Roof Gardens: A Green Solution for Ecology, Community, and Wellbeing

Abstract

Green roofs have emerged as a key nature-based solution for improving environmental quality, strengthening urban resilience, and enhancing human wellbeing. In the hospitality sector—where sustainable design and guest experience increasingly intersect—the incorporation of green roof gardens is particularly significant. Urban hotels face heightened challenges related to elevated temperatures, reduced green space, and the growing need for restorative environments within dense urban settings. This study aims to examine how green roof gardens function as integrated ecological, social, and psychological infrastructures in hotel environments. It evaluates the extent to which rooftop green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability, enhance guest experience, and foster community connections. The research adopts a qualitative design combining a comprehensive literature review conducted at selected five-star hotels in Greece. Data from secondary sources and field-based assessments were thematically analyzed to identify recurring patterns in environmental performance, social use, and psychological benefits. Findings indicate that hotel green roof gardens act as multifunctional systems that deliver significant ecological benefits—such as improved microclimate regulation, stormwater retention, and biodiversity support—while simultaneously enriching social interaction and guest experience through accessible, esthetically appealing spaces. Observations further highlight their contribution to psychological wellbeing by offering restorative environments characterized by greenery, natural light, and panoramic views. The study concludes that green roof gardens represent an effective design strategy that integrates sustainability, hospitality experience, and urban wellbeing. Their application in hotels provides both conceptual insight and practical guidance for the development of more resilient, livable, and guest-centered urban environments. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating green roofs into contemporary tourism and urban planning practices.

1. Introduction

1.1. Definitions, Scope, and System Components

In modern times, most of the population in the world lives in urban environments. A modern urban lifestyle has separated individuals from the natural world. The modification of landscapes, along with rapid growth in urban areas and other human activities, has resulted in many negative environmental impacts. These include global warming, air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, intensification of the urban heat island effect, enhanced noise levels, and a reduction in biodiversity [1,2,3,4]. Urban nature is becoming increasingly significant for individuals’ mental wellbeing [5,6], as various studies evidence social and psychological benefits of reduced stress, improved attention capabilities, and increased vitality [7]. Therefore, the design of urban green roofs is increasingly shaped by goals that seek to promote the social and psychological wellbeing of urban inhabitants [8].

Green roofs—variously termed living roofs, ecological roofs, rooftop gardens, roof gardens, or cool roofs—are engineered roof assemblies that support vegetation above a waterproofed structure [9,10,11]. Their core layered build-up typically includes vegetation, growth substrate, a filter layer, drainage layer, thermal insulation, root barrier, and waterproofing membranes [12]. Each layer contributes to performance and longevity; suboptimal specification or installation can lead to costly failures over the service life [13,14]. The range of design expressions on roofs is limited more by the interdisciplinary design team’s imagination than by typology—provided that the technical constraints of roofing assemblies are respected.

Green roofs are commonly distinguished as extensive (shallow substrate, lower loads, and low-maintenance planting) and intensive (deeper soils, diverse planting palettes, higher loads, and amenity use). Systems may be multi-layer—with discrete filter and drainage strata—or monolithic/single-layer with integrated functions [15]. Multi-layer systems generally demand higher upfront cost but offer superior energy performance and hydrologic control; single-layer systems are more commonly employed in cooler, maritime climates (e.g., parts of Northern Europe). For hospitality settings, intensive or semi-intensive assemblies are often favored to provide accessible guest amenities without compromising building envelope integrity.

1.2. Social and Psychological Benefits

The utilization of green spaces has been shown to offer various social advantages to their users. Studies have found that users of green spaces have improved social wellbeing [16], physical health [17,18], and mood state [19]. Progress towards the sustainable development goals is impacted by place attachment and the realization of economic benefits in the surrounding area. The application of green roofs differs from that of green spaces as their smaller footprint and limited accessibility can hinder physical activity [20]. It has yet to be determined to what extent these biophilic benefits exist for green roof users. These systems add esthetic value to urban areas and create amenity spaces that facilitate relaxation, social interaction, and restorative experiences for users, while simultaneously promoting mental and physical wellbeing through contact with natural elements. Research indicates that urban green roofs are linked to improving cognitive functioning [21];increasing neighborhood greenery availability, which is expected to enhance social cohesion, potentially reducing aggression and violence; and improving productivity and creativity [22] and prosocial behavior [23]. Additionally, green roofs can foster a sense of community, generate local employment opportunities related to their installation and maintenance, and serve as educational platforms for promoting sustainability awareness and practices [24,25].

There is an increasing appreciation for the fact that green spaces are important for human wellbeing, with research indicating psychological benefits such as lower levels of stress and depression and mood state improvement, including higher attention levels and vitality [7]. Therapies utilizing the natural environment also help to improve individuals’ lives through improved psychological wellbeing, emotional recuperation, and new business opportunities. Consequently, green roofs offer significant therapeutic advantages for individuals [26], and their construction is progressively guided by objectives that seek to improve the social and psychological health of city inhabitants.

1.3. Design Determinants for Hotel Applications

Currently, the hospitality industry is struggling to balance guest comfort and esthetics with environmental sustainability. Innovative architecture thus becomes a key factor for hotels looking to satisfy changing market needs by improving user experience and reducing environmental impact. Environmentally friendly materials, recognized for their renewability, durability, and flexibility of esthetic use, constitute a sustainable solution for these problems [27]. These resources strive to improve indoor air quality, thermal comfort, and visual ambiance, thus becoming particularly suitable for hotel design since guests’ satisfaction is directly related to the quality of the spatial context [28].

Current hospitality enterprises employ various strategies to address the increasing demand of customers wanting greener goods. Within this framework, environmentally conscious hotels have focused on preserving ecosystems and ensuring the continued welfare of their guests. Customers choose eco-friendly services because of environmentally responsible companies, thereby increasing their propensity for repeat purchases. Therefore, it is essential for the current hospitality industry, including hotels, to establish standards for assessing the environmental sustainability of their services, based on customers’ perceptions [26].

In hotel contexts—where durability, guest safety, and business continuity are paramount—roof protection and robust waterproofing are primary [13]. Root-resistant membranes, protection boards, and careful detailing at penetrations are essential, especially around lighting, irrigation, and fountain infrastructure [29]. All fixtures should be mechanically secured to resist wind uplift without compromising membranes.

Plant selection should balance resilience (wind, drought, and salinity where applicable) with experiential quality (color, texture, and seasonality) and functional roles (shade, windbreaks, and habitat) [30]. Layout must support intuitive circulation and universal access so that guests can move safely and comfortably through the space; this is especially important in five-star hotels where diverse user groups—including families, older adults, and mobility-assisted guests—are expected [31]. Theplanting structure can also be used to subtly guide flows and create micro-destinations for privacy or social interaction.

At the roof level, environmental stressors intensify wind, solar gain, cold snaps, and driving rain [30]. Adequate substrate depth is needed to anchor plantings and buffer moisture. Wind moderation can be achieved with strategically placed wind screens (transparent or translucent plastic/glass), pergolas, and shelterbelts; where spans permit, small trees can double as shade devices [29]. Hardscape choices should minimize glare and heat reflectance; continuous expanses of light-colored pavers may raise thermal and visual discomfort on sunny days.

