World Environment Day Special: 9 Eco-Stays In India That Put Planet First
Would you pay more for a travel experience that gives back to local communities or helps the environment? Booking.com’s 2025 Sustainability Report revealed that 87% of Indian travellers are willing to travel sustainably in the next 12 months. Many of them are planning to adopt more responsible habits during their upcoming trips, reflecting a clear shift towards everyday actions that support long-term sustainability. And this number is important. We are on the precipice of irreversible environmental damage, and the travel industry contributes to this fact. This makes sustainability and environment conservation a more significant priority this decade.
Coconut Lagoon, CGH Earth, Kumarakom, Kerala
Tucked away in a quiet coconut grove along Kerala’s Vembanad Lake, Coconut Lagoon feels less like a resort and more like a living tribute to tradition. In the 1990s, when land reforms in Kerala led to the abandonment of many heritage homes, CGH Earth’s founder Jose Dominic stepped in. These centuries-old wooden structures, built using Thachu Shastra, an ancient carpentry technique that uses no nails, were carefully dismantled and reassembled here by master craftsmen. Today, they form the heart of Coconut Lagoon, lovingly preserved and perfectly placed within nature. At the resort, there are no plastic bottles on site thanks to their own bottling plant, biogas powers the kitchen, and every drop of rainwater is harvested. Waste is sorted, composted, and treated with care. Even the furniture and interiors lean heavily on reclaimed materials.
ITC Maratha, Mumbai, Maharashtra
A leader in sustainable luxury, ITC Maratha recently became one of the few global properties to earn both LEED Zero Carbon and LEED Zero Water Certifications from the US Green Building Council. As part of ITC Hotels, one of the greenest hotel chains in the world, ITC Maratha integrates sustainability into every aspect of its operations. From carbon-neutral banquets and on-site water bottling (Sunya Aqua) to local sourcing through its “Local Love” program, the hotel champions eco-conscious practices. It diverts over 100,000 kg of organic waste annually via an on-site biogas plant, sources over 80% of its energy from renewables, and uses 47% less water than the USGBC benchmark.
Relais & Chateaux SUJÁN Sher Bagh & Sujan Jawai, Rajasthan
Kipling Camp, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
Established in 1982 by Belinda Wright, the founder of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, Kipling Camp is a pioneer among Kanha’s lodges. The camp’s footprint is minimal, with less than 10% of the land developed, while 15 acres are dedicated as an undisturbed sanctuary for wildlife. Local architectural styles define the buildings, seamlessly connected by natural pathways. The camp’s commitment extends to the Baiga tribals and Gond artists, ensuring the local culture thrives alongside conservation efforts.
Nimmu House, Ladakh
Tucked away in the sleepy village of Nimmu, just 45 minutes from Leh, Nimmu House is a lovingly restored 100-year-old Ladakhi home that now welcomes guests as a peaceful eco-retreat. The house has been rebuilt using traditional techniques such as sun-dried mud bricks, poplar wood, and stone, and runs on solar power. Waste is thoughtfully composted, and meals are mostly organic and vegetarian, with ingredients coming straight from the garden or nearby farms. With just seven cozy rooms and a few glamping tents in summer, this is as authentic and genuine a Ladakhi stay can get.
Spice Village, Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala
Sitting at the edge of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Spice Village is as wild and wonderful as its surroundings. Think tribal-inspired cottages with elephant grass thatched roofs, and forest paths that wind through spice trees and native flora. What makes this place remarkable is how self-reliant it is. Today, 75% of the resort runs off-grid, drawing solar energy and harvesting its own rainwater. Food waste? It’s turned into biogas and compost. And even paper isn’t wasted—thanks to an incredible in-house paper recycling centre, where old menus and leaflets are reborn as hand-crafted stationery.
Windermere River House, Neiramangalam, Kerala
Tucked away on a quiet rubber estate by the Periyar River, Windermere River House is where slow living merges with luxury. This intimate retreat has a plantation-style charm courtesy handcrafted furniture and open lawns. The days move at an unhurried pace here; take a dip in the serene pool, meander through the orchard, or simply read a book. Meals are made from produce grown in the garden or sourced locally, and always full of fresh, home-cooked goodness. A biodigester turns kitchen waste into biogas for cooking and manure for the gardens.
Brij Lakshman Sagar, Pali, Rajasthan
Set against the rugged backdrop of Rajasthan’s badlands, Brij Lakshman Sagar was originally a 19th-century hunting lodge. Today it’s a hideaway of 12 mud-and-stone cottages, each with its own private plunge pool and sweeping views of the arid landscape. The entire property was built using the “zero-kilometre” approach, with materials and craftsmanship sourced locally. Everything here, from the carved rock pool to the rustic interiors, pays homage to the region’s traditions. There’s no plastic in sight, and the food reflects the land-slow-cooked, organic, and deeply rooted in local recipes.
Six Senses Vana, Dehradun, Uttarakhand
Cradled by sal trees in the Himalayan foothills, Six Senses Vana is arguably India’s best forest sanctuary. Designed for deep healing, it combines Ayurveda, yoga, Tibetan medicine, and mindful nutrition into an escape from the world. The property is fully plastic-free and LEED Platinum-certified, with every detail, down to the recycled paper and natural cleaning products, carefully chosen to minimise environmental impact. You’ll eat clean, seasonal meals (with kombucha, nut butters, and cheeses made in-house), sleep in rooms with textiles made of natural fibres, and spend your days moving between spa sessions, forest walks, and silence.
