Best Outdoor Kids Play Design Ideas for Hotels & Resorts
sani resort outdoor adventure - bear grylls academy
Creating captivating and engaging outdoor play areas for children is essential for luxury hotels and resorts looking to attract families. Just like an innovative gym design or outdoor gym, a well-designed playground can enhance the guest experience and add tangible value to the property's leisure spaces offer.
We design all of the above and have a particular focus on the luxury hotel sector, where we see brands like Soneva, Six Senses Resorts, and One&Only Resorts leading from the front with their thoughtful kids club concepts that elevate a property’s appeal for families.
This guide explores a range of inspiring ideas for designing outdoor kids play areas in resorts that are safe, fun, and uniquely tailored to a luxury hospitality context.
1. Planning a Hotel or Resort Kids Play Area
Assessing Space and Budget
Before diving into kids leisure space design, it’s crucial to assess the available space and budget. This process requires more work as hotels and resorts need to determine the size and scope of the play area, considering factors like guest demographics and the resort’s overall theme.
What is the Unique Selling Point here? how is the facility going to be unique and differentiated, while also aligning with the relevant resort brand positioning?
For instance, Soneva Resorts often integrate large, sprawling play areas that blend seamlessly with their natural surroundings, while Six Senses focuses on eco-friendly and sustainable materials.
Space Utilization: Evaluate how the space can be maximized for various play activities without compromising safety. Consider multi-level play structures or combining different play zones for diverse experiences.
Budget Allocation: Balance cost with creativity. High-quality, durable materials might have a higher upfront cost but will last longer and require less maintenance.
Ensuring Safety and Accessibility
Safety is paramount in playground design. The play area should accommodate children of all ages and abilities, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.
Safety Standards: Adhere to local and international safety regulations. Use soft flooring materials, rounded edges on equipment, and non-toxic finishes to prevent injuries.
Accessibility: Include ramps, wide pathways, and accessible play structures to ensure all children can enjoy the space, regardless of physical abilities.
Emphasizing Outdoor Games and Activities
Outdoor play is not only fun but also crucial for children’s physical and mental development. Incorporate a variety of games and activities to keep kids engaged. Adding these features can make the resort a popular destination for families.
Physical Activity: Design areas that encourage climbing, running, and jumping. Structures like climbing walls, obstacle courses, and swings promote physical fitness.
Social Interaction: Create zones for group play, such as sandboxes, water tables, or large interactive games that encourage teamwork and socialization.
2. Developing Design Skills for a Successful Playground
Building In-House Design Skills
Investing in in-house design skills can give hotels and resorts a personalized touch in their playgrounds, ensuring the space aligns perfectly with the property’s brand and guest expectations.
Training Staff: Develop a team with skills in landscape architecture, child psychology, and play safety standards. This ensures a holistic approach to playground design.
Customization: Use in-house designers to tailor the playground to the resort’s unique theme, whether it’s a tropical paradise or an urban escape.
Hiring a Design Consultant
While in-house design can be beneficial, hiring a professional consultant like ourselves can provide expert guidance to enhance the property's appeal, especially for complex or large-scale projects. We can also bring a fresh dose of creative thinking that integrates smoothly into the resort brand design standards.
Expertise: Consultants bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, often having worked on diverse projects and understanding the latest trends and safety standards.
Efficiency: They can streamline the design process, help avoid costly mistakes, and ensure the playground is completed on time and within budget.
Creating a Best-in-class resort kids play area
Combining in-house skills and expert consultation can lead to the creation of a top-notch playground that stands out and becomes a highlight of the guest experience.
Collaboration: Foster a collaborative approach where in-house teams and consultants work together to blend creativity with practicality.
Unique Experiences: Aim to create unique, memorable play experiences that reflect the resort’s identity and appeal to both children and parents.
3. Outdoor Games and Activities in Hotels & Resorts
Incorporating Outdoor Games
Designing play areas that incorporate a variety of outdoor games helps keep children active and engaged, enhancing their overall resort experience. Incorporating a variety of outdoor games can make the resort a popular destination for families.
Interactive Games: Install games like giant chess, hopscotch, or tic-tac-toe boards. These not only entertain but also stimulate strategic thinking and coordination.
Sports Facilities: Include mini-golf, basketball courts, or soccer fields to encourage physical activity and cater to older children and teenagers.
Hands-On Play and Exploration
Encouraging hands-on play and exploration stimulates creativity and imagination, essential for child development.
Natural Play Elements: Use natural materials like sand, water, and wood. Soneva Resorts, for example, often integrate natural elements into their play areas to inspire exploration.
Interactive Features: Add sensory panels, musical instruments, and tactile surfaces that engage different senses and provide educational play opportunities.
Designing for All Ages and Abilities
A successful playground should cater to children of various ages and abilities, offering something for everyone.
Age-Specific Zones: Create different areas for toddlers, young children, and older kids, with age-appropriate activities and equipment.
Inclusive Play: Ensure play structures are accessible and inclusive, with features like easy-to-climb ramps and sensory play panels for children with different abilities.
4. Innovative Playground Features in Hotels and Resorts
Color and Sensory Surfaces
Incorporating vibrant colors and sensory surfaces into playground design can make the space more engaging and stimulating for children.
Colorful Designs: Use bright, cheerful colors to attract children and stimulate visual interest. Flooring, equipment, and structures can all be part of this colorful palette.
Sensory Play: Integrate sensory surfaces like textured panels, water features, or soft play areas that engage touch and hearing as well as sight.
Making Trees a Feature
Natural elements like trees can be central features in a play space, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Treehouses: Incorporate treehouses or elevated play areas that give children a sense of adventure and a unique perspective.
Shaded Play Areas: Use trees to provide natural shade, keeping play areas cool and comfortable, and protecting children from the sun.
Innovative Play Structures
Modern playgrounds can benefit from innovative structures that offer unique and engaging experiences.
Custom Designs: Develop custom play structures that reflect the property's theme, like pirate ships, castles, or jungle gyms.
Interactive Installations: Install interactive elements like climbing nets, balance beams, and kinetic sculptures that challenge and entertain children.
5. Water Play and Artistic Expression
Water Play Features
Water play can provide a refreshing way for kids to enjoy the outdoors, especially in warm climates.
Splash Pads: Incorporate splash pads or fountains that allow children to cool off and enjoy water safely without the need for a pool.
Water Tables: Install interactive water tables where kids can play and learn about the flow and movement of water.
Art Boards and Creative Spaces
Encouraging artistic expression is important for children's development and enjoyment.
Art Boards: Include wipe-clean art boards or easels where children can draw and paint, allowing them to express their creativity.
Craft Stations: Set up areas with supplies for crafts and building, fostering creativity and hands-on engagement.
Educational Playgrounds
Design playgrounds that are both fun and educational, combining play with learning opportunities.
Themed Areas: Create themed zones that teach about nature, science, or culture. For example, Six Senses Resorts often integrate educational themes into their kids’ clubs.
Interactive Learning: Install educational panels and interactive displays that provide information and activities related to the environment or local culture.
6. Designing Kids Play Facilities for Resorts using Whimsical Design Touches
Creating a Miniature World
Enchant children with a play area designed as a miniature world, sparking their imagination and sense of wonder.
Miniature Buildings: Design play structures as small-scale versions of castles, cottages, or cityscapes where kids can engage in imaginative play.
