Once upon a time, ‘sustainable hotels’ conjured up images of compost toilets and earnest lectures about water usage. Thankfully, those days are long gone. In 2026, the world’s most exciting hotels are proving that luxury and sustainability are best friends.
If your idea of a dream getaway includes breathtaking locations, impeccable service and a clear conscience, these are the eco-luxe hotels you’ll want firmly on your radar for 2026.
Black Sand Hotel, Iceland
Set to open in January 2026, Black Sand Hotel is framed by volcanic black sand beaches and the North Atlantic, and uses dark, natural materials to melt into the landscape rather than compete with it. From geothermal wellness facilities and cold-water immersion pools to a dining philosophy centred around local and seasonal Icelandic produce, the whole hotel is rooted in sustainability. Interiors balance Nordic minimalism with stone, timber, wool and muted tones, while the remote setting encourages a year-round connection to nature.
Erebero Hills, Uganda
Opening in early 2026, Erebero Hills will introduce a low-density lodge set in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest – one of the most biodiverse places on earth – and where guests can see one of the planet’s most endangered species in their natural environment, gorillas. Designed to follow the natural contours of the land, the architecture keeps a low visual profile, using open layouts, natural ventilation and locally sourced materials.
The lodge is driving a long-term reforestation project across its 45-acre site, creating a forest buffer that will eventually provide access for the Batwa people (who are no longer allowed in the forest) and support sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities. From gorilla trekking to guided nature walks and community-led activities, Erebero Hills is among a growing group of eco-luxe hotels prioritising long-term conservation of their fragile ecosystems.
Fregate Island Private, Seychelles
Opening a new chapter in 2026, Fregate Island Private remains one of the Indian Ocean’s most established examples of conservation-led luxury. Set within the Seychelles archipelago, the island has long operated as a protected nature reserve, with low-density accommodation designed to leave the landscape and its wildlife, in charge. Villas are discreetly positioned, interiors are pared back and practical, and daily life includes guided nature walks and marine activities to organic dining. It’s barefoot luxury with substance.
Six Senses Amaala, Saudi Arabia
Opening in 2026, Six Senses Amaala is set across one of the most dramatic bits of coastline in Saudi Arabia’s AMAALA development. Perched above Hijaz Cove, the resort weaves through fossil-studded rock, mangroves and shallow blue lagoons. There’ll be just 64 rooms and a handful of suites and villas linked by walkable streets and open plazas. To the south, the land offers rock pools and pocket beaches, where a mangrove boardwalk leads to a spa tucked into its own cove; to the north, it opens out onto sweeping beaches with low-key dining and family spaces.
The resort uses a zero-impact desalination plant to protect the local marine life and coral reefs, and will implement a ban on single-use plastics as well as recycling all organic waste. It’s classic Six Senses: low density, nature first, and luxury that comes from space, silence and not overdoing it.
Svart, Norway
Due to open this year, Svart will be the world’s first energy-positive hotel, generating more solar power than it consumes. Set deep within Norway’s remote Saltfjorden, surrounded by glaciers and Arctic silence, the circular hotel will hover above the water on timber stilts, offering 360-degree views of the Northern Lights.
Svart is engineered to use around 85 per cent less energy than a conventional hotel, harnessing the low Arctic sun through solar panels, passive heat retention and a form shaped around seasonal light patterns. Even its boardwalk doubles as boat access, avoiding the need for intrusive infrastructure. Conceptualised as a ‘plus-energy’ property – producing more energy over its lifetime than it consume – Svart sits at the forefront of a new generation of eco-luxe hotels, where once-in-a-lifetime experiences don’t come at the expense of the environment.
The Malkai, Oman
Opening in 2026, The Malkai – a collection of three luxury tented camps across Oman – is shaping up to be one of the Sultanate’s most ambitious eco-luxe projects. Set within remote desert and mountain settings, the retreat will open in autumn 2026 and offer an authentic hospitality experience. Designed as low-impact lodges with architecture that leans into its terrain, each location will feature 15 tented Pavilion Suites that take inspiration from traditional Bedouin tents. Using stone and earth-toned materials that echo the surrounding landscape, rooms and communal spaces will all face outward, toward big skies and long desert horizons.
The resorts have shaded terraces instead of air-conditioned sprawl, open-air spaces that work with the climate, and experiences include guided desert walks, stargazing, hikes and cultural encounters. Guests can travel between the three Malkai destinations accompanied by their personal murshid for journeys ranging from four to 10 days.
Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, Tanzania
Opening in 2026, Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape will introduce a low-density safari lodge in one of Tanzania’s most wildlife-rich regions. Designed to sit quietly within the landscape, the lodge follows the natural contours of the land to preserve long views across savannah and river systems. Accommodation and shared spaces are intentionally low-profile, with natural materials and locally influenced craftsmanship used throughout.
Experiences centre on game drives, walking safaris and time spent observing wildlife, alongside regional wellness rituals. It’s a take on safari travel that places Ubuyu firmly among a new generation of eco-luxe hotels, where environmental sensitivity matters as much as comfort.
Vestige Can Jordi, Spain
Opening in 2026, Vestige Can Jordi captures the essence of low-impact travel on one of Spain’s most ecologically sensitive islands. Set within a restored rural estate surrounded by olive groves and native plants, the retreat has only 25 suites to prioritise space, silence, and environmental care. Designed to feel more like private island homes than hotel rooms, the suites reflect Formentera’s pared-back aesthetic through whitewashed walls, natural stone, timber, and handcrafted furnishings. With understated communal spaces, gardens, and poolside dining centred on seasonal, locally sourced produce, its in sharp to the island’s busier summer hotspots.
Zannier Île de Bendor, France
Opening in 2026, Zannier Île de Bendor is located on a private island off the French Riviera. Carefully restored under the sustainability-led philosophy of Zannier Hotels, the project prioritises low-impact luxury and limited guest numbers. Rather than imposing a resort onto the landscape, the island is being reimagined as a secluded Provençal village, with stone villas and suites woven into terraced gardens that follow the island’s natural contours.
Interiors will use raw, natural materials with handcrafted details, and the resort will be accessed primarily by private boat. At a time when much of the Mediterranean is struggling with overtourism, Zannier Île de Bendor offers a model for eco-luxe hotels that values preservation and a lighter footprint on one of the Mediterranean’s most storied shores.
