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9. Maho Bay Camps, St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Since first opening Maho Bay in 1976, owner Stan Selengut has reaped accolades for his eco-sensitive resort where 114 tent-cottages are woven into the tapestry of the landscape. And what a landscape it is! Only a few miles east of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. John has virtually nothing in common with its overdeveloped neighbor. More than 60 percent of the island and its surrounding waters are comprised of Virgin Islands National Park, a mecca in the Caribbean for the green traveler. Hiking trails weave through the arid and semi-tropical terrain past some 800 species of plants, like the desert-loving turks head cactus. Back at Maho Bay, a favorite aspect of their sustainable agenda is the "Trash to Treasures" program, in which the resort's trash is recycled into crafts and fine art. The dwellings are also constructed almost entirely of recycled materials and are powered by sun and wind. For a bit more money, opt for the upscale Estate Concordia Studios, which feature spacious bedrooms and decks overlooking Salt Pond Bay. Rates drop to $80 a night starting in May.