Fantasy Themes: Incorporate fantasy elements like fairy-tale gardens, dragon slides, or enchanted forests that transport kids to a magical world.
Themed Play Areas
Themed play areas can transform a standard playground into an extraordinary experience.
Adventure Themes: Create themes based on adventures, like jungle expeditions, underwater exploration, or space missions. One & Only Resorts often use thematic designs to captivate young guests.
Cultural Themes: Reflect the local culture or heritage in the playground design, offering children a fun way to learn about their surroundings.
Adding Whimsical Touches
Small whimsical touches can make a big difference in creating a unique and engaging play area.
Surprise Elements: Add unexpected elements like secret tunnels, playful sculptures, or hidden treasures that children can discover.
Interactive Features: Install features like talking tubes, musical stepping stones, or light-up paths that surprise and delight children.
7. Final Touches - Health and Safety Considerations
Multi-Purpose Playground Paving
Choosing the right playground surface is essential for safety and durability.
Soft Paving: Use soft, impact-absorbing surfaces like rubber or foam tiles to cushion falls and prevent injuries.
Durable Materials: Select materials that are weather-resistant and easy to clean, ensuring the playground remains safe and functional over time.
Maintenance and Upkeep
Regular maintenance is crucial to keep the playground safe, clean, and inviting.
Routine Inspections: Conduct regular safety inspections and maintenance checks to identify and address any issues promptly.
Cleanliness: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, especially in high-traffic areas, to ensure the health and safety of all users.
Creating a Fun and Functional Space
The final touches should balance fun and functionality, ensuring the playground is enjoyable and practical.
Balanced Design: Incorporate both active play areas and quiet spaces where children can relax and enjoy a slower pace.
Parental Comfort: Provide seating and shaded areas for parents to watch and interact with their children comfortably.
Conclusion
Designing an exceptional outdoor play area for hotels and resorts involves a blend of creativity, safety, and functionality. By incorporating these ten design ideas, luxury properties can create engaging and memorable play experiences that delight young guests and reassure parents.
From whimsical themes and innovative structures to educational and sensory play, the possibilities are endless for crafting playgrounds that reflect the unique character and values of the resort.
Whether integrating natural elements or providing opportunities for creative expression, a well-designed play area can significantly enhance the overall guest experience, making it a cherished part of any family vacation.
ESG and Sustainability initiatives in UK aparthotel brands
beyond aparthotels sustainable wellness UK
Seeking a sustainable stay without compromising on comfort? Aparthotel options offer the privacy and amenities of an apartment with the services of a hotel. Discover how UK aparthotels are championing eco-friendly practices that benefit both you and the planet.
Key Takeaways
UK aparthotels are embracing ESG strategies by integrating sustainable architecture, renewable energy, and low-impact operations to balance profitability and positive societal impact while fostering sustainable wellness with non-toxic materials and health-centric amenities.
Eco-friendly practices in modern aparthotels extend to energy-efficient designs and initiatives like double-insulated windows, using 100% renewable energy, and empowering guests to make sustainable choices during their stays to reduce ecological footprints.
Aparthotels contribute to local community success by hiring local employees, partnering with independent suppliers, supporting charity efforts, and enhancing guests’ health with wellness amenities like gyms, yoga studios, and eco-friendly dining options.
ESG strategy in UK aparthotels - well beyond just hotel rooms
In the realm of UK aparthotels, the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy is not just a set of checkboxes but a comprehensive approach to managing risks and opportunities that could impact long-term shareholder interests and societal well-being. These pillars, deeply rooted in the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, guide aparthotels in setting annual measurable objectives that strive for a balance between profitability and positive impact.
The commitment to social responsibility, echoed through these initiatives, reflects a belief that ethical business practices and shareholder growth are parallel paths rather than divergent ones.
environmental sustainability in aparthotels - fa more than your average hotel room
Aparthotels are increasingly focusing on reducing their carbon footprint. Some ways they are doing this include:
Integrating sustainable architecture, such as buildings fashioned from repurposed shipping containers
Harnessing renewable energy through solar panels
Using heat recovery systems to repurpose air conditioning excess into hot water systems
Using low energy and LED lighting
These efforts help make these properties more eco-friendly and contribute to reducing their average room emissions of 12.53kg CO2e.
In a move that marries direct consumer action with environmental stewardship, aparthotels like those partnering with Trees For Cities, pledge to plant a tree for every time customers book direct through their websites, thus embedding sustainability into the very act of reservation.
Room2 Hometels sustainable aparthotels UK
sustainable wellness in aparthotel brands UK
Encapsulating the essence of sustainable wellness, aparthotel brands in the UK are pioneering spaces with non-toxic materials and health-centric amenities. Beyond Aparthotels, for example, has taken a stance to create healthy, intelligent, and low-impact hospitality environments that cater to both corporate and leisure guests. Their commitment to carbon neutrality, zero waste, and chemical-free operations ensures that guests enjoy low toxicity spaces, reducing the environmental impact beyond the communities they serve.
This holistic approach to wellness goes beyond the physical space, encompassing partnerships with companies like Enhabit to build energy-efficient apartments, and a procurement policy that favors eco suppliers, such as the interior design company with strong sustainable ethics.
A Home Away from Home - not just a comfortable bed
The allure of aparthotels lies in their ability to replicate the comfort and convenience of a home environment, with guest reviews frequently praising the clean, comfortable beds as a positive aspect of the stay. This makes them an ideal choice for extended stays and business travelers. With amenities that surpass those of an average hotel room, guests can enjoy all the comforts of home with the added benefit of hotel-grade services, such as fully equipped kitchens and air-conditioned rooms with independent temperature control.
Business travelers find the best deals at serviced apartments in the city centre, particularly valuing their great location with close proximity to client offices and the train station, which reduces commute times and enhances productivity during relocation or prolonged business engagements in this prime location.
Sustainable Stays: Eco-Friendly Practices in Modern Aparthotels
Stepping into a modern aparthotel, one finds a haven of eco-friendly practices that extend well beyond the surface aesthetics. Some of these practices include:
Double-insulated windows
Low energy appliances
Efficient heating and cooling solutions
Eco flow air systems
Underfloor heating
Sensor lighting
Key card activated electricity supply
A commitment to 100% renewable energy from sustainable providers
These practices demonstrate a strong push for energy efficiency and sustainability.
These measures, together with the diligent separation and recycling of waste, spotlight an industry that is not merely accommodating guests but is actively preserving the environment for future generations.
ESG in aparthotel brands UK
Building a Greener Future - vicinity to a train station helps but that's not enough!
The blueprint for building a greener future is manifest in the sustainable interiors and eco-conscious designs of UK aparthotels. From refurbished spaces that give new life to recycled materials to energy-efficient lighting that brightens rooms with a reduced carbon footprint, these properties are tangible examples of sustainability in action.
The pursuit of environmental compliance is more than a trend, with properties like the Bankside aparthotel achieving an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating, underscoring a commitment to environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
With features such as energy use control, support for electric vehicles, and the sourcing of 100% renewable electricity, aparthotels are anchoring their operations in practices that benefit not just today’s traveler but tomorrow’s world.
Conscious Choices for Guests
Aparthotels empower guests to make conscious, eco-friendly choices throughout their stay. From the moment they step into their hotel rooms, visitors are surrounded by sustainable amenities like a comfortable bed with pillows filled with recycled material and biodegradable coffee capsules.
