By the Staycation Collection team
Our favourite sustainable accommodation in Germany
Planet-friendly, beautiful escapes
Did you know that every property we list on The Staycation Collection has green credentials and think in a climate-conscious way (you can find out more in the description of each place to stay)? It’s important to us that we do our bit for the earth, which is why on Earth Day 2021, we’re sharing the properties whose sustainability principles go above and beyond.
We want to help you make planet-friendly decisions, and believe our staycation locations allow you to travel more sustainably while not compromising on the quality of your experience. Plus, of course, in taking a staycation and not flying, you’re already reducing the amount of carbon emissions you’d produce from taking an aeroplane.
So without further ado, here are our favourite sustainable staycations in Germany.
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"I want to help protect the planet and prioritising nature is the way to do that in my opinion.”
1. Destinature Elbe Huts
Destinature Elbe Huts have an incredibly strong focus on sustainability, and all huts are built entirely of natural wood from certified forests. Plus all mattresses made of sustainable high-tech materials. The entire hut village can be dismantled residue-free.
The overall aim of this project is to strengthen the growing ecological awareness in tourism and to help reconnect people with nature.
2. The Black House
The house is designed to blend with nature and was built with reclaimed wood. All other building materials were sourced in the most sustainable way possible. Most of its decor and furniture is second hand, with the aim of showcasing that high-end accommodation doesn’t have to comprise of new, hyper-modern interiors.
Owner Johanna stated that “this sense of being totally interconnected with nature gives you a full sense of freedom.”
3. Berlin Spa Suites
This organically certified hotel is at the heart of Germany’s creative capital and boasts beautiful boutique rooms and a spoiling rooftop spa.
The hotel’s sustainable and ethical principles are impressive. For instance, they purchase energy from renewable resources, have only used wood from sustainable forestries and use environmentally-friendly cleaning products.
4. The Elbe Treehouses
“Years ago I dreamt of life in a treehouse on a remote pasture at the edge of a forest,” says owner Klaus, “so I could find peace and decelerate. Now that dream is a reality! I want to help protect the planet and prioritising nature is the way to do that in my opinion.”
As the treehouses are set on protected land (a bird sanctuary), sustainability was at the heart of the design, and building materials are natural and (where possible) reclaimed.
Sustainable and stylish
5. Müritz Water Tower
Run by a co-operative, whose main aim is to preserve listed buildings in a sustainable-yet-stylish way, this former water tower (over 120 years old) makes for the perfect German staycation. You have lakes and forests as well as hiking and biking trails right on your doorstep.
All wall surfaces were renovated using organic materials (such as loam and wood), and outside there are composting boxes in the garden and nesting boxes for Jackdaws under the roof.
6. Volcanic Houses
“We think that the spaces we live in should blend sustainable-living principles with exceptional architecture and great interior design,” said owners Herbert and Petra, “so when we built our own escapes, there was no reason to compromise!”
The cabins boast incredible sustainability principles, having been built using only environmentally-friendly building materials. They are almost energy self-sufficient, with the remaining energy coming from 100% green sources.
7. Organic Escape
We love these treehouse-style eco-lodges with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. They’re hidden in the rolling Franconian-Swiss hills and surrounded by forest.
Plus these cabins boast incredible sustainability principles, having been built using only environmentally-friendly building materials. They are almost energy self-sufficient, with the remaining energy coming from 100% green sources.
