The most sustainable luxury hotels in Côte d'Azur

Taking up 300 acres of Cannes countryside, Terre Blanche is a resort that encourages you to be at one with your natural surroundings. So, it’s no surprise that it’s also big on eco-responsibility. 

In fact, sustainability is a full-time philosophical commitment for Terre Blanche, especially its decision to never impose on the wonderful ecosystem and biodiversity the resort shares its home with.

Everything here is both inspired by and respectful to nature – including the carefully-designed infrastructure of its suites, villas, and resort facilities which goes above and beyond the recommended standards. 

Here are some of the eco-friendly steps Terre Blanche takes:

• Protects local flora and upkeeps the surrounding green forestry
• Recently hosted their very first Wildlife Day to raise awareness of how to preserve local fauna
• Implemented thorough waste management schemes throughout the resort 
• Uses eco-friendly cleaning products to reduce toxicity 

Despite being amongst the over-the-top glitz and glamour of Monaco, Hotel Metropole, Monte-Carlo has a humble attitude to green commitments. A stay here provides a high-end decadent experience, but behind the scenes the hotel takes great care with sustainability. 

In 2007, the hotel developed a set of actionable policies that aim to reduce its impact on the planet. With these changes implemented across its accommodation, facilities, and food and drink outlets, the guest experience has now been transformed, but for the better.

Here are some of the eco-friendly steps Hotel Metropole, Monte-Carlo takes:

• Reduces energy consumption across gas, water, and electricity
• Was one of France’s first five-star hotels to replace single-use plastic items
• Reduced paper consumption by switching to paperless operations
• Minimises waste volumes with selective recycling and donations

Next on our list of the most luxurious Côte d'Azur eco hotels is Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo, which may come as a surprise. Despite its opulent interiors and ultra-luxe vibes, this is a hotel that uses its money, power, and know-how to promote sustainability worldwide.

Its motto is that luxury can and should be increasingly green – you don’t need to waste to live lavishly! Since 2014, the hotel group has been internationally recognised for its green ambitions, and the all-important policies in place continue to grow in strength and power.

Here are some of the eco-friendly steps Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo takes:

• Developed efficient management of clean energy resources (98.5% of the electricity comes from certified renewable sources)
• Operates with strict recycling and waste recovery policies covering food, glass, paper, household waste, edible oils, and used batteries
• Resort kitchens promote healthy and authentic food sourced locally from sustainable suppliers
• Respects the surrounding natural heritage by banning pesticides and preserving the hundred-year-old trees on its grounds 

There are endless awards sitting on the accolade shelf in Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt, ncluding two Michelin stars and a Green Globe gold status awarded in 2021 for its outstanding commitments to sustainable tourism.

Hyatt is actually one of the leading hotel brands making substantial moves forward in caring for the planet, especially Hôtel Martinez by Hyatt, a well-established hotel nestled nicely on the beachside hotspot of La Croisette boulevard.

Despite its ritzy appearance, behind the curtains, lots is being done here to address the global climate change crisis. 

Here are some of the 2030 environment goals of the Hyatt brand:

• Speed up water action by prioritising water conservation in drought-risk areas
• Reach a 50% worldwide reduction in kitchen food waste sent to landfill
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 27.5% compared to 2019 levels
• Prioritise sourcing of sustainable products and services, including food and other renewable materials

With studies suggesting that tourism accounts for around 8% of global greenhouse gases, big players in the tourist industry must counteract damaging impacts on the planet by taking actionable worthwhile steps.
 
The biggest positive impact of sustainable tourism is building environmental awareness of the ongoing problems. Other reasons why it’s so important include:

• Increased use of the planet’s sustainable and renewable resources
• Protecting the fauna and flora of local ecosystems
• Improvements to local infrastructure and social communities
• Setting a standard for how to minimise your travel footprint in the future

With the world becoming more and more aware of the threat of climate change, it’s down to us to think about the role we play in making it worse. Some of the
simplest and most effective things we can do to minimise our tourist footprint include:

• Choosing to stay in the most eco-conscious hotels and resorts 
• Leaving the local environment exactly how you find it
• Packing your luggage with waste-free products like reusable bags, reusable water bottles, and a bamboo toothbrush
• Getting around using public transport – or even better, walking or cycling
• Supporting local communities with sustainability-driven activities and excursions
• Watching your personal consumption of electricity and water – so no long showers and remember to turn the light off before leaving your hotel room!