The integration of green energy sources for everyday use, from charging devices to powering entertainment systems, reflects a commitment to responsible consumption and a reduced ecological footprint.
This emphasis on sustainability extends to local exploration, with aparthotels providing information on nearby attractions within walking distance, encouraging guests to enjoy the area’s offerings while minimizing their carbon emissions.
Local Love: Aparthotels Supporting Communities and Economies
The influence of aparthotels stretches beyond their immediate premises, reaching into the heart of the communities they inhabit. By hiring local employees, aparthotels help to keep wealth circulating within the community, bolstering the local economy.
Partnerships with independent suppliers and active engagement with local businesses further solidify the role of aparthotels as economic catalysts, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both the properties and the regions they serve.
Boosting the Local Scene
Aparthotels often become cultural hotspots by fostering collaborations that boost the local scene. Initiatives such as pop-up bakeries or coffee shops in the lobby not only provide guests with unique experiences but also contribute to a thriving local commerce. Collaborations with local artisans, craftsmen, and designers enable aparthotels to offer authentic local experiences, from art classes to bespoke products that showcase the community’s talent.
By actively promoting local businesses on their platforms, aparthotels not only drive customer engagement but also play a key role in the economic prosperity of local vendors and service providers.
aparthotels UK sustainability ESG green building
Community and Charity Partnerships
The commitment of aparthotels to the community is further exemplified by their involvement in charity partnerships. Engaging in activities that range from financial contributions to encouraging employee volunteering and fundraising, aparthotels demonstrate their dedication to societal well-being.
By supporting local sports teams, planting trees, and hosting events for local business groups, aparthotels forge deep connections with the community, reinforcing their brand reputation and trust within the local regions.
Health and Wellness Amenities: Prioritizing Your Wellbeing
Prioritizing the health and well-being of their guests, aparthotels offer a diverse array of wellness services. From massages to tailored therapies, these establishments are dedicated to providing a holistic experience that caters to physical and mental rejuvenation. Beyond Aparthotels, in particular, has set a benchmark by providing spaces that nurture relaxation, nourishment, and physical fitness, with facilities such as:
gyms
yoga studios
swimming pools
spa and wellness centers
These facilities, including extra beds and wi fi, enhance the wellness quotient of the stay.
Fitness and Relaxation Facilities
For guests keen on maintaining their fitness regimens, aparthotels offer the convenience of on-site gym and fitness centers, ensuring that travel does not disrupt their exercise routines. Beyond the gym, swimming pools and communal areas serve as serene spaces where guests can relax and unwind, providing the perfect antidote to the day’s stresses.
Nourishing Body and Mind
Aparthotels extend their commitment to well-being through:
Eco-friendly and health-conscious dining options that cater to all dietary needs
The use of chemical-free cleaning processes for towels and bedding
The provision of organic product options
These contribute to a low-toxicity living environment that supports the health of guests.
Summary
The journey through the world of UK aparthotels reveals a sector that is not only adapting to the demands of modern travel but is pioneering the path to sustainability. From their ESG strategies aligned with global objectives to the embrace of local community engagement, these properties exemplify a commitment to a future where hospitality and environmental stewardship go hand in hand. As guests continue to seek out accommodations that align with their values, UK aparthotels stand as beacons of sustainable luxury, offering experiences that enrich both the traveler and the world they explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do aparthotels support local economies?
Aparthotels support local economies by hiring local employees, engaging with independent suppliers, and collaborating with local businesses, artisans, and designers. This boosts the local economy and creates a sense of community.
What are the key environmental initiatives undertaken by UK aparthotels?
UK aparthotels have implemented key environmental initiatives such as energy-efficient design, waste management, renewable energy use, and eco-friendly practices like recycling and water consumption reduction. This reflects their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Can staying at an aparthotel contribute to sustainability?
Staying at an aparthotel can contribute to sustainability by integrating practices such as the use of low energy appliances, renewable energy, and promoting local attractions within walking distance. It's a great way to support eco-friendly accommodations during your travels.
How do aparthotels ensure the wellness of their guests?
Aparthotels ensure the wellness of their guests by providing massages, tailored therapies, fitness facilities, eco-friendly dining options, and chemical-free cleaning processes. This helps guests maintain a healthy and comfortable stay.
What makes aparthotels a good choice for extended stays and business travelers?
Aparthotels are a great choice for extended stays and business travelers because they offer a comfortable, home-like environment with fully equipped kitchens and convenient proximity to client offices or business centers, enhancing productivity and convenience.
guide to sustainable hotel resort standards, certification ecolabels — biofilico wellness interiors
Hotels and resorts are linked to air and water pollution, consume considerable amounts of energy that may well be from fossil fuels, emit carbon, consume water and create various forms of waste. Here we provide an overview of the leading sustainability standards, certifications and ecolabels for hotels and resorts in the UK and Europe.
Understanding Sustainable Hotel Resort Standards and Certifications
Hotels and resorts are linked to air and water pollution, consume considerable amounts of energy that may well be from fossil fuels, emit carbon, consume water, and create various forms of waste. A hospitality business now needs to consider its environmental and social impact as well as its economic performance to be considered truly sustainable.
This applies to the planning, construction, design, and fit-out phases in a hotel’s lifecycle, as well as during the operational phase. Food services play a crucial role in maintaining sustainability standards, with food services managers ensuring top-quality food ingredients and preparation. Additionally, higher quality facilities and expanded facilities that meet sustainability criteria contribute to an overall better service quality.
Below, we outline our views as hospitality sustainability professionals on the most prominent sustainability standards, certifications, eco-friendly practices, and ecolabels that provide structure and guidance in minimizing a hotel or resort’s environmental impact.
As hotel sustainability consultants, we work with all of the below to some extent, and can align a hotel sustainability plan with one or more of these solutions, upon request, whether a formal sustainability certificate or annual ESG sustainability reporting is required or not. Increasingly, being on top of this topic is about risk management and reputation, in addition to the climate-related imperative!
Aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals
The 17 macro goals outlined by the United Nations in their SDGs are a global framework for tackling climate change and embracing sustainable development until 2030. These goals are vital for achieving a sustainable future and ensuring that economic development does not come at the cost of environmental degradation.
Not all of these goals relate directly to hotels and resorts, but most do, and many of the goals are interconnected. For instance, reducing energy consumption and improving energy efficiency are crucial aspects that align with these goals.
SDG 12, for example, is Responsible Consumption & Production, which has direct implications for hotel operations in the materials and finishes used in the interiors, operational equipment such as cleaning products, and in-room amenities. This connects us to sustainable agriculture and SDG 15 Life On Land.
By aligning hotel operations with these goals, hotels can significantly reduce their environmental impact while promoting social and economic sustainability. This alignment helps in achieving a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social wellbeing.
Achieving B Corporation Certification for Sustainability
As with the UN SDGs, a B Corp certification is not specifically tailored to the hotel and resort industry but it represents a valuable addition to sustainability credentials. It thoroughly evaluates the social and environmental impact of a hotel business, encouraging higher standards of transparency and accountability.
During the Impact Assessment process, a hotel business will need to report on governance issues such as stakeholder engagement, ethical practices, health and safety of workers, career development, DEI policy, community engagement, supply chain management, health and wellness of guests, and environmental impact issues from renewable energy to toxin reduction and environmental education. This process helps ensure that business practices are aligned with sustainable development principles.
