Hotels Taking Steps Towards Sustainability in Portmarnock

At the heart of the Dylan hotel's ethos lies a firm commitment to environmental sustainability, reflected in its proactive measures to protect the environment and drive industry-wide change. The hotel lays out an annual environmental plan that stipulates specific objectives, targets, and activities. This commitment extends to inviting guests, suppliers, and contractors to participate in eco-friendly initiatives, training employees on sustainable practices, and openly sharing these policies and practices on public platforms. Performance is regularly monitored, compared with annual objectives and targets, and improvements are consistently sought by integrating energy-efficient technologies in the hotel's design and renovation.

Each department within the hotel strives to reduce, reuse, and recycle, segregating waste daily to divert as much as possible from landfill. Efforts to conserve water are in place, such as monitoring water usage and reducing flow rate through tap aerators. Energy efficiency is also a key priority, with all water heated by energy-efficient gas-fired boilers, smart building management systems, and LED bulbs in all light fittings. Furthermore, the hotel's housekeeping department gives guests the option to choose their laundry preferences, reflecting the Dylan's commitment to water conservation. An alliance with the "Clean the World" Hospitality Recycling program further bolsters their efforts towards sustainability.

With a rich legacy that stretches back more than two and a half centuries, The Merrion Hotel stands as a forerunner in advancing sustainability in the hospitality industry. Since its establishment, it has seamlessly blended innovative technologies and age-old methods with the goal of emerging as one of the globe's leading sustainable hotels. Over the past twenty years, it has been gradually introducing environmental policies to foster a better future. The hotel boasts energy-efficient heating systems, overnight light sensors, and uses 100% renewable energy. All the while, these efforts have remained largely invisible to guests, subtly contributing to positive environmental change.

Furthermore, The Merrion's commitment to eco-friendliness extends to its food and waste management strategies. Executive Chef Ed Cooney supports local produce and maintains beehives on the hotel rooftops to aid pollination and biodiversity in Dublin. The hotel has a robust recycling program, wherein glass is crushed onsite, coffee grounds contribute to compost, leftover food is donated to community charities, and unused toiletries are recycled via the Clean the World program. Additionally, the hotel supports electric vehicle usage with complimentary charging points and influences suppliers to adopt greener packaging methods. Efforts extend to staff training to ensure everyone contributes to their sustainable vision, from front-of-house to behind-the-scenes teams. The Merrion's dedication to sustainability is a silent promise to its guests, ensuring a restful stay that contributes to a better future.

InterContinental Dublin, an IHG Hotel, stands out as an embodiment of luxury paired with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. The hotel has taken strides to become a leader in the industry, making conscious efforts to combat climate change by reducing its energy intensity. This unique blend of opulence and environmental consciousness makes it a remarkable destination for those who value sustainability without compromising on comfort and class.

Going above and beyond the standards typically set by five-star hotels, InterContinental Dublin continually innovates to improve its eco-friendly policies. This commitment extends from energy-efficient practices within the hotel to larger scale sustainability initiatives. All these efforts underline the hotel's goal to offer a premium, environmentally conscious experience to each person who chooses to stay there, demonstrating that luxury and sustainability can indeed coexist harmoniously.

Boasting the esteemed certification of Green Hospitality Ireland, The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection is a beacon of eco-friendly hospitality. The hotel is committed to reducing environmental impact through a myriad of sustainable policies and practices. One of the key areas of focus is carbon and water footprint reduction, and this is demonstrated in their efforts to lower their carbon footprint to 35.52 kg per room night and water footprint to 445.7 liters per room night.

Moreover, The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection also places an emphasis on recycling, especially within the guest rooms. This practice ensures that waste generated during a guest's stay is minimized and effectively managed, creating a more sustainable environment for both guests and the local community. This conservation-minded hotel continues to inspire others with its dedication to sustainability, offering a model of how luxury and environmental responsibility can coexist harmoniously.

At the intersection of luxury and sustainability, the Herbert Park Hotel and Park Residence stands as a proud recipient of the Eco-Label by Green Hospitality Award. This honour recognizes the hotel's success in meeting stringent criteria for eco-friendliness. Embracing a robust environmental management policy, Herbert Park Hotel acknowledges the crucial role the hospitality industry plays in safeguarding the environment for future generations and sustaining the tourism sector in the long term.

In line with these commitments, the hotel has established a series of ambitious objectives: a 15% reduction in energy consumption alongside a decrease in carbon emissions by 2 tonnes; a 17% reduction in mains water usage; and a commitment to reducing landfill waste by a substantial 35%. They also aim to reduce packaging by 25% by collaborating with their suppliers. Further reinforcing their commitment to local economies, the hotel prioritizes sourcing high-quality local and national raw materials, supporting small businesses whenever possible. The hotel’s kitchen exemplifies this practice, with all fresh meat and the majority of the seafood sourced from reputable Irish suppliers. The hotel encourages input on how to enhance their 'green' credentials, reflecting an ongoing commitment to environmental improvement.

The Westbury Hotel, a part of The Doyle Collection, showcases a robust commitment towards sustainability and social responsibility, with a mission strongly influenced by the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The hotel aspires to reduce its carbon emissions by 2030 through innovation, progress, and discovery. Passionate about learning and sparking conversations, the hotel is committed to empowering team members and driving positive change, thereby preserving our planet and communities for future generations.

The hotel has set ambitious sustainability goals, ranging from eliminating single-use plastic in bedrooms to achieving prestigious accolades for its green efforts, such as Gold for Green Tourism and Eco Smart Platinum status from Greengage. Behind the scenes, the hotel is consistently working towards a greener future, implementing several initiatives including powering its luxury hotels with renewable energy and tree planting. In addition, the hotel prioritizes sourcing high-quality local ingredients from responsible suppliers, ensuring that guests can enjoy artisan produce, memorable wines, and ethically made spirits. The hotel's commitment to sustainability has also been acknowledged by Green Tourism and Greengage, and the hotel proudly holds certifications from both of these globally recognized sustainable tourism programs.

Brooks Hotel in Dublin showcases a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, diligently reducing waste, recycling, and reusing items across all areas of the hotel. They have made significant strides in their green initiatives such as reducing landfill waste, using energy-efficient LED light bulbs throughout the hotel, and eliminating single-use plastics in their Food & Beverage departments. In addition, their focus on digital communication minimizes paper use, with an environmental protection note included in email signatures. Recognized for its efforts, Brooks Hotel has been awarded the Eco-Label by GreenHospitality.ie and continues to support local community through tree planting exercises, beach cleanups, and awareness campaigns.

The hotel's Francesca’s Restaurant, a member of Good Food Ireland, also embodies this commitment by using produce from an urban herb garden, foraging for wild food, sourcing ingredients locally, and maintaining a high standard of environmental awareness among suppliers. In terms of accommodation, Brooks is enhancing the eco-friendliness of its rooms with 'Vingcard' systems for energy efficiency, longer stay linen programs, and phosphate-free cleaning supplies. They also promote the use of local public transportation to guests and encourage shopping in locally-owned boutiques. All these eco-friendly efforts are coupled with a robust team education program on waste reduction and consciousness of environmental importance.