10 Eco‑Friendly Memorial Day Stays With Sustainable Lodging

Looking for a getaway this Memorial Day weekend that won’t harm the planet? Eco-friendly accommodations offer a perfect way to enjoy your holiday while keeping your carbon footprint small. From solar-powered cabins to recycled-material hotels, sustainable lodging options have exploded in popularity across America.

These green getaways combine luxury with environmental responsibility, giving you a guilt-free vacation experience you’ll remember long after the holiday weekend ends.

1. TreeHouse Point in Washington

Nestled among towering pines just 30 minutes from Seattle, these magical elevated cabins let you live out childhood dreams with grown-up amenities. The builders used reclaimed timber and sustainable construction methods to create these remarkable structures.

Each treehouse features composting toilets, solar-powered lighting, and locally-made furniture crafted from fallen trees. Hiking trails wind through the property, allowing guests to connect with nature without disturbing it.

During Memorial Day weekend, they offer special guided nature walks focusing on native plant identification and forest ecology. The property’s commitment to zero waste means everything from your morning coffee to evening wine is served in reusable containers.

2. The Stanford Inn by the Sea in California

Perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this stunning eco-resort combines luxury with environmental stewardship. Every aspect of your stay supports sustainability – from the organic gardens supplying their renowned vegan restaurant to the electric vehicle charging stations.

My favorite feature is their use of rainwater collection systems that supply water to their beautiful organic gardens. The property’s historic buildings have been meticulously retrofitted with energy-efficient systems while preserving their classic charm.

Did you know they maintain a sanctuary for rescued farm animals on the property? Guests can visit with these animals during special morning tours, creating meaningful connections between visitors and the resort’s mission of compassion.

3. Earthship Biotecture in New Mexico

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to stay in a building made from recycled tires and bottles? These off-grid architectural marvels near Taos capture rainwater, generate their own electricity, and maintain comfortable temperatures naturally without conventional heating or cooling systems.

Each Earthship features stunning bottle walls that create colorful light patterns throughout the day. The indoor gardens aren’t just beautiful – they help filter water and provide fresh produce for guests.

Memorial Day weekend visitors can participate in special sustainability workshops covering topics from solar energy to water harvesting. Sleeping in these self-sufficient structures feels like visiting the future while honoring ancient building wisdom that worked with natural systems rather than against them.

4. 1 Hotel South Beach in Florida

If luxury and sustainability seem like opposites, this oceanfront gem will change your mind forever. The moment you step into the lobby with its living wall of 11,000 plants, you understand their commitment to bringing nature indoors.

Reclaimed wood furnishings, organic cotton linens, and filtered water systems in every room show attention to eco-friendly details. The hotel’s fleet of electric house cars offers complimentary rides within a 3-mile radius, making car-free vacation days effortless.

During Memorial Day weekend, the hotel hosts special sunrise beach yoga classes followed by ocean conservation talks. Their impressive rooftop pool uses a specialized filtration system that significantly reduces chemical usage while still maintaining pristine water quality for the perfect holiday swim.

5. Shash Diné Eco-Retreat in Arizona

Where better to experience Memorial Day’s meaning than at this Native-owned eco-retreat near sacred Navajo lands? Traditional hogans and shepherd’s wagons offer authentic accommodations under some of America’s darkest skies for spectacular stargazing.

The entire property operates off-grid using solar power, composting toilets, and careful water conservation practices. Meals feature ingredients harvested from their desert-adapted gardens or sourced from local indigenous producers.

Your Navajo hosts share cultural knowledge during special evening programs around the fire pit. The retreat’s commitment to cultural preservation alongside environmental sustainability creates a profound experience that connects guests to both the land and its original stewards – a fitting way to honor Memorial Day’s spirit of remembrance.

6. The Crash Pad in Tennessee

Rock climbers and outdoor enthusiasts flock to this LEED Platinum certified hostel in Chattanooga for its perfect blend of affordability and environmental responsibility. Though it looks like a typical boutique hotel, nearly every material used in construction was reclaimed, recycled, or sustainably harvested.

The building’s smart design captures natural light while minimizing heat gain, reducing energy needs dramatically. Community spaces encourage travelers to connect, sharing adventure stories and outdoor tips over locally brewed beers in the evenings.

For Memorial Day weekend, they organize special group climbing outings and river cleanups. What makes this place truly special is how they’ve created a budget-friendly option that proves sustainable travel doesn’t have to break the bank – perfect for adventurous holiday travelers watching both their spending and their carbon footprint.

7. Inn Serendipity in Wisconsin

This charming farmhouse B&B runs completely on wind and solar power – generating more energy than it uses! The owners have transformed a century-old farmhouse into a model of rural sustainability without sacrificing comfort or charm.

Breakfast features ingredients harvested just steps from your room in their organic gardens. The strawberry pancakes made with berries picked that morning create vacation memories you’ll treasure long after Memorial Day weekend ends.

Guests can help collect eggs from free-range chickens or learn about their straw bale greenhouse during informal tours. What I love most about this place is how it demonstrates that even historic buildings in challenging climates can be transformed into zero-carbon havens – proving sustainable living is possible anywhere with creativity and commitment.

8. The Greenheart TreeHouses in West Virginia

Hidden within the lush Appalachian forests, these architectural masterpieces blend so seamlessly with their surroundings you might miss them at first glance. Each treehouse was built using sustainable forestry practices, with trees selectively harvested to improve forest health.

Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the forest inside while highly efficient insulation maintains perfect temperatures year-round. The property’s natural swimming pond, filtered by aquatic plants rather than chemicals, offers refreshing relief during warm Memorial Day afternoons.

Evening campfires become magical moments as fireflies emerge among the trees. Their commitment to forest conservation means your stay actively contributes to protecting one of America’s most biodiverse regions – giving your holiday getaway purpose beyond just relaxation.

9. The Asbury Ocean Club in New Jersey

This stunning beachfront property proves sustainable luxury is possible in unexpected places. The developers transformed a long-abandoned building site into a model of urban beach sustainability, incorporating extensive green roofs that reduce energy needs while providing habitat for native shore birds.

Their innovative rainwater collection system supplies all landscape irrigation and dramatically reduces water waste. The hotel’s commitment to ocean conservation includes eliminating single-use plastics and organizing regular beach cleanup events.

Memorial Day weekend features special programming focused on Jersey Shore history and conservation. What makes this place perfect for the holiday is its combination of sustainable luxury and proximity to New York and Philadelphia – ideal for city dwellers seeking a responsible escape without long-distance travel that increases carbon footprints.

10. El Cosmico in Texas

Under the vast Marfa skies, this desert wonderland offers renovated vintage trailers, safari tents, and Mongolian yurts that combine quirky charm with serious sustainability. Solar-heated outdoor showers and composting toilets dramatically reduce water usage in this arid environment.

Their commitment to dark sky preservation means minimal outdoor lighting, creating spectacular stargazing opportunities during Memorial Day weekend. Community spaces encourage guests to gather, share meals, and exchange stories around fire pits fueled by sustainably harvested mesquite wood.

The property’s desert-adapted landscaping showcases native plants that thrive without irrigation. What makes El Cosmico special is how it creates luxury from simplicity – proving that sustainability often means returning to timeless practices rather than complicated technology.