Achieving B Corporation certification demonstrates a hotel's commitment to sustainable business practices and can significantly enhance its reputation among eco-conscious travelers. It also encourages continuous improvement in sustainability performance, driving better practices across the industry.
Embracing World Travel & Tourism Council WTTC Sustainability Basics
In 2022, the WTTC introduced their own set of ‘sustainability basics’ for hotels and resorts—12 basic criteria split into three segments of four criteria each. Hotels need to sign up for eight criteria initially, with the other four to follow in due course.
The hotel sustainability efficiency section covers energy use, water use, waste, and carbon emissions. By implementing these measures, hotels can reduce their overall energy consumption and minimize their carbon footprint. The Planet section focuses on a hotel linen reuse program, green cleaning products, vegetarian F&B options, removal of plastic straws/stirrers, no single-use plastic water bottles, and bulk amenity dispensers. The third section is socially oriented, addressing community impact and reducing inequalities.
These basics serve as a foundation for hotels aiming to improve their sustainability practices. They provide a clear framework for action, helping hotels to make meaningful progress toward sustainability goals and meet guest expectations for eco-friendly accommodations.
Adopting Global Sustainable Tourism Council Standards
The GSTC is an accreditation body responsible for the widely used baseline standards that influence and guide various hotel and tourism sustainability certification standards. It is an umbrella organization that focuses on sustainability management, social and economic issues, environmental conservation, and protecting cultural heritage.
The GSTC standards are comprehensive, covering all aspects of hotel operations from energy and water use to waste management and community engagement. By adopting these standards, hotels can ensure that they are meeting the highest benchmarks for sustainability.
These standards help hotels to systematically reduce their environmental impact, enhance social equity, and promote economic sustainability. They also provide a clear pathway for hotels to achieve certification and recognition for their sustainability efforts.
Implementing Green Globe Certification Criteria
Green Globe has 25 years of history and covers 44 criteria in four groups: environmental impact, socio-economic impact, sustainable management, and cultural heritage. Green Globe's criteria relate to the UN SDGs, particularly Goals 8, 12, and 14, emphasizing worker rights, ethical business practices, supporting local enterprises, and reducing plastic waste production.
Implementing Green Globe criteria involves a thorough assessment of a hotel's operations and practices. This certification encourages hotels to adopt best practices in sustainability and to continuously improve their performance.
By achieving Green Globe certification, hotels can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, enhance their marketability, and attract eco-conscious travelers. This certification also provides a framework for ongoing improvement, helping hotels to stay at the forefront of sustainability.
Leveraging EarthCheck Certification for Comprehensive Sustainability
EarthCheck is a certification system for hotels, resorts, and destinations, also providing consulting, training, and sustainability software. Their segmentation includes categories for hotels, convention centers, tours, wineries, destinations, tourism precincts, local municipalities, developers, project managers, ESD consultants, small-to-medium size businesses, restaurants, eco-tourism operators, event organizers, festivals, and councils.
EarthCheck promotes guest well-being through health-focused activities, spa services, and recreational opportunities, enhancing guest expectations and overall service quality. This is crucial for ensuring facility quality and meeting guest expectations.
The EarthCheck certification process involves benchmarking and continuous improvement, ensuring that hotels are consistently reducing their environmental impact and enhancing their sustainability performance. This certification helps hotels to achieve higher standards of sustainability and to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
Pursuing Green Tourism Certification
Green Tourism is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and has a strong presence around the UK.
It promotes sustainability in hotels and tourism via a system based on three main pillars: People, Places and Planet.
Essentially, the emphasis here lies on the following criteria:
Reducing energy use
Saving water
Efficient waste disposal
Ethical buying
Staying local and seasonal
Minimizing food miles
Promoting biodiversity
Adopting a smart sustainable outlook
The PEOPLE sustainability category covers support for local communities and staff engagement, PLACES is about buying local and ethically while protecting biodiversity and promoting local culture to guests; finally PLANET zeroes in on reducing carbon emissions, limited the use of natural resources and engaging with Circular Economy principles.
Fees for the first year of registration are GB £75+VAT to cover admin costs, annual fees are specific to business type and size, ranging from a ‘micro’ hotel, B&B or guesthouse with 1-6 bedrooms (GB £150 per annum) up to ‘Extra Large with 91+ rooms (priced at GB £650 annually).
Other categories cover visitor attractions, hostels, self-catering accommodation and holiday parks. Collectively this gives a sense of the target audience for this particular certification
Green Key Certification
Green Key is one of the oldest certifications, especially strong in Europe. It is recognized by the GSTC and aligns with the UN SDGs. The certification involves monitoring water, energy, waste records, and carbon footprint data. It offers a structured 5-step application process managed by the relevant national representative, including an audit and third-party verification.
Green Key certification helps hotels to systematically improve their sustainability performance and to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship. This certification provides a clear pathway for hotels to achieve their sustainability goals and to gain recognition for their efforts.
By securing Green Key certification, hotels can enhance their marketability, attract eco-conscious travelers, and improve their overall service quality. This certification also provides a framework for ongoing improvement, helping hotels to stay at the forefront of sustainability.
Engaging with Travelife for Sustainable Hotels
Travelife offers sustainability certification for travel agents, tour operators, and accommodations. Their standards, recognized by the GTSC, involve a full onsite audit every two years. The certification covers environmental, social, and community criteria, focusing on energy, waste, water, wastewater, hazardous substances, biodiversity, human rights, fair wages, staff training, and supporting local communities.
Travelife ensures higher quality facilities and expanded facilities to meet the diverse needs of guests, including business practices that support sustainable tourism.
Travelife certification helps hotels to systematically improve their sustainability performance and to demonstrate their commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This certification provides a clear pathway for hotels to achieve their sustainability goals and to gain recognition for their efforts.
By engaging with Travelife, hotels can enhance their marketability, attract eco-conscious travelers, and improve their overall service quality. This certification also provides a framework for ongoing improvement, helping hotels to stay at the forefront of sustainability.
Utilizing WAYAJ Hotel Sustainability Rating
The WAYAJ Hotel Sustainability Rating evaluates and promotes environmentally responsible practices within the hospitality industry. It encompasses hotel energy and water efficiency, waste management and recycling, sustainable sourcing and procurement, environmentally friendly construction and design, and promoting local culture and biodiversity.
WAYAJ emphasizes a holistic approach, assessing various aspects of hotel operations, fostering continuous improvement, and enhancing guest experience and satisfaction through unique, eco-conscious offerings. This includes ensuring facility quality to meet and exceed guest expectations.
The WAYAJ Hotel Sustainability Rating helps hotels to systematically improve their sustainability performance and to demonstrate their commitment to environmental stewardship. This rating provides a clear pathway for hotels to achieve their sustainability goals and to gain recognition for their efforts.
By utilizing the WAYAJ rating, hotels can enhance their marketability, attract eco-conscious travelers, and improve their overall service quality. This rating also provides a framework for ongoing improvement, helping hotels to stay at the forefront of sustainability.
Elevating Service Quality with a Star Grading System
A star grading system is essential for evaluating the quality of hotel facilities and services. It helps in setting clear guest expectations and maintaining high standards. This system also encourages hotels to invest in higher quality facilities, ensuring a superior experience for guests. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can improve their star ratings while also contributing to environmental conservation and social responsibility.
