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What are Eco B&Bs? 8 Ways They Differ from Eco-Lodges

What are Eco B&Bs? 8 Ways They Differ from Eco-Lodges

Sustainability has become a big factor in tourism, so there are various eco-friendly accommodation options to choose from. Many of these terms, including ‘eco-lodges’ and ‘eco-B&Bs’ are used interchangeably, but there are several differences between the two.

This article will highlight the differences between ‘eco-B&Bs’ and ‘eco-lodges’ so you know which accommodation suits you the most.

What are eco-B&Bs?

Eco-B&Bs are typically small establishments that offer overnight accommodation with breakfast. As such, food is a priority, with properties primarily growing their own produce or sourcing it locally. Unlike standard B&Bs, this type of accommodation works to minimize their impact on the environment.

What are eco-lodges?

Eco-lodges are accommodations in undisturbed, remote natural areas where both construction and operation have the lowest impact possible on the environment. They are not only part of the local community, but they are active participants in protecting nature and culturally sensitive areas.

8 differences between eco-B&Bs and eco-lodges

Size

When looking at eco-B&Bs and eco-lodges it’s important to consider the size difference. Although the sizes of eco-B&Bs differ, many of them are only small guesthouses with a few rooms. But typically all rooms are within one large building.

Let’s take a look at Pumula Lodge in Knysna (South Africa) as an example. This beautiful property is only relatively small, with just 5 en-suite bedrooms. Although there are some fantastic facilities on-site, there aren’t many rooms for guests.

Photo credit: Pumula Lodge.

You’ll often find that eco-lodges tend to occupy larger areas of land than eco-B&Bs too, especially as many lodges offer a variety of activities and excursions (for which you’ll need additional facilities). For example, Origins Eco Lodge in Costa Rica has several cabins scattered around the property.

READ MOREHow to Spend the Best 4 Days in Origins Lodge

Wooden hut surrounded by vegetation and a red concrete path towards it
Photo credit: Emese Maczko, Eco Lodges Anywhere.

Location

There’s also a key difference between the two when it comes to location. The majority of eco-lodges are located in remote and undisturbed natural areas, where you’ll be surrounded by nature. Whereas, eco-B&Bs are typically found in less rural areas, often being surrounded by other hotels/guesthouses and tourist amenities.

Olas Tulum is a charming eco-B&B in Mexico and is a good example of this. Although it’s located along the beachfront, this B&B has various other properties in close proximity and is just a short drive from Tulum Beach.

Photo credit: Olas Tulum.

Compare this to the likes of Orca Island Cabins in Alaska, where you’ll stay on a private island in Humpy Cove. To get here, it’s a 1-hour boat ride from Seward. Of course, there are exceptions, but eco-lodges tend to be much more remote than eco-B&Bs.

Design

As with traditional B&Bs, eco-B&Bs often follow a similar design, where you’ll have a small guesthouse with a few different rooms. These rooms will typically be enclosed in the one building where you’ll sometimes have access to other facilities.

Compared to eco-B&Bs, eco-lodges come in various forms, which range from small guest houses and cottages to luxury villas and farmhouses. As such, you’ll have more accommodation varieties to choose from if you go for an eco-lodge.

Eco-lodges come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The design depends on their purpose and location, although many follow a typical cabin design, such as Rios Lodge in Costa Rica. These cabins are often described as huts, chalets, shacks, and pods.

READ MOREHow to Spend 3 Days in Rios Lodge

Wooden cabins on stils surrounded by rainforest.
Photo credit: Emese Maczko, Eco Lodges Anywhere.

Low-impact operation

As eco-B&Bs generally tend to be smaller than eco-lodges, they often have a lower-impact operation, although this does depend on the size of the eco-lodge in question.

If we take Capella Lodge in Australia as an example, this lodge gets 80% of its energy from renewable resources. Then you’ve got Khampa Nomad Ecolodge, a rural eco-B&B that is 100% self-sufficient, with all their energy coming from renewable sources (solar and wind).

Photo credit: Khampa Nomad Eco Lodge.

However, there are many exceptions, and this is where size comes into play. Nature Observatorio in Costa Rica is a fantastic off-grid eco-lodge that is run on 100% solar power, so has a very low-impact operation. Whereas, Cala Lodge (a remote eco-B&B) uses power from the main grid (but 90% comes from renewable sources).

Meal options

Eco-B&Bs primarily cater to guests by offering breakfast, often made from locally sourced or homegrown produce. This focus on breakfast aligns with their smaller scale and personalized service. 

Eco-lodges, on the other hand, often provide full-board options, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This all-inclusive meal service is convenient for guests staying in remote locations where dining alternatives may not be readily available. 

In some very basic eco-lodges, there might be no meal service provided, encouraging guests to be self-sufficient or to engage with local communities for their dining needs.

Carbon footprint

Again, it’s important to factor in the size of eco-B&Bs and eco-lodges when we look at their carbon footprint. As eco-B&Bs tend to be smaller, they often have a lower carbon footprint.

Let’s take a look at The Sanctuary Eco B&B for example. Located in Cornwall, this sustainable 5-bedroom B&B is an off-grid property as solar is used for electricity and heating. This B&B also has a fantastic green policy, so they have a low carbon footprint.

Photo credit: The Sanctuary.

Naturally, eco-lodges such as El Silencio Lodge in Costa Rica, will have a higher carbon footprint as they are much larger. This property offers spacious suites and villas, some of which offer a heated whirlpool. El Silencio uses power from Costa Rica’s main grid (although 90% comes from renewable sources).

Facilities

You’ll find that eco-lodges typically have more facilities than eco-B&Bs as they tend to be bigger.

For example, Nimmo Bay Resort in British Columbia (Canada) has excellent on-site facilities. These include a shop, lounge, laundry facilities, and fitness room. There’s also a yoga room, melody room, artist studio, cedar room, and hot tubs among other facilities! Honestly, this eco-lodge has so much to offer.

Photo credit: Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort.

When we look at Fynbos Ridge in South Africa, there’s quite a difference. Although this eco-B&B has a private swimming pool, they don’t have many other facilities. Of course, this isn’t always the case, but, commonly, eco-lodges will have more facilities.

Activities and excursions

Finally, it’s time to take a look at the differences between activities and excursions offered at each type of property. Similarly to facilities, eco-lodges tend to offer more activities than eco-B&Bs, and their remote location is often a big reason for this!

Eco-lodges offer the ultimate nature escape which is what many people look for. As such, businesses cater to these adventurous souls by providing a range of activities and excursions.

This can be seen by looking at Esquinas Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica. This eco-lodge offers a variety of exciting activities, including wildlife day hikes, birdwatching tours, night walks, and mangrove tours among others.

Compare this to 4 Casitas, a charming eco-B&B in Puerto Rico, which doesn’t offer activities (aside from games which are available at the main house). Instead, they have compiled a list of local activities and excursions for their guests, rather than offering them themselves.

Interior with white walls, wooden floor and light minimalistic furniture
Photo credit: 4 Casitas.

More about eco-lodges

BROWSE THROUGH our directory for the most sustainable eco-lodges around the world if you want to experience something unique, authentic, and exciting.

A woman sitting on a mountain. Behind her is a lake.
Travel Writer | Website | More Posts

Emese Maczko is a travel blogger behind Eco Lodges Anywhere. Having explored several destinations around Europe, the US, Indonesia, and Australia, and resided in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg, Emese possesses a keen understanding of diverse cultures and an appreciation for the beauty of each destination she visits. She advocates for sustainable travel and ecotourism.