By
For those who don’t know, Iceland as a country takes sustainability very seriously. They have a proactive approach to taking care of the environment and working against climate change. In fact, they have set a target alongside their efforts, aiming to cut at least 55% of carbon emissions by 2030. And reach complete carbon neutrality by 2040. Part of these efforts includes eco hotels in Iceland.
As visitors to the island, we also rely on you to help us reach our goal and support our efforts. So, although there is plenty of accommodation in Iceland to choose from, we request that you understand what the eco hotels in Iceland are all about.
What are Eco Hotels in Iceland?
You can also refer to eco hotels in Iceland as sustainable hotels in Iceland or green hotels in Iceland. All it means is that these hotels are environmentally friendly and sustainability-conscious. They have been built to have the least impact on the ecosystem. This relates to the physical building as well as all the processes involved in actually running the hotel.
A hotel in Iceland does not have the right to just award themselves the title of an eco hotel. The hotel needs to be certified by the Icelandic Tourism board. The department in charge of environmental certification.
The Top 10 Eco Hotels in Iceland
Knowing that your accommodation is caring for the environment, then we recommend you book in at one of the following eco hotels in Iceland:
1. Holt Hotel, Reykjavík
The Holt Hotel is very conveniently located in the capital city. It is within walking distance from main attractions such as Hallgrimskirkja. The hotel offers visitors top-notch comfort as a four-star hotel. And it boasts an ETIC Gold Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards, with an average carbon emission of just 23.7 kg.
View this post on Instagram
2. Hotel Ranga, Hella
Hotel Ranga is a luxurious four-star hotel that truly caters to all with wheelchair accessibility, conference facilities, airport shuttles... The hotel makes use of renewable energy and recycles. It boasts an ETIC Gold Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards. Its carbon emissions stand at 35.4 kg.
View this post on Instagram
3. Radisson Blue Hotel, Reykjavík
The Radisson Blue Hotel is in the capital city center and within walking distance of some of the very best sights in the city. The hotel is especially famous for its history of delicious cuisine (since 1919!) made from fresh local ingredients. The hotel has an ETIC Gold Certification for its ethical and sustainable standard, with carbon emissions reported at 29.4 kg.
View this post on Instagram
4. The Hilton Reykjavík Nordica, Reykjavík
The Hilton hotels have a prestigious reputation and the Hilton Reykjavík is no different. It is situated in the heart of the capital city, just 5 minutes away from where you can shop till you drop in our famous Laugavegur Street.
The hotel uses an award-winning corporate responsibility management system called LightStay. It measures, reports and improves the environmental impact of the hotels all across the world. That’s why it should come as no surprise that the hotel boasts an ETIC Gold Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards. It also has carbon emissions of 26.4 kg.
View this post on Instagram
5. Hotel Berg, Keflavik
Hotel Berg definitely puts the emphasis on personal touch. This is a family-run hotel, so it has all the luxury and amenities of a four-star hotel, whilst maintaining that comfortable bed-and-breakfast feeling. This is a go-to stay for those who arrive on the island late or have to catch a flight from Keflavik Airport. The hotel has an ETIC Bronze Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards and has carbon emissions of 41.7 kg.
View this post on Instagram
6. Radison Blu Saga Hotel, Reykjavík
The Radison Blue Saga Hotel has actually been revamped recently, so the hotel has everything one would expect of a modern building such as this. The restaurant offers panoramic views over the capital city, but besides that, it has a hair salon, gym, bank, restaurant, and much, much more within its walls. The hotel has an ETIC Bronze Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards and the carbon emission level stands at 48.2 kg.
View this post on Instagram
7. Icelandair Hotel, Reykjavík
This is yet another hotel that has recently been renovated and can be found between the beach at Oskjuhlid Nautholsvik and the hill. This is one of the eco hotels in Iceland that has pulled its green theme through its aesthetics as well.
The Natura Hotel rooms sport themes such as Ice, Moss, Plant, and Aurora Borealis. The Icelandair Hotel is focused on practicing environmentally friendly operations that conserve natural resources and further reduce emissions. The hotel has an ETIC Silver Certification for its ethical and sustainable standard and the carbon emission level stands at 42.5 kg.
View this post on Instagram
8. KEA Hotel, Akureyri
The KEA Hotel is an incredibly quaint-looking four-star hotel in what is referred to as the capital city of the north. It is conveniently located close to attractions such as the Akureyri Botanical Gardens and local cafés and restaurants. The hotel offers all the conveniences of a luxury hotel, but has a very community-centered approach.
It offers employment opportunities to those studying in the fields of tourism or hospitality. It actually provides electricity to the local primary school! The hotel has also reduced the amount of waste whilst managing the current waste production responsibly. The hotel has an ETIC Silver Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards and has carbon emissions of only 35.9 kg.
View this post on Instagram
9. The Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon, Hnappavellir
The Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is definitely the go-to place for those traveling to the Jökulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. The hotel focuses on its waste reduction and has committed itself to buying local to promote employment. All of this makes the hotel’s luxuries even sweeter to enjoy. The hotel has an ETIC Silver Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards and boasts carbon emissions of a mere 23.2 kg.
View this post on Instagram
10. ION Adventure Hotel, Nesjavellir
The ION Adventure Hotel is one of the sustainable hotels in Iceland that has some of the best views and most stylish décor. As the hotel is in a more remote part of the island, you’ll be able to spot the Northern Lights if you visit at the right time of the year. The hotel holds an ETIC Silver Certification for its ethical and sustainable standards and has carbon emissions of just 21.6 kg.
View this post on Instagram
Eco-Hotels in Iceland: Luxury With a Conscience
Eco hotels in Iceland have all the luxuries and amenities of any other hotel, but with the added benefit of knowing that your money is going towards community-centric projects and ensuring a brighter, more sustainable future.
If you are planning on renting a car in Reykjavík and taking a road trip during your time here on the island, then you can use our list of eco hotels in Iceland to plan your stops throughout the country.