The star grading system provides a clear and objective way to measure and compare the quality of different hotels. It considers various factors, including facility quality, service quality, guest satisfaction, and overall experience. By achieving higher star ratings, hotels can enhance their reputation, attract more guests, and achieve better business outcomes.
Enhancing Facility Quality in Apartment Hotels
Apartment hotels offer a unique blend of home-like comfort and hotel services, catering to long-term guests. Ensuring higher facility quality in these establishments is crucial for guest satisfaction and loyalty. Sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency measures and waste reduction, play a significant role in maintaining high standards in apartment hotels.
By implementing sustainable practices, apartment hotels can reduce their environmental impact while providing a comfortable and high-quality experience for guests. This approach helps in meeting guest expectations, enhancing service quality, and improving overall business performance.
Promoting Sustainable Business Practices
Sustainable business practices are essential for achieving long-term success in the hospitality industry. These practices include energy efficiency measures, waste reduction strategies, ethical sourcing, and community engagement. By adopting sustainable business practices, hotels can reduce their environmental impact, enhance their reputation, and improve their financial performance.
Sustainable business practices also contribute to the well-being of employees and guests, creating a positive and supportive environment. By focusing on sustainability, hotels can attract eco-conscious travelers, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve better business outcomes.
Meeting Guest Expectations with Sustainable Practices
Guest expectations are evolving, with more travelers seeking eco-friendly and sustainable accommodations. By meeting these expectations, hotels can enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. Sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and promoting local culture, play a crucial role in meeting guest expectations.
By focusing on sustainability, hotels can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, attract more guests, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices also contribute to the overall guest experience, creating a positive and memorable stay.
Expanding Facilities to Enhance Guest Experience
Expanding facilities to include sustainable features can significantly enhance the guest experience. These features may include green spaces, energy-efficient systems, waste reduction programs, and eco-friendly amenities. By expanding facilities to include sustainable features, hotels can improve their environmental performance, enhance guest satisfaction, and achieve better business outcomes.
Expanding facilities also provides opportunities for innovation and creativity, allowing hotels to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. By focusing on sustainability, hotels can create unique and memorable experiences for guests, attract eco-conscious travelers, and achieve better business outcomes.
Achieving Comprehensive Sustainability
Achieving comprehensive sustainability requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of hotel operations. This approach includes energy efficiency measures, waste reduction strategies, ethical sourcing, community engagement, and continuous improvement. By adopting a holistic approach to sustainability, hotels can achieve better environmental, social, and economic outcomes.
Comprehensive sustainability also requires collaboration and partnership with stakeholders, including employees, guests, suppliers, and the local community. By working together, hotels can achieve their sustainability goals, enhance their reputation, and achieve better business outcomes.
Enhancing Guest Satisfaction with Sustainable Practices
Guest satisfaction is a critical factor in the success of any hotel. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can enhance guest satisfaction and loyalty. Sustainable practices, such as reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and promoting local culture, play a crucial role in enhancing guest satisfaction.
By focusing on sustainability, hotels can create a positive and memorable experience for guests, attract more travelers, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices also contribute to the overall guest experience, creating a positive and supportive environment.
Achieving Long-Term Success with Sustainability
Sustainability is essential for achieving long-term success in the hospitality industry. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can reduce their environmental impact, enhance their reputation, and improve their financial performance. Sustainable practices also contribute to the well-being of employees and guests, creating a positive and supportive environment.
By focusing on sustainability, hotels can attract eco-conscious travelers, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices also provide opportunities for innovation and creativity, allowing hotels to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
Meeting Regulatory Requirements with Sustainable Practices
Meeting regulatory requirements is essential for the success of any hotel. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can ensure compliance with environmental regulations, enhance their reputation, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices, such as energy efficiency measures, waste reduction strategies, and ethical sourcing, play a crucial role in meeting regulatory requirements.
By focusing on sustainability, hotels can create a positive and supportive environment, attract more guests, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices also contribute to the overall guest experience, creating a positive and memorable stay.
Enhancing Marketability with Sustainable Practices
Sustainable practices enhance the marketability of hotels, attracting eco-conscious travelers and improving overall business performance. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can differentiate themselves in a competitive market, attract more guests, and achieve better business outcomes.
Sustainable practices also contribute to the overall guest experience, creating a positive and memorable stay. By focusing on sustainability, hotels can enhance their reputation, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve long-term success.
Achieving Financial Success with Sustainability
Sustainability is essential for achieving financial success in the hospitality industry. By adopting sustainable practices, hotels can reduce their environmental impact, enhance their reputation, and improve their financial performance. Sustainable practices also contribute to the well-being of employees and guests, creating a positive and supportive environment.
By focusing on sustainability, hotels can attract eco-conscious travelers, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve better business outcomes. Sustainable practices also provide opportunities for innovation and creativity, allowing hotels to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
Sustainable country estate hotels UK
biofilico hotel sustainability consultants review the most sustainable country estate hotels focusing on: energy & water efficiency / local sourcing policy /. building and interior materials / waste reduction, recycling & single-use plastics / biodiversity & biophilia / health & wellness
biofilico hotel sustainability consultants review the most sustainable country estate hotels in the uk focusing on core themes such as
energy & water efficiency
local sourcing policy
building and interior materials
waste reduction, recycling & single-use plastics
biodiversity & biophilia
health & wellness
Read on to find out what some of the best examples of sustainable UK hotels in the countryside are doing in terms of sustainability.
Thyme - a nature inspired UK hotel in a conservation area
Thyme is an independent hotel in a restored 31-bedroom manor house on a privately owned farm in the Cotswolds, with a spin-off business of botanically inspired products marketed under the brand name Bertioli.
The central concept here is nature, providing guests with a myriad of ways to connect with and be in nature during their stay (a concept known as biophilia) on this carefully restored, historic estate located within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) with water meadows that have been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Around the estate guests will find a Barn restaurant, the Baa Bar, Swan pub, a cookery school, the Meadow Spa and an event space.
An ‘English countryside with a contemporary twist’ style pervades the interiors with their nature-inspired colour palettes and botanical prints combined with a restrained use of the latest technology where required.
In terms of sustainability, a number of energy efficiency measures include enhanced ventilation and insulation measures, as well as on-site heat pumps and boreholes, taking full advantage of what the land offers them. A chlorine-free, spring water swimming pool meanwhile has a high-tech filtration system to provide a more natural swimming experience for guests.
In the food and beverage outlets, ingredients are responsibly sourced and seasonal, there is also a vegetable garden, herb bed and orchard on the estate providing the foundation of what is used in the kitchens.
Decorative flowers used around the manor’s interiors are sourced from around the UK, rather than being imported from the giant producer countries such as Holland, Colombia and Kenya.
Additionally a supplier code of conduct, or Rules of Engagement document, reportedly ensures a minimum of “sustainable standards, transparency, inclusivity & fairness, and product excellence” from businesses in their supply chain.
In hotel operations, commitment has been made to removing single-use plastics as well as composting and recycling, with the aim to achieve zero waste kitchen operations eventually.
As a hotel, Thyme doesn’t shout about its sustainability yet thanks to its nature-inspired brand positioning, a respect for the environment is clearly a vital part of the business’s future success.