Lightweight, durable surface materials reduce structural loads and visual “heaviness,” helping roofs feel calm rather than cluttered [29]. Material color, tone, and contrast should be composed to reduce glare for users on the roof and for viewers from adjacent buildings [32]. Permeable paving that allows water infiltration assists drainage and stormwater attenuation [33].

Water features can significantly elevate the guest experience, coating noise and providing biophilic cues. Concerns about weight are often overstated when water volumes are modest and recirculated; in many cases, planted zones contribute greater dead load than small basins [34]. Nevertheless, designs must include reliable automatic make-up water and level control, as evaporation rates can reach several centimeters per day under hot, windy conditions [32]. Planting hydrophytes and using biomass filtration can reduce chemical inputs and algae growth, protecting pumps and filters [32]. Where climates experience freeze–thaw cycles, flexible liners outperform rigid tanks, whichare susceptible to cracking [32].

A standard electrical supply is typically adequate for lighting, irrigation controls, and small pumps, but all connections should be designed to outdoor/ IP (Ingress Protection) ratings with proper isolation [31]. Potable water supply, hose bibs, and backflow prevention are needed for irrigation, fountain replenishment, and cleaning. Hotels should plan for secure, dry storage for horticultural supplies and locate garden control panels in accessible, weather-protected positions [31]. Maintenance access (to edges, drains, valves, and luminaires) must be mapped early; otherwise, routine tasks can endanger membranes or become operationally disruptive.

Accessible routes, guardrail safety, and edge protection are fundamental, given the wide age and ability range of hotel guests [31]. Occupancy management (hours, capacity, and staff oversight) should be defined in operating plans. Prior to opening, operators should resolve basic questions: intended user groups and activities; accountability for scheduling and upkeep; capacity thresholds; operating hours; and differentiated access protocols for staff, guests, patients (in wellness/medical hotels), families, and outside visitors [29].

Although there is an extensive body of knowledge regarding the environmental and economic effects of green roofs, their socio-psychological aspects have received less scholarly attention, especially in hospitality settings, where experiential quality and biophilic design are essential for guest contentment. This oversight is significant, particularly considering the increasing acknowledgement of the impact of constructed environments on cognitive processes, emotional states, and social interactions. Consequently, this investigation seeks to redefine green roofs, considering them not solely as technical landscape infrastructures but as socio-spatial constructs integrated within the comprehensive experiential ecology of hotels.

1.4. Purpose

This study aims to examine how green roof gardens function as integrated ecological, social, and psychological infrastructures in hotel environments. It evaluates the extent to which rooftop green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability, enhance the guest experience, and foster community connections.

2. Literature Review

2.1. Environmental Performance

Green roofs intercept, retain, and delay stormwater, lowering peak flows and reducing combined sewer overflow risks [35,36]. Substrate porosity and plant uptake (followed by evapotranspiration) drive hydrologic performance; both vegetation and media also trap particulates, improving runoff quality and buffering acidity [37,38].

By providing shade, insulation, and thermal mass, green roofs cut conductive and radiant heat flux through roof assemblies, thereby lowering space-cooling loads and moderating winter heat loss [39,40,41,42]. In Greece, reported reductions in indoor temperature of up to 4 °C and cooling-energy savings from 2% to 48% (depending on vegetated coverage and design) point to strong relevance for Mediterranean hotels [43]. At the membrane level, vegetation dramatically reduces peak surface temperatures, lowering thermal aging; measurements in Toronto recorded ~25 °C on vegetated membranes versus ~70 °C on conventional roofs [44].

Vegetation captures airborne particulates and absorbs certain gaseous pollutants; indirect benefits stem from reduced cooling demand and associated powerplant emissions [22,45,46]. At the regional level, extensive vegetation installation on roofs contributes significantly to reducing the urban heat island effect in densely populated areas [23,41,47,48,49,50]. This effect is achieved through evapotranspiration and increased albedo, offering a significant side benefit for tourism economies that depend on maintaining thermal comfort conditions. At the same time, green roofs contribute to reducing air pollution, lowering cooling costs, and preventing acid rain by increasing pH (Potential of Hydrogen) values [22,23,41,51,52,53].

In addition, green roofs enhance urban water quality and reduce the risk of flooding, as they can retain excess water. At the same time, they create improved ecological habitats that support both urban biodiversity and wildlife, while contributing to the absorption of noise pollution in metropolitan areas [23,54].

The absorptive properties of substrate and vegetation, along with diffraction across planted edges, can reduce transmitted and environmental noise, improving the acoustic environment for guestrooms and rooftop venues [55,56]. This is salient for hotels near busy roads, rail corridors, or flight paths.

Green roofs play a key role in improving the energy performance of buildings, as they contribute to energy savings through enhanced thermal insulation, shade, and evapotranspiration. These functions lead to a significant improvement in the overall thermal performance of building structures, while also improving indoor thermal comfort conditions [23,52,57,58]. In particular, during the summer period, the use of green roofs can reduce heat flow through the roof by up to 80%, which means a reduction in annual energy consumption due to the minimization of the temperature difference between the indoor and outdoor environments [22,23,41,47,49,59,60].

Beyond the energy dimension, green roofs offer particular advantages regarding rainwater management. Their ability to absorb and retain rainwater reduces the burden on existing drainage systems, helping to improve their functionality and save on maintenance costs for the relevant infrastructure. Therefore, green roofs are a comprehensive strategic intervention with multiple benefits, both in terms of energy efficiency and urban sustainability [22,23,47,54].

2.2. Social, Psychological, and Community Outcomes

Green roof gardens create restorative settings that support stress reduction, attention restoration, creativity, and prosocial behavior; they also catalyze informal social contact [31]. In hotels, these spaces can elevate guest satisfaction, lengthen dwell time, and reinforce brand narratives around wellness and sustainability. On the neighborhood scale, publicly accessible or programmatically shared hotel roof gardens can host cultural events, small markets, or educational activities, strengthening community ties and urban social infrastructure.

Green roofs are associated not only with environmental and energy benefits but also with significant social and economic implications [20,61]. Although the social outcomes have not been subjected to the same level of analytical investigation as a result of the difficulty of quantifying social impacts in measurable numerical values [20], in most cases the attention is focused on the community as the main—or even the only—stakeholder involved in the process [25,54].

Specifically, the social and economic benefits contribute to improving air quality, provide spaces for recreation and urban agriculture, and enhance the sound insulation of buildings [22,47,54,62,63]. In addition, green infrastructure is widely recognized as a source of recreational opportunities [62], which is associated with multiple benefits for physical and mental health [54,62]. It has been documented that green roofs promote people’s physical and psychological wellbeing, encourage physical activity, strengthen social relationships, reduce stress levels, and limit exposure to environmental hazards, enhancing overall human welfare [50,54,64].

