Keen to be green – the Green Hotel of the Year

Radisson Blu Resort, Split, Croatia

This hotel on the Adriatic shore was the first in Croatia to receive the Green Key, an eco-award granted to hotels that encourage sustainability and energy conservation. The Radisson worked hard for it, spending a year reducing pollution and power consumption.

Last year, the property replaced all remaining regular light bulbs with LEDs, radically reducing energy consumption, and introduced foiled glass surfaces in its spa's meeting rooms to cut down on energy wasted on excessive cooling.

The Radisson continues to work to reduce its carbon footprint, with a programme for planting trees and encouraging its employees to cut down on using paper and printing materials. The hotel is also installing aerators throughout the hotel, which should help to reduce water wastage.

Inspira Santa Marta, Lisbon, Portugal

This hotel has made serious efforts to conserve energy and protect the environment and has the figures to back it up. Its use of technology, including a building management system, solar heater panels and LED lighting saved the hotel nearly 19% of KWH/client and 11.53 m³ gas/client from 2012 to 2013.

It has also worked to reduce water use through dual-flush toilets, dilution control systems and taps with sensors, while guests are given water repurified by reverse osmosis and served in recycled glass bottles that are filled on site. The Inspira has also worked to cut down on paper consumption, using monitoring and paperless procedures to help cut usage by more than a third.

And when a hotel uses a group of employees known as "the Green Squad", whose job it is to monitor the monthly progress of eco-measures undertaken by the company, you know it is serious about staying environmentally sound.

Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge, Skärsjön, Sweden

The Kolarbyn cuts carbon emissions by getting rid of them all together. Revelling in its reputation as "Sweden's most primitive hotel", the property boosts its green credentials by consuming neither electricity nor running water.

Instead of luxury suites, the Kolarbyn Eco-Lodge consists of 12 charcoal huts in the depths of a forest, with two bunks in each hut equipped with sheepskins and sleeping bags.

In lieu of a restaurant, guests are invited to cook their own supplies above a fire and must chop their own wood for fuel, and collect water from a nearby spring. In return for their hard work, visitors can "slowly wake up to the birds and have a refreshing swim in the lake".

Of course, the hotel is built with natural materials, and a percentage of its revenue goes to a range of projects that support preservation of the environment and historic places of interest.

Sunborn Gibraltar, Gibraltar

The Sunborn Company pioneered 'yacht hotel' concept, which aims to combine the luxury of a private vessel with the comfort of a land-based resort. Sunborn proposes that its unique idea translates into environmental efficiency, arguing that the purpose-built floating property works well in those areas where land for development is limited, or qualifies as environmentally sensitive.

The hotel's ability to relocate with minimal environmental effect adds to its green credentials, and its unique location, in the shadow of Gibraltar's iconic Rock, meant that it was crucial that it arrived in the marina with minimum impact on the surrounding area. The yacht itself is also environmentally sound, with on-board energy and water conservation measures ensuring that the consumption of fossil fuels and natural resources is monitored and optimised.

Sunborn works hard to conserve energy and use less power, emphasising energy and water conservation, reduction of polluting gasses, and the use of ecological detergents and products.

Dolomites Living Hotel, Alpe di Siusi, Italy

Set among the hills of Europe's largest high-altitude meadow, the Dolomites Living Hotel prides itself on having been built along the principles of bio-architecture to create "biological living conditions in an environmental balance". It also participates in the UNESCO Biosphere programme and the European Union's charter for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Describing "green living" as its highest priority, the Living Hotel is a haven for those suffering from allergies: the facilities have been engineered to be free of pollen and dust mites, and are certified by ECARF (European Centre of Allergical Research Foundation).

The hotel's menu can also be tailored to suit any dietary needs and allergies, from gluten and lactose intolerance to vegetarianism. Ingredients are also locally sourced; from the spring water and revitalising minerals used in the spa facilities to the food on offer in the restaurant, with specialities based on local organic produce.

Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna, Sardinia, Italy

The Pullman Timi Ama Sardegna is leading the charge towards sustainability in Sardinia. The hotel has installed carbon-efficient facade lighting, and replaced much of its interior illumination with energy-efficient alternatives. It also monitors its monthly water consumption closely, and encourages clients to reuse towels and sheets, as well as recycling its cooking oil and waste water.

Much of its material waste is recycled, and guests can even enjoy 'biodynamic' wine tasting, which refers to the agricultural methods using to grow the grapes, as well as the handling and processing of the fruit post harvest. Guests participate in ecological activities, such as mountain biking, trekking and even beach cleaning.

The hotel makes extensive use of eco-label and organic products, and is conscious of its impact on the local wildlife, working hard to reduce use of insecticides, weed killers and fungicides.

Steigenberger Airport Hotel, Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Steigenberger Airport Hotel near Schiphol airport has worked tirelessly to reduce its carbon footprint and offers significant incentives for its guests to do likewise. Electric cars can park free of charge at the hotel's private underground parking, hybrid cars receive a 50% parking discount and guests who arrive by train get a 50% discount on their fare. It also offers 15 "Green Meetings" rooms, which supply eco-friendly work material in naturally illuminated spaces.

Clients can also stay in one of the hotel's Green Executive Rooms, with 100% sustainable, Fair Trade handmade Lavital Beds, duvet, pillows, bed and bath linen, and water and energy-saving facilities.

A proud recipient of the Green Key Gold certificate, which rewards hotel which go the extra mile with their green policies, the hotel also uses thermal energy storage to conserve power, and purchases "certified CO2 credits from foreign hydro-electric, wind and biogas plants".