Sustainable Travel: Resorts and Hotels in Tennessee

Tennessee's resorts tucked away on mountaintops and among rolling hills help you reconnect with nature via scenic rooms, outdoor activities and stunning vistas. Book stay at one of the boutique hotels in Tennessee's cities that are sustainable and showcase eco-friendly practices on a daily basis. Add these places to stay to your sustainable travel itinerary. 

LeConte Lodge - Gatlinburg

The highest guest lodge in the eastern U.S., LeConte Lodge is settled high atop Mt. LeConte in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. At an elevation of 6,400 feet, the Lodge is accessible only by five hiking trails ranging in length from 5 miles to 9.1 miles. Hearty meals, rough hewn log cabins with propane heat, kerosene lanterns for light, Hudson Bay wool blankets, a wash basin and bucket for sponge baths. It's a true getaway from the technological world below with no electricity and scenic views for miles. 

Cove Mountain Cabin - Wears Valley

Embrace the simple joys of life at Cove Mountain Cabin, a two-bedroom, one-bath, open floor plan cabin secluded in the Great Smoky Mountains. The cozy 764 square-foot cabin includes all the essentials you need for a primitive getaway featuring a fully equipped kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, outdoor fire pit, a river stone shower, open loft bedroom with a king-sized bed and electric fireplace, high speed internet and streaming TV. You'll love hiking the trails close to the cabin by day and roasting marshmallows and stargazing by night. 

The Crash Pad - Chattanooga

LEED Platinum-certified The Crash Pad in Chattanooga is the base camp for outdoor adventurers. The affordability and camaraderie of a traditional hostel with the charm and cleanliness of a boutique hotel makes The Crash Pad a memorable stay. Constructed by outdoor adventurers, the hostel was created with reclaimed and renewable resources, ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship and energy efficiency. Choose from a super bunk, private room with a queen bed, a private room with a twin bunk, a super queen room, the Chatt Room that accommodates up to six guests and the Hemi Suite that can house up to four guests.

Windy Hill Farm and Preserve - Loudon

Windy Hill Farm and Preserve is an all-inclusive resort tucked away on a 650-acre boutique farm in Loudon featuring hyperlocal dining, enriching activities and beautifully decorated accommodations. Lodging includes king or queen-bed rooms in The Lodge; dog-friendly water tower cabins featuring king beds, walk-in showers, seating area and private decks; and The Farmhouse equipped with five bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, a meeting space, full kitchen and river and mountain views. During your stay, book activities that will immerse you in learning and caring for the land such as beekeeping and honey tasting, cooking classes, archery, fishing, garden and orchard walks, farm tours, upland quail hunting and wood burning classes. 

Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge & Resort - Pigeon Forge

The 302-room HeartSong Lodge & Resort is the center stage for the Great Smoky Mountains center stage from the moment you walk into the lobby. The stunning 4,000 square-foot, four-story atrium lobby featuring a warm stone fireplace and lantern-inspired windows that showcase the rolling mountains. Many of the rooms have balconies so you can enjoy the views with your morning tea or coffee. Additional features include an acoustics music room inspired by Dolly Parton, family gathering spaces at the Cove Event Lawn, Camp DW activities and entertainment for kids, indoor and outdoor pools and themed family suites.

Bolt Farm Treehouse - Whitwell

Offering treehouses, mirror cabins (shown in photo above) and domes, Bolt Farm Treehouse is a luxurious destination to disconnect from the hustle of the world and reconnect with nature. Stunning views greet you every morning and stars seem to shine brighter when the day is done. Enjoy 2.5 miles of immersive nature trails, cozy campfires on the mountaintop, in-room massages, private chef experiences and local train rides with the Tennessee Valley Railroad. Put your phone on 'do not disturb' and sink into your relaxing and rejuvenating surroundings.

The Sewanee Inn - Sewanee

Soak in the breathtaking mountain views at The Sewanee Inn in Sewanee that is home to an abundance of hiking trails, biking, road cycling, kayaking, fishing, waterfalls and swimming holes, tennis and golfing at The Course at Sewanee Inn. In the boutique hotel, you'll find gorgeous rooms and suites featuring sweeping views of the plateaus and mountains of Southeast Tennessee, wet bar with mini fridges, 100% cotton linen on king-sized beds, luxury bath amenities and more. Enjoy a meal and drinks at Shakerag featuring a casual comfort food menu daily for breakfast and dinner.

Southall Farm and Inn - Franklin

The sustainable resort and spa, Southall Farm & Inn is secluded in the rolling hills of Franklin. Sustainability is put first from farming with water and soil conservation in mind, utilizing heirloom and southern vegetable varieties and plant breeding and seed saving to geothermal systems installed underground that utilizes heat found deep in the earth, variable refrigerant flow heat pumps in individual rooms, temperature settings returned to conservation modes in unoccupied rooms and composting all disposable materials as well as food waste. Get a closer look at how the farm operates with special experiences such as honey tasting, cooking classes, field tour and tastings, orchard tours, beeswax candle rolling classes and even falconry expeditions. Find your center with complimentary sound bath meditation, morning yoga and pilates barre. 

Noelle Hotel - Nashville

Situated on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Church Street in downtown Nashville, Noelle is an immersive 222-room boutique hotel and creative gathering place thoughtfully designed by leaders of Music City's thriving maker and artist community. Boasting 75 spacious studios and 12 suites, Noelle's green initiatives include making reusable plastic water bottles available in all rooms and suites, a rooftop garden used by the culinary team, organic bath products, EV charging stations nearby, LED lighting to reduce power usage, energy-saving air controls in guest rooms and more.

Evins Mill - Smithville

Not only is Evins Mill a secluded nature retreat with a waterfall hike, billiards and amazing, locally sourced meals, they're also working to be more sustainable. You'll find an electric vehicle station, LED lighting throughout the property, biodegradeable products like sack lunch containers, thermal cups and straws and the Gift Shop is full of local products including hiking sticks, soaps and lotions and assorted crafts.

1Hotel - Nashville

Nature is everything at 1Hotel Nashville where sustainable luxury meets you in the center of downtown Nashville. LEED Silver certified hotel is pet-friendly and offers electric Audi house cars, farm-to-table dining, stunning skyline views and relaxing treatments at Bamford Wellness Spa. 1Hotel features sustainable design by using reclaimed wood, organic textures and native greenery, which naturally creates a stunning environment that makes you feel you're in the middle of nature. LEED-Certified in-room amenities include filtered water taps, sustainably sourced bedding, free WiFi and yoga mats so you can feel centered and rejuvenated on your schedule.

The Memphian - Memphis

The Memphian is a boutique hotel offering 106 guest rooms, a 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness studio, Tesla and universal car charging stations, farm-to-table cuisine at the onsite restaurant Complicated Pilgrim and unmatched Southern hospitality in the center of Overton Square. The hotel celebrates the art and culture of Memphis through the curated art and elegant design showcased from the rooftop bar Tiger and Peacock to the stunning lobby. Guest amenities are numerous and include a hydration station, luxury bath amenities and laundry services.

Hyatt Centric Beale Street - Memphis

Conveniently close to the neon signs and blues, rock and soul music of Beale Street, Hyatt Centric Beale Street boasts stunning views of the Mississippi River a design that includes upcycled and community-inspired pieces. The layers of recycled materials, color and textures is a reflection of the hotel's sustainability commitment. Hydration stations are located on every floor; mobile key entry is available to every guest; and no single-used plastics are used. 

If you're looking for an eco-friendly place to stay that works to reduce their carbon footprint, these sustainable Tennessee hotels and resorts fit the bill.