Luxury Family Holidays with a Lighter Footprint
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Green resorts have become more than a niche choice for environmentally friendly holidaymakers. They are growing in popularity, and have become an exciting way to enjoy incredible family holidays while sticking to your green principles. And as environmentally conscious parents, Laure and I believe that’s exactly what a luxury family holiday should offer.
You shouldn’t have to choose between creating unforgettable family memories and environmental responsibility. Fortunately, there are some great destinations that now provide comfort and exceptional service while following the principles of sustainable travel.
Why Are Green Resorts Becoming So Popular?
Climate change is never far from the headlines, and we’re all becoming more aware of how our actions affect the planet. We’re learning to look beyond the pool and behind the scenes. Instead of focussing on the buffet restaurant, we’re asking bigger questions like:
- Where does the food come from?
- How is water managed?
- Does the resort support the local community?
- Are children learning something about nature while they’re having fun?
Because of changing attitudes, green resorts have evolved quickly over the past few years. The best eco-friendly holiday operators build environmental practices into their guest experiences, including using renewable energy, sourcing products locally, conserving water and wildlife, and reducing waste.
The best sustainable resorts work hard to make such changes improve the quality of the holiday experience.
Five of the Best Green Resorts for Family Holidays
If you’re searching for the best green resorts, you’ll probably be drawn to established names with big marketing budgets that help keep them front and centre. Here’s my pick of five of the best of these.
1. Soneva Fushi – Maldives
Soneva Fushi has become something of a benchmark for sustainable luxury. Jungle villas are constructed using natural materials, plastic has largely been eliminated, and the resort invests heavily in recycling, conservation, and renewable energy. Children can enjoy one of the world’s largest children’s clubs while parents relax knowing sustainability isn’t simply an afterthought.
2. Mas Salagros EcoResort – Catalonia, Spain
Nestled in the countryside near Barcelona, Mas Salagros EcoResort combines elegant accommodation with a strong commitment to sustainability, using renewable energy, environmentally responsible building practices, and locally sourced organic produce from nearby farms. Its wellness centre and organic spa make it an attractive option for parents, while families can enjoy nature trails, outdoor activities and easy access to Catalonia’s beaches and cultural attractions.
3. Center Parcs Europe
Center Parcs is one of the original nature-based holiday providers. While each location offers something a little different to others in the group, their woodland settings encourage families to reconnect with the outdoors through cycling, walking, wildlife spotting, and outdoor adventures. Environmental initiatives include biodiversity projects, responsible woodland management, and energy efficiency.
4. Finca de Arrieta – Lanzarote
The Finca de Arrieta eco-village shows that luxury doesn’t always mean excess. Solar energy, wind power, and recycled water systems help minimise environmental impact, while families enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by volcanic landscapes. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an island-based green resort a little closer to home.
5. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve – South Africa
An award-winning eco-resort, Grootbos combines sustainability with safari. The reserve protects endangered ecosystems while introducing children to wildlife, marine life, and environmental education. Every stay contributes towards ongoing conservation work, making guests active participants in protecting the landscape they have come to enjoy.
What Do the Best Green Resorts Have in Common?
Green resorts may differ enormously in location and style, but the very best tend to share the same principles:
- Investing in local communities instead of importing produce and workers from elsewhere
- Sourcing food locally whenever possible
- Reducing use of plastic
- Extensive recycling
- Water and energy conservation
You’ll also find that they understand sustainability shouldn’t; come at the cost of compromise. Great food, exceptional service, beautiful accommodation, and memorable experiences remain central to every holiday.
FAQs About Green Resorts
What makes a resort truly ‘green’?
A green resort actively reduces its environmental impact through sustainable practices such as conserving energy and water, reducing waste, and supporting local communities.
Are eco-friendly family holidays more expensive?
Not always. Many eco-friendly family holidays offer excellent value, especially when they include accommodation, meals, and activities.
Do green resorts still offer luxury facilities?
Yes, many of the best green resorts combine five-star comfort with environmentally responsible practices.
How can I tell whether a resort is genuinely sustainable?
Look for clear evidence of sustainability initiatives, such as local sourcing, renewable energy, recycling programmes and recognised eco-certifications.
Why are eco-friendly family holidays becoming more popular?
More families want holidays that create wonderful memories while helping to protect the environment for future generations.
How is Country Kids Different from the Larger Resorts?
We’ve strived to create something genuinely different to the eco-friendly family holiday you’ll experience at many of the bigger and better-known green resorts.
For a start, we are much more exclusive. You can become lost in the sea of visitors at larger resorts. We welcome no more than seven families at a time. It’s much more intimate, and means we treat you more like family friends than a number among thousands – personal service that larger operators often struggle to match.
In addition, our concierge service also ensures that your holiday is tailored to you from the moment you arrive. We take care of everything, so you get to focus on what matters most – your family and the experiences that most interest you.
But there’s something else, too. Our unique “Absolutely Everything Included” concept. Meals, premium drinks, childcare, activities, laundry, family experiences, and much more are included. You get to completely unplug from your daily life, knowing you won’t be constantly reaching for your wallet to do so.
How Does Country Kids Put Sustainability into Practice?
Green resorts are judged by actions rather than promises, and this is another area where we stand out from the crowd.
Every meal is prepared by hand in our kitchen, with around 80% of products sourced locally.
As for water conservation, our natural water spring supplies the whole resort with reusable bottles and handcrafted water jugs replacing single-use plastics.
Food waste is collected and fed to the farm animals, recycling facilities are available throughout the resort, LED lighting has been installed across the property, pool covers help reduce energy consumption, and most of our staff and contractors come from within approximately 30 kilometres.
The on-site wine cellar (which is free to you throughout your stay) also showcases local vineyards, helping wine-loving parents experience the flavours of the region while supporting local businesses.
Our location also plays an important role. Located in the heart of the Occitanie region of southern France, this is an area known for its culture of sustainability. Its recognised for protecting its natural landscape, supporting local agriculture, and celebrating sustainable living. Such green considerations made it a natural choice as host to the Green Destinations Global Conference 2025.
One thing you can be certain of when holidaying here is that you’ll never be short of incredible experiences in the local area. During your holiday planning session on the first full day of your stay with us, we’ll discuss how your family can experience authentic French culture, local markets, our beautiful countryside (including nearby Lac Salagou) and delicious Occitanie food.
Just how unique is our holiday offer? The “proof is in the pudding” as they say, and around six out of every ten families return to Country Kids, many visiting year after year. That remarkable level of loyalty says far more than any brochure ever could. Families return because their children feel free, parents genuinely relax, and every member of the family feels personally looked after rather than simply processed through another busy resort.
Contact me (Sylvain) and Laure to learn more about how we combine sustainability with luxury, an exclusive personal experience, and the exceptional hospitality that is a trademark of our standing among the best green resorts.