The association between green roofs and recreational activities, although not systematically quantified, is often mentioned in the academic literature [54]. In addition, green roofs can be used as spaces for educational and recreational activities, as well as for restoration and revitalization [5,61]. In particular, their potential to support physical activity through gardening, walking, or other forms of exercise, such as outdoor gymnastics and yoga, is highlighted [62]. It is argued that green roofs can partially compensate for the limited availability of recreational opportunities “on the ground,” which is linked to the lack of walkable streets, gyms, and parks [62].

Although intensive systems entail higher capital costs (structure, soils, and irrigation) than bare roofs, studies indicate longer membrane lifespans and meaningful operational savings, especially in cooling-dominated climates [40,44]. Comparative work in Seoul suggests that while rooftop farms may carry higher total costs than ornamental gardens, both can outperform conventional roofs in lifecycle terms; perceived public support for green roofs in dense urban settings is high (>80% in one survey) [65]. For luxury hotels, added revenue streams (events, F&B—Food and Beverage, and wellness programming) and reputational gains can further improve the business case. Moreover, green roofs can be accompanied by tax incentives and rebates, as local authorities or organizations may offer financial assistance or discounts as part of sustainability initiatives. These measures effectively help offset the installation costs [22]. Finally, in some areas, green roofs can contribute to compliance with regulatory requirements related to sustainability and environmental standards. This prevents the imposition of potential fines or other penalties [22].

From ancient precedents—such as Mesopotamian ziggurats and the Hanging Gardens—to vernacular sod roofs in Northern Europe, vegetated roofs have a long lineage [15,66,67]. Mediterranean traditions of seasonal shade with vines prefigure modern bioclimatic concepts. Twentieth-century modernism (e.g., Le Corbusier) re-centered the roof as an occupiable plane; contemporary green roof technologies refine these legacies with reliable membranes, root barriers, and engineered substrates, making them more durable and scalable than their historical counterparts [67].

The social benefits of green roofs, especially in terms of recreation, esthetics, and psychological wellbeing, are equally remarkable [5,50]. Planting variety can create attractive landscapes on roofs, providing unique recreational spaces for citizens. The addition of color elements enhances the esthetic value and upgrades the visual quality of the city’s “fifth facade” [22,50]. An empirical study in Helsinki (Finland) showed that visitors to a green roof with sparse vegetation recognized multiple benefits, such as rejuvenation, esthetic enjoyment, excitement, and attractiveness of the space [5]. At the same time, rooftop gardens can serve as places for mental relaxation and energy recovery, offering psychological restoration to workers experiencing high levels of stress. Finally, green spaces on rooftops enhance social interaction, providing citizens with areas for collective activities [5,50].

The literature underscores recurrent failure modes: inadequate root barriers, poor detailing at penetrations, insufficient drainage, under-engineered wind resistance, and inaccessible maintenance zones [13,29]. Overreliance on reflective pavers can exacerbate glare and heat, undermining usability [32]. Water features without automatic level control are vulnerable to pump damage from evaporation losses in hot, windy conditions [32]. Heavy, monolithic furnishings and dense hardscape clusters can overload slab zones and visually “weigh down” the landscape [29]. Conversely, lightweight, modular furnishings and plant-led spatial definition tend to perform better structurally and experientially.

Green spaces on roofs have the potential to increase property value [22,50]. For example, in Quebec, Canada, it has been shown that the presence of green landscaping can significantly increase the value of a home, with green roof systems being a particularly attractive strategy for upgrading landscaped courtyards. Furthermore, research data show that the added value to buildings varies depending on the type of green roof: an extensive system can increase the value by 2–5%, while an intensive system can offer an increase of 5–8%. Consequently, the adoption of green roofs can serve as a strong incentive for builders and owners to pursue higher economic returns [22,50].

For five-star hotels in Greece, the Mediterranean climate presents both opportunities (long outdoor season, strong solar resource, and biophilic tourism demand) and challenges (summer heat, wind exposure, and seasonal water stress). The evidence base for thermal and hydrologic performance—combined with demonstrated psychosocial benefits—supports hotel roof gardens as multi-benefit assets. Yet, targeted studies in operational hospitality settings remain comparatively scarce. Beyond generic demonstrations of energy or runoff reduction, the sector would benefit from empirical research on guest wellbeing metrics, operational KPIs—Key Performance Indicators (occupancy, ADR—Average Daily Rate, and RevPAR—Revenue Per Available Room uplift linked to rooftop amenities), biodiversity indices, and community engagement outcomes specific to hotel typologies in Mediterranean cities and islands.

Beyond the economic dimension, the wider application of green roofs can create new employment opportunities in the fields of architecture and engineering, such as in design, construction, and maintenance [50]. According to one study, renovating 50% of the buildings in an area could lead to the creation of 1374 new jobs over a ten-year period. At the same time, research conducted in a residential area in western Turkey showed that converting all the roofs of an apartment complex into green roofs could further boost employment. Although the available data on employment and income remain limited, studies and research activities on green roofs contribute to job retention and employment growth in government and academic institutions [50].

Cumulatively, the literature affirms that well-designed green roofs deliver (a) hydrologic, thermal, acoustic, ecological, and air-quality gains, (b) social and psychological benefits that are non-trivial and highly pertinent to hospitality user experience, and (c) lifecycle economics that can be favorable, particularly when membrane longevity, energy savings, and programmatic revenues are considered.

3. Methods

3.1. Research Approach

This study adopts a qualitative research design aimed at understanding how green roof gardens function as environmental, social, and psychological assets within the hospitality sector. A qualitative approach was selected because the phenomena under investigation—guest experience, ecological performance, and community interaction—require interpretive analysis rather than quantitative measurement. This design allows the study to explore not only the physical characteristics of hotel green roofs but also the meanings, uses, and perceived benefits associated with them [68].

3.2. Data Sources

Two complementary sources of data were used:

Secondary Data: A systematic literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, environmental guidelines, and international sustainability standards published between 2015 and 2025. Search engines included Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Keywords such as “green roof hotels,” “urban rooftop gardens,” “eco-hospitality,” “green infrastructure and wellbeing,” and “community engagement through green roofs” guided the search. Sources were selected based on

• Relevance to ecological, social, or psychological impacts of green roofs;
• Demonstrated methodological quality;
• Applicability to hospitality or dense urban contexts;
• Geographical breadth to allow cross-context comparisons;
• Reports from international organizations [69,70,71,72,73,74,75];
• National and international standards on green infrastructure and sustainable buildings.

Primary Data: Direct field observations were conducted at ten hotels with functioning green roof gardens, including selected five-star hotels in Greece and additional international cases. Selection criteria included

• Verified implementation of a green roof system;
• Accessibility of rooftop areas;
• Representation of varied climates and design approaches;
• Availability of architectural or operational documentation.

