Eco Stays in Independent

The best independently owned eco stays, hand picked from Costa Rica to Canada, where the hotel is run by its owners rather than a global chain.

Guide to Independent

What it is

Owner run, not chain
Each of these stays answers to the person who owns it rather than a corporate group, so your booking money reaches the people doing the work on the ground.

Best for

Money to the owner
Pick this when you want your spend to land in the pocket of the family or founder behind the place, not a shareholder report, and to feel that difference in how you are looked after.

Top destinations

Costa Rica leads on small owner built lodges, the United States adds independent farm stays and coastal retreats, and Canada brings owner hosted wilderness cabins, spanning 66 countries in all.

For the small business backers

260 hand picked
For guests who want their spend to reach the owner directly
Book direct: Browse all 260 independent stays below and book direct with the property.

Mallin Colorado Ecolodge

Mallin Colorado Ecolodge is a hotel in the mountain in Puerto Guadal, Aysén Region. Mallin Colorado Ecolodge is powered by solar energy, uses responsible water management and focuses on low-impact building and habitat conservation.

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Refugio Amazonas

Refugio Amazonas is a refuge in the rainforest in Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios. Refugio Amazonas is powered by solar energy, runs off-grid and focuses on habitat conservation.

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Sacha Lodge

Sacha Lodge is a guest house in the rainforest in Orellana. Sacha Lodge is powered by solar energy, runs off-grid and focuses on habitat conservation.

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Tierra Atacama

Tierra Atacama

Tierra Atacama is a hotel in the desert in San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region. Tierra Atacama is powered by solar energy, uses responsible water management and focuses on low-impact building and habitat conservation.

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Tierra Patagonia

Tierra Patagonia is a hotel in the countryside in Torres de Paine, Magallanes Region. Tierra Patagonia is powered by solar energy and focuses on low-impact building and habitat conservation.

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Black Sheep Inn

Black Sheep Inn is a hotel in the mountain in Chugchilán, Cotopaxi. Black Sheep Inn is powered by solar energy and runs off-grid.

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Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica

Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is an eco lodge in the rainforest in Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios. Inkaterra Reserva Amazonica is powered by solar energy, runs off-grid and focuses on low-impact building and habitat conservation.

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Questions about traveling to Independent

What does independent ownership mean for eco stays?

Independent eco stays are hotels, lodges and ecolodges run by their own owners or a single operator rather than a chain or global hospitality group. This ownership model keeps decisions about energy, water and conservation with the people on site. Places such as Mashpi Lodge and Sacha Lodge fall into the independent category.

Standout independent eco stays include Mallin Colorado Ecolodge, Mashpi Lodge and Sacha Lodge, each owner-run and set within its own natural surroundings. Our directory lists 260 verified independent properties across the eco stays collection. All have been checked so the independent ownership claim holds up.

Costa Rica, the United States and Canada hold the largest concentrations of independent eco stays in our directory. These three countries lead the 260 verified owner-run properties in the independent ownership category. Costa Rica in particular is home to many small ecolodges of this type.

Independent eco stays work well for travellers who want a personal welcome and money that stays with a local owner rather than a corporate chain. The independent ownership model tends to mean smaller properties and closer contact with the people who run them. Sacha Lodge and Mallin Colorado Ecolodge show how intimate these owner-run places can be.

Value at independent eco stays comes from owner-run care and spending that supports the local area rather than a distant head office. The independent ownership category spans 260 verified properties, from modest ecolodges to remote rainforest retreats like Mashpi Lodge. Rates vary by property, so compare options within the independent collection to match your budget.

Ethics You Can Trust

Every verified listing on our platform has undergone an in-person inspection. We personally capture high-definition photos and videos to ensure complete transparency and accuracy for your peace of mind. Our directory reaches tens of thousands of conscious travellers each month and ranks on the first page of Google for sustainable hotels, eco resorts and eco lodges in the Caribbean, sending readers straight to book direct with the stays we feature.

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