Tourism, particularly in sensitive and fragile regions with rich heritage, is a vital factor for local sustainable development. However, irresponsible activities within this sector necessitate controlling negative environmental impacts through the design of Ecological Architecture (EA). This research focuses on developing a localized and integrated design framework for eco-hotels in Iran’s fragile and sensitive ecosystems. This framework simultaneously addresses two key components: minimizing environmental impacts (reducing the ecological footprint) and maximizing positive social contribution alongside promoting guests’ physical and psychological well-being. From an objective standpoint, this study is applied, and methodologically, it employed a mixed approach of content analysis (qualitative) and case study. Data were collected and analyzed through comprehensive literature reviews and comparative case-study analysis. The findings revealed that the sustainability of eco-hotels in Iran is founded upon five core principles (including site selection based on local ecology, material approach, resource management, and emphasis on socio-cultural dimensions). Beyond energy consumption reduction, the success of eco-hotels depends on integrating regenerative components (such as biophilic architecture and attention to indoor environmental quality) to ensure users’ psychological comfort. This framework positions the eco-hotel as an engine of local sustainable development, generating significant social and economic added value for host communities while preserving both environmental and cultural heritage. Furthermore, a research gap was identified regarding comprehensive evaluation frameworks for eco-hotels in Iran’s fragile ecosystems, warranting further investigation.