The Best Eco Friendly Hotels in London
top of page
  • Writer's pictureGreen Guides
    • Nov 15, 2023

The Best Eco Friendly Hotels in London: A Sustainable Guide

Looking for a London eco-friendly hotel? We've got you covered with this list of London eco hotels.

Tower Bridge in London
London is home to a great range of exceptional eco-friendly hotels.

London, the bustling capital of England, is not only known for its iconic landmarks and vibrant culture but also for its commitment to sustainability. With eco-friendly travel gaining popularity, more and more travelers are seeking out green hotels in London.


If you're planning a trip to London, why not make it a sustainable one? In this guide, we'll explore the best eco-friendly hotels in London that prioritize environmental responsibility without compromising on luxury and comfort.


Jump Ahead: The Best Eco Friendly Hotels in London

 

The Bankside Hotel is a sleek and stylish new addition to the South Bank scene, housed in a six-story glass-and-concrete building that overlooks the Thames and One Blackfriars. The hotel is part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, but has a distinctive personality of its own, thanks to the creative vision of L.A.-based Dayna Lee, a former film-set designer. The interiors are a mix of faux-industrial and modern art, with subway tiles, timber cladding, and polished concrete floors contrasted with colourful rugs, pottery, and paintings.


This London eco hotel celebrates the artistic vibe of the area, with a mezzanine space that displays quirky sculptures made from books and easels, and a maker in residence program that offers workshops for guests. The hotel is conveniently located between Tate Modern and the Jerwood Space, and within walking distance of other attractions such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Borough Market, and the Shard.


Hilton London Bankside has been awarded the Luxury Eco Certification Standard and the Green Tourism Business Scheme’s gold accreditation. This eco friendly hotel also participates in the largest shell recycling program in the nation, provides oyster shells to help rebuild reefs in the Gulf of Mexico, and has an onsite stormwater management system and a rooftop garden.



Hotel Café Royal is a modern grand hotel that combines the historic charm of its original 1865 building with the contemporary design of David Chipperfield. Located at the corner of Regent Street and Piccadilly Circus, this hotel offers an unparalleled location for exploring the best of London, from Theatreland and Soho to the Royal Academy and Hyde Park.


The hotel boasts a rich heritage of patrons, from Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill to Muhammad Ali and David Bowie, and celebrates its artistic and intellectual legacy with references throughout its interiors. The hotel features a stunning lobby with a 350-kilo Murano glass chandelier, a rococo Oscar Wilde Lounge, a top-notch steak and sushi restaurant, and a luxurious spa and wellness center.


The rooms and suites are spacious and elegant, with leather-lined walls, Carrara marble bathrooms, and Bang+Olufsen sound systems. Some of them offer spectacular views of the bustling Piccadilly Circus, but thanks to the multi-paned glass windows, you can enjoy the silence and comfort of your own private sanctuary. At time of writing, Hotel Café Royal is the only hotel in London to have earned the Green Globe eco certification.



If you are looking for a city hotel that has it all, look no further than CitizenM Tower of London. This hotel is not only designed with style and flair, but also with sustainability and eco-friendliness in mind, with a level 3 sustainable level on Booking.com. The hotel uses energy-efficient LED lighting, water-saving fixtures, organic toiletries, and recycled materials. The hotel also supports local artists and charities, and encourages guests to explore the city by bike or public transport.


You can enjoy the comfort and convenience of your room, which has a wall-to-wall window, a super comfy bed, a smart TV, and free Wi-Fi. You can also mingle with other guests and locals in the vibrant public spaces, which have a bar, a canteen, a lounge, and a rooftop terrace. You can admire the art, read the books, listen to the music, and sip the drinks.


citizenM Tower of London also happens to be one of the best green hotels in London when it comes to location. You'll be right next to Tower Hill Underground Station and close to many attractions, such as the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Brick Lane, and Spitalfields Market.



