Go Green at Eco-Friendly Bed and Breakfasts
Posted by: Jane Leisteiner in Environment, tags: EnvironmentWhile you’re checking off “fireplace in room” and “spa services” in your Web search for that perfect bed and breakfast, take time to remember the most important amenities of all: our natural resources. Many inns are energy efficient and designed to fit the surrounding landscape. Their proximity to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries remind us that traveling is neither decadent nor a luxury - it’s a reality check. A person who has spotted a whale breaching the surface of the ocean or looked at a bird’s nest from the foot of an ancient Redwood tree is more likely to be mindful of other habitats that go unseen from an office window.
Some of us love nature, but maybe aren’t so keen on camping out. Leave your sleeping bag at home because at Huckleberry Tent and Breakfast, you could hardly stay father away from the grid, yet still enjoy the comfort of a bed and breakfast. Surrounded by 42 acres in Sandpoint, Idaho, guests enjoy total peace and serenity. The innkeepers offer three luxurious tents with wooden floors and real, quilt-topped beds. A full, farm-fresh breakfast is served each morning. Watersports and fishing are nearby or you can just enjoy the nature trails on the property.
The Arbor House, An Environmental Inn leaves no doubt that it is a respite for the eco-friendly. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the bed and breakfast was built with nature in mind. The architects were careful not to disturb the root system of the ground’s many trees when they built an annex onto the historic portion of this 19th-century inn. The builders used non-toxic lumber that was cut from sustainable forests. The windows were made of recycled glass and the walls were specially insulated to keep out heat or cold without using extra energy. The roof of the Wisconsin bed and breakfast is lined with solar panels. Linens are organic and washed with biodegradable products.
Organic, organic, organic. That is the theme at Mast Farm Inn in Banner Elk, North Carolina. The idyllic grounds serve as location for organic vegetable and flower gardens. Without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers, the innkeepers produce a bounty of vegetables, many of which fill the plates at the historic inn’s award-winning restaurant.
Taking non-toxic to personal level, the Natural Bed & Breakfast Retreat in Tucson, Arizona keeps it simple for guests with allergies by banning smoking, pets, cologne and perfume. Natural sounds filter through indoor speakers while air purifiers clear out the allergens. Feng Shui principles guide the layout of the dcor and breakfasts are organic and made from whole grains.
Guests enjoy English country charm and green sensibilities at Melitta Station Inn & Spa in Santa Rose, California. This historic inn served as a 19th-century stagecoach stop and has been restored and decorated with antiques. Since 2006, it has run on solar power using a 6-kilowat solar array. The bed and breakfast also uses daylight pipes to reduce the amount of artificial lighting needed. Nearby hiking, biking and swimming will keep guests close to nature, and you can even take a tour of some of the Sonoma Valley’s organic wineries.
Enjoying a green vacation was never easier than at these eco-friendly inns. Not only will your bed and breakfast stay be environmentally friendly, you can renew your appreciation for nature and be inspired to continue preserving our precious resources.
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