6 green hotels in the Benelux where you can stay sustainably

All of us are becoming increasingly aware of climate change and sustainability challenges. In fact, large-scale research by hotel group Accor** shows that one in five northern European travellers would be willing to pay more for a holiday if the tour operator offering the holiday was demonstrably green or carbon neutral. And lucky us for a moment that both Belgium and the Netherlands have many sustainable hotels. Below are some green gems where you absolutely do not have to compromise on luxury or comfort. Fortunately, there are more and more of them. Choose your favourite and enjoy a carefree weekend away. 

B&B hotels - Belgium
B&B Hotels has branches all over Belgium and is considered one of the most innovative hotel concepts in the budget sector. It is an excellent place for those looking for a green stay in Belgium's most beautiful cities. In fact, B&B Hotels adheres to many initiatives to minimise their ecological footprint. Thanks to LED lighting in the rooms and foyers, they prevent heating and reduce their CO2 emissions. Guests with electric cars can charge their cars at several B&B establishments. Furthermore, they are conducting trials with Betterfly Tourism to evaluate the carbon footprint of their hotels. This involves calculating their carbon footprint, their water and energy consumption and the percentage of organic and eco-labelled products. The list of green initiatives goes on and on. Curious? Read here more on how B&B is doing its bit for a greener planet.

FRANQ hotel - Belgium

Hotel FRANQ in Antwerp, with its star restaurant of the same name, is in a former bank building from the 18th century and that history is reflected throughout this luxury boutique hotel. In the impressive lobby, you can still find remnants of the original columns that are beautifully incorporated into the interior. Downstairs, you will find the original bank vaults. Some safes are unopened to this day and thus still hold ancient secrets. 

The hotel is strongly committed to water conservation and is the proud owner of a Made Blue certificate. Made Blue aims for clean drinking water for everyone worldwide and they try to achieve this through various initiatives. Hotels can also do their bit and FRANQ is one of them. Thanks to their donations in 2023, they and other donors provided 10 people with clean drinking water for 10 years. This year, the hotel is again putting their shoulders to the project.

Hotel Jakarta in Amsterdam - Netherlands

Hotel Jakarta is also described as a sustainable oasis. This energy-neutral four-star hotel is located on the Javakade in the bustling city of Amsterdam. Solar panels provide hot shower water and the subtropical indoor garden is watered with collected rainwater. There is also a smart heat control system that keeps the building warm in the most responsible way possible. The ceilings and walls are made of sustainable materials. Not only is the building completely green, the staff also do their bit: they wear sustainable company clothing from the By Rockland brand. This hotel is the perfect example of an environmentally conscious organisation. Enthusiastic? Check here the hotel.

Radisson Grand Place Brussels - Belgium
Anyone who thinks luxury and sustainability don't go together hasn't yet met Radisson Grand Place in Brussels. Discover 282 stylish rooms and suites where sophistication meets comfort, with sleek contemporary decor, thoughtful furniture and lighting, plush beds and delightful bathrooms. To make the management of their hotel as environmentally conscious as possible, they adhere to six principles: energy efficiency, carbon reduction, carbon neutral meetings, stewardship of water, recycling and responsible sourcing. To achieve all this, Radisson has several collaborations with First Climate, one of the largest carbon offset organisations in the world, among others, to help companies reduce their carbon footprint. To account for the transparency and credibility of all their efforts, they work with recognised eco-labels such as Green Key and Earth Check. So enjoy carefree luxury at Radisson Grand Place in Brussels. For more information, visit the website.

Mövenpick in Amsterdam - Netherlands
At Mövenpick, pampering and sustainability go hand in hand. Not only is it the world's most Green Globe-certified hotel group, but more than 75% of their qualifying hotels and resorts have achieved Gold or Platinum status, recognising hotels that have met the requirements for five and 10 years or more respectively. In partnership with Green Globe, their goal is to exceed their achievements and feed the planet and its people with even more care and dedication now and in the future. So how exactly do they do that? Every room at the Mövenpick hotel in the heart of Amsterdam has a stunning view of the city and the IJ river. The four-star hotel is within walking distance of the historic centre and numerous museums. Curious about this hotel? Book here a stay. 

Novotel Schiphol in Amsterdam - Netherlands
Found on the west side of Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, this luxury hotel puts its guests to sleep in soundproof rooms. Throughout the hotel you will find Dutch art, wooden bicycles and typical Dutch decorative objects. In addition, when setting up the hotel, Novotel Schiphol made certain choices where comfort and service go hand in hand with a greener living environment. Think digital check-in, a mobile concierge, use of sustainable products and fast, wireless Wi-Fi. The hotel also has meeting rooms with natural light. In the restaurant, they serve dishes made from organic and local products. A good example is the house honey from the more than 500,000 honeybees on the hotel's roof. In short: sustainability, comfort and luxury all come together here. Book here your room.