But the way people travel is changing. More travellers are paying closer attention to where they stay, how those spaces operate, and whether their values align with the experience. Sustainability, thoughtful design, low-tox amenities, and environmentally conscious practices are becoming just as important as location and comfort when choosing accommodation.

And honestly, we get it. There is something special about checking into a space where the details have been genuinely considered. Natural materials. Refillable amenities. Toxin-free cleaning products. Beautiful spaces that feel calm, intentional, and connected to the environment around them.

The numbers back it up, too. According to the Booking.com Sustainable Travel Report 2024, which surveyed more than 31,000 travellers across 34 countries:

• • 83% of travellers confirmed that sustainable travel is important to them

  • 75% want to travel more sustainably over the next 12 months

  • 67% said seeing sustainable practices while travelling inspires them to adopt more sustainable habits at home

Sustainable travel is no longer niche. It is quickly becoming the standard that people are looking for.

What Makes a Hotel or Accommodation Sustainable?

The best eco-friendly stays think holistically about their environmental impact, from the materials used to build the property through to the products guests interact with every day.

That can include:

• • Solar power or renewable energy systems

  • Composting and waste reduction initiatives

  • Plastic-free or refillable amenities

  • Toxin-free cleaning and personal care products

  • Water conservation systems

  • Locally sourced food and materials

  • Supporting local communities and conservation efforts

Most importantly, genuinely sustainable accommodations feel intentional rather than performative. The choices are integrated naturally into the guest experience without compromising comfort or luxury.

Are Eco-Friendly Accommodations Actually Worth It?

In our opinion: Definitely. While sustainability used to feel synonymous with “roughing it”, modern eco accommodation has evolved well beyond that. Some of Australia’s most luxurious stays are now leading the way in environmentally conscious travel.

Eco-conscious stays often feel more thoughtful because every detail has been considered more carefully. The spaces tend to feel calmer, more connected to nature, and designed with wellbeing in mind rather than pure convenience.

Many sustainable accommodations also prioritise quality over excess. Better bedding. Better products. Better materials. Better experiences.

Can Luxury Travel Also Be Environmentally Conscious?

Absolutely, and some of the best examples are right here in Australia.

Luxury and sustainability are no longer opposites. In fact, they often complement each other beautifully. High-end eco stays now combine incredible design, wellness experiences, locally sourced food, and thoughtful sustainability initiatives all in one seamless experience.

The result is luxury that feels calmer, slower, and far more intentional.

If you are planning your next escape, these are some of our favourite Australian eco-stays that genuinely walk the talk. Beautiful locations, thoughtful hospitality, and sustainable choices woven naturally into the experience.

And yes, your derrière will be very well looked after too, because every one of these stays stocks your favourite Eco Cheeks goodies. 🧻

 

1. Greenhouse Retreat, Central Coast, NSW

Privately owned luxury holiday homes thoughtfully styled with organic cotton linen, iKOU spa products, and wellness inclusions like aromatherapy and herbal teas. There are no single-use consumables; Koala Eco cleaning products are used throughout, and Eco Cheeks can be found in every bathroom. It is the kind of stay where every small detail has been considered, right down to the last roll.

 

2. Hidden Cabins, Peel Region and Ferguson Valley, WA

Solar-powered micro-cabins designed for couples wanting to properly disconnect.

Every detail feels intentionally eco and intentionally beautiful, from the wood fires and rainwater showers to the flax linen bedding and composting toilets. The exact cabin location is only revealed three days before arrival, which somehow makes the whole experience feel even more magical.

 

3. qtQT, Gold Coast, QLD

Sunshine, poolside lounging, and bespoke experiences are the order of business here. Relaxed, design-forward, and genuinely local in feel.

qtQT is a collection of individually designed cabins packed with thoughtfully sourced local amenities and laid-back luxury touches. There is even a dedicated Curator of Sunshine helping guests tailor their stay.

 

4. Crystal Pacific, Palm Beach, QLD

Tucked away just moments from the sand is this boutique collection of beautifully designed two-bedroom apartments.

The magnesium pool sits at the heart of the property, while the interiors, complete with swinging daybeds and curated amenities, feel relaxed, elevated, and genuinely considered.

It is effortless coastal living done properly.

 

5. Pethers Rainforest Retreat, North Tamborine, QLD

High among the trees and surrounded by 15 acres of subtropical rainforest, Pethers feels completely removed from the outside world.

The adults-only retreat features just 10 secluded treehouses, each with private spas, fireplaces, king beds, and enormous glass windows overlooking the rainforest canopy.

Quiet luxury at its absolute best.

 

6. Nuve Escapes, Southern Gold Coast, QLD

Premium boutique holiday rentals across Palm Beach, Currumbin, Tugun, and Bilinga.

Nuve focuses heavily on the details, eco-friendly toiletries, thoughtfully stocked kitchens, and local recommendations that genuinely improve the guest experience.

The result feels less like holiday accommodation and more like staying in the home of someone with exceptionally good taste.

 

7. Living Valley Health Retreat, Noosa Hinterland, QLD

One of Australia’s most established holistic wellness retreats.

For more than 35 years, guests have arrived feeling depleted, overwhelmed, or burnt out, and left feeling lighter, calmer, and restored. Days unfold gently through nourishing meals, steam baths, therapeutic treatments, movement sessions, and nature walks.

Located within the UNESCO-listed Noosa Biosphere Reserve, the setting alone feels restorative.

 

8. The Tamborine, Tamborine Mountain, QLD

Set within the subtropical rainforest of Tamborine Mountain, this 23-room boutique hotel brings a fresh, elevated energy to one of Queensland’s favourite hinterland destinations.

Guests can spend the day exploring rainforest walks before returning for poolside drinks and beautifully designed interiors that feel equal parts relaxed and refined.

 

9. Salty Cabins, Northern Rivers, NSW

Salty Cabins is the kind of place that makes you genuinely want to switch your phone off.

Solar-powered A-frame cabins sit high on hilltops overlooking sweeping valley views. Composting toilets, organic linen bedding, outdoor showers, and complete off-grid simplicity create an experience that feels grounding in the best possible way.

Every stay also contributes to Sea Shepherd Australia and includes a tree planted in your honour.

 

10. Earimil Villas, Mount Eliza, VIC

Luxury waterfront villas perched directly above the Mornington Peninsula coastline.

Inside, every detail has been thoughtfully considered, super king beds dressed in linen and bamboo sateen, spa baths, fireplaces, Egyptian cotton bath sheets, and outdoor kitchens designed for long evenings overlooking the bay.

Quiet luxury without the fuss.

 

11. Gwinganna Retreat & Spa, Gold Coast Hinterland, QLD

Home to the largest spa in the Southern Hemisphere, Gwinganna has long been one of Australia’s leading wellness retreats.

Organic produce is harvested daily from on-site gardens, wellness programs span everything from naturopathy to Qi Gong, and the entire property is proudly Ecotourism Certified.

Koalas and echidnas roaming the grounds are just a bonus.

These accommodations prove that comfort and conscience can absolutely coexist. 

The best eco stays do not feel restrictive or performative. They simply feel thoughtful. Better materials, better products, less waste, and experiences that feel more connected to both people and place.

 

Don't Leave Your Cheeks Behind  

The properties above chose Eco Cheeks because they care about what touches their guests’ skin, and what impact everyday products have on the planet.

You can make the same choice at home.

Eco Cheeks 100% bamboo, unbleached bundles are the easiest set-and-forget swap you'll ever make. Subscribe, save, and come home to a bathroom that's already sorted. Now that's a holiday.