Hotels Taking Steps Towards Sustainability in the UK

Whatley Manor is EarthCheck Silver certified and aims for Gold by 2026. It achieved a 98% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions in 2023 against its 2019 baseline, with a goal of net-zero by 2028. The hotel purchases renewable electricity and biogas, and its waste carrier is certified zero to landfill. It actively enhances biodiversity by planting trees, enlarging its kitchen garden, and maintaining beehives.

This hotel is the first Radisson hotel to achieve Verified Net Zero status, meeting the 2040 requirements of the Net Zero Methodology for Hotels, verified by TÜV Rheinland. It operates on 100% renewable energy, utilizing heat pumps and a fully electrified kitchen to eliminate gas use. The hotel actively reduces Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, minimizes waste, and offers low-carbon menus. It holds BREEAM, ECOsmart, and Green Tourism certifications.

A beautiful boutique hotel which lives and breathes sustainability. Everything about this hotel is green…from the building itself, what comes in and what goes out, to the way they do things in it.

Swinton Park is a Beyond Green member, adhering to over 50 sustainability indicators aligned with global sustainable tourism standards and UN Sustainable Development Goals. It utilizes an eco-friendly biomass boiler for heating and plants a tree on the Estate for every stay. The hotel actively partners with organizations like Yorkshire Dales River Trust and Nidderdale Area Outstanding Beauty to preserve and manage its 7,000 acres of open moorland and 1,700 acres of woodland. Its initiatives include revitalizing river habitats, fostering biodiversity through wildflower meadows and forest management, and featuring a chemical-free natural pool. The estate aims to be carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2040.

The Grove of Narberth is a member of Green Tourism UK with a Gold Award. It uses 100% renewable electricity and has planted 4000 trees as part of a woodland project. The property utilizes its own boreholes for UV-filtered spring water, provided to guests in reusable glass bottles. It offers three electric vehicle charging points and operates a biomass boiler for heating and hot water. The hotel also partners with The Hotels for Trees Foundation, planting a tree for every skipped room cleaning, and prioritizes local food sourcing within a 50-mile radius, including honey from its own beehives.

Bovey Castle has achieved Green Tourism Gold certification. It operates on 100% renewable energy, and its waste management practices include 35.5% direct recycling, 55% converted into renewable energy, and 9.5% anaerobically digested. The hotel maintains a kitchen garden, offers beehive experiences for guests, and has developed a new meadow to support biodiversity.

Battlesteads is recognized for its deeply integrated green ethos, holding a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, a Platinum rating in TripAdvisor's GreenLeaders Programme, and a Three Star Sustainability Champion status from the Sustainable Restaurant Association. It was the first hotel to install a carbon-neutral heating system (biomass boiler) and boasts a substantial solar panel array. The hotel has achieved zero waste to landfill through comprehensive recycling and composting.

The Langham London shines as an example of environmentally-conscious hospitality, committed to minimizing its operating footprint with sustainable policies and initiatives. As an integral part of the local community, The Langham, London also engages its staff in an annual community involvement programme, offering volunteer opportunities to strengthen local ties. Recognizing the importance of global sustainability, The Langham, London is dedicated to improving its eco-friendly measures to safeguard our world for generations to come.

The hotel's efforts in sustainability have not gone unnoticed. It proudly holds a Platinum certification from EarthCheck, a global certification body that annually audits and monitors environmental and sustainability performance. In 2020, it became the first UK hotel and the first 5-star hotel in Europe to achieve this esteemed certification. Additionally, the hotel adopts various sustainable practices, including the use of energy-efficient lighting, auto-detect urinals, biodegradable cleaning products, dual-flush toilets, and maximization of natural lighting. In an effort to reduce waste, The Langham, London donates used furniture, further exemplifying its dedication to sustainable practices.

One Aldwych, since its establishment in 1998, has placed paramount importance on sustainability, consistently innovating with energy saving, heat reclaim, and water efficiency features. A notable environmental measure the hotel has taken is the installation of the EVAC drainage system, a highly efficient mechanism that conserves water by reducing consumption by 70% compared to conventional systems. This commitment to eco-conscious operation extends to its responsibility towards the environment, staff, and local community, and is validated by the hotel's proud membership with the Considerate Group.

The passion for sustainability is evident in the hotel's diverse eco-friendly initiatives. New rooftop beehives and a bee-friendly garden contribute to urban bee health, while a chlorine-free pool operates with a mineral-based cleaning system. The hotel's comprehensive recycling policy emphasizes reducing, reusing, and recycling, with specific measures like the removal of all plastic straws and stirrers, and the use of a glass crusher to recycle bottles into 'glassphalt' and concrete. A unique in-house water filtration and bottling plant eradicates the need for single-use bottles and cuts down on carbon emissions linked to water transport.