One Aldwych is a contemporary five-star hotel that occupies a historic Edwardian building on the corner of Aldwych and the Strand. Since its opening in 1998, it has been a leader in eco-friendly luxury, with a range of green initiatives and awards. The hotel offers 105 unique rooms, each with a stylish design, modern art, and a convenient cubby-hole for discreet room service. The hotel also boasts a stunning underground pool with underwater music, a rooftop garden with beehives, and a 24-hour child care service.


The Lobby Bar and Indigo restaurant are the heart and soul of the hotel, where guests can enjoy theater-themed cocktails, Basque cuisine, and local produce, all in a chic and elegant setting. The hotel’s location is ideal for sightseeing, as it is within walking distance of many attractions, such as the West End, the South Bank, and Covent Garden.


The hotel's environmental initiatives include recycling programs, LED lighting, and the use of biodegradable packaging. One Aldwych's dedication to sustainability extends to its dining options as well. Indigo restaurant focuses on serving delicious, dairy-free, and gluten-free dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel's rooftop beehives and bee-friendly garden also contribute to its eco-friendly ethos.



The Zetter is a fun and quirky boutique hotel that offers a unique and memorable stay in the heart of Clerkenwell, a creative neighbourhood in London that is famous for its excellent food scene. This London eco hotel is housed in a Georgian building that overlooks a picturesque cobbled square, and has an eco-friendly ethos that includes pumping water from the bore-hole beneath the building and offering free bike hire to its guests. The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, meeting facilities, luggage storage, and an award-winning cocktail lounge that feels like a cosy and elegant country-house-style living room, with antique furniture, art on the walls, and a superb drinks menu.


The rooms at the Zetter are colourful and unique, with a playful and patriotic design that features Union Jack flags flying from the beds, over the headboards, and in the colours of the throws. The rooms are also comfortable and well-equipped, with air conditioning, flat screen TVs, hairdryers, and gourmet snack trays. The bathrooms are stocked with products from The White Company, bathrobes, and slippers, and some have raindance showers and freestanding baths. Some rooms also have terraces with clawfoot tubs and views of the City.

The Zetter is a great base to explore central London, as many attractions are within walking distance or a short tube ride away. St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tate Modern, the Barbican Centre, and the British Museum are some of the nearby places to visit. The hotel is also close to Farringdon station, which is on the Circle and the Hammersmith & City lines.



6. Treehouse Hotel London, Marylebone

Treehouse London Hotel is a hotel that invites you to rediscover the joy and wonder of childhood. Located in a prime location in London, across from the BBC’s Broadcasting House and close to the best shopping and dining areas, this hotel offers a unique and sustainable experience.


The hotel occupies the top five floors of a former office building, but you won’t notice the bland exterior once you step inside. The hotel is designed to resemble a treehouse, with wooden floors, shingle walls, and greenery everywhere. The rooms are cozy and chic, with exposed-concrete ceilings, reclaimed-wood furnishings, and organic cottons. You’ll also find nostalgic touches like a stuffed Paddington bear, a yellow raincoat, a cuckoo clock, and a kaleidoscope in every room.


Treehouse London eco hotel is committed to sustainable practices, such as reducing single-use plastics, recycling and composting, and using locally sourced toiletries in refillable bottles. You can also enjoy the stunning views of the city from the rooftop bar, the Nest, or dine at the upscale Mexican restaurant, Madera, or the Pizzeria Mozza, by famous chef Nancy Silverton. This is an eco friendly hotel not to miss.



The Lanesborough is a magnificent Neoclassical mansion overlooking Hyde Park, offering a rare combination of opulence and sustainability. The hotel was originally a hospital, but it was transformed into a lavish Regency-style residence in 1991, and underwent a $110 million refurbishment in 2015. The interiors, designed by Alberto Pinto, feature ornate cornicing, frescos, chandeliers, and 23-carat gold-leaf gilding. The rooms are spacious and elegant, with whimsical patterns, original artworks, and antique books. All rooms come with butlers, who can cater to your every need.