Thyme is a member of 1% For The Planet, supports the conservation efforts of Tusk in Africa and is advised on sustainable meadow management by Plantlife to ensure the estate becomes a haven for wildlife.
The Wild Rabbit - a sustainable hotel UK
Billed as a modern British inn, this independent hotel is part of the Daylesford Farm estate, one of the leading sustainable and organic farms in the UK, owned by Lord and Lady Bamford.
Refurbishment works in 2013 used traditional building techniques, local craftsmen and local materials to deliver a high-end concept that is at once rustic and contemporary thanks to Lady Bamford’s architects of choice for all ofher Daylesford projects around the world and biophilic design experts - Spencer Fung Architects.
In both the dining room and bedrooms, we find plenty of exposed stone and aged oak ceiling beams, one-off furniture pieces and fine detailing. Wattle and daub panelling was restored and re-rendered while original beams and joists were exposed and given a new lease of life after the previous countryside pub context.
Roofing was insulated with pure sheep’s wool from the Daylesford estate to improve thermal performance and reducing energy expenditure, while introducing a natural, non-toxic material into the building, just as would have been done several hundred years ago.
The Wild Rabbit runs on renewable power, there are over 1800 solar panels around the farm in total, electric vehicle charging points are provided, low energy lighting has been used throughout the property and a set of recycling bins are standard in each waste collection area.
In the kitchen, no surprises perhaps to find locally sourced, seasonal food on offer with many of the ingredients coming directly from the Daylesford farm, making this an ideal ‘0km’ solution.
Bathrooms feature the distinctive green bottles of the Bamford Bath & Body collection, made with naturally sourced and in many cases organically certified ingredients. These products can also be found at the eco-luxury 1 Hotel spas around the USA.
No sustainability report available online.
Fritton Lake Hotel & Members Club - a green hotel experience
Fritton Lake Hotel & Members Club is part of the Somerleyton Estate, owned by Lord and Lady Somerleyton, who are on a mission to rewild this corner of East Anglia in collaboration with other landowners under the collective moniker of WildEast.
Farmland here is gradually being restored to self-management, ensuring it is home to free-roaming deer, cattle, water buffalo, sheep, ponies and a plethora of birds.
A 16th century clubhouse with restaurant and rooms is joined by a series of cabins and holiday cottages tucked away around the serene lake. On-site ‘wildstock’ is made up of both wild and farmed grazing animals. playing a vital role in re-engineering the land, as nature intended.
By way of a waste reduction plan, Fritton works with suppliers to reduce unnecessary packaging while a local food waste recycler turns waste into energy. Food miles are kept to a minimum as the bulk of ingredients used in the kitchen are from the Somerleyton Estate grounds, with harder to source delicacies coming from local artisans.
After an energy audit back in 2018, tenergy sourcing was switched to renewable energy providers, LED lights were introduced and ongoing energy monitoring has provided valuable real time data to assist with managing efficiencies.
In terms of guest health and fitness, there are plenty of on-site activities such as wild swimming in the lake, trail running, cycling and even one of our own Biofit designed eco-friendly gyms with a group fitness studio.
Heckfield Place - a sustainable countryside hotel
A decade in the planning, Heckfield Place is a 400-acre estate in Hampshire with a main building that dates back to the 1760s. Today it offers a high-end, sustainable hotel experience inspired by traditional values rather than sustainability being its defining characteristic.
Biomass boilers burn wood pellets from sustainable sources to heat the building and water for showers; additional energy from the grid comes from renewable sources; motion-sensors and LED bulbs reduce the energy requirements of lighting. Water meanwhile is taken from an on-site borehole and rainwater is collected for use around the estate, rather than drawing from the mains.
Various natural materials are said to have been sourced locally such as rush mats and headboards - no mention is made of the myriad other building and interior fit-out materials in that particular slice of the procurement strategy however.
Natural ingredients dominate in the spa and this connection. with nature is perhaps where Heckfield Place hits its highest notes in fact.
In addition to. single-use plastic-free bedrooms, extensive waste-reduction strategies in the kitchens include making preserves and cordials from excess fruit, as would have been done in the past, with anything that can’t be used going to compost for the ‘living soil’ that forms a central part of the hotel’s biodynamic farm concept.
Regenerative farming techniques are a commitment, requiring detailed knowledge of the local soil conditions, solar calendars and faith in traditional methods that shy away from fertilizers completely. in favour. of compost, manure and. ‘herbal remedies’ The result is an organic farm with its own dairy, seven greenhouses, a rotating mix of crops, British saddleback pigs, hens, bees and fruit orchards.
Future projects include the addition of solar tiles on the roof for energy production, a windmill and an off-grid community of ‘tiny houses’ as well as ongoing tree propagation and. planting initiatives.
The Victoria, Holkham - a green country estate hotel uk
The Victoria hotel within the Holkham Estate, owned by the Earl of Leicester, located on the Norfolk coast, is made up of two buildings with ten rooms in each.
The setting is the “most pioneering and sustainable rural estate” that has received a Gold Award from Green Tourism every year since 2016 and is regularly references as one of the finest examples of estate conservation in the UK, so the omens were always good for their on-site hotel.
sustainable hotel energy
Heating is courtesy of a biomass boiler fuelled by their own woodchip, from their sustainably managed woodland. A 100-acre solar farm was built back in 2014 in a first step towards becoming what they intend to be a carbon neutral estate by 2040.
There are also ground source heat pump energy units and air source heat pumps on the grounds. In 2021 Holkham undertook two carbon audits covering both the leisure and agriculture components of the estate’s activities.
Working at this level as part of a hotel sustainability strategy, is a far greater commitment than merely buying recycled toilet paper or going digital at reception, it requires long-term planning and expert consultancy services.
green hotel kitchen ingredients
Ingredients are sourced either on-site (such as venison, beef and lamb) or from within a 50 mile radius of the estate, this type of local procurement policy is nothing new of course but it has become increasingly less common in a world where avocados can be flown in from Peru all year round. Making this type of commitment means following the seasons, and reducing the impact of food miles further along the supply chain.
Green Hotel waste management
One of the central tenets of the Holkham sustainability strategy is waste reduction. They are set on closing the loop on compostables with the help of a local recycling supplier who turn it into compost suitable for agriculture.
A target of a 10% reduction in non-recycled waste each year for the next decade shows yet again their long-term vision for reducing environmental impact both on the estate as a whole and at their sustainable hotel The Victoria. No surprises therefore to see a prominent recycling bin strategy in place for visitors to do their bit whilst on the estate.
the aficionados on sustainability at independent hotels
Matt Morley, hotel sustainability consultant, Biofilico, talks to Iain Ainsworth of The Aficionados about wellness and sustainability in the hotel industry, from eco-friendly hotel amenities, sustainability certifications for hotels, the landscape hotel concept and various examples of sustainability initiatives from his member hotels in the Alps.
how are independent boutique hotels in europe integrating sustainability?
matt morley talks to the founder of the aficionados, iain ainsworth, to find out…
In this episode I’m in London talking to boutique hotel expert Iain Ainsworth - Founder of The Aficionados a reference for travel culture and lifestyle that promotes neat edits of hotels, creators and craftsmen as well as its sister company White Line Hotels a marketing network for hoteliers.