3.3. Observation Protocol

Observations were conducted following a structured protocol designed to capture environmental, social, and psychological dimensions of hotel green roof gardens. During each visit, the researcher systematically examined key environmental features such as the type of green roof system, substrate depth, plant species selection, shading structures, wind-buffering elements, and the presence of water features or irrigation mechanisms. At the same time, attention was given to social aspects, including how guests moved through the space, the kinds of activities supported, the accessibility and arrangement of seating areas, and the extent to which the rooftop facilitated interaction or provided zones of privacy. Psychological and sensory qualities were also documented, focusing on visual connections to the surrounding cityscape, acoustic comfort, natural lighting, seasonal planting characteristics, and biophilic design elements. Notes, photographs, and structured observation sheets were collected to ensure consistency across cases. While no formal interviews were conducted, informal impressions of guest behavior—such as dwell time, relaxation patterns, and responses to the space—were recorded to contextualize observed design-performance relationships. This protocol allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how design strategies translate into ecological performance, user experience, and overall rooftop functionality within the hospitality setting.

3.4. Data Analysis

Data was analyzed through thematic content analysis, following the procedures outlined by [68,76].

The process included the following:

• Coding: All observation notes and literature excerpts were coded into categories representing environmental, social, and psychological dimensions.
• Pattern Identification: Recurrent design strategies, guest behaviors, and environmental outcomes were identified across the ten cases.
• Cross-Case Synthesis: Greek hotel cases were compared with international examples to distinguish climate-specific needs, culturally shaped design choices, and widely applicable best practices.

Findings from observations were cross-checked with insights from the literature to strengthen validity and mitigate bias [68,76].

3.5. Limitations

The qualitative and observational nature of the study limits the ability to generalize findings city-wide or internationally. Quantitative measurements (e.g., temperature logging, biodiversity counts, and energy-use monitoring) were not collected. Additionally, variation among hotel types and climatic settings introduces contextual differences that may influence outcomes. Nevertheless, the triangulated methodological framework supports a robust interpretive understanding of how green roof gardens operate in hospitality environments [68,76].

4. Results

4.1. Best-Practice Snapshots from International and Greek Contexts

Cross-case result: When planting structure and microclimate tactics are tuned to creating view corridors and programming, hotels realize concurrent gains in guest satisfaction, amenity utilization, and operational flexibility while preserving envelope integrity. In Mediterranean climates, drought-tolerant species, wind control, and glare-smart surfaces are decisive for year-round performance. Observations at emblematic International (

Table 1. Case studies of hotel roof gardens: environmental, social, and psychological dimensions.

Hotel/Location	Design Features	Environmental Benefits	Social and Recreational Benefits	Psychological/Esthetic Benefits	Key Insights
Hotel Diana Roof Garden, Rome	Furnished terrace garden above Ter-mini Station; Mediterranean planting; panoramic city views.	Enhances micro-climate and air quality through vegetation and evapotranspiration.	Serves as a social and dining space encouraging re-laxation and interaction.	Provides serenity and sensory pleasure through biophilic design and visual connection to cityscape.	Demonstrates how compact green roofs can significantly improve guest satisfaction and urban wellbeing.
Atlante Star Hotel—Les Etoiles Roof Garden, Rome	Rooftop restaurant and café; Mediterranean flowers and aromatic herbs; open-air design with city views.	Regulates rooftop temperature; improves air quality and microclimate.	Functions as a culinary landmark and leisure space, enhancing urban hospitality.	Creates emotional uplift through color, scent, and visual harmony with Roman monuments.	Exemplifies how green roofs in heritage cities merge ecology, culture, and luxury tourism.
The Merchant Hotel—Absolute Roof Garden, Belfast, Ireland	Apple trees and seasonal planting; retractable roof for all-weather use; event venue.	Increases biodiversity and re-duces stormwater runoff in temperate climate.	Hosts private events and social gatherings, fostering community engagement.	Provides restorative experiences and connection to local landscape views.	Illustrates adaptive green roof use in northern climates integrating heritage and hospitality.
InterContinental Dhaka, Bangladesh	Landscaped terraces and rooftop gardens; vertical greenery integrated in renovation.	Reduces urban heat gain and assists in rainwater management.	Offers shade leisure areas and visual greenery in a dense urban corridor.	Promotes relaxation and wellbeing through passive cooling and vegetation.	Reflects emerging South Asian trend linking luxury hospitality and urban greening.
Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City, Cairo, Egypt	Green terraces and shaded pool decks; vegetated rooftop zones.	Lowers solar heat loads; reduces cooling energy consumption.	Provides shaded recreational and social zones in hotarid environment.	Enhances thermal comfort and relaxation for guests.	Confirms research linking intensive green roofs with thermal comfort improvements in arid cities.
The Grand Hotel Taipei, Taiwan	Heritage structure with landscaped terraces and rainwater recycling systems.	Stabilizes building microclimate; reduces energy loads.	Encourages outdoor relaxation and cultural appreciation of native flora.	Promotes mindfulness through nature immersion and scenic views.	Aligns with Taiwan’s green building initiatives and sustainable campus programs.
The Peninsula Shanghai, China	Ornamental roof gardens and drought-tolerant vegetation along Bund façade.	Supports stormwater retention and habitat creation; improves energy efficiency.	Hosts high-end events blending leisure with sustainability themes.	Combines esthetic elegance with environmental awareness.	Demonstrates integration of green roofs into corporate environmental management systems.

) and Greek (

Table 2. Synthesis of Greek hotel rooftop gardens: design moves and observed outcomes.

Hotel/Location	Urban Context/View Logic	Green and Microclimate Moves	Primary Programming	Observed Outcomes (Guest/Ops)	Replicability Notes
Hotel Grande Bretagne, Athens, Greece	Syntagma axis; heritage vistas (Acropolis, Parliament)	Layered planting, pergolas, wind buffering, glare control	All-day dining, evening F&B	Longer dwell time; perceived exclusivity; acoustic moderation	Prioritize root-safe details at penetrations; glare-aware hardscape palette
Hilton Athens—Galaxy, Athens, Greece	Skyline/ridge views (Lycabettus → Saronic)	Modular planters, wind screens, flexible shade	Mixology, sunset service, events	High event adaptability; comfort despite exposure	Favor lightweight assemblies; maintain clear egress for event loads
Electra Palace, Thessaloniki, Greece	Waterfront/urban square; Olympus axis	Mediterranean planting, shaded seating, seasonal interest	Breakfast–dinner, café/bar	Day-long activation; restorative ambience	Select salt/wind-tolerant species; integrate permeable paving

) properties illustrate how roof gardens translate the literature’s benefits into operational, guest-facing outcomes.

4.1.1. International Hotel Cases

Hotel Diana Roof Garden, Rome, Italy. Located just 200 m from Rome’s Termini Station, the Diana Roof Garden offers an elevated urban retreat above the dense rooftops of the city. The space features a furnished garden terrace that serves as a venue for breakfast and light dining, providing guests with panoramic views of the Roman skyline. The garden integrates ornamental planting and Mediterranean vegetation, which enhances both the esthetic and microclimatic quality of the terrace. Its design prioritizes visual connection with the surrounding architecture, creating a tranquil refuge within the city center. For guests, the experience combines culinary pleasure, visual serenity, and sensory stimulation, reflecting the psychological and social benefits associated with biophilic hospitality design. The terrace’s popularity among visitors highlights how even compact green roof systems can meaningfully improve guest satisfaction and urban wellbeing [77].

