The UK has come under a lot of criticism with its response to climate change (BoJo taking a plane to Cornwall and back from COP 26 in Glasgow didn't do it any favours either!). However, compared to some other countries, the United Kingdom have actually done a tremendous job at reducing their reliance on fossil fuels/non-renewable energy. As of December 2020, the UK uses 40.2% of its electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar energy and is a pioneer in its own right with wind farms. On top of that, the most recent Climate Change Performance Index ranks the UK as fourth for its response to the climate crisis, just behind the Nordic countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway.
The hotel industry in the UK has also increased its focus on sustainability dramatically in the last few years as they look towards a net zero carbon future. To recognise this, we wanted to showcase some of the most sustainable hotels we’ve come across in the country, to shout out some of their amazing innovations and to reassure you we are making some great progress in our fight against global warming.
The Green House, Bournemouth
With ‘green’ literally in the name, this boutique hotel attains the highest environmental standards in everything they do. Food and drink are locally sourced from ethical suppliers and their 32 guest rooms are furnished only with natural and sustainable materials. The team behind The Green House has a real commitment to sustainability which shows in the huge number of innovations they’ve implemented in every element of the hotel.
Another area The Green House outshines in is its selection of DDR packages. The hotel offers a Green Delegate Package which provides the general F&B, room hire and AV equipment as well as a choice of two hours foraging in a nearby park, basic bushcraft, an intro to beekeeping or how to plant your own veggie garden. Alternatively, their Corporate Wellness Delegate Package gives you the choice of two talks or workshops from Barbara Cox, award winning nutritionist and corporate wellness expert.
Hyatt Centric Cambridge
Newly opened Hyatt Centric Cambridge leads the way on sustainability in the Midlands. 80% of the roof space has solar panels which will generate a portion of the hotel’s power whilst LED lighting and motion sensors reduce energy usage across the hotel.
Within the Hyatt Centric Cambridge itself, they use locally sourced products, have removed single-use plastics and are part of Cambridge Sustainable Food, a local food waste scheme. Our favourite part is their rooftop courtyard, an eco-garden based on a global approach to the garden favouring the application of cultural methods and the use of alternative or biocontrol solutions.
Chewton Glen, Hampshire
Chewton Glen celebrate a culinary biodiversity. They have 70 working beehives of very well-behaved bees and a fabulous array of vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers are harvested each year from the Walled Kitchen Garden and Nursery.
There are also 14 beautiful treehouses at Chewton Glen which have been built to have minimal environmental impact. Sustainable features include rain water harvesting, air source heat pumps, solar panels and low energy lighting. With a varied choice of meeting rooms as well as exclusive hire available, this country house hotel can also host most events.
Hilton London Bankside
The first hotel to design a whole suite with completely sustainable materials, dubbed The Vegan Suite is one of the many reasons this hotel makes it to our list. Approved by The Vegan Society, the whole suite provides a full vegan experience from a plant-based check-in desk to furniture and cushions created from Piñatex, a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves!
Hilton Bankside also has a number of beehives located on its large green roof terrace, to further support London’s green infrastructure, provide local honey and prevent the decline of bees throughout the city. Next to this, a sustainable kitchen garden produces fresh vegetables and herbs for dishes at the hotel’s events and restaurant.
Treehouse Hotel, London
Boasting some of the best views in Central London (their rooftop bar The Nest has spectacular 360 views of London’s skyline), The Treehouse Hotel in Marylebone has a strong focus on sustainability as it adopts many of the initiatives of its sister brand 1 Hotels.
The hotel has 95 rooms that are fitted with organic cotton bedsheets, locally sourced products and gorgeous wooden furnishings. The general design of the hotel incorporates many recycled elements and there is a selection of event spaces that have been carefully created with built-in tech and natural daylight to ensure delegates feel at ease.
And with new a Treehouse hotel arriving in Manchester this year, this is definitely a brand to watch!
Through our close relationships with these hotels, Zentive can ensure that your incentive travel program has a strong focus on sustainability without breaking the bank. To see how we can help, drop us an email on hello@zentiveagency.com.
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