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Top 9 eco hotels in Amsterdam

Keeping green in Amsterdam is easier than you think.

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Lily Jones
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As the world becomes more eco-aware, choosing green hotels over old-fashioned high rises has become the newest trend among worldly travellers. In cities like Amsterdam, eco-hotels don't compromise on your luxuries. In fact, it's quite the opposite.

Progressive technology and "building from the ground-up" initiatives mean that, in most cases, you won't notice much of a difference in the amenities on offer – except for perhaps a recycling bin in the corner. Hotels may even feel more luxurious as you can relax in the knowledge that you're doing your bit for the world.

Eco-hotels in Amsterdam are everywhere, but here are our top picks to make your trip even greener.

amsterdam eco hotel

1. Conscious Hotel Museum Square

Eco-travellers are so pleased with the sustainable policies and stylish interior of the Conscious Hotels that the company now has four branches dotted throughout Amsterdam.

  • Only organic cleaning products are used and guests are supplied with toiletries made from natural ingredients.
  • All furniture is made from certified or recycled material where possible. Even the tables in the rooms are made from recycled coffee cup holders.
  • Only organic and locally-sourced food and drinks are served in the onsite cafe, including the buffet breakfast spread that is put on every morning.
  • Electric bikes and pushbikes are available to rent daily to help eliminate the need for taxis.
  • All waste is separated into paper, glass, plastic, residual waste and chemical waste and is recycled where appropriate.

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amsterdam eco hotel

2. Hotel Jakarta

Hotel Jakarta's luxurious 4-star suites prove that taking care of the environment isn't always about stripping back to basics.

  • From its inception, the hotel was built with the environment in mind, using all-natural materials that are either durable or recyclable. Large windows are used throughout the building to reduce reliance on artificial light.
  • Rainwater is collected and used to maintain the indoor garden and for cleaning tasks.
  • The roof and facade are lined with PV panels that collect and store solar energy, which is then used for electricity and to heat shower water.

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amsterdam eco hotel

3. Ecomama Hostel

With plenty of insta-worthy communal spaces and a homely vibe, this is the perfect budget-friendly choice for any solo or sociable travellers.

  • Instead of central heating, a natural stone heating system is used, which relies on the properties of stone to generate warmth.
  • All of the furniture is cradle-to-cradle certified, which means the products have been made keeping in mind material health, re-utilisation, renewable energy, carbon management, water usage and social fairness.
  • The property donates €1 for every night a guest stays to an NGO in Guatemala that provides education for disadvantaged children.

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amsterdam eco hotel

4. Hotel BOAT & CO

If you'd prefer something with a little more freedom, but still want to stay firmly within the eco-hotel realm, one of these serviced apartments should do the trick.

  • The hotel is located in Amsterdam's first fully carbon-neutral neighbourhood, which commits to a number of sustainable initiatives, such as energy-efficient building materials and exclusively LED lighting.
  • 20% of the parking spaces in the underground car park function as charging points for electric cars, scooters and bicycles.
  • Waste is separated into paper, plastic, cartons, glass and residual waste and recycled appropriately.
  • Solar panels line the roof to provide hot water and electricity.

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amsterdam eco hotel

5. Mercure Hotel

Who knew such a huge name in the hotel industry was doing great things towards a sustainable future?

  • Rooms are cleaned with organic products only and equipped with eco-certified soap, shampoo and shower gel for guests.
  • Offers a healthy and seasonal menu using produce from Mercure's gardens or from local sources. It also makes an effort to remove overfished species from its menu.
  • Staff are educated on the need for sustainable living and practices within the hotel.
  • Guests are encouraged to reuse towels as much as possible and bedsheets are only changed when requested.

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amsterdam eco hotel

6. Element Hotel

Run and owned by the Marriott group, you can expect the same high-class service you'd normally receive around the world, with a more eco-conscious outlook.

