Just a few steps from Milano Centrale station, the Starhotels E.c.ho boasts both cutting-edge style and ethical substance. The 143 rooms are decked out in the best of taste regardless of any eco-credentials – which are extensive. Materials have been chosen with careful attention to their production process and come from certified sources. Thermo-insulation and intelligently designed heating and lighting systems mean minimal energy is used while keeping your room comfortable and cosy.

Villa Crespi was built in 1879 by Cristoforo Benigno Crespi, a pioneer of the Italian cotton industry. Following a business trip to the Middle East, Crespi created his very own Moorish-style hideaway on the romantic shores of Lake Orta. Today, the gorgeous parquet flooring and period furniture are enjoyed by guests looking for a luxury stay in a hotel that keeps an eye on its environmental commitments.

With an arresting location on the banks of the Arno, Ville sull’Arno is a hotel already deeply connected to nature – so it’s no surprise their policies are geared towards safeguarding the environment. The building itself is well insulated while waste is collected separately for recycling and the kitchen uses produce from the local area. Guests are also offered free bicycles to explore Florence.

Lefay Resorts is the first Italian tourism company to sign an agreement with the Ministry of the Environment aimed towards neutalising CO2 emissions. The complex has been awarded a number of environmental certifications including the Green Globe and the Being Organic and Ecological Spa award. In 2017, they topped things off with the crown of Best Luxury Eco-Spa.

Hotel Cristina is an A-rated energy efficiency building – a rarity in Italy where historic palazzi are regularly given the lowest grade. This modern build was constructed with reduced energy consumption and environmental sustainability in mind and a host of simple but effective policies help it to achieve its goal. The hotel uses only green energy and has air conditioning that automatically switches off when windows are opened.

The Bella Rosina is an 18th-century farmhouse turned four-star hotel set in the verdant grounds of La Mandria Regional Park in Turin, northern Italy. From the comfortable and refined rooms to the organic restaurant, the hotel follows a number of ecological policies. Heating is partially solar powered, cleaning products chosen for their reduced impact on aquatic life and biodegradable pens and paper are used throughout the hotel.

The first zero-emission hotel in Milan is conveniently located in the Brera district of the city, with the main sights either within easy walking distance or a short public transport ride away. The super sleek furnishings of the Hotel Milano Scala might not immediately conjure up thoughts of sustainability and eco-friendliness but this swanky spot isn’t short on green credentials.

Despite its bucolic appearance, eco-hotel Eremito is a modern build carried out using contemporary materials – organic where possible – and traditional construction methods. Located on the site of a 14th-century monastery, the hotel generates its own electricity and is furnished with natural materials like hemp sheets and stone washbasins. The vegetarian dinners are prepared using organic fruits and vegetables from the garden – and are taken in silence.

Relais del Maro is an albergo diffuso, a concept that sees the hotel dispersed across three historic buildings in the town of Borgomaro in the northwest region of Liguria. Aside from protecting the identity of the local area, this style of hotel development has a low environmental impact as it promotes the sustainable restoration and renovation of existing buildings instead of new construction. The swimming pool is heated using solar-thermal panels.

Seemingly situated in a picture-postcard, the Bio Vitalhotel is run by the Theiner family from Gargazzone in the alpine region of South Tyrol. The family oversaw construction of the entire complex, choosing local timber that was pieced together without chemical glues or cements. Upon opening in 2009, the hotel was awarded “Climate Hotel” status in recognition of its holistic approach to sustainable holidays.