?

Image: Shutterstock / Article adapted from 10 Questions to ask before booking a hotel, bouteco.co

Something incorrect here? Suggest an update below: