Green Key Global is a third-party certification: an auditor checks a hotel's energy, water, waste and staff training before it gets the label. More than 70 places to stay in Greater Miami hold it, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau.
This page covers two of them.
How we confirmed Green Key certification
Green Key Global publishes a searchable directory of certified properties at greenkeyglobal.com. Each hotel below appears in that directory or has certification confirmed through a verifiable public source tied to the Green Key Global program. We left out hotels that market themselves as eco-friendly but don't appear in the Green Key directory, whatever other credentials they hold.
What Green Key certification actually requires
Green Key Global operates five rating levels, from 1 Key (entry) through 5 Keys (highest). To reach even 1 Key, a property must meet 37 mandatory questions from a self-assessment of about 215, covering energy consumption, water management, chemical use, waste reduction, and employee environmental training. Each question carries points, and the rating rises with the share of points a hotel earns.
A hotel at 3 Keys or above has earned far more of those points than the mandatory minimum, which is a long way from a hotel that swapped in LED bulbs and called it a day.
Green Key certified Miami hotels at a glance
| Hotel | Neighborhood | Star rating | Guest rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loews Miami Beach Hotel – South Beach | South Beach, Collins Avenue corridor | 4 | 9.0 |
| Hyatt Regency Miami | Downtown Miami, Miami River waterfront | 4 | 8.6 |
Booking a Green Key hotel: what to check
- Confirm the property still appears in the Green Key Global directory at greenkeyglobal.com before booking, since certifications renew annually and a lapse is possible.
- Ask the hotel which Green Key level it holds. Level 1 meets baseline standards; Level 3 and above reflects deeper operational commitment.
- Green Key certification covers the whole property operation, so your room, the restaurant, and the pool area all fall under the same verified standards.
- If carbon footprint is your primary concern, ask whether the property tracks and reports Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
The hotels
Loews Miami Beach Hotel – South Beach
1601 Collins Ave
9.0425 reviews
Green Key Global certified. Metrobus Routes 100 and 150 stop a short walk away at Collins Avenue and 17th Street.
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Hyatt Regency Miami
400 SE 2nd Ave
8.6334 reviews
Green Key Global certified. Knight Center Metromover is a 3-min walk.
View hotel →
Frequently asked questions
What is Green Key Global certification and why does it matter for hotel stays in Miami?＋
Green Key Global is a third-party certification program that rates hotels on a self-assessment of about 215 questions covering energy use, water consumption, waste management, and staff training. Unlike self-reported eco labels, Green Key requires an independent review before a property earns or renews its credential. In Miami, where plenty of hotels call themselves green, it's a quick way to tell checked claims from marketing.
How many Miami hotels hold Green Key Global certification?＋
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau says more than 70 hotels in the area hold Green Key certification.
How does Green Key certification differ from LEED certification for hotels?＋
LEED, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council, focuses on building design and construction, rewarding properties for how they were built or renovated rather than how they operate day to day. Green Key focuses on ongoing hotel operations, including housekeeping practices, food waste, chemical use, and staff behavior. A hotel can hold LEED Gold for its building and still have poor operational sustainability, or hold Green Key certification in a building that was never LEED-rated.
How does Green Key differ from Energy Star for hotels?＋
Energy Star, managed by the U.S. EPA, measures a building's energy performance relative to similar properties and certifies buildings that score 75 or higher on its 1-to-100 scale, which puts them in the top 25 percent for energy efficiency. It covers one dimension: energy. Green Key covers energy plus water, waste, chemicals, biodiversity, and staff training. A hotel can earn Energy Star by being an efficient energy user while still generating significant waste or using harmful cleaning chemicals. Green Key's broader scope makes it a more complete picture of a property's environmental footprint.
Do Green Key certified hotels in Miami cost more to book?＋
No. Certification has nothing to do with room rates. Both hotels on this list are four-star.
Can I verify a Miami hotel's Green Key certification before booking?＋
Yes. Green Key Global maintains a public directory of certified properties at greenkeyglobal.com. You can search by city or property name to confirm current certification status. Because certifications renew annually, it is worth checking the directory close to your travel date rather than relying on a hotel's website alone, since a lapse between renewal cycles is possible.
