Sustainable Accommodation
No matter what budget, as a sustainable traveller it can be hard to find a place that operates environmental conscious. Here you find all the places you can stay worry free, sorted by location and within all price classes. No matter if you're looking for a hostel that fits your needs of a sustainable way of living, or a boutique hotel.
Austria
One of the most breathtaking hostels/hotels/restaurants I have ever visited is the Keep Residence in Salzburg. They are placed in an old, traditional building that has been restored to keep everything as original as possible, only using natural and second-hand materials to decorate the rooms; they did a hell of a good job! You won’t find dorms like this very often: they even have a shower built-in and if you prefer your own room, of course, there is also something for you. Until 3pm they offer a huge buffet, all vegan and organic, again trying to be as sustainable, environmentally friendly and zero waste as possible. It’s open for the public, and if you visit Salzburg this is an absolute must, you won’t be disappointed no matter if you come for breakfast or lunch. Even the restaurant itself is incredibly pretty, with loads of mirrors, a very earthy vibe and young stuff that definitely knows what they are talking about. The whole brunch is on a pay-what-you-like base, so no matter your budget, you are very welcome here. The leftover meals get offered on To Good To Go, so nothing goes to waste. By far one of the most thought-through concepts I have ever come across and I cannot wait to go back.
A five-minute walk from the Westbahnhof lies this beautiful gem of a hotel. It is based on an incredible thought-through sustainable concept and shows in a hard-to-beat way what it means to combine environmental consciousness and style. The rooms are decorated with the most amazing furniture I have ever seen: a cable car and skis just to begin with. The outdoor seating area is very green, with many options to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee. Every vegan knows the struggle of breakfast buffets and trying to find out what’s actually plant-based - here all items are clearly labeled and there is a vegan version of basically everything. On top of that, it's all organically sourced and in bio quality! If you’re looking for a place to stay in Vienna, this is it.
Sri Lanka
Colombo House by Ceilao Villas
This place is actually heaven on earth. Nestled away from the main road, it is an oasis that will allow you to relax after your travel journey or a long day at the immigration office. It is beautifully decorated and offers big rooms with spacious bathrooms, two pools, and a restaurant where you can have your breakfast or dinner. The house actually was the place the owners mother grew up and you can feel the love put into it. It is run as a family place with unique holiday homes all over the island. The restaurant doesn`t have any vegan dishes on the menu, but you can always ask to change something, and they are happy to help you with your request.
An extraordinary lush green guesthouse, and maybe one of the most beautiful places in the capital. The moment you find your way to the back of the property where this gem is situated you will feel welcome and at home. Dark wood in combination with an endless amount of plants and decorated with so much love, it feels like you`re in a completely different city, far away from the bustling streets of Colombo. Even the smallest room is spacious and offers a beautiful bathroom with a rainfall shower. If you get the chance to try the food – it’s high class and they can cater to any diets if you tell them your needs beforehand! They also use Solar Energy and have a water filter available for your refill.
There are some places that just feel so right the moment you arrive and Stay Golden is one of those. I would go as far as saying that this is probably my favorite hotel in Sri Lanka, you won`t find something like this very often. Run by a German - Sri Lankan couple a bit outside of Arugam Bay, but directly by the sea and only a short walk from the center away. The love put into it can be felt wherever you go: every detail is placed with absolute perfection and the rooms are incredibly beautiful, no matter which one you choose. They got a Yoga Shala, surfboard rental, offer classes, and even a pool is provided! The best part? They have their own restaurant with a separate vegan menu; everything is prepared fresh and local by the staff. Chances are that you never leave for food as it's just too good, and there is so much to choose from!
This little gem is situated a bit outside of Simon`s Town, in Glencairn Heights. Easily accessible by car, they also offer pick up at the airport or you could take an Uber. Its a bit up the hill, overlooking the bay and offers the most breathtaking view for sunset or sunrise! They got five rooms in total, one prettier than the other but each of them with a panorama window and enough space to unwind after exploring the area. They also have a lounge and a terrace where you can have your breakfast if the weather is nice. The manager is an absolute sweetheart who will do everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible, and hey, even backpackers need a nice place to relax from time to time.
