What are Eco-Hotels? 7 Ways They Differ from Eco-Lodges
There’s a wide variety of eco-accommodation to choose from and each type has something unique to offer. Two common terms include ‘eco-hotel’ and ‘eco-lodge’. Although these are often used interchangeably, they have plenty of differences. This article will highlight the differences between ‘eco-hotels’ and ‘eco-lodges’ so you know which option is best for you.
What are eco-hotels?
Eco-hotels are sustainable accommodation options that strive to minimize their environmental impact, often even in urban settings. What truly sets genuine eco-hotels apart are their low-impact operations and conservation efforts, not just a certification by local authorities or independent third parties.
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.
7 differences between eco-hotels and eco-lodges
Size
When it comes to size, eco-hotels are typically much larger. Hotels are designed to accommodate more guests than eco-lodges, so naturally, the building will be bigger. The grounds also tend to be much larger due to additional facilities and activities.
For example, the Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa in Costa Rica covers over 352 hectares, consisting of 110 hectares of primary forest, 160 hectares of reforested lands and tropical gardens, and 80 hectares of grazing lands.
When it comes to size, eco-hotels typically offer more capacity too. The Arenal Observatory offers 48 rooms in total, varying from suites to villas. This is a much higher capacity, compared to most eco-lodges, including the likes of Eagle Brae in Scotland, which offers just 10 log cabins.
Location
Another key difference between eco-hotels and eco-lodges is their location. Eco-lodges are typically found in undisturbed, remote natural areas, where you can enjoy a true escape in nature. Although some eco-hotels are located in scenic remote locations, many are located in urban settings.
Take Arenas Del Mar for example, which is located in the town of Manuel Antonio (Costa Rica). It’s just a short walk from the surrounding villas and is close to many amenities, such as cafes and eateries.
Compare this to eco-lodges such as the Black Rock Lodge in Belize, which is located in dense rainforest. The lodge has a 7-mile dirt driveway and is situated along the banks of the Macal River.
Relationship with the local community
Having a relationship with the local community is vital for any eco-friendly hotel or lodge. Whether that be through employing local people, supporting community projects, or helping to protect the local culture.
Due to their remote location, eco-lodges tend to have a closer relationship with the local community. This can be seen clearly when taking a look at eco lodges in Sri Lanka. 80-100% of staff are employed from the local village, and villagers are consulted before new projects begin.
You’ll likely find that many hotels focus on supporting foundations financially rather than making a direct difference.
However, some eco-hotels have a very close-knit relationship with the community, so it all depends on the accommodation in question. For example, Pikaia Lodge in the Galapagos, works closely with the local community, by sourcing local products and employing an additional teacher for the local school.
Facilities
Eco-hotels are larger than eco-lodges, so they typically have more facilities.
An example of this is Areias do Seixo, an eco-hotel located in Santa Cruz (Portugal). As well as having various accommodation options, this hotel offers a range of fantastic facilities. This includes an on-site spa and two restaurants. Areias do Seixo also offers various activities and experiences for guests.
When we compare this to Khampa Nomad Ecolodge in China, it’s very easy to see the differences. This eco-lodge offers a more authentic experience, where you’ll enjoy cultural activities. The rooms are much more basic, and you’ll indulge in local cuisine.
Of course, many eco-lodges have fantastic facilities too, but those staying in an eco-hotel will often have access to more amenities.
Low-impact operation
When comparing eco-hotels and eco-lodges it’s important to consider how each one operates. The majority of eco-lodges have a low-impact operation, whereas eco-hotels tend to have more of an impact since they need more resources to operate due to their size.
Many small eco-lodges can typically run solely on renewable power, whereas there’s a lot more to consider for eco-hotels as they need more electricity.
Nature Observatorio in Costa Rica is a fantastic off-grid eco-lodge that is run on 100% solar power. Rainwater is also used to supply the property and its bathroom, so this place has a very low-impact operation.
Whereas eco-hotels, like Trout Point Lodge uses power from the main grid albeit they pay for it to be renewable via a renewable energy provider. The actual electricity they use may still come from a mix of sources, including fossil fuels, but using renewable energy providers supports the addition of more renewable energy to the grid, offsetting non-renewable sources.
Types of accommodation
A key difference between eco-hotels and eco-lodges is the variety of accommodation options. As you may imagine, eco-hotels typically have a usual hotel design (with plenty of rooms), although they focus on environmental and sustainability practices.
However, eco-lodges come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and this usually depends on their purpose and location. A lot of eco-lodges such as Origins Lodge in Costa Rica follow a typical cabin design, although they can also be described as chalets, huts, shacks, or pods.
READ ON – How to spent the best 4 days in Origins Lodge.
Other popular types of eco-lodge include cottages, small guest houses, farmhouses, glamping, yurt tents, and luxury villas. This means there are more accommodation varieties to choose from for those who’d prefer to stay in an eco-lodge.
Carbon footprint
Finally, there’s the carbon footprint to think about. As eco-hotels are typically much larger than eco-lodges, they generally have a larger carbon footprint beyond their choice of power source.
For example, a small eco-lodge in Puerto Rico is made up of a handful of cabins without a lot of additional facilities to take into account.
If we take Post Ranch Inn, a luxury boutique hotel situated on a 100-acre property in Big Sur, California, which features a range of facilities including a spa, infinity pools, a fine dining restaurant, and more, it is easy to see that they have a larger carbon footprint to start with.
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.
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.