Beautiful Green Eco-Friendly Hotels In Miami

When it comes to the environment, staying at a LEED certified or Florida Green Lodging member hotel can make a world of difference.

The best way to know if you’ve booked a stay at an environmentally conscious hotel in Miami is to make sure it’s a member of Florida Green Lodging or that it’s LEED certified. Created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to equip travelers with resources when it comes to finding a green hotel, Florida Green Lodging rates properties in five areas of sustainable practices. These include: Communication & Education; Waste Reduction, Reuse & Recycling; Water Conservation; Energy Efficiency and Indoor Air Quality.

Similarly, LEED is the international benchmark in energy efficient building, design and construction set by the US Green Building Council. With so many green hotels to choose from in Miami at all price points, it’s easy to make the decision to go green. Here are some of our favorite eco-conscious hotels in Miami.

The Palms Hotel & Spa

The Palms Hotel & Spa is a classic eco-conscious hotel in Miami and a member of Florida Green Lodging. Some of their rooms include environmental bathroom elements that will make you feeling like an eco-warrior. The hotel exudes Old Florida charm with a lovely pool, lush outdoor tropical landscaping and a nature inspired feel throughout. Their farm-to-table restaurant Essensia is a true bastion for sustainable cuisine, sourcing fare from local purveyors, while also incorporating ingredients from their onsite garden which they also use in their magnificent craft cocktails.

Circa 39

Circa 39 is the Palms’ sister hotel and is also a member of Florida Green Lodging with the same culinary philosophy. The boutique hip hotel is home to Jules Kitchen, a cozy and eclectic eatery dishing up global comfort food. So what exactly is global comfort food? Think, pulled pork calypso sliders, carne con queso eggrolls and Greek nachos made with pita chips and feta. You can also delight in Caribbean shrimp mofongo, Korean BBQ spare ribs and a Cubano sandwich.

1 Hotel South Beach

1 Hotel South Beach is a luxury lifestyle hotel that celebrates nature with an eco-driven mission. As a Silver LEED certified project, the hotel made use of reclaimed wood throughout the interiors. “We’ve launched a cause, not a brand. We’re as much about what you see as what you’re not going to see in our hotels,” says Barry Sternlicht, CEO of Starwood Capital Group, referring to the fact that there are no paper or plastic products in guest rooms. Instead you’ll find, “triple clear” water filters in all taps to replace plastic bottles, a chic little chalkboard as opposed to paper and pen and a 1 Hotels Field Guide app in place of brochures. There’s also a small fleet of Tesla electric cars available to hotel guests.

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell/Downtown

Hampton Inn & Suites Miami Brickell/Downtown holds the distinction of being the first LEED certified hotel in Miami. Located in the heart of Brickell with popular Batch Gastropub at ground level, the hotel offers sweeping views of Miami’s skyline while keeping prices and its carbon footprint low.

The Miami Beach EDITION

The Miami Beach EDITION occupies a historic property originally built in the 1950s, which it restored into a LEED certified hotel. This luxurious collaboration between Marriott International and boutique hotelier Ian Schrager takes being green to new creative heights with a restaurant by Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Basement nightclub with an ice skating rink and four-lane bowling alley.

Courtyard Cadillac by Marriott

Courtyard by Marriott is a global brand leading the charge in LEED certified hotels. In fact, their Courtyard Cadillac was the first Miami Beach hotel to gain LEED certification after its 2014 renovation. Boasting a brand new tower with guest rooms reflecting Miami Beach’s modern, easy-breezy aesthetic and two pools, it offers a fresh design for a stylish and sustainable night’s sleep.

The Standard

The Standard hotel in South Beach is a member of Florida Green Lodging. Located on Belle Isle on the Venetian Causeway, the hotel is practically floating in Biscayne Bay with a dreamy zero entry swimming pool and outdoor mud lounge, as well as an indoor spa with a spacious stadium-style hammam and water journey. The property promotes an overall sustainable lifestyle with a restaurant specializing in organic cuisine.

Sonesta Coconut Grove

Overlooking the anchorage on beautiful Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, the Sonesta is a member of Florida Green Lodging. The rooftop swimming pool and Panorama restaurant under the guidance of Chef Christopher Cramer take full advantage of this pristine view. At the foot of the hotel, Peacock Park is the perfect place for guests to commune with the great outdoors.

With so many hotel options to choose from, being green has never been easier. For more information on LEED certified hotel projects, visit http://www.usgbc.org and for Florida Green Lodging information, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging/about.htm.