A very special backpackers is placed in Struisbaii, and you will be in love the moment you arrive! Its easy to find and on the main road, there is a car park in front and another smaller one at the back. The whole place is actually quite big, divided into the communal area with a bar, pool, dining / chill out area and the garden which leads to the bungalow where the rooms are situated. Wi-Fi is fast and reliable, so if you need to do some work you can totally do that here. They offer dinner and breakfast, but there is also a self cooking kitchen available if you want to prepare your meal yourself. They have a fully licensed bar so you're not allowed to bring your own drink, but its very reasonable priced and I can only recommend to try their breakfast as its freshly prepared and only 50 Rand. All staff is really helpful and they will give you a map for the area, where everything is explained and you can easily find all the places I mentioned above.
This is one of the places I loved the most on this trip. The Marloth Lodge, like its name suggests, is right outside the Marloth Nature Reserve and used to be a backpackers. These days, the town doesn't have a hostel anymore and this is one of the best budget accommodations you will find in this area, and its so worth the money! Steph, the owner, lives on the opposite side of the road and is such a lovely person, always up for a chat or a glass of wine. The place offers a lounge with a fire place, a big garden and rooms in the wooden chalets on the back, with chickens roaming around freely. You feel welcome the moment you arrive, no matter if you wanna go hiking, go riding or maybe even mountain biking, they will happily help you arrange it. Free fast Wi-Fi for all digital nomads out there and coffee/tea is included.
Up on the hill overlooking Wilderness you will find the Wild Farm, a farm converted into a backpackers. The road is a bit steep but nothing a normal car can't handle, but it totally depends on what you can deal with, I personally thought it was nothing while others struggled with it. You either sleep in private huts, in dorms or a private room, there is a communal kitchen which is sadly not very well equipped and clean but they sell food at the bar. You can buy pizza and beer at the bar, there also is a little open chalet and few tables outside if you don't want to sit inside. The view from the terrace is breathtakingly beautiful, you can see all the way to the beach!
You wouldn't believe this place is a hostel when you arrive. A beautiful victorian villa in a nice part of town right in the centre of Knysna, a lush garden and a manager that will make your stay absolutely unforgettable. The WiFi doesn't work, the kitchen is a bit old but Jason alone is a reason to come here! Some places are special because of the people that run it - and this is one of them. His spirit is all over the house and no matter what, you won't get around having a laugh along the way. Breakfast is included and the dorms are very pretty, the whole house is incredibly charming and unique.
You have to come here. Thats it. Without a doubt my favourite place on the whole Garden Route regarding everything, this place has such a special magical vibe that will take you in as soon as you arrive and may meet the horse freely roaming the property. Its everything you can wish for and more, a little hippie place placed in the middle of the forest and so many onsite activities that you will need more than a few nights to see it all. The food will bring you to heaven and there is always a veggie/vegan option, the self cook kitchen is so beautiful but basically everything in this place is. They just finished building a nature pool too! I could talk about Wild Spirit forever, a treehouse, star gazing during the night, a waterfall around the corner and day hikes to the beach or live music in the evening are just a few thing that await you here. For all digital nomads, the WiFi is only in the communal area but works very well. They offer dorms or safari tents, which are big tents with a bed inside and really worth it!
Very close to the city centre, offering safe parking and a gorgeous view over PE, you'll find Island Vibe’s beautiful Harbour Masters House. It’s a special kind of a backpackers, offering great breakfast, a small communal area (for all DNS out there: that's where the WiFi is strongest!) and beautiful, big and light rooms. The house itself belonged to the Harbour Master and is an old Victorian building. They tried to keep it as much in its original state as possible and you will even find pictures of it in its glorious days in the hallway! The staff is incredible and will make everything possible, no matter if you want to go on an Addo Safari, join Sam on the free walking tour where she will show you the best spots and tells you everything about the history of her hometown, or go to the beach for a bit of relaxation in the city.
Around 20 minutes from Hogsback lies this very special backpackers, one of those extraordinary places you can only access with your own vehicle but that you can't miss. It`s run by a Belgium/Xhosa couple in a small, traditional village in the middle of nowhere and is the perfect place to experience the real, rural South Africa. With a lot of love they built traditional rondavels as rooms for guests and have a huge communal area where everyone who wants to join can eat dinner together, play pool or sit around the fire in front of the house. They offer many different activities that they organise with the locals: you can make Xhosa bread, learn the language, listen to a medicine women or do a village tour; all of that with the people who really live there and don't have any training in tourism. It’s an amazing way to support the community and experience life in this part of the world first-hand. You won't find something like this again, they truly built something extraordinary here and it’s a total must for every open-minded traveller. They also do everything as sustainable as possible, can provide vegan food upon request and educate the local people about environmentally friendly alternatives.