Energy management is reinforced through LED lighting and selection of energy-efficient equipment. Their purchasing policy gives preference to organic, sustainable, low energy, and ethical products. The hotel's food waste is composted on a farm where vegetables for the hotel's restaurant are grown, thereby promoting a table-to-farm-to-table dining concept. Amenities in rooms are natural, paraben-free, and come in biodegradable packaging. As a part of their commitment to social responsibility, they also support independent charities such as StreetSmart and Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity.

Apart from its Sites of Scientific Interest and the protected areas, Gleneagles has been awarded for its eco-friendliness and green tourism promoting actions.

St Michaels Resort holds a Gold award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, recognized for its outstanding sustainability efforts. The resort has a dedicated Green Team that champions energy efficiency through reduced consumption, PIR lighting, and energy-efficient equipment. They are committed to sustainable fishing and sourcing local produce for their restaurants, reducing food miles. The resort also actively reduces plastic waste by using refillable glass dispensers for toiletries.

The Celtic Manor Resort holds Green Dragon Level 4, Green Tourism Gold Standard, and Green Key accreditations. It sources 100% of its electricity from REGO-backed renewable sources and has achieved 100% waste diversion from landfill since 2018. The resort utilizes a self-sustained irrigation system for its golf courses and actively promotes biodiversity with beehives and bug hotels.

Chewton Glen focuses on reducing its environmental impact by minimizing energy consumption, waste, and water usage. It provides electric vehicle charging points and has significantly reduced single-use plastics. The hotel implements comprehensive recycling programs and offers a guest laundry opt-out scheme. It cultivates 70 beehives and an orchard with over 200 heritage fruit trees, and its unique treehouse accommodations are designed to be eco-friendly.

The Queensberry Hotel is actively working towards a Silver Green Tourism Business Scheme award. It has replaced single-use plastic toiletries with refillable aluminum containers and invested in a boiler room to increase energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by 30%. The hotel uses energy-efficient LED lighting, recycles food waste (with residual waste sent for energy recovery to achieve zero landfill), and employs dual flush toilets. Gardens are maintained using rainwater.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark Mill Hotel is committed to sustainable practices and generates its own hydro-electricity. It has received multiple environmental awards, including Gold Awards for Green Tourism in 2003 and 2007. The hotel's management plan ensures environmentally and economically sustainable tourism benefits the local community.

The Lygon Arms actively measures its sustainability impact and has partnered with The Sustainability Group, utilizing the FuturePlus ESG framework. The hotel has significantly reduced single-use plastics and achieved a 73% recycling rate, with remaining waste converted to energy. It also provides electric vehicle charging points.

With an inherent focus on sustainable hospitality, Sofitel London St James has made remarkable strides in eco-conscious practices. A significant achievement in 2022 was the complete removal of all single-use plastics from the rooms, contributing to a dramatic reduction in plastic waste. The hotel's steadfast commitment to sustainability doesn't end there, with continuous efforts to reduce single-use plastic throughout all of the hotel's operations.

Concurrently, Sofitel London St James is dedicated to effective waste management and keen on raising environmental awareness among both employees and guests. The hotel's ongoing sustainability journey has a significant milestone set for 2023 - achieving the Green Key Certification, a globally recognized eco-label that advocates environmental responsibility and sustainable operations in the tourism sector. In the heart of London, Sofitel St James stands as a beacon of sustainable luxury hospitality, making genuine strides towards a more environmentally responsible future.

A shimmering example of sustainable luxury, the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel takes pride in its eco-friendly ethos. Boasting the esteemed LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, this hotel effortlessly weaves sustainability into its day-to-day functions. Prioritizing the use of recycled materials, adopting high-efficiency cooling systems, and preferring clean-air vehicles, the hotel unequivocally showcases its dedication to environmental stewardship. It's not just about the buildings; the air here is also special. Utilizing an innovative Plasma HVAC ventilation system, the hotel ensures significantly cleaner and healthier air, mirroring the systems in hospital operating rooms and even the White House.

Moreover, the hotel goes a step further with its Clean the World partnership. Unused soap bars aren't discarded but are recycled to provide hygiene kits for impoverished communities and disaster-stricken areas worldwide. Not only does the hotel aim to reduce its carbon footprint, but it also supports the local economy by sourcing fresh produce from local farms and purveyors. As a haven for electric vehicle owners, the hotel offers charging stations, including Tesla Level 2 and Universal Electric Vehicle Chargers. Bathrooms are adorned with large, refillable Atelier Bloem amenities, eliminating the need for small plastic bottles. Lastly, the hotel embraces energy efficiency through LED light fixtures and conserves water with low-flow systems in faucets, shower heads, and toilets, making every stay a testament to sustainable hospitality.