Several Miami establishments are leading the charge in sustainability and ocean conservation, especially as we approach World Oceans Day.
If reserving a hotel with an eye toward the environment is an important part of your personal travel requirements, below you’ll find five Miami establishments that are eco-conscious leaders.
The Marker Key West
The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is ideally located in a quiet enclave near the Historic Key West Harbor at 200 William St., just steps from lively Duval Street and Mallory Square. The Marker offers lush tropical grounds, three pools, alfresco dining, and luxurious guest rooms with private balconies and Key West-inspired details. This World Ocean Day, The Marker has partnered with Plogging the Keys, a local volunteer organization that hosts regular cleanups on Friday mornings, to sponsor two annual cleanups, the first of which will take place on June 20. Guests and locals alike are invited to join this impactful effort to preserve the natural beauty of Key West’s waters. To further promote sustainability on property, The Marker has joined forces with Stream2Sea to offer sunscreen stands around the pool featuring reef-safe products that support coral regrowth. Select Stream2Sea products are also available for purchase in the hotel’s retail space.
Beach Cleanups & Sustainable Luxury at The Elser Hotel
The Elser Hotel is a 49-story luxury tower in Downtown Miami whose dedication to a greener future is reflected in every aspect of the property. For example, each of the 646 residential-style guest rooms includes a fully equipped kitchen with energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, energy-efficient washers and dryers, bulk bathroom amenities that reduce plastic consumption, and WaterSense-certified toilets to promote water conservation. The innovative Petra Energy Saving & Conservation elevator system also showcases the hotel’s approach to energy conservation. Sustainable practices at The Elser’s food and beverage venues are elevated with biodegradable packaging, composting of organic food waste, and eco-friendly packaging. Guests also experience eco-conscious luxury with refillable PATH water containers, bamboo toothbrushes and the elimination of single-use plastic bottles. Poolside, guests will find Supergoop, a reef-friendly sunscreen aligning with The Elser’s focus on environmentally conscious choices. The Elser will also be heading to Pace Picnic Island for a community cleanup surrounding World Ocean Day in partnership with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Hotel guests are welcome to join. During its recent Earth Day cleanup, the hotel collected over 400 pounds of trash.
Eco-Friendly Features at The Gates Hotel South Beach
The Gates Hotel South Beach, a serene oasis along the Collins Canal on Collins Avenue, merges the charm of South Beach with an impact-driven commitment to sustainability. As a Tier 2 member of Miami-Dade’s Plastic-Free 305 program, the hotel has eliminated all single-use plastics, ensuring it supports initiatives addressing plastic pollution in local communities, the ocean and other waterways. In partnership with Drop Water, The Gates Hotel has introduced the innovative Drop Mini dispenser on-site, providing guests with sustainable and refillable beverage options. This amenity offers ambient or chilled filtered water, customizable with flavors and functional additives, served in 100% compostable Drop Cartons or refillable containers.
EarthView at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club
A premier green hotel in Miami Beach, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, Autograph Collection takes many steps to preserve the beauty of its surroundings. The hotel encompasses a triple-bottom-line approach to sustainability through the implementation of EarthView, a proprietary sustainability program created by Hersha Hotels & Resorts that focuses on a holistic approach to hospitality, providing memorable amenities and unique offerings that enhance the guest experience. Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club was the first hotel to achieve LEED Certification in Miami Beach in 2014 when the property was renovated. Throughout the guest rooms, green initiatives include recycled-content key cards, energy-efficient light bulbs (LED) and smart thermostats. The hotel’s housekeeping department has also adopted the EcoLab Aquanomic laundry program, which delivers significant energy and water savings. Recently, the hotel was awarded Green Lodging Designation by the Florida Green Lodging Program. Cadillac Hotel achieved the highest possible rating: three palms; because of this designation, the hotel can now host government business at all properties. In 2024, Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club was recognized for its sustainability leadership by Green Key Global, a green certification run by AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) and HAC (Hotel Association of Canada). The hotel also participated in Clean the World, a social organization with the mission to save millions of lives around the world by distributing recycled soap and hygiene products donated by hotels and resorts. Other green initiatives include property-wide recycling, branded hotel bicycles, a turtle conservation program and PATH water bottles in every room.
Food@Science at the Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science
Dive into World Oceans Day with a special celebration on Sunday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. The event will feature special programming designed to inspire awareness and action for ocean conservation, including interactive exhibits, educational activities, sustainable dining and more. As part of the celebration, the museum’s on-site café, Food@Science, will offer a special ocean-inspired menu highlighting locally sourced seafood and plant-based dishes, including:
- Salmon Splash Burger ($16), a grilled salmon patty with a zesty aioli on a bed of lettuce and a soft bun. Raised in the cold waters of Chile’s southern inlets, this salmon is nurtured in carefully managed aquaculture systems that prioritize environmental responsibility, fish welfare and long-term sustainability.
- Coastal Lobster Rolls ($16), chunks of lobster in creamy herb dressing on a buttery toasted roll. Raised in sustainably managed marine farms, this lobster is nurtured in unpolluted marine environments, prioritizing sustainability, animal welfare and environmental balance.
- Cod Fish Bites ($10), crispy golden bites of seasoned cod with a tangy dipping sauce. Sourced with integrity from the pristine, cold waters of Norway’s natural fjords, this non-GMO cod is raised in ideal conditions, ensuring every bite is pure, flavorful and satisfying.
- Shrimply Ceviche ($16), fresh shrimp in citrus marinade with tomatoes, onions and cilantro. Monitored in carefully controlled aquaculture environments, these shrimp are raised with a focus on environmental stewardship and consistent quality, ensuring year-round availability while reducing pressure on wild populations.
Operated by Constellation Culinary Group, Food@Science champions sustainable practices year-round, including adherence to the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch guidelines, local sourcing whenever possible and compostable packaging. Through its partnership with Compost for Life, a Miami-based compost community initiative, the culinary team has diverted over 51,000 pounds of food scraps from landfills and back into the Earth.