Bucaneers Lodge and Backpackers
Everyone I met who stayed here said the same thing: Wow, what a high-class place for a budget price in an area you wouldn't suspect it at all! Buccaneers is a huge property with a pool area, restaurant, rooftop, bar, private pathway to the beach and offers many different kinds of accommodation. While the rooms are very white, clean and western, you can see the African influence in the rooftop restaurant or the bar. Everyone is so friendly and helpful, it’s the place where backpackers, families and private guests are coming together which creates a very unique vibe - perfect for us solo travellers. They offer all kind of activities, so no matter if you want a surf lesson, a trip to the local community or a cooking class, here you can do it. The breakfast is big and great, with a gorgeous view over the bay and the ocean. There is always a veggie option and if you ask nicely, they can make you something vegan upon request.
As I already mentioned above, this is the place to stay in Coffee Bay. It’s a backpackers with several types of rooms, direct beach access, a bar and a restaurant where you will never be alone and the chance to make new friends is really high! It is built into the jungle, with locals coming by in the evening to play the drums and daily excursion that are dead cheap. For example hikes to the Hole in the Wall, a surf day with two lessons and food for 70 Rand or cliff jumping nearby. They offer a lot, and to try it all you will need at least 3-4 days here. There is always a veggie option on the menu; for vegan just ask and they should be able to help you out. I absolutely love how much they do for the local community: they support school projects, give them jobs and a place to get creative, educate them and are trying to make an impact with bringing tourism into this very rural region.
What’s better than a whole mountain cabin for yourself?! The Bergview log cabin is a short drive from central Underberg, fully emerged in nature with cattle as neighbours and a big garden to your own use. No matter if you're looking for a romantic getaway or for a place that can accommodate your whole family, there is enough space with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a spacious kitchen with a lounge area. There even is a playground outside for kids and you can make your own braii on the stunning wooden veranda. You'll also get a housekeeper who does the cleaning and makes sure everything is to your needs; she lives downstairs so whenever you have a question you really don't have to go far.
Moorcroft is a place like no other. The moment you take a turn into the beautiful alley driveway to the enormous mansion you can feel the love the owners put into this place. Every room is light and spacious with parking right in front, the restaurant serves amazing fresh food that is vegan and veggie friendly while the most breathtaking thing lies just outside your veranda. The property is so big you can go on a run - there even is a little lake and a natural swimming pool. Waking up with a view directly to Sanipass (and the road that leads there is just five minutes away) you never want to leave. If you feel like treating yourself, this is the place to go!
A beautiful lodge just next to Little Eden and a short drive away from the beach, multiple self-catering units, a spacious garden and a swimming pool overviewing the jungle that keeps the village from the ocean. Two bedrooms, a bathroom with a bathtub, a gorgeous kitchen and a dining / living room area that you have all for yourself. There even is a treehouse in the garden and a trampoline where you can watch baby monkeys playing in the morning! You can really feel St. Lucias special vibe here; the owners do their very best to make you happy and you get a map with all the attractions at check-in. If you fancy snorkelling, they also have some masks you can borrow!
If you prefer a guesthouse over a self-catering unit, St. Lucia Wetlands Guesthouse is the place to go! A stunning villa with the combination of white walls, dark wood and greenery all around offering spacious rooms with beautiful bathrooms right in the middle of the village. They serve breakfast every morning on a big buffet where you will find everything you need; vegan and veggie options are available. If you fancy a dip, there is a swimming pool and your car is washed every morning!
One of the best places to stay all over Southern Africa! Even if you just come to Eswatini for this place, it’s absolutely worth it. Beautiful bungalows with a view over the mountains, fairy lights during the night and the restaurant caters incredible food served with great wine. If it’s warm enough, you can sit outside on the spacious veranda; they also have a pool and the breakfast buffet also has vegan options. Everyone here is incredibly friendly and it’s quite easy to find at the end of the road.
A ten-minute drive from the Orpen gate, the Timbavati Lodge welcomes you with huts or huge safari tents, great food and a bar / pool area that sometimes even gets a visit from zebras or a hyena! There are no dangerous animals on the property, but as its placed in the bush you can get visits from wildlife regularly. If you are looking for a game drive, they offer all kind of safaris - just hit them up for rates! Their new, huge tents are equipped with everything you need, including a bathroom, a desk and a veranda.
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