The hotel is also committed to environmental responsibility, with a range of green initiatives and practices. The hotel sources its food from local and organic suppliers, uses energy-efficient boilers and lighting, and recycles its waste and water. The hotel also partners with Clean Conscience, a charity that recycles hotel soap and toiletries for humanitarian purposes. Guests can opt for a “green stay” option, which provides them with eco-friendly amenities and the chance to have a tree planted in Hyde Park in their name.


The Lanesborough’s restaurant, Céleste, is a Michelin-starred gem, serving exquisite dishes under a domed glass roof. The menu features oysters, caviar, lobster, and other delicacies, as well as vegetarian and vegan options. To top it all off, this London eco hotel also has a library, a cigar lounge and a lush garden room.



Ham Yard Hotel is a hidden gem in the heart of Soho, a vibrant and eclectic neighbourhood full of theatres, shops, bars, restaurants and galleries. Despite being just steps away from Piccadilly Circus, the hotel feels like a tranquil oasis, surrounded by a charming pedestrian courtyard with a striking bronze sculpture by Tony Cragg. The hotel is part of a U-shaped complex that also includes apartments, a rooftop garden, a spa, a cinema and a bowling alley.


The interiors are designed by Kit Kemp, who has created a stunning fusion of colours, patterns, textures and artworks that reflect the artistic spirit of Soho. The rooms are spacious and luxurious, with large windows that offer views of the city skyline or the courtyard. The service is impeccable, and the guests are treated like celebrities. The restaurant and bar are popular spots for locals and visitors alike, serving delicious food and drinks in a stylish and lively atmosphere.


This hotel goes above and beyond to prioritize sustainability, earning a BREEAM Excellent rating for its environmentally friendly features. Ham Yard Hotel generates electricity through CHP units and solar panels, boasts a living green roof, and maintains beehives and a vegetable garden on its roof terrace. The interiors are equally impressive, with eco-friendly furnishings made from reclaimed wood and sustainable materials. When it comes to sustainability, Ham Yard Hotel sets a high bar for other establishments in London.



Knightsbridge Hotel is a stylish and eco-friendly hotel in one of London’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The hotel is housed in a Georgian townhouse on a quiet cul-de-sac, surrounded by plane trees and luxury shops.


The hotel’s interior design reflects the creative vision of Kit Kemp, who mixes modern art, colorful fabrics, and rustic motifs to create a cozy and unique atmosphere. The hotel’s drawing room has an African theme, while the library has a soft pastel tone and an honor bar. The guest rooms are spacious and bright, with canopy beds, granite and oak bathrooms, and Miller Harris bath products.


The hotel also offers room service, high-speed internet access, and a recycling scheme that uses environmentally sound products. Knightsbridge Hotel is the ideal place to enjoy the best of London, from the nearby Harrods and Harvey Nichols to the V&A Museum and Hyde Park. Whether you are here for business or pleasure, Knightsbridge Hotel will make you feel at home in this elegant and sustainable oasis.



Last but certainly not least is The Hari London, a 5-star hotel that combines the best of British and Italian style, culture and hospitality. Located in the elegant Belgravia neighbourhood, the hotel is close to the Royal Parks, Hyde Park and Knightsbridge, where you can find high-end shopping and dining options.


This London eco hotel welcomes you with a stunning living wall of plants that reflects its green ethos and Earth Check certification. Inside, you can admire the eclectic artworks from the hotel’s artist in residence competition, or relax in the cosy library bar and the charming garden terrace. The hotel also features il Pampero, a superb Italian restaurant led by chef Claudio Covino, that attracts both guests and locals with its delicious dishes and aperitifs.


The Hari London is the flagship property of Harilela Hotels, a family-owned company with a long tradition of impeccable service and hospitality. The hotel is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ L.V.X collection, and has a sister property in Hong Kong. The Hari London is the perfect choice for travellers who appreciate luxury, comfort and character.




315 views

This article contains affiliate links to products, hotels, and tours. If you make a purchase or reservation, we receive a small commission.

 

​

bottom of page