Atlante Star Hotel—Les Etoiles Roof Garden, Rome, Italy. Perched atop the Atlante Star Hotel, the Les Etoiles Roof Garden embodies a sophisticated blend of luxury dining, landscape design, and sensory immersion. The garden restaurant and La Terrazza Paradiso Café showcase Mediterranean flowers and aromatic herbs, whose seasonal colors and fragrances create a dynamic and multisensory environment. The rooftop’s design emphasizes visual harmony with the cityscape, offering uninterrupted views of Rome’s domes and monuments. Its vegetation palette and open-air configuration provide a cooling effect during summer months and contribute to improved air quality and microclimate regulation. Functionally, the space operates as both a culinary landmark and a restorative retreat, where guests experience emotional uplift and esthetic delight. The design demonstrates how green roofs in heritage cities can strengthen the dialog between architecture, ecology, and urban culture, while supporting the hospitality industry’s commitment to environmental and experiential sustainability [78].

The Merchant Hotel—Absolute Roof Garden, Belfast, Ireland. The Absolute Roof Garden at the Merchant Hotel in Belfast represents a distinctive model of adaptive rooftop greening in a temperate climate. Designed as a year-round event and leisure space, the garden features apple trees and seasonal plantings that transform the terrace into a living urban oasis amidst the city’s historic fabric. Overlooking Skipper and Warring Streets, the terrace provides striking views of Black Mountain and Cave Hill, the latter said to have inspired Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels. A fully retractable roof structure allows flexible use under varying weather conditions, ensuring comfort and usability throughout the year. The design integrates ecological diversity with functional hospitality programming, hosting private gatherings and social events that enhance both community engagement and psychological wellbeing. The Merchant’s roof garden exemplifies how green infrastructure in northern European cities can merge cultural heritage, social vitality, and environmental performance within the hospitality sector [79].

InterContinental Dhaka, Bangladesh. The InterContinental Dhaka, one of the city’s premier five-star hotels, integrates green roof and landscaped terrace elements within its modernist renovation (2018). The design includes roof gardens and vertical greenery to offset urban heat and enhance guest wellbeing in the dense Mirpur–Mohammadpur corridor. These green spaces also serve as rainwater buffers, supporting the city’s flood-prone infrastructure. The hotel exemplifies how luxury properties in South Asia are incorporating rooftop horticulture and passive cooling strategies consistent with Dhaka’s emerging urban agriculture initiatives [80].

Kempinski Nile Hotel Garden City, Cairo, Egypt. Located along the Nile Corniche, the Kempinski Nile Hotel features green terraces and rooftop planting that mitigate high solar loads in Cairo’s hotarid climate. Vegetated areas on upper decks and shaded pool terraces reduce ambient temperatures, contributing to lower cooling energy consumption. The project aligns with research findings [81] indicating that intensive green roof systems in low- to mid-rise hotels can significantly improve thermal comfort and reduce urban heat island intensity.

The Grand Hotel Taipei, Taiwan. The Grand Hotel Taipei, an iconic heritage property, integrates traditional roof gardens and landscaped terraces into its sprawling site overlooking the Keelung River. Renovation and sustainability programs supported by Taiwan’s Sustainable Campus and Green Building initiatives introduced native plant species and rainwater recycling systems on its upper terraces. Temperature monitoring confirms the building’s microclimate stabilization and reduced energy loads, consistent with observed outcomes from local studies [82,83].

The Peninsula Shanghai—The grand Sir Elly’s Terrace, China. The Peninsula Shanghai incorporates ornamental green roof gardens and terrace vegetation along its Bund façade and rooftop event areas. The gardens combine ornamental planting with drought-tolerant species, enhancing energy efficiency while providing ecological and esthetic value. As part of the hotel’s environmental management system, these spaces support stormwater retention, habitat creation, and guest wellbeing, aligning with China’s broader urban ecological strategies [84,85].

4.1.2. Greek Hotel Cases

Hotel Grande Bretagne, Syntagma, Athens, Greece. Located at Syntagma Square in the historic heart of Athens, the Hotel Grande Bretagne Roof Garden exemplifies the integration of luxury hospitality with urban biophilic design. The elegant rooftop restaurant and bar offer uninterrupted panoramic views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus Hill, and the Hellenic Parliament, combining esthetic appeal with a refined culinary experience. The garden design features ornamental planting, pergolas, and shaded dining terraces that not only enhance visual quality but also moderate the microclimate by reducing glare, filtering wind, and improving thermal comfort. These landscape interventions extend the usability of the terrace year-round, while simultaneously minimizing noise intrusion from the busy square below. Observed outcomes include increased guest dwell time, particularly during evening hours, and a distinct sense of atmospheric exclusivity associated with the views and ambient lighting. The roof garden also contributes to the hotel’s environmental sustainability goals through passive cooling effects and supports its brand identity as a landmark of Athenian heritage and elegance [86].

Hilton Athens—Galaxy, Ilisia, Athens, Greece. Situated on the 13th floor of the Hilton Athens, the Galaxy Bar and Restaurant represents a cosmopolitan interpretation of the contemporary green rooftop terrace. Overlooking panoramic views that stretch from Lycabettus Hill and the Acropolis to the Saronic Gulf, the venue combines biophilic design principles with luxury hospitality and vibrant social programming. The terrace incorporates curated planting pockets, lightweight modular planters, and transparent wind screens that maintain unobstructed skyline views while improving thermal and wind comfort. The landscape composition subtly guides circulation across seating zones, enhancing both guest flow and spatial coherence. Programming focuses on sunset dining, mixology, and evening entertainment, accompanied by ambient music selected by professional DJs (Disc jockey). This dynamic use of space exemplifies how green design elements can coexist with social vibrancy, contributing to environmental sustainability and psychological wellbeing through multisensory engagement. The Galaxy terrace demonstrates that even within the structural constraints of high-rise architecture, lightweight green infrastructure can generate tangible biophilic and experiential value, while maintaining operational flexibility for hospitality events [87].

Electra Palace Thessaloniki, Aristotelous Square, Thessaloniki, Greece. Overlooking Aristotelous Square and the Thermaic Gulf, the Electra Palace Thessaloniki exemplifies the fusion of heritage architecture and contemporary green hospitality design. Its neoclassical façade, inspired by Byzantine esthetics, opens to an elegant interior that culminates in the “Horizontes” Roof Garden Bar-Restaurant, one of the city’s most distinctive elevated spaces. Operating from early morning until late evening, the terrace supports all-day hospitality, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner experiences accompanied by panoramic views of Mount Olympus, the sea, and the urban skyline. The rooftop garden combines Mediterranean vegetation, shaded seating areas, and strategic planting compositions that provide color variation, fragrance, and seasonal interest. Plant selection focuses on salt-tolerant and wind-resistant species, well-suited to the coastal climate of Thessaloniki, while varying substrate depths accommodate diverse root systems. This design strategy enhances microclimatic comfort and promotes biodiversity within a dense urban fabric. Beyond its ecological contribution, the garden fosters social interaction and psychological restoration. Guests experience a sense of calm and wellbeing through the interplay of natural materials, sea breezes, and expansive views—qualities that reinforce the hotel’s identity as a serene urban retreat and contribute to the broader sustainability agenda of the hospitality sector [88].

