Green Hotels… stay true to the environment

What is Green Tourism and why does it matter for airport hotels?

Green Tourism is the UK government-recognised, not-for-profit certification body that assesses and grades hospitality businesses on their environmental and sustainability credentials. Running since 1997, it is the largest scheme of its kind in the world, with more than 2,800 certified businesses across 30 countries.

Assessments are carried out by independent, qualified sustainability advisors against more than 70 criteria across 15 sustainability goals – covering energy and water efficiency, waste reduction, responsible procurement, biodiversity, community engagement, and staff wellbeing. Every certification is valid for three years before re-grading is required, ensuring standards are maintained over time.

For travellers, seeing a Green Tourism certificate means you are choosing a business that has been independently verified – not simply self-reporting its green intentions.

Understanding Bronze, Silver and Gold Green Tourism awards

APH’s own commitment to sustainability

APH has been a corporate supporter of the World Land Trust (WLT) since 2005. Over two decades of partnership, APH and its customers have raised enough funds to protect over 115 acres of threatened rainforest habitat in Ecuador – and APH has maintained Carbon Balanced status throughout, with an annual audit ensuring unavoidable emissions are offset through WLT’s conservation projects.

Pre-booking airport parking with APH is itself a greener travel choice. A drop-off and pick-up arrangement (often called “Kiss and Fly”) creates twice as many car journeys as simply parking your own vehicle – generating more congestion, more fuel consumption, and more emissions around the terminal.

Green Tourism-certified airport hotels bookable through APH

Every hotel below holds a current Green Tourism award. Use the table to compare by airport and award level, then click through to view prices, amenities, and hotel and parking packages.

Hotel	Airport	Award
Hilton Garden Inn	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
Heathrow Windsor Marriott	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
Leonardo Hotel, Heathrow	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
London Heathrow Marriott Hotel	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
Park Inn by Radisson London Heathrow	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow	Heathrow	🥇 Gold
Leonardo Hotel London (Heathrow)	Heathrow	🥉 Bronze
Hilton Heathrow Garden Inn	Heathrow	🥉 Bronze
Sofitel London Gatwick Hotel	Gatwick	🥈 Silver
Courtyard By Marriott Gatwick	Gatwick	🥉 Bronze
Radisson Blu Hotel, Manchester Airport	Manchester	🥈 Silver
Best Western Cresta Court Hotel	Manchester	🥉 Bronze
Radisson Blu Hotel, London Stansted Airport	Stansted	🥇 Gold
Hilton London Stansted	Stansted	🥈 Silver
Edinburgh Marriott	Edinburgh	🥇 Gold
Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh Airport	Edinburgh	🥉 Bronze
Jurys Inn Bradford	Leeds Bradford	🥇 Gold
Jurys Inn Exeter	Exeter	🥇 Gold
Jurys Inn Southampton	Southampton	🥇 Gold
Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport	Glasgow	🥈 Silver
Crowne Plaza Liverpool	Liverpool J/L	🥈 Silver
Jurys Inn East Midlands	East Midlands	🥉 Bronze
Holiday Inn Southend	Southend	Grading pending

Award status is reviewed every three years. Always confirm current certification with the hotel at time of booking.

How to choose the most eco-friendly airport hotel

• Look for Gold first. Gold-certified hotels have independently verified scores of 80% or more across all 15 Green Tourism sustainability goals – the highest standard available.
• Bundle your parking. Booking hotel and parking together through APH reduces total car journeys to the airport and is usually cheaper than booking separately.
• Ask about local sourcing. Gold and Silver hotels typically source food locally and ethically – worth asking about at check-in if sustainable dining matters to you.
• Consider rail links. Several certified hotels sit close to rail connections. Combining a Green Tourism-certified hotel with a train journey to the airport is among the lowest-carbon options available.
• Offset your stay. When you book through APH, proceeds support the World Land Trust’s rainforest conservation work – adding an extra layer of environmental contribution to your trip.

Frequently asked questions about green airport hotels

What does a Green Tourism award actually mean for a hotel?

It means the hotel has been independently assessed by a qualified Green Tourism advisor against more than 70 sustainability criteria. Hotels must score at least 40% for Bronze, 65% for Silver, or 80% for Gold — and are reassessed every three years to maintain certification.

Which UK airport has the most Green Tourism Gold-rated hotels?

Heathrow currently has the greatest number of Gold-rated hotels in the APH portfolio, including the Radisson Blu Edwardian Heathrow, London Heathrow Marriott Hotel, Park Inn by Radisson London Heathrow, Hilton Garden Inn, and Leonardo Hotel Heathrow.

Is staying in a green airport hotel actually more expensive?

Not necessarily. Green Tourism certification is about operational sustainability, not luxury pricing. Many Bronze and Silver-rated hotels are mid-range or budget properties. Booking a hotel and parking package through APH often costs less than booking them separately, regardless of the hotel’s green grade.

How is APH itself environmentally responsible?

APH has been Carbon Balanced through the World Land Trust since 2005, completing an annual carbon audit and donating funds that go directly to habitat conservation. APH has also helped protect over 115 acres of threatened rainforest in Ecuador through its long-standing Buy an Acre partnership with the Trust.

What is a Green Tourism Gold Star award?

Green Tourism recently introduced a Gold Star tier for businesses that exceed the Gold-level standard, representing the very highest benchmark of sustainability achievement. It is separate from the standard Gold award and is granted only to the most exceptional performers.

Can I book a green hotel without airport parking through APH?

Yes — APH lists hotels both as standalone bookings and as hotel and parking packages. Bundling your parking with your hotel stay usually saves money and reduces the number of separate car journeys to the airport.

About Green Tourism

Green Tourism is a not-for-profit organisation recognised by UK national and regional government as a central part of its sustainability framework for the visitor economy. Operating since 1997, it now certifies businesses across 30 countries against 15 sustainability goals and more than 70 individual indicators – including energy, water, waste, procurement, biodiversity, community engagement, and staff health and wellbeing.

APH is proud to partner with Green Tourism and to list only independently verified hotels within this guide. For the full directory of certified businesses, visit green-tourism.com.