The term "eco-hotel" gets applied pretty broadly these days, but the best ones do more than ask guests to reuse their towels.
They reduce their environmental impact through measures like refillable toiletries, locally sourced food, thoughtful design, and support for the surrounding community.
Not every eco-hotel is fully off the grid, but two of the most memorable ones I've stayed at came with limited Wi-Fi, spotty cell service, or both.
At first, I found myself reaching for my phone out of habit. By the end of each stay, I realized I hadn't missed the constant notifications nearly as much as I expected, and my need to feel constantly connected to the entire world had softened.
I’ve stayed at a handful of eco-hotels over the years and while I don’t always seek out a hotel because of its eco-friendliness, I do notice and appreciate sustainability initiatives.
The hotels on this list all prioritize sustainability, but you won’t have to give up a comfortable bed, good food, or modern amenities to unplug.
In this article
Yasawa Island Resort & Spa in Fiji
This remote luxury resort is located 100 km from Nadi and Fiji's largest airport. The hotel has its own plane, and the flight takes about an hour, after which, you’ll land on a grass runway that sets the tone for how remote this destination really is.
There are 18 beachfront bures (bungalows) designed for privacy and comfort, and the hotel has a pool, restaurant, spa, private island picnics, and a full-service PADI dive center. It also has a strong relationship with the surrounding community, hiring local workers and incorporating cultural programming through musical performances and storytelling.
Although the accommodations and amenities are high-end, there's limited air conditioning in the bures with just a window unit over the bed and none in the bathroom or living area. There are also no televisions, cell service, and the Wi-Fi intentionally doesn't extend beyond the common areas. Once I walked a few steps from the lobby, I was completely disconnected.
Even though the resort advertises the lack of connectivity on its website, I was still initially annoyed. Not because I envisioned spending my time in this lush tropical paradise with my nose in my phone, but because I'm used to being connected during downtime, whether scrolling the news or streaming a movie.
I had a few moments where I automatically reached for my phone to see what was happening, but after a day or so, I stopped. I downloaded a couple of books, spent a few strategic moments connecting in the lobby to stay on top of work emails, and called it good.
I came away from the experience with the resolve to be more focused on what was happening around me.
Windsong Seward Lodge in Seward, Alaska
Located near Kenai Fjords National Park, this lodge sits in a forested section along the Resurrection River, just outside Seward, which is 127 miles from Anchorage.
There are 214 rooms spread across freestanding two-story lodges named for indigenous flowers and plants, and amenities include an on-site restaurant, a lobby coffee bar, a gift shop, and free shuttle service into Seward and to the Alaska Railroad station.
Eco-forward initiatives include locally sourced bath products, reducing single-use plastics, and making it easy for guests to explore Seward by shuttle or arrive by train instead of relying on a rental car.
Although the resort has Wi-Fi, the signal outside of the main lobby is weak or nonexistent. I stayed in the Juniper Lodge, one of the farthest buildings from the lobby, where Wi-Fi didn't reach and cell service was unreliable, but it was a welcome tradeoff to see this part of Alaska.
Looking out my window at the quiet forest along the Resurrection River made it a little easier to accept.
Hadco Experiences at Asa Wright Nature Centre in Trinidad and Tobago
Set within a 1,500-acre protected rainforest in Trinidad, Asa Wright Nature Centre is one of the Caribbean's best-known ecolodges and a longtime destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.
The property has 29 rooms with private bathrooms and views of the rainforest, gardens or mountains. Standard amenities include in-room tea and coffee makers and activities such as exploring hiking trails leading to waterfalls and natural pools and guided birdwatching excursions to spot more than 150 bird species.
Asa Wright intentionally keeps the focus on the natural environment. There are no televisions, spas, golf courses, or nightlife, and limited cell service in some areas of the rainforest.
Instead, the experience centers on the sounds of the forest and the wildlife just outside your room.
Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape in Bali
Located in Bali's lush highlands, Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, takes an unusually immersive approach to luxury.
The adults-only resort has just 16 villas built around a "no walls, no doors" concept, with open-air living spaces, private pools, and sweeping views of the surrounding jungle, river valleys, and rice fields.
The property emphasizes locally sourced materials, green design, renewable energy, and preserving the existing landscape, while experiences like guided treks, spiritual rituals, yoga, and spa treatments encourage guests to connect with the natural surroundings.
While Wi-Fi is available, the resort's location in Bali's highlands means cell service can be limited. With no televisions in the villas, nature becomes the main attraction at this luxe hotel.
Deetjen's Big Sur Inn in Big Sur, California
Tucked into the redwoods along California's scenic Highway 1, Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is a historic retreat that has been welcoming guests since the 1930s.
The nonprofit property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and takes a preservation-first approach to sustainability, restoring cabins with salvaged and locally milled redwood, maintaining an eco-conscious wastewater system, and sourcing local ingredients for its on-site restaurant.
Individually decorated guest rooms feature garden or creek views, and, in some rooms, wood-burning stoves, fireplaces, or outdoor soaking tubs.
The inn intentionally leaves out many of the modern conveniences travelers have come to expect. There's no Wi-Fi or cell service on the property, and guests must drive about five minutes north to connect. With handcrafted redwood cabins, low lighting, and established quiet hours that preserve the peaceful atmosphere, here’s a chance to step away from screens and settle into the slower pace of Big Sur.
The Shortcut
Some unplugged environments are by design, others are just geography. If you want some access, just less temptation, Yasawa Island Resort, Windsong Seward Lodge, and Buahan all have limited service that may not reach your room. Deetjen's in Big Sur has neither Wi-Fi nor cell service at all.
These properties' sustainability efforts are legitimate, not just PR spin for cost savings. Deetjen's built its cabins from salvaged and locally milled redwood, and Buahan sources materials and renewable energy locally too. Local ingredients and consumables are prioritized across the board.
None of this means roughing it. Amenities like on-site restaurants and spas, private pools or outdoor soaking tubs, and yoga classes are common.