4.2. Green Roofs and Environmental Benefits

Green roofs have proven to be effective instruments for enhancing urban sustainability through vegetation-based ecological services. Rooftop cultivation of vegetables and herbs represents a growing trend in urban agriculture, addressing the scarcity of open land in cities and improving local food resilience [89]. These systems complement large-scale agriculture by promoting localized food production, reducing food transport emissions, and supporting urban biodiversity [90,91]. Cities worldwide—including Bologna, Chicago, Hong Kong, and Tokyo—demonstrate that rooftop cultivation can produce more than 20% of urban vegetable needs [92]. However, success depends on available space, substrate innovation, and effective irrigation and maintenance strategies [93].

Table 3. Current challenges for rooftop vegetable production and improvement strategies [93].

Challenge	Improvement Strategy
Biodiversity	Create microhabitats and diversify plant species.
Substrate	Develop lightweight mixes with high moisture and nutrient retention.
Irrigation	Use moisture sensors and rain-responsive systems.
Maintenance	Schedule regular inspections and harvests.
Nutrient management	Adopt fertilizer plans for balanced plant growth.
Pest control	Favor biological control and early detection.
Pollination	Integrate native pollinator species.
Water management	Integrate native pollinator species.

summarizes current challenges and strategies to improve environmental performance.

Environmental benefits of rooftop agriculture include the following:

• Stormwater retention and improved runoff quality;
• Urban heat island mitigation and energy savings through thermal insulation;
• Habitat creation for pollinators and birds;
• Improved air quality through CO₂ absorption and oxygen generation.

4.3. Social Benefits and Community Integration

Green roofs serve as social interfaces, connecting people with nature and with each other in dense urban environments. When designed for accessibility, they foster informal gatherings, cultural events, and community participation, thus reinforcing social cohesion [94]. In hospitality settings, roof gardens extend beyond an environmental function to become interactive spaces—venues for dining, entertainment, and relaxation that strengthen social bonds among guests and residents alike. At Hotel Grande Bretagne, the roof terrace functions as a meeting point that bridges local culture with international visitors through food and views. Similarly, Hilton Athens transforms its garden terrace into a social hub for events, while Electra Palace Thessaloniki supports communal engagement through public-facing activities and panoramic dining spaces. These examples show how green roof gardens can transform hotels into social landmarks, reinforcing their cultural role within the city. Urban agriculture components on rooftops—such as herb gardens used in hotel kitchens or school visitation programs—offer educational and participatory opportunities [93]. They encourage understanding of food cycles and sustainability, linking hospitality operations with broader community awareness. Hotels adopting these practices embody corporate social responsibility by supporting local ecology and culture through visible, living systems. Findings show that hotel rooftop gardens can serve as valuable community assets. In several cases, rooftops supported public-facing events such as cultural programs, culinary experiences, and social gatherings, thereby opening hotel spaces to local residents. At Hilton Athens, programming around sunset dining and entertainment strengthened the hotel’s role as a cultural node within the city. In Thessaloniki, the Electra Palace roof garden’s visibility from the waterfront and central square positioned it as an informal urban landmark, increasing public engagement and contributing to the social vitality of the area. These examples demonstrate how rooftop gardens enhance community cohesion, functioning as accessible, interactive leisure spaces within dense urban environments. Hotels thus become contributors to neighborhood life, rather than isolated commercial entities.

Roof gardens frequently act as meeting places that strengthen community cohesion. They provide pleasant, relaxing settings that evoke feelings of joy, comfort, and tranquility [94]. When properly designed, they encourage social interaction—residents may meet casually, share gardening duties, or participate in organized cultural or wellness events. The spatial layout can significantly influence these dynamics: designers who include communal seating areas, shaded lounges, or small group zones can foster vibrant community life on rooftops [95].

In addition, playing is a vital component of childhood development, supporting cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth [96]. Yet, with increased urban density and digital entertainment, opportunities for outdoor playing have sharply declined. Well-designed roof gardens—if sufficiently spacious—can include safe and engaging playing areas, enabling children to interact with nature in an otherwise built-up environment [95]. Such spaces also encourage family interaction, offering parents and children meaningful shared experiences that reinforce emotional bonds and wellbeing. Overall, roof gardens function as multifunctional recreational environments that support relaxation, health, and social connection. They can host yoga sessions, cultural events, outdoor dining, light exercise, and children’s play, all of which enhance mental resilience and social vitality. These activities align with global public health objectives promoting greener, more active urban lifestyles [71]. Green roof gardens contribute not only to environmental sustainability but also to social wellbeing and recreational enrichment. By enabling contact with nature, facilitating community engagement, and promoting active lifestyles, they transform underused roof spaces into inclusive, health-promoting environments. In the context of hospitality and tourism, such spaces offer hotels and resorts unique opportunities to combine leisure, education, and sustainability, creating meaningful experiences that benefit both guests and the wider urban community.

4.4. Psychological Benefits and Wellbeing

Access to rooftop gardens contributes to stress reduction, mental restoration, and esthetic pleasure [7]. Users describe feelings of calmness, joy, and renewed energy when engaging with these elevated natural spaces [5]. Studies suggest that even small-scale green roofs provide measurable restorative benefits, as observed in urban experiments in Helsinki, where participants reported strong feelings of peace and fascination [97,98].

Observations in Greek hotels reaffirm these findings:

• Hotel Grande Bretagne guests frequently describe the rooftop as a “serene escape” above the urban hustle and bustle;
• Hilton Athens leverages skyline views to evoke feelings of freedom and openness;
• Electra Palace Thessaloniki integrates greenery, water features, and natural light to create a tranquil atmosphere.

These cases exemplify how biophilic design in hospitality enhances guest satisfaction, mood, and overall wellbeing, supporting the growing body of research connecting greenery with positive psychological outcomes [21,99]. The central objective of the study was to understand how rooftop gardens influence psychological wellbeing. Observations revealed that guests consistently sought out rooftop spaces for restoration, emotional balance, and sensory engagement. Common behavioral indicators of psychological benefits included the following:

• Extended dwell time in shaded or green areas;
• Preference for quiet seating zones;
• Visible relaxation responses (slowed pace, lowered voice tone);
• Social bonding during shared rooftop experiences.

Design elements that most contributed to psychological wellbeing included

• Panoramic views of landmarks and natural features;
• Aromatic Mediterranean planting;
• Biophilic textures and natural materials;
• The interplay of wind, daylight, and seasonal vegetation.

