Across Illinois, you'll find hotels, inns, and eco-stays that prove luxury and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Here's a selection of places where you can get yourself a truly good night's sleep: both for the comfort of the amenities, and the comfort of knowing you’re supporting a greener future.
Sustainable Hotels in Chicago
Hotel Felix
Chicago's first LEED certification belongs to Hotel Felix, where practices like smart energy use and robust recycling shape the daily operations. The boutique hotel brings its environmental mission to a prime downtown spot without skimping on style.
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Kimpton Gray Hotel
The Gray Hotel will put you in motion with free bikes for city exploration and yoga mats in every room. Behind the scenes, careful attention to energy use and waste reduction keeps everything running clean, and making your stay all the more enjoyable and sustainable.
Kimpton Gray Hotel -
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel
The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel pairs its LEED Gold status with architectural flair, matching good design with careful eco practices. Smart energy systems and water-saving features run throughout the building, and its location steps from Millennium Park puts Chicago's arts and culture at your doorstep.
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel -
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park
Green Seal Bronze certification reflects this hotel's deep roots in Chicago's environmental community. From its rooftop garden to partnerships with local conservation groups, the Fairmont puts its values into action, supported further by energy-smart systems and locally sourced meals.
Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park -
Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop
The ethos that earned this property its Silver LEED certification shines through in every detail here, from the green roof that manages storm water, to the recycled materials used in its construction, to the operable windows and attention to air quality that makes it a refreshing place to unwind.
Hyatt Place Chicago/Downtown-The Loop -
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North
Located in vibrant River North, this LEED-certified property emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainable operations. Its energy-efficient lighting, strong recycling programs and water-saving systems, and social spaces minimize resource use, giving you a modern, eco-conscious stay.
Aloft Chicago Downtown River North
Illinois' Eco Action
We've set our sights on a cleaner, greener future – and a lot of people around the state are doing what it takes to make it happen. Hotels strive for eco-certifications, restaurants partner with local farms, and event planners build sustainability into their gatherings. The Climate and Equitable Jobs Act drives clean energy expansion, and the Nature Preserves Commission protects our most precious wild spaces. There's always more to be done, but Illinois shows what's possible when we commit to environmental progress.
Eco-Friendly Hotels and Accommodation in Illinois
Camp Aramoni (Tonica)
A 96-acre former brickyard has found new life along the Vermilion River. Today, safari-style tents with king beds and private baths dot the grounds, where native prairie grasses wave in the breeze. Thoughtfully-preserved original structures give you a taste of the property's storied past.
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Makanda Inn & Cottages
The Shawnee National Forest provides an 18-acre backdrop for this innovative inn. Straw bale walls and reclaimed wood show what went into its mindful construction, and the living roofs blur the line between cottage and forest canopy.
Makanda Inn & Cottages -
Starved Rock Lodge (Oglesby)
In every inch of this historic lodge you're reminded of the incredible nature all around you, so it's good to know that behind the scenes, conservation programs, waste reduction, and mindful operations help keep it incredible. The views beyond your window will remind you why these choices matter.
Starved Rock Lodge (Oglesby) -
Aldrich Guest House (Galena)
Your morning coffee comes with a side of sustainability at this Galena B&B. Local ingredients fill the breakfast table to reduce those food miles, and smart appliances and careful waste sorting handle the practical side of green operations.
Aldrich Guest House (Galena) -
Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast
From its serene setting nestled in Central Illinois, Timber Creek emphasizes eco-friendly hospitality, with energy-efficient systems and meals featuring local ingredients. Unwind in accommodations that prioritize sustainable practices without compromising on comfort or care.
Timber Creek Bed & Breakfast -
Chestnut Mountain Resort (Galena)
This resort overlooking the Mississippi River ticks all the boxes for outdoor adventure enthusiasts who want to preserve the skiing, snowboarding, and hiking opportunities on its doorstep. Energy conservation, recycling programs, and eco-conscious amenities keep its environmental impact low.
Chestnut Mountain Resort (Galena) -
Hotel Arista (Naperville)
Illinois' first LEED-certified hotel still leads by example. Your stay here uses 30% less water and 21% less energy than typical hotels. Smart lighting and thoughtful dining choices show how luxury grows from good practices.
Hotel Arista (Naperville) -
The Has Bin (Alvin)
Who knew a grain bin could feel like home? This clever conversion gives old materials new life in rural Illinois. Fall asleep in your own round room on the farm, where every detail honors the building's agricultural roots.
The Has Bin (Alvin) -
Jail Hill Inn (Galena)
A 19th-century jail now holds much happier guests, thanks to careful restoration. Modern energy systems and local breakfast ingredients bring new life to these historic walls. Sleep in and savor a piece of preserved Galena history.
Jail Hill Inn (Galena) -
Brightwood Inn (Oglesby)
Solar panels here catch the same sunlight that draws visitors to nearby Starved Rock State Park. Inside, fresh local ingredients land on your breakfast plate, and behind the scenes, smart systems trim waste.
Brightwood Inn (Oglesby) -
Hickory Hideaway (Shannon)
Northwest Illinois spreads out around these energy-smart cabins. Wake up to breakfast from neighboring farms, then step out into the quiet of the countryside. Simple choices here add up to a lighter footprint.
Hickory Hideaway (Shannon) -
Element Hotel (Moline)
Step into a piece of Quad Cities history in this century-old warehouse, now dedicated to sustainable comfort. Recycled materials create striking décor throughout the building, and LED lights and filtered water systems keep resource use low. Borrow a bike to explore the great outdoors!
Element Hotel (Moline)
What makes these eco-stays special?
True green properties put their principles into practice through:
- Smart energy systems that cut waste.
- Building choices that respect resources.
- Active recycling and composting.
- Partnerships with local food producers.
- Programs that protect water and wildlife.
Choosing your sustainable hotels
Look for properties that:
- Hold environmental certifications.
- Share clear information about their practices.
- Save water and use renewable power.
- Support their communities.
- Source food locally.
- Skip single-use plastics.
Upcycled Overnights
Sustainable Stays
Since one-of-a-kind lodgings in reimagined structures intrigue guests with a creative stay and a local connection, here are 10 upcycled overnight hotspots and eco-friendly destinations to book for your next low-impact travel plans.
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