I stayed in New Zealand's first '5-Green-Star' hotel. From compostable slippers to local art, I was impressed by these 6 sustainable details.

Monica HumphriesApr 11, 2023, 23:22 IST

The Hotel Britomart in Auckland, New Zealand, is the country's first "5-Green-Star" hotel.
I spent two nights in the hotel, where I discovered elements that made it a more sustainable stay.
From compostable slippers to sustainable seafood, here are the surprising details I found.

After a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, the only thing I was dreaming about was my hotel bed. And that bed happened to be in The Hotel Britomart — New Zealand's first "5-Green-Star" hotel.

The exterior of The Hotel Britomart in Auckland, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

After a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, the only thing I was dreaming about was my hotel bed. And that bed happened to be in The Hotel Britomart — New Zealand's first "5-Green-Star" hotel.

While I'm far from perfect, traveling more sustainably excites me, and I was glad to know my lodging would be eco-friendly.

The author in Queenstown, New Zealand.Monica Humphries/Insider

I was eager to see if my "green" stay felt any different from the luxury hotels I've stayed at in the past.

The lobby at The Hotel Britomart.Monica Humphries/Insider

One of the first things I noticed was the lack of plastic in my room.

A view of the author's room at The Hotel Britomart.Monica Humphries/Insider

Inside the closet was a reusable bag I could use for my stay to remove the need for shopping bags.

A reusable tote bag hangs in the closet of a room at The Hotel Britomart.Monica Humphries/Insider

I'd never seen compostable slippers until my stay at The Hotel Britomart.

The pair of compostable slippers in the author's hotel room.Monica Humphries/Insider

The room was filled with decorations created by local artists.

A vase in the room was created by a local ceramist.Monica Humphries/Insider

Downstairs in the hotel's restaurant, I also spotted sustainably-sourced seafood.

The interior of the hotel's in-house restaurant, Kingi.Monica Humphries/Insider

The hotel provided eco-friendly amenities, including free bike rentals.

The bike the author rented for free from The Hotel Britomart.Monica Humphries/Insider

While I didn't check out with travel-sized shampoo or conditioner stowed in my bag, I did leave The Hotel Britomart free of guilt.

Insider's author in her hotel room at The Hotel Britomart.Monica Humphries/Insider

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I stayed in New Zealand's first '5-Green-Star' hotel. From compostable slippers to local art, I was impressed by these 6 sustainable details.

After a red-eye flight from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand, the only thing I was dreaming about was my hotel bed. And that bed happened to be in The Hotel Britomart — New Zealand's first "5-Green-Star" hotel.

While I'm far from perfect, traveling more sustainably excites me, and I was glad to know my lodging would be eco-friendly.

I was eager to see if my "green" stay felt any different from the luxury hotels I've stayed at in the past.

One of the first things I noticed was the lack of plastic in my room.

Inside the closet was a reusable bag I could use for my stay to remove the need for shopping bags.

I'd never seen compostable slippers until my stay at The Hotel Britomart.

The room was filled with decorations created by local artists.

Downstairs in the hotel's restaurant, I also spotted sustainably-sourced seafood.

The hotel provided eco-friendly amenities, including free bike rentals.

While I didn't check out with travel-sized shampoo or conditioner stowed in my bag, I did leave The Hotel Britomart free of guilt.