How to Find Eco-Certified Hotels on Booking.com: A Step-by-Step Guide

Booking.com has quietly become one of the best platforms for finding sustainable accommodations. Their Travel Sustainable badge now covers over 400,000 properties worldwide, and their filtering tools make it easy to book green. Here’s how to use the platform to find genuinely eco-friendly stays.

What Is the Travel Sustainable Badge?

Launched in 2021, Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable program rates properties on 32 sustainability measures across five categories: waste, energy and greenhouse gases, water, nature, and community. Properties earn a Level 1-3 badge based on how many measures they’ve implemented. It’s not perfect, but it’s the largest sustainability certification in the hotel industry.

How to Filter for Sustainable Properties

Step 1: Search Your Destination

Enter your destination and dates as normal. No changes here.

Step 2: Apply the Travel Sustainable Filter

On the results page, look for the “Travel Sustainable” filter in the left sidebar (desktop) or the filter icon (mobile). Select Level 3 for the most committed properties, or Level 2+ for a wider selection.

Step 3: Check the Property’s Sustainability Page

Click into any property and scroll to the “Sustainability” section. Here you’ll see exactly which measures the property has implemented — solar panels, no single-use plastics, locally sourced food, water recycling, etc. This transparency is what makes the program useful.

Step 4: Cross-Reference with Third-Party Certifications

For extra confidence, check if the property also holds certifications from Green Key, EarthCheck, LEED, or regional eco-labels. Properties with both Booking.com badges AND third-party certifications are the safest bets.

Top Eco-Certified Hotel Chains on Booking.com

These chains consistently score high on sustainability metrics:

• Scandic Hotels — Nordic chain with industry-leading environmental practices
• Six Senses — Luxury resorts with extensive sustainability programs and on-site gardens
• 1 Hotels — Mission-driven luxury brand where sustainability is the entire concept
• Accor (Planet 21) — Large chain with measurable sustainability commitments across properties
• Inkaterra — Peruvian eco-luxury brand funding Amazon and Andean conservation

Beyond the Badge: What to Look For

Badges help, but your own research matters too:

• Energy source — Does the property use renewable energy?
• Water management — Rainwater harvesting, low-flow fixtures, gray water recycling
• Waste practices — Composting, recycling, no single-use plastics
• Food sourcing — Local, organic, seasonal menus
• Community impact — Local employment, fair wages, cultural preservation
• Biodiversity — Native landscaping, wildlife corridors, habitat protection

Alternative Platforms for Eco Stays

While Booking.com has the largest selection, these specialized platforms focus exclusively on sustainable accommodations:

• Ecobnb — European-focused platform of verified eco-accommodations
• BookDifferent — Compares hotels by carbon footprint and donates to offsetting
• Green Pearls — Curated collection of premium sustainable hotels worldwide
• Kind Traveler — Book hotels that donate to local charities

Want specific recommendations? Check our hand-picked 10 Best Eco-Lodges for 2026 or explore our Green Hotels section for more reviews.