10 great places to tread lightly on Planet Earth
— -- Leave a lighter travel footprint in celebration of America Recycles Day on Saturday. Margaret Kelly, editor of Fodor's Green Travel: The World's Best Eco-Lodges and Earth-Friendly Hotels, shares her list of environmentally thoughtful lodgings with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY.
Banff Park Lodge Banff, Alberta
"This resort in the Canadian Rockies offers 360-degree views of pine trees, snow-flecked mountains, and the town of Banff," Kelly says. "The lodge has received many awards, including four leaves from the Hotels Association of Canada's Eco-Rating Program." The lodge's extensive environmental management program goes right up to the roof, which is made of recycled materials. 800-661-9266; banffparklodge.com
Hotel Terra Jackson Hole, Wyo.
"Green meets luxury at this state-of-the-art boutique hotel that opened at the gateway of Grand Teton National Park last year," Kelly says. "Floor-to-ceiling windows regulate natural temperature and capture natural daylight along with the views." Recycled materials, including more than 80% of the steel, were used to build this eco-hotel. Food waste is composted, and energy recovery technology is used throughout the property. 800-631-6281; hotelterrajacksonhole.com
Bathurst Inlet Lodge Nunavut, Northwest Territory
"This low-impact lodge, located 30 miles inside the Arctic Circle, is co-owned with the Inuit of Bathurst," Kelly says. "Established in the '60s, it was an ecotourism lodge long before the word became popular." Rather than using all-terrain vehicles, guests walk on existing game trails or move by water to leave nature unspoiled. Visit the historic buildings that formerly made up a Hudson's Bay Company trading post and a Catholic mission. 867-873-2595; www.bathurstinletlodge.com
Villas Ecotucan Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico
"The villa sets high environmental standards in an area where they are sorely needed," Kelly says. "The public buildings are built from sustainable-sourced local wood and palm thatch, and the five thatched cabins are each built from the trees that were felled to make space for them." The bright and spacious interiors, with naturally cool, tiled floors and airy, high ceilings, are 100% solar-powered. 011-52-983-834-2516; villasecotucan.info
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