He was Executive VP of Design Hotels from 2004-2008 and Regional Director of Sales and Marketing for Concorde Hotels from 2000-2004 so he’s a hospitality insider through and through.
I took the opportunity to take the temperature on sustainability in his corner of the industry today, so we cover everything from eco-friendly hotel amenities, sustainability certifications for hotels, the landscape hotel concept and various examples of sustainability initiatives from his member hotels in the Alps.
FULL TRANSCRIPT COUTESY OF OTTER.AI - EXCUSE ANY TYPOS
interview with the aficionados
Matt Morley
Iain, thanks for joining us today. I'd like to start at a fairly high level overview. You've been in this game for a while you're an insider. How do you see sustainability taking shape or evolving amongst the hotels you're working with? Is it more of an informal organic process or are you seeing more structure coming into play?
natural sustainability in hotels
Iain Ainsworth
Hi, Matt, I think for me, the most overwhelming point is that for all of our hotels, it's a very natural process, it's part of their DNA. When we talked to them initially, 12 years ago about sustainability, they were like, well, what's new? It's always been part of what we do. And we only work with privately owned hotels - 99% of them are indigenous, from that village, from the valley, mountain or town.
So for them, it's pretty natural that they sourced locally, beside the fact that they knew Bert down the road, who was the timber maker, it's very natural thing.
greenwashing in hotels
Green labeling is not something that they they need. Sure, it's not just a marketing process, it does need some structure coming into it. And that's where we try and guide them and filter out what what they do, because for them, it's part of running a daily hotel, and they don't necessarily realize that what they're doing is remarkable.
You know, even for the older hotels, where you might think, to be up to the new standards is quite difficult. You can see the next generation are applying the newest technologies, but they're also going back to how their grandparents originally built the hotels.
renewable energy for hotels
In the Alps, for example, using renewable energy is pretty normal now, if you look at South Tyrol, most hotels have zero carbon emissions, because they are using a grid fostered by the local government. So a lot of them are very, very green, I hate the word green. But this just put them into into that philosophy, if you like, I just think it's a welcome blast of energy and enthusiasm that they have for being sustainable - without necessarily calling it ‘sustainability’.
hotel sustainability certifications
It is difficult within the hotel industry, as you know, and also between countries, to get certification is there's not one mandated policy that you can follow when you're building a new hotel. Equally, if you're renovating, it's very hard to tick all of the boxes. And there is no one's one central template for this.
sustainable hotel architecture
But on the other hand, I think that's quite good. Because then you get personally into innovation and new ideas. The other striking point with our hotels is the lead on architecture and design, again, maximizing the use of light, maximizing the conservation of heat during the winter. And also keeping cool in the summer.
Architects, particularly in the alpine regions are very up to date on sustainable approaches - again, it's part of the DNA of that of that region.
sustainability as part of the hotel culture
Matt Morley
It's an interesting point, isn't it? Because it's almost as if there are certain areas of Europe and in particular, in this case, geographies where you are heavily present with your member hotels, where it's almost part of the culture where it doesn't need necessarily to be introduced from outside and then sort of imposed from above, which is what we're seeing in places like London, and other huge cities where it hasn't been historically part of the local culture but now they're playing catch up, whereas someone like South Tyrol, it's really part of the fabric of society.
sustainable supply chains for hotels
Iain Ainsworth
Yeah, I mean, there's certain aspects they still need to look at like, like, like how do you minimalize the impact of what you're doing because at the end of the day, it's still tourism but I think when your family owned the farm down the road, your other family member is the hotel architect. Your other family are producing hotel linen which is a very natural and sustainable product, even the timber they use in the bedrooms, they will save sleep better because it's holistic and antibacterial.
natural health and wellness in hotels
So you have this natural health and wellness element as part of the building. For me, you know, it's very easy to talk about, you know, sustainability in Lisbon. But it's a very different approach there, you need to dig deeper because, unfortunately, some countries or larger urbanized hubs, when they go for the local furniture, it's not necessarily locals, they just take the design and then source it from further afield.
But we've got an old palace in Lisbon, it was the hardest thing finding an architect that would understand conservation, and reinvigorating the hotel history rather than wiping over it.
certification systems for sustainable hotels
Matt Morley
So you mentioned the idea of sustainability certifications. And we do see a number of them out there at the moment, as you say, it feels like perhaps there isn't quite one dominant leader that works across territories. Each has a slightly different twist, I noticed, but a lot of them are covering, broadly the same bases.
So for example, Son Brull in Mallorca - one of your member hotels - they've gone for Travelife certification, from your perspective, hotel marketing, do you think there's value in going for something like that?
sustainable hotel restaurant ingredients
Iain Ainsworth
Yeah, Son Brull, when they created the hotel some 15 years ago, it was a very sustainable approach to it, it's been a farm for nearly 300 years. So it was a monastery as well, and it came with 40 hectares of land. So as a hotel, you can either sell the land, leave it over to other farmers, or you can take it as part of your concept.
So in this case ‘farm to table’ dining for them is pretty natural as well, because they've got the farm on their doorstep. So they've always been a pioneer of doing things proper, I guess, they're Islanders, and they saw a lot of destruction of the island.
Also, you know, the movement of locals from farming into hospitality, which sort of saddened that one of the owners and a particular and he said, No, this is not right, we need to employ the farming community around us.
So they did it from their own hearts, as it were, but I mean, having certification from Travelife, for example, the gold certification, it's a good tickbox because again, you start to ask yourself, Okay, what am I missing? What else can I do and like all of the certifications, of course, you know, they're covering a very broad spectrum of hotel typologie and sizes.
The smaller ones, invariably are not going to be able to tick every box. But equally, they know, the larger ones are not going to be able to offer fresh lemons from their own orchard in the morning.
Compared to a hotel just saying that they’re green and eco, and sustainable., having a certification means for me that they are following strict sustainability guidelines. And they're fulfilling as many items on the checklist as possible.
It’s also an ongoing process, which I like, because it's not just okay, we've done an initiative, tick the box, close it. You know, it's an ongoing thing. And I think that, for me, is what certification is about. It's ongoing. It's always changing. It's always evolving. Technology, of course, is helping this in terms of collecting data from hotel operations.
sustainable hotel amenities
Matt Morley
One idea that we see a lot of hotels adopting is sustainable amenities, removing single use plastic bottles. You've written about various brands offering that type of product, from plant-based botanicals and organics and naturals - what’s going on there from your view?
Iain Ainsworth
Yeah, it was the straws and now we're going for plastic free amenities. And, you know, the elimination of single use plastics throughout the hotel, whether it's the amenity bottle, or mineral water bottles. The advantage small hotels have is that they can go to a local supplier again, and source materials from them.
I mean, the best elements for me are those pioneers like Susanna Kaufman, who have always used natural products. You know, she's very cautious about minimalist, use of plastic refill bottles.
We see new products emerging all in sort of a block form As soaps, shampoos, conditioners, so they have no plastic and no glass involved at all. And I think that's the way forward but it can also be a question of cost so we didn't want to mandate a certain type of hotel amenity and say they all have to be plastic free, because there are many unique opportunities out there with local suppliers. And also to keep that relationship with the small pharmaceutical companies that are making products for the hotels.
single use plastics in hotels
You can also look at stores like Muji, if you want bamboo slippers, sometimes you can draw inspiration from a High Street store that's gone sustainable, because it's still very hard as a small hotel to get a supply of slippers, that are environmentally friendly - people seem to feel they need these things for the one or two nights in a hotel!