  • Electric vehicle charging is provided in the car park at no extra charge.
  • Recycled materials were used as much as possible in the design, construction and decoration of the hotel.
  • Low-flow bathroom fixtures are used in every room to reduce water usage, and in-shower dispensers are used to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

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amsterdam eco hotel

7. QO Amsterdam

QO has perfected the balance between sustainable and high-tech living, making this the ideal spot if you're travelling for business but still want to do your bit for the environment.

  • The facade of the building is made up of movable thermal panels that adapt to the climate outside to control the temperature inside.
  • Natural and recycled materials were used as much as possible during construction. One-third of the concrete used in the construction of the hotel was from recycled materials.
  • The onsite greenhouse is self-sufficient and self-regulating to supply the hotel's restaurant with fruits, vegetables, herbs and eventually fish.
  • The hotel uses a thermal aquifer that is buried 70m underground to store the warm water generated during summer and uses it in the winter.
  • The hotel also created and utilises a greywater system where wastewater from the showers is used to flush the toilets.

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amsterdam eco hotel

8. Zoku Amsterdam

This Green Key Gold-certified hotel was once an abandoned space and now provides apartments in one of the 'Dam's hippest neighbourhoods.

  • The rooftop is laid with moss sedum, which acts as an insulation material to help regulate the temperature of the building and also absorbs air pollution and catches rainwater.
  • Employees at Zoku are allowed a few days off a year to participate in voluntary or charity work, which equates to around 50 hours a month.
  • 70% of food is locally sourced and waste is composted where possible.
  • Only LED lighting is used throughout the hotel, along with motion sensors to reduce energy usage.

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amsterdam eco hotel

9. Hotel Breeze

A masterpiece by Ben Bronsema, Hotel Breeze is the world's first 100% energy-neutral building. Yes, you heard that right, a hotel that uses absolutely no energy at all.

  • Uses progressive technology to provide zero-energy air conditioning units in each room. You can read more about this huge step forward in technology here.
  • Each bathroom is equipped with eco-bio cosmetics, which are kind to the body as well as to the natural world.
  • Reusable and refillable water bottles are provided for every guest.
  • Everything, from the bed sheets to the clothes racks, is made from sustainable materials.
  • The fully equipped gym generates energy when guests use a machine. There's even an app that will tell you exactly how much energy you've generated.

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Why we chose these accommodation options:

  • On each of these hotel's websites, you'll find a page dedicated to their eco-policies that outlines what their sustainable initiatives are at present and in the future.
  • With some of the damage already done, most hotels focus on using recyclable building materials and sustainable/long-lasting furniture.
  • Recycling is big news in Amsterdam, with most hotels, restaurants, bars and households dividing their waste into five categories. This means more is being recycled and less is ending up in a landfill.

What to know before you go to Amsterdam

  • Choose walking or biking over rental cars and taxis. There are over 500km of dedicated cycling lanes in Amsterdam, and bike rental shops are as common as coffee shops. So, there really is no excuse not to use them. Plus, they're generally cheaper than taxis.
  • Often nicknamed the "Venice of the North", Amsterdam's waterways are a huge draw to the city. With so many tourists opting to take a motorised tour around the canals, the city's emissions show no signs of slowing down. Consider hiring a pedal boat to explore at your own pace.
  • If you're having a night in and cooking for yourself or simply feeling a bit peckish, there are plenty of markets and locally-owned shops that specialise in eco-friendly produce. Generally, this includes products that are organically grown, haven't had to travel too far and were probably pulled out of the soil just yesterday.

Things to avoid when booking eco-hotels in Amsterdam

  • Unfortunately, the word "eco" is bandied around as a marketing tool in today's hotel industry, with some "eco" hotels only offering one or two sustainable measures. While this is a great start, it's worth making sure your accommodation has a transparent eco-policy that you can access and read about.
  • If your hotel doesn't have a comprehensive recycling system, then it's simply not worth it. The Netherlands is one of the most efficient countries in the world when it comes to recycling, with 70% of waste being recycled and the rest incinerated to generate electricity.
  • Favour hotels with eco-friendly transport options over those that encourage the use of taxis or offer car rental services. Most locals use bikes or their own two feet to get around and encourage tourists to do the same.

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