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Eco-Friendly Accommodation and Sustainable Hotels in Illinois

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 reception area

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.

  • A dog sitting on stairs

    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
  • The exterior of the Aqua Tower in Chicago, against a cloud-filled blue sky.

    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
Multiple plants in soil

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

People outside of a glamping tent at Camp Aramoni

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.

  • a house with chairs and fire-pit outside

    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)
  • Exterior of the Aldrich Lowres guesthouse

    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
  • Group of Pizza in ski gear eating pizza

    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)
  • interior of a lounge and fireplace

    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)
A man stands between two rockfaces

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.
A cyclist riding a bike on an urban mixed use trail

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.
A hobbit house

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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Showing 12 out of 40 results.

The Cabins at Starved Rock Lodge

Oglesby

One of the most unique places to stay in the Midwest are the cabins at Starved Rock Lodge. Our cozy cabins are nestled under towering pines…

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Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront

Rockford

Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront & Rockford Conference Center, located in downtown Rockford, defines uniqueness, featuring 160 spacious guest rooms and 22,000+ square feet of…

Read more about Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront

Patchwork Inn

Oregon

The Patchwork Inn offers clean comfortable rooms and a delicious full breakfast. Each room has its own private bath, climate control and flat screen LCD/DVD TV.…

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Ragdale Retreats

Lake Forest

Where tranquility transcends, conversations inspire and art transforms. Historic Ragdale: one of the best places for business and private retreats.

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The River Hotel - Chicago

Chicago

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Nature's Way RV Park

Utica

With easy access from I-39 and I-80, yet away from interstate noise, our park is a great country retreat for weary travelers looking for a good…

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Best Western Oswego

Oswego

We are a 64 room hotel with newly renovated guest rooms and meeting space for your next off site meeting or family gathering

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Rock River Retreat

Oregon

Rock River Retreat has everything you are looking for in a family getaway location! Located on the scenic Rock River with view of Chief Black Hawk…

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Esther's Place

Big Rock

1895 Victorian style home for the fiber arts enthusiast.

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Illinois Beach Hotel

Zion

The Lake Front Destination Illinois Beach Hotel is the only hotel in the state that is nestled along the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan offering its…

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The Inn at 1883 House

Savanna

The Inn at 1883 House was built in 1883 and features the charm of homes built in that era. We are located in the heart…

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Holiday Inn Express & Suites Rock Falls

Rock Falls

Located just minutes off Interstate 88, Holiday Inn Express & Suites is close to both downtown districts in Sterling and Rock Falls, only moments away from…

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