The same goes for the hotel toothbrush, you know, you can find a bamboo option now. The problem is sometimes certain countries demand an array of amenities for their star categorization. Which is crazy for me because you know, I don't need a toothbrush in every room.
eco cleaning hotel operations
Also in into the next stage of this equation, which are the chemicals used in cleaning the rooms. Because after COVID, you know, during COVID There was this huge euphoria for chemicals instead of looking at natural ways of cleaning a room because this is equally as important for me as what's in the bathroom.
local procurement policy in hotels
Matt Morley
A hotelier does have an easy option and it is going to one of these giant hotel supply companies that offer bulk branded bottles that have not much to do with the real brand, it's all just licensed and an easy solution for hotel slippers, bathrobes, amenities etc.
So in a sense, the hotels that are seeking out the individual brands, there's a lot of work behind that there's a lot of extra legwork. Right, it's an it's more of an appeal process than the sort of the easy path. Right. So it's sometimes maybe not evident the guests that what's gone into that.
Iain Ainsworth
Yeah, and I still think some some guests judge your hotel on a brand that they know. Whereas I'm, you know, myself and I would say most of our subscribers that travel into our hotels are more intrigued by finding the local brands and then go and buy it, because you want to take it with you. So I think I think there's opportunity for hotel amenity distribution to continue changing.
Of course, you can buy big brands like Ren - a fantastic sustainable product, and you can buy them from a wholesaler. So there are alternatives there. But if I find somebody that's making a product 20 kilometers down the road, I'm gonna have my first conversation with them as a hotelier!
Health and wellness in Alpine hotels
Matt Morley
You mentioned the idea of the Alps as being quite strongly associated for many of us with with a healthy lifestyle. Someone like the Hotel Arlberg, Lech- they bill themselves as a wellness retreat, exactly what does that mean?
Iain Ainsworth
Well, for them they're a third generation of family, so grandmother's still involved daily, in the business. So their parents run the hotel today, they're keen to refurbish and upgrade. And it's always been changing, he started as cafe and then had a couple of rooms and, and today's become what it is, a fabulous Alpine retreat.
They always had a spa, but when they started to rethink about the spa, they looked really at how do you bring in the Alps inside? So that's where they created the blueprint of Alpine healthy living, and they started to look at the sound, fresh air, nature, it's about the products.
And one thing they noticed in the older rooms, there was always a scent of pine. And this was coming from the wardrobes actually. So they said, Okay, where can we get this old pine from that, you know, is well sourced, and they found a guy in the next village that salvages pine from the older Alpine houses.
Then they looked at the pigments of the local colors. So they started with colors and said, Okay, what are the colors that we want to be in there? But then they looked at, okay, how do you create this moss green color? Well, surely there's a herbal pigment growing up in the mountains that we could use. So then they created natural paints, which they bought into their spa as well. So I mean, spa for them was the starting point. But it's actually extended now throughout the whole hotel.
So there's a wellness concept throughout the whole hotel. They use chemical free paints that are made locally. They also use natural stone, which comes from about 20 kilometers away from the hotel. And they've also then started to look at the treatments that they have and which oils you can use. So they're looking at the old monasteries in the area and what therapeutic oils that they use derive from nature, of course.
And just working with architects very carefully and producers like we were talking about Susanna Kaufman of you how you can give me that total one off wellness experience, which is what I want As the consumer, but also with the added bonus of it being healthy and sustainable, and an ethos behind there that gives you that sort of joy for the Alps and healthy living.
the landscape hotel concept
Matt Morley
What about the Juvet property in Norway, what do you consider goes into a ‘landscape hotel’ concept today?
Iain Ainsworth
I mean, the Juvet landscape hotel was probably the one of the first ones that I encountered back in 2009. And for me, it's this total immersion into nature, but with no disruption to nature itself. So the word you know, the landscape hotel was the pioneer of the owner that had this dream of how can I create a living pods if you like or hotel without disrupting even the moss that grows on the rocks.
So their first thought was, Okay, what if we put these pods on stilts, and the stilts actually mimic the birch tree stem, so you sort of get this beautiful visual integration between the trees, trunks, and the rods that go into the into the rocks. And by doing that, then you can create a platform, which is what a lot of indigenous tribes did in wilderness areas, you know, is it's quite logical, actually to get the elevated from the ground, but it enables the flora and fauna that you fall in love with to continue to thrive and in fact, thrive even more, because you're giving a new habitat to grow along and thing.
I think the landscape hotels, for me, the biggest thing about them is the view. And so they tend to have huge panoramic windows. There's a lot of gimmicks coming in, you know, we're a landscape hotel, you know, and they put things up in trees and things like that. So I think you have to be very careful, you don't become a gimmick.
Matt Morley
And obviously also written about the green philosophy at Hotel Buhelwirt in South Tyrol. Clearly one of your favorite regions, and as I'm discovering, quite a hotbed for case studies in hotel sustainability and wellbeing. So in that instance, how did the architects pull through a concept of sustainability touching on things like construction and energy use?
energy use and building biology in a hotel
Iain Ainsworth
The architects, two brothers, and their real philosophy is environmental building biology. And so they're quite famous in South Tyrol for their work integrating a building into its natural habitat. In this case, it was an old guesthouse, which the owners had inherited from their parents, and they wanted to add to this but by doing so, in a way that, you know, is sensitive to their environment. And so they found the perfect architecture to do that.
You’ve got this very vernacular structure that sticks out of the rock side. And it has a purpose to it as well. I mean, they have always had energy efficiency on their minds, not only because of the cost of it, but to have as least impact as possible. Again, being in South Tyrol is great, because you know, the energy is hydroelectric - power plants provide a lot of the local renewable energy, and without any co2 emissions, so they've got that backup there.
But they've also invested a lot into technology into meter reading, they can see from their app, how much energy they are using each day, how many guests they have, how much energy is being consumed in the rooms? What do we do about pool heating? What do we do about heating in general areas? Again, technology is helping them reduce their carbon footprint.
plastic-free kitchens in hotel operations
But I have to say they are natural enthusiasts for their environment that they live in. And again, they have the farm down the road, they're completely organic, they went a step further in the kitchen, banning all plastic in the kitchen. And when we start to think about our own practices at home, you know, with plastic containers food wrap, we use it to preserve food.
So again, they've gone back to pickling, how do you conserve, how did our grandparents conserve food without using refrigeration, or plastics, so they've taken it to a whole new level. And I would say cutting out plastic in the kitchen is even a bigger challenge than say, in the bathroom amenities, because there is a replacement already there.
Matt Morley
Really fascinating examples. I feel like we could go on for an hour or two more, but I'm going to be respectful of your time - what's your preferred medium for communications?
Iain Ainsworth
Obviously, we're on LinkedIn as a company, and we're also on Instagram. But I'm quite old fashioned. I'd like to hear from people. So anybody wants to pop as me an email, maybe you can put a link in for that love to hear from people, contributors, experiences.
And they say, you know, we as a company as well, we're still learning how to harness all the sustainability aspects that we have 93 hotels now and about 110 makers.
So we're always looking for feedback, suggestions, ideas, of how we can better inform people of what what's going on.
CONTACT @ THEAFICIONADOS . COM