These findings reinforce established theories of restorative environments, showing that even moderated exposure to natural elements at rooftop level can significantly improve mental wellbeing in hospitality settings. Moreover, rooftop greenery visible to residents in nearby buildings creates indirect psychological benefits, offering visual relief from the dense cityscape.

Urban expansion presents ongoing challenges for maintaining and enhancing high-quality green environments. Roof spaces offer valuable opportunities to reintroduce greenery into dense urban settings, contributing both to individual wellbeing and city sustainability. Although the environmental advantages of green roofs are well-documented, fewer studies have addressed their social and recreational benefits.

A notable investigation by Mesimaki et al. [5] explored the restorative potential of a small urban roof garden in Helsinki, Finland. The study engaged 178 participants, aged 20–70, who visited the green roof over four separate days under mild weather conditions. After a short indoor presentation, visitors spent time on the roof and completed self-assessment questionnaires based on the Perceived Restorativeness Scale [98,100]. Results revealed that even short visits produced significant positive effects: participants reported high levels of mental restoration, a sense of calm and safety, and strong esthetic appreciation of the urban–natural setting. Open-ended responses described emotions of joy, enthusiasm, serenity, and hope, confirming that even modest and accessible roof gardens can function as urban oases, offering respite from daily stress.

In modern cities where accessible public parks are declining due to spatial and economic constraints, well-designed green roofs can substitute or complement traditional recreation areas. With appropriate design, rooftops can host recreational, educational, and horticultural activities, partially fulfilling citizens’ need for contact with nature [101]. These environments not only enhance urban esthetics but also provide opportunities for horticultural therapy, which has proven beneficial in contexts such as hospitals, hotels, and schools. Access to roof gardens can also improve property values, boost productivity and creativity, and enhance job satisfaction by reducing stress levels [95,102].

Horticulture is among the most meaningful recreational activities that can occur on roof gardens. Gardening can be adapted for both children and elderly users, promoting participation, self-motivation, and enjoyment [103]. For children, such activities foster curiosity, learning, and environmental awareness, while for older adults they offer gentle physical exercise and social inclusion. Green roofs can also enrich environmental education through experiential learning. Many urban children grow up disconnected from food production and nature; visits to roof gardens that cultivate vegetables offer valuable hands-on understanding of agriculture and ecology [93].

Furthermore, lack of physical activity is recognized by the World Health Organization [32] as the fourth leading global mortality risk factor. Urban barriers—such as traffic congestion and the scarcity of parks—discourage active lifestyles. Research shows that access to green environments correlates strongly with higher levels of walking, exercise, and overall wellbeing [7]. By providing inviting, accessible outdoor spaces, roof gardens can motivate people of all ages to spend more time outdoors and engage in light exercise. This is particularly beneficial for older adults, for whom moderate activity contributes to cardiovascular, cognitive, and emotional health. Designers can incorporate paths for walking or jogging, open areas for yoga or stretching, and even small pools for aquatic exercise, depending on structural capacity and safety considerations.

4.5. Contribution to the Broader Urban Context

The study found that hotel roof gardens generate benefits that extend well beyond the boundaries of each property, contributing meaningfully to the broader urban environment. These elevated green spaces reinforce the city’s green infrastructure network and help moderate local microclimate extremes, particularly by reducing rooftop temperatures and improving surrounding thermal conditions. They also enhance the visual quality of the urban skyline, introducing vegetation into otherwise uniform built forms and providing residents with restorative visual greenery, even when viewed from adjacent buildings. In addition, rooftop gardens support biodiversity at elevated levels, creating small yet significant habitats for pollinators and birds. By offering additional accessible green spaces in dense urban settings, they help reduce the pressure placed on traditional ground-level parks. Collectively, these urban-level contributions position green roofs as valuable tools for sustainable urban development, complementing municipal strategies aimed at improving environmental resilience, ecological health, and public wellbeing.

4.6. Synthesis of Integrated Benefits

Analysis across all examined cases indicates that the most effective rooftop gardens are those in which environmental design, social programming, and psychological experience are deliberately and cohesively integrated. Successful hotel roof gardens aligned planting strategies with guest-use patterns, ensuring that vegetation not only supported microclimatic performance but also enhanced the experiential flow of the space. Their layouts demonstrated sensitivity to local climatic conditions and prioritized view corridors, maximizing comfort and visual engagement. Spatial organization remained flexible, allowing terraces to host diverse activities such as dining, recreation, cultural events, and leisure, while maintaining operational efficiency. Esthetic coherence rooted in local culture and landscape identity further strengthened the appeal and distinctiveness of these spaces. Taken together, the findings affirm that when thoughtfully planned and programmatically embedded, green roof gardens deliver holistic, multi-benefit value within hospitality environments, elevating both hotel operations and their contributions to the surrounding urban fabric. The combined results reveal that hotel green roof gardens operate as multifunctional systems integrating environmental, social, and psychological benefits (

Table 4. Integrated outcomes for the hospitality sector.

Dimension	Key Findings	Observed Outcomes in Hotels
Environmental Sustainability	Energy efficiency, microclimate moderation, biodiversity enhancement.	Lower cooling needs; improved esthetics; reduced noise and air pollution.
Social Interaction	Spaces for gathering, education, recreation, and community connection.	Stronger social cohesion; cultural and culinary events; brand differentiation.
Psychological Wellbeing	Restorative experiences and stress relief through biophilic design.	Enhanced guest satisfaction; sense of calm and exclusivity.

).

5. Discussion

In the contemporary era, as 54% of the global population resides in urban areas, a figure projected to reach 66% by 2050 [104], the accelerated pace of urbanization continues to increase pressure on food systems, natural resources, and environmental quality. Many cities worldwide face challenges such as the loss of green space, rising air temperatures, and intensified urban heat island effects. Within this context, green roofs have emerged as multifunctional infrastructures capable of addressing ecological, social, and psychological dimensions of urban sustainability.

The purpose of this study was to examine the environmental, social, and psychological benefits associated with the existence of green roofs in urban environments, with a particular focus on their implementation in the hospitality sector. Findings from the literature review indicate that green roof gardens generate multiple, interrelated advantages. Environmentally, they contribute to reducing roof and ambient air temperatures [105,106], absorbing CO₂ emissions and noise [107], and retaining rainwater, thus mitigating runoff impacts on urban infrastructure [105]. Vegetated roofs also support biodiversity, offering habitats for insects and birds, while enhancing the ecological balance of the urban fabric [45,108].

The replacement of bare roofs with vegetated surfaces significantly reduces heat transfer to buildings [109], lowers indoor temperature fluctuations, and improves air quality through pollutant absorption and carbon sequestration [110,111,112]. Moreover, the presence of greenery near occupied spaces fosters psychological comfort and mental restoration, promoting relaxation and emotional stability [113].

Beyond environmental performance, the social and psychological benefits of green roofs are substantial. As previous studies indicate, roof gardens reduce stress and negative affect [7,95], enhance concentration and vitality, and function as spaces of recreation, contemplation, and community connection [8,94]. By providing accessible contact with nature in dense urban settings, they help mitigate the psychological fatigue associated with modern city life and improve collective wellbeing. Properly designed roof gardens also act as social catalysts, encouraging informal encounters, cultural exchange, and leisure activities [5].

Physically, green roofs contribute to thermal moderation through natural mechanisms:

• The thermal mass effect, which stores and releases heat;
• Plant evapotranspiration, which cools the surface;
• Soil layering, which enhances insulation and regulates humidity [15].

These processes reduce building cooling loads while maintaining winter energy efficiency. At the same time, roof gardens serve as valuable open spaces for recreation, education, and horticultural activities—functions that are increasingly essential in dense urban contexts [101].

Within the hospitality industry, these insights acquire particular significance. The study confirms that green roof gardens in hotels serve as vital infrastructures that

• Advance environmental sustainability by mitigating heat, managing water, and supporting biodiversity;
• Foster social engagement through shared spaces, cultural interaction, and educational value;
• Promote psychological wellbeing by offering sensory, esthetic, and emotional restoration.

In hotel settings, these outcomes turns ecological design into tangible guest experiences and community value, positioning hotels as active agents of sustainable urban transformation. Over the past two decades, the global significance of roof gardens has grown substantially. From North America to Europe, green roofs are now integral to sustainable architecture, reflecting an increased awareness of the need to integrate ecological resilience, social wellbeing, and esthetic quality into urban design. They extend roof lifespans, reduce operational costs, and contribute to the creation of restorative, human-centered environments that enhance urban livability.

In this study’s methodological framework, a holistic approach was applied to link ecological, social, and psychological dimensions. The research highlights practical strategies and policy pathways that can guide sustainable tourism development and urban regeneration. By aligning environmental performance with human experience, hotel roof gardens emerge as dynamic catalysts for ecological balance, community engagement, and wellbeing in contemporary cities.

Empirical observation from Greek case studies—such as the Hotel Grande Bretagne (Athens), Hilton Galaxy Bar (Athens), and Electra Palace (Thessaloniki)—underscores how design details can optimize both environmental and experiential value.

Key implications include the following:

• Design for the view, buffer the wind: Preserve signature vistas (e.g., Acropolis, Aegean Sea, or Mount Olympus) while incorporating transparent wind screens, pergolas, and shaded niches. These features extend usability across seasons and support guest comfort without obstructing visual or sensory connection to the urban landscape;
• Lightweight green, heavy impact: Employ modular planters, lightweight soils, and mobile pergolas where structural loads are restricted. Concentrate deeper substrate only in selected zones for trees or shrubs to achieve visual hierarchy and shade with minimal engineering demand;
• Programming drives ecology: Integrate planting design with hospitality programming—culinary terraces featuring herbs and edibles, wellness decks with aromatic plants, or event lawns with seasonal color. Align ecological zones with the hotel’s brand identity and guest experience;
• Maintenance logic upfront: Incorporate concealed storage, hose connections, irrigation access, and safe service pathways from the design phase. Choose hardy, low-input Mediterranean species resilient to drought, heat, and coastal winds to ensure esthetic continuity and operational efficiency;
• Recreation through multi-functionality: Design flexible areas adaptable for yoga, social gatherings, outdoor dining, or informal play. Multifunctional layouts enhance social vitality and encourage spontaneous use by guests and community groups;
• Promote sensory diversity: Combine textures, fragrances, water features, and seasonal color changes to stimulate sensory engagement and reinforce the psychological benefits of natural contact—key for relaxation and stress reduction;
• Enhance accessibility and inclusivity: Ensure barrier-free access for all guests, including those with limited mobility or families with children. Inclusive design fosters a sense of belonging and strengthens the social function of roof gardens;
• Integrate recreation with sustainability education: Incorporate interpretive signage or guided activities (e.g., herb harvesting and eco-tours) that communicate the hotel’s sustainability practices, transforming leisure into learning experiences;
• Connect roof recreation with the city below: Where possible, visually and socially link rooftop spaces to surrounding landmarks and public realms—positioning hotels as active contributors to urban recreation networks and community wellbeing.

6. Conclusions

In an era where rapid urbanization continues to strain environmental resources and diminish accessible green space, green roofs offer a multidimensional solution capable of addressing ecological, social, and psychological challenges in dense urban settings. This study sets out to examine how green roof gardens function within the hospitality sector, particularly in hotel environments where guest experience, sustainability, and urban wellbeing intersect. Through a combined analysis of the international literature and observations in selected five-star Greek hotels, the research demonstrates that green roofs operate as multifunctional infrastructures that integrate environmental performance with human-centered design.

Findings indicate that vegetated rooftops substantially reduce heat gain, improve microclimatic comfort, enhance stormwater retention, and support biodiversity—even in compact or high-rise contexts. These environmental services are particularly valuable in Mediterranean climates, where summer heat, water stress, and dense urban forms intensify the need for passive cooling strategies and ecological resilience. At the same time, the study highlights the strong social and experiential contributions of rooftop gardens. When thoughtfully designed and programmatically integrated, green roofs become vibrant social landscapes that support dining, recreation, cultural events, and community engagement, thereby reinforcing hotel identity and enhancing the guest journey. The psychological benefits are equally significant: exposure to greenery, panoramic views, natural textures, and biophilic elements fosters mental restoration, reduces stress, and enhances overall emotional wellbeing.

The Greek hotel cases further illustrate how climate-responsive planting, lightweight systems, shade structures, and careful spatial organization can optimize both operational performance and visitor experience. These examples show that design decisions—such as wind buffering, view preservation, and modular planting—directly influence usability and guest satisfaction, confirming that the success of green roofs relies as much on experiential quality as on technical performance.

Overall, the study affirms that hotel roof gardens should not be viewed merely as esthetic additions but as strategic components of sustainable urban development. By bridging ecology, community, and wellbeing, they position hotels as active contributors to urban resilience and social vitality. While the qualitative nature of this research and its limited geographic scope present certain constraints, the insights generated provide valuable guidance for architects, planners, hotel managers, and policymakers seeking to integrate green infrastructure into hospitality and tourism frameworks.

While the study focuses on five-star hotels due to their financial capacity to implement high-quality and technically complex green roof systems, this choice also presents an important limitation concerning user engagement. Guests in luxury hospitality settings typically interact with rooftop gardens for relatively short periods—often limited to dining, leisure, or brief restorative experiences. This transient pattern of use differs substantially from the more continuous and prolonged exposure experienced by occupants of residential, public, or workplace buildings with green roofs. Consequently, the psychological, social, and community benefits observed in hotel contexts may manifest differently in environments where users engage with green roofs on a daily or long-term basis. Exploring this distinction can provide valuable insights into how the duration and frequency of contact influences the perceived and actual benefits of green roofs across building types and user demographics. Future research comparing hospitality settings with residential and public applications would therefore enhance understanding of the broader effectiveness and equity of green roof implementation. Nonetheless, the evidence presented here demonstrates that hotel green roof gardens hold significant promise as transformative, multifunctional spaces that enhance environmental sustainability, promote social cohesion, and support psychological health in contemporary urban environments.