Stay at green hotels in Europe
R&R comes guilt-free at these eco-luxe resorts in Vienna, Paris, Ireland and Brittany.
IRELAND Head south of Dublin to Monart Destination Spa, one of the chicer retreats in the country, named by Condé Nast Traveler readers as one of the Top 3 in the world. Eco-cred: Green energy systems control heat and light in every room and biomass heating uses locally made wood chips to heat the hotel and keep energy use low. Water usage is reduced with low-flow showers and wind energy supplies most of the resort's electricity needs. Spa treatments use natural Pevonia Botanica products. Nature is also an important part of the relaxation here, and the surrounding 100 acres of woodland is incorporated into the experience. Food: Monart's restaurant focuses on local cuisine and has been recommended by the Michelin and Bridgestone guides. Who should go: Eco-hedonists. Enniscorthy, County Wexford; 353-053-92-38999; monart.ie. Double rooms from $265 (190 euros).
PARIS The charming blue and white Versailles suite at Hotel Gavarni, established in 1907, puts you in the heart of the City of Light with a considerably lighter footprint. Eco-cred: Not only is it within walking distance of the Eiffel Tower and a 20-minute métro ride from the Louvre, this Old World hotel is run entirely on renewable energy, controls water consumption, uses organic cleaning products, transformed tables into shelves in a recent renovation and covers transportation costs for employees who use public transit. For its efforts, Gavarni was awarded the EU Ecolabel. Food: Breakfast only, but it's organic and fair trade. Who should go: Touristes vert. Check out general manager Xavier Moraga's ecotourism blog, greenhotelparis.com, to get the goods on eco-chic Paris. 5 rue Gavarni, 33-01-45-24-52-82, gavarniparishotel.com; hotelsandpreference.com. From $195 (140 euros).
VIENNA Within walking distance of the city centre, budget-friendly boutique hotel Stadthalle offers 10 per cent off the regular room rate to guests who arrive by bicycle or train. Eco-cred: Stadthalle's claim to fame is a zero energy balance – the hotel uses solar and photovoltaic panels, groundwater heat pumps and three wind turbines to create as much energy as it uses. Rainwater is collected for flushing toilets and watering the lavender and roses in the insulating rooftop gardens atop the concrete building. Stadthalle is the first hotel in Vienna to receive the EU Ecolabel, and has since received other eco-accolades. Food: A breakfast buffet with a wide range of regional Austrian dishes, many with organic produce. Who should go: Travellers with green thumbs, pun intended. Hackengasse 20, 1150 Vienna; 43-1- 982-42-72; hotelstadthalle.at/hotel-vienna. Rooms from